Just as location is essential when buying real estate, flower garden design requires accurate measurements and an intelligent layout plan in order to look its best.
Flowering plants generally thrive best under direct sunlight; some varieties won’t even flourish in partial shade conditions.
Determine Your Aesthetic Goals
Step two is to establish your aesthetic goals for your flower garden. Your desired look might range from formal with straight edges, to more organic designs featuring curvier lines; whether bright summer colors or subdued fall hues are preferred.
Color should be one of your first considerations when creating a garden design, as this element sets the overall tone and aesthetic. Choose your flowers according to color preferences, adding contrast with greenery that boasts different hues as a means of balance and visual interest.
Flower garden designers also pay careful consideration to flower shapes when designing flower beds, according to world-renowned Dutch garden designer Piet Oudolf. He advises treating a flower bed like an art canvas by planting perennials with similar shapes such as spires and plumes together for maximum impact. He suggests grouping similar-shaped perennials together in odd numbers of three, five, seven or more for an aesthetic balance and dynamic appeal.
Take Measurements
As the first step of flower garden planning, taking measurements should be your top priority. This will enable you to determine both the size and quantity of plant material necessary. A garden measuring tape or string are suitable for this task; once these dimensions have been collected you can begin sketching out your plan using standard scale.
Consideration of soil conditions, sunlight levels and other landscape features will aid you in designing an effective flower garden layout. If your soil contains sandy or clay soil, for example, planting a variety of flower types that thrive under different environmental conditions could be beneficial.
If your garden is located in full sunlight, select plant species that thrive there. In areas that receive partial or full shade, select species which thrive there instead. And on steep slopes, consider installing retaining walls or other hardscape elements to protect the soil from washing away.
Determine the Space You Have
Before planting, take a moment and look critically at your garden space. Take note of any existing features like paths or borders you would like to keep, as well as any that should be removed or altered.
Consider how much sunlight your flower garden site receives daily to make sure that any plants you select can flourish in its conditions.
After selecting the size and design of your flower garden, determine its layout. Consult White Flower Farm catalog/Web site/cultural instructions booklet shipped with order or label on each plant for recommended spacing guidelines; as a rule of thumb plan on having plants reach 12-18 inches when mature size; group plants together of various heights together for visual interest while adding color all season long!
Think About the Background
Flower gardens provide an ideal canvas for floral art. When designing your blooms, be mindful of what lies beyond their blooms; consider soil color, fencing and house design elements when planning out your landscape design plan.
To create an eye-catching garden design, plant taller plants at the back or center, gradually transitioning into medium height and then shorter plants closer to the front and edges of your bed. This creates depth while making sure each flower receives enough sun. Make sure there are flowers with various bloom times so there are always fresh pops of color to enjoy!
If the task of planning a flower garden seems overwhelming, Kerry Ann Mendez’s book “The Right-Size Flower Garden: Time-Saving Design Solutions and Exceptional Plants to Maintain Sanity Ruling in Your Garden” from St. Lynn’s Press can help. It provides timesaving tips to balance gardening passion with manageability.