A different direction with planting this year....

Every spring I just cant wait to start planting! When I head to the nursery I try to think out of the box a bit.

Marigolds, alyssum and petunias just don't do it for me.

Better Homes and Gardens came up with some really beautiful and

non-traditional planting ideas. Yay!

Thanks BHG!

Misaka Peony If you've been let down by peonies drooping to the ground after a heavy late-spring rain, we bet you'll love Misaka, a hybrid between shrubby tree peonies and garden peonies. This variety features wonderfully strong stems and an amazing number of 8-inch-wide peachy-yellow blooms. Name: Misaka Paeonia 'Smith Opus 1' Growing conditions: Full sun and moist, well-drained soil Size: To 30 inches tall and wide Zones: 4-8 Grow it with: 'Butter and Sugar' Siberian iris, which offers lovely butterfly-shape blooms in creamy yellow Source: monrovia.com

'Blue Note' Pincushion Flower An improvement over 'Butterfly Blue', an award-winning variety, 'Blue Note' shows off more flowers that are a richer blue color -- and has a more compact plant habit. It's a wonderful choice for growing in containers, in butterfly gardens, or at the front of a border. Name: Scabiosa columbaria 'Blue Note' Growing conditions: Full sun and well-drained soil Size: To 10 inches tall and 14 inches wide Zones: 5-8 Grow it with: Rozanne geranium, which offers similar blue flowers over a long period Source: Look for this variety at your local garden center

'Madly Blue Violet' Rock Cress A stunner for rock gardens and other sunny spots, this creeping plant becomes a carpet of color for several weeks in spring when it's covered in violet-blue flowers. It often reblooms in fall, giving you more interest in the garden. Name: Aubrieta 'Madly Blue Violet' Growing conditions: Full sun and well-drained soil Size: To 6 inches tall and 12 inches wide Zones: 4-9 Grow it with: White bloody geranium adds pretty flowers in spring and summer, and features foliage that turns bright red in fall. Grow it with: Spring-blooming bulbs, such as hyacinths, for an unforgettable combo Source: Find a garden center near you at provenwinners.com

'Sonic Smash' Foamy Bells Add sparkle to your shade with 'Sonic Smash', a stunning hybrid between foamflower (Tiarella) and coralbells (Heuchera). This selection offers green leaves dusted in silver and marked with rich purple-red. It's a sure bet for brilliant color from spring to fall. Name: X Heucherella 'Sonic Smash' Growing Conditions: Full sun or part shade and moist, well-drained soil Growing conditions: Sun or shade and moist, well-drained soil Size: To 12 inches tall and 28 inches wide Zones: 4-8 Grow it with: 'Mocha' coralbells, which features deep purple foliage that complements this plant beautifully Source: waltersgardens.com