(NC)-Spring is synonymous with gardening. It is the season to start tackling garden and yard improvement projects to revive your outdoor living space.

"The arrival of spring often inspires gardeners with fresh new ideas," said Mark Cullen, Home Hardware's gardening expert and author of The Canadian Garden Primer. "The trends this year focus on maximizing outdoor spaces to create a welcoming oasis for relaxing and entertaining family and friends. Annuals and perennials in bold colour palettes add a vibrant and cheerful flair while the integration of dwarf plants increases the diversity of your garden."

Create a lush and flourishing garden inspired by Mark Cullen's top five trends for spring 2009:

• Use containers to dress up patios, decks and walkways with bright colours and texture. Mix annuals, perennials, vegetables and herbs together for a practical and decorative touch.
• Incorporate dwarf and slow growing plants such as evergreens, shrubs and trees to add variety to your garden. Group plants together, as repetition anchors your garden to make it appear lush and coordinated.
• Add colour by selecting annuals and perennials that produce an abundance of colour for the longest possible length of time so you can enjoy it all season long. This year's colour trends suggest bold colours such as red, orange and pink to electrify your garden.
• Enhance small spaces through creative garden design and yard plans that serve multiple purposes. This trend is emerging as new condominium developments continue to dot the urban landscape and new homes are built on smaller lots.
• Take the indoors out and extend your living space by creating an outdoor oasis where you can relax and entertain family and friends. Save money this season by hosting a luau or planning a family vacation without ever having to leave your backyard.

More information on how to create a visually-appealing garden is available online at www.homehardware.ca.