Everyone knows to be on the lookout when outside for yellow jackets, mosquitoes and the like. Unfortunately, because of the weeds I term the "itchy rash plants," we can't even let our guard down when coming into contact with weeds in the yard. So what's a body to do? Learn to identify the itchy rash plants, so you can eradicate them, or at least avoid them! And as this article reveals, you have more to be worried about than just poison ivy, poison oak and poison sumac.

Read article: Plants That Cause Itchy Rashes

Phormium tenax "is a spiky, sword-leafed evergreen perennial that is used as a garden focal point or specimen plant," says Marie Iannotti. Although treated as annuals in northerly climes (or brought indoors for the winter), Phormium tenax plants can be quite useful in landscape design. For instance, Marie suggests using them to create a contrast "with low growing, delicate foliage, such as perennial geraniums and coreopsis."

While there's nothing wrong with simply enjoying a garden for its flowers, it's easy to recognize the telltale signs when people have put just a little extra thought into garden design. The presence of a plant such as Phormium tenax is just such a telltale sign. Folks who plant Phormium tenax demonstrate an appreciation for the importance of having interesting textures in the garden. Once you start playing with textures to create contrast, the gardening experience leaves mere amusement in the dust and ascends to a level we can fairly term "fascination."