Relying on the tried-and-true in the garden will no doubt bring success, but rows of azaleas, dogwoods, boxwoods and rhododendrons can grow boring.

Ready for something new? Give your garden a fresh look with unusual plants that provide year-round interest.

"I think people are looking to have a different garden . . . with versatility," said Beth Burrell, a landscape designer and owner of The Giving Tree in Mechanicsville. "I think that trend is growing. People want to exceed the boundaries."

Burrell, who regularly teaches classes at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, specializes in introducing rare and unusual plants to the area. Before recommending them to her clients, though, she grows them at home.

Hundreds of plants fill her four gardens that cover an acre off Pole Green Road. Paths take visitors around Alocasia macrorrhiza (giant elephant ears), Sciadopitys verticillata (Japanese umbrella pine), the Japanese conifer Cryptomeria japonica 'Sekkan' and the fragrant Edgeworthia gardenii.

Around the bend, discover the golden dawn redwood Metasequoia glyptostroboides 'Ogon,' the deciduous Chinese date tree Zizyphus jujube (a small tree with edible fruit similar to dates), evergreen shrubs and daylily cultivars.

Butterflies hover around verbena, while bees remain busy in the mountain mint.

Take a close-up look at the landscape during Burrell's open house Sept. 26 and 27. Visitors will be able to tour her gardens - display, cut flower, kitchen and conifer - and talk to Hanover master gardeners. Unusual perennials, shrubs and vines will be available for sale.

"I've always been interested in finding plants that are new and different," Burrell said. "If you have the same old, where does the challenge and the interest come from?"

Traveling to wholesale garden centers in North Carolina, Georgia and South Carolina, Burrell has discovered a host of plants from China, Japan, Asia and South America that thrive here.

"I don't think it's always best to plant natives," Burrell said. "It's an option. In terms of getting year-round interest, you can't do that as much with native material."

Just like natives, some plants from around the world prosper in Virginia gardens.

"We put them on trial here before recommending them to the public," Burrell said.

Those plants that fail get tossed. The prarie broom grass Schizachyrium scoparium 'The Blues' got the boot because of its unkempt plant habit. Persicaria polymorpha 'White Dragon' (mountain fleece flower) turned into a dismal brown mess, so out it went. Burrell also gives a firm thumbs down to the ornamental strawberry Fragaria 'Pink Panda' because of its invasive nature.

"Sometimes it's disappointing, because we hope it will be hardy," Burrell said. "But at the same time, the education . . . is important. That's why we try a lot of different plants. I'd rather know it's not going to work well than sell it to the public and have them disappointed."

While flowering plants draw applause from customers, Burrell also stresses the importance of foliage. Texture can be a real eye- catcher, and color that remains stable throughout the growing season is a bonus. Bright golds glisten on sunny or cloudy days, while burgundy leaves add drama to the landscape.

"It's the foliage that catches my eye first, not the flower," Burrell said. "We use a lot of foliage instead of relying on the flower. Foliage extends the garden and will carry you a long way - from spring to the end of the season."

For part shade, she suggests trying the Japanese fleece flower Fallopia japonica 'Variegata.' Its white-splashed foliage is accentuated with pink stems. Weigela florida 'Rubidor' radiates bright, neon yellow foliage and ruby red blossoms in May. Another favorite of Burrell's is the purple-leafed Physocarpus opulifolius 'Diabolo.' This large shrub tops out at about 9 feet.

"You tend to, on your own, know a few plants - the traditional ones," said Dick Erickson, a retired James River Corp. executive. He and his wife, Sally, hired Burrell a few years ago to create a perennial garden at their home off River Road. "We wanted to find some new plants we could enjoy."

Burrell suggested several, including 'Ogon,' variegated dogwood and umbrella pine. For another client, a busy salesman, Burrell recommended a mixture of shrubs, perennials and potted flowers.

"I don't have a lot of time, and I don't have a green thumb," Jonathan Kashouty said. "I gave her some really broad parameters - I wanted it to look nice. I just have to write the check."

Each week, Burrell and her staff of four make the rounds among clients such as Kashouty, whose garden requires regular care, and new customers looking to overhaul old beds or design new ones. She also sells plants throughout the year from her home by appointment.

"I love it," Burrell said. "I get so much fulfillment out of going to a garden and transforming it."

Growing up in Roanoke, Burrell followed her mother around the gardens and grew her own vegetables. Her career choice, she said, was easy. She graduated from Virginia Tech in 1984 with a bachelor's degree in landscape design.

A year later, she moved to Richmond and worked at Strange's Florist and Southern States. She served as the horticulturist at Agecroft Hall until 1989, then moved to the Upper Brandon Plantation in Prince George County. She started The Giving Tree, named for the Shel Silverstein book, in 1994.

"Having my own business is something I wanted for a while, but it's scary taking that first step," said Burrell, who received a master's degree from Virginia Tech in 1995 in ornamental horticulture. "A business is a lot like a garden. It starts small and grows into this wonderful creation."

She offers regular workshops on her property and holds an open house twice a year so gardeners can see how rare and unusual plants fit into the landscape. Her garden also showcases the finishing touches, from sculpture and fountains to birdhouses and benches.

"More than a collection of outstanding plants, the garden is meant to be experienced," Burrell said. "It's a gathering place, a cozy retreat or perhaps a welcoming front entry. Regardless of the space, large or small, the beauty can be enjoyed year-round."

NEW LOOK

Planning a garden or overhauling one? Beth Burrell offers these suggestions before digging in the dirt.

* Plan: Think about how you will use the garden. Do you need to accommodate pets or children?

* Visualize: Position your garden and your plantings for optimum viewing from inside the house.

* Color: Know your favorite color and color combinations? Work them into the garden.

*Good dirt: If your soil needs help, add organic matter. If you are not sure what it needs, get a soil test.

* Not the norm: Add unusual and rare plants to your garden scheme.

* Straight and narrow: When marking your border, remember that curves add interest and are more pleasing to the eye than straight lines.