Color plays an essential part in garden design. Shades that share similar hues look attractive next to one another on the color wheel, while complementary colors across from each other add visual interest after flowers have faded. Foliage also adds visual texture when flowers have gone.
Experienced flower garden designers use repetition of core colors and shapes throughout their beds to achieve a cohesive appearance. Odd number groupings tend to be more pleasing to the eye than even ones.
Location
Real estate agents understand the value of location; similarly, flower garden success requires selecting an area with ample sunlight for your plants to flourish. “Bloom time will increase if full sun exposure is provided to flowers versus partial shade conditions,” according to Wiley.
Consider your soil type when planning garden beds; for instance, sandy soil won’t produce dense planting beds like you want.
Before planting new flower gardens in your landscape, take an honest appraisal of existing gardens and ruthlessly weed out those not performing as you expected them to. For instance, plants not flourishing under your garden’s light conditions, those with unpredictable bloom times or any that just don’t suit should be removed immediately – this will allow you to build an enjoyable garden experience that you will want to return to time after time – then sit back and appreciate all your hard work with pride!
Focal Point
Focal points draw the eye into your landscape and draw visitors in with captivating displays that draw the eye inward. A focal point can take many forms – such as an impressive grouping of plants or piece of garden art, hardscape elements like trellises or arbors, even planting beds filled with vibrant blooming trees – that stand out.
Color can be an eye-catcher, but shape and texture can also draw people in. Playing around with combinations of texture like fine foliage (such as marigolds) with coarse foliage (canna lilies) adds intrigue to flower gardens.
Plants and flowers make natural focal points, but don’t limit yourself to just those. Don’t be intimidated to incorporate other objects such as sculptures or birdbath into the overall design – just make sure that whatever focal point you select complements its surrounding elements to ensure it makes a cohesive space that invites visitors. Consider when the focal point will look best against its background scenery as you plan your garden design.
Background
Your garden’s specific soil, light and maintenance requirements will ultimately dictate its design; however, your personal preferences and objectives also play a major role. Do you prefer formal garden beds with straight edges and tidy plantings or do you prefer more of an informal aesthetic with curving lines and loosely planted clumps?
To keep your garden blooming throughout the season, choose plants with different flowering times so that when some blooms fade or wilt away, others are in full bloom. Foliage also adds interest and adds color when flowers don’t.
Flowers gardens can range in design complexity depending on what appeals to you, but all gardens must start with good soil and plant placement for success. Once these two basics have been addressed, your creativity can start flowing freely – giving your flower garden its true flourishing potential!
Plant Groupings
Once you know how large and what shape your flower bed will be, it’s time to put together some plant groups using all of the research you conducted. Here, all your hard work comes into play!
Pay special consideration to the height of each plant in your garden as this is one of the primary components that impact its visual impact. Aim for an attractive gradient between tallest plants at the back and shorter ones at the front for maximum visual impact.
Make sure that every plant in your garden features beautiful foliage (sometimes known as habit or form). Flowers with attractive and interesting forms that add color and texture are sure to draw the eye around. Some of the most striking gardens combine different plant shapes in groups or drifts for added visual interest and harmony in a garden space – giving it more balance while drawing visitors through.