A reader writes: "This small space needs a mix of evergreens and perennials that won't grow too large and that doesn't need more than four hours of sun per day."

This small area is what I like to call a pocket garden and this means it can hold all sorts of little treasures. You mention that it only gets about four hours of sun a day, which should explain why the gray plant in the front of the bed (is that a lavender perhaps?) looks so messy. It is reaching for the sun. Start by removing all ugly plants that crave more sunlight. There are plenty of well-behaved shade lovers to take their place.

I like the boxwood huge in the back for winter structure and it looks healthy, so let it stay as a dark green backdrop. Now let's fill this little pocket with year round color.

In front of the boxwood -- but still in the back of the bed -- plant three to five Hellebores or Lenten Rose plants. These perennials bloom early in the spring despite the weather. Near them add some early spring bulbs such as crocus and snowdrops. You'll smile every February when rainy days make the rest of the garden seem bleak. You'll have an early spring to enjoy.

In front of the hellebores plant daffodil and pulmonarias. This gives you blooms in March and April with great foliage color from the pulmonarias all year. Position hosta plants right in front of the daffodils to hide the dying foliage of the bulbs from view. You may need to protect the hostas from the slugs. If they are a problem, use more pulmonias instead of the hostas. Now for some summer color. Brunnera is a shade loving perennial that blooms in the spring but has such great summer foliage that I like it as a plant that lights up any dark corner. The brunnera variety called "Looking Glass" is particularly striking with silver, heart-shaped leaves that resist slugs, drought and even deer in my garden. Let's finish with some fall color in the front of the bed. Autumn crocus and hardy cyclamen are two bulbs that will spread and return each year but that don't take up much room. It's a little more unusual than some other bulb-like plants, but variety is the joy of gardening, and in small spaces you don't have to settle for the same old thing your neighbors grow.

Think of this small space as your jewel box garden and try out all sorts of small but beautiful garden gems.

(Fellow P-I writer Marty Wingate has a helpful book out about "Big Ideas for Northwest Small Gardens".)

Pocket gardens can hold a lot of change.

P.S. For more information, check out my gardening books available at www.binettigarden.com.