A successful flower garden design begins with an eye-catching focal point. This could range from an impressive grouping of plants to garden art that draws the visitor in.
Consider color and height when designing flower beds. Experiment with combinations of texture and size by pairing dainty blooms next to bushier varieties for visual weight and interest.
Digging
Once your garden has been given the once over in terms of weeding (step 1), take a critical eye towards its overall composition. Search for gaps and dead spots where more plants could be added; determine where you would like a focal point to emerge – perhaps an explosion of color in one corner, or an appealing display near your house?
Step two is digging. Flower gardens can be created on nearly any type of soil, though loose and well-draining conditions tend to be the easiest for gardening. Raised beds may be appropriate if your soil contains clay or sandy material that needs amending with organic matter such as manure or compost, while inorganic material like vermiculite will need adding in. Steep slopes may require terracing in order to avoid erosion problems or might make ideal environments for groundcover plants like hostas or sedums.
Before planting anything in your garden, keep in mind the light requirements for that space. Full-sun perennials won’t survive in shaded environments while their counterparts won’t bloom as quickly either. Before purchasing plants from nurseries or stores, check their foliage to see if it has become root bound; and avoid those with holes or sticky leaves as these will not flourish once planted in the garden.
Another way to add beauty and dimension to your flower garden is layering plants by height. Arranging taller ones in the back while shorter ones come forward prevents them from competing for visibility, and texture tinkering is another effective design element: using fine-leafed marigolds alongside coarser foliage like nasturtiums is another effective design technique. Finally, plan your flower garden so it includes flowers that bloom at different times throughout the year so when earlier flowers fade they’re replaced by even more vibrant hues extending their season or prolonging its season for maximum color impact!
Leveling
Flower garden designers utilize landscapes as canvases to craft works of floral art. Experienced gardeners consider several factors when creating beds, including showy focal plants for focal points, plant sizes and year-round interest; color combinations; bloom time; fragrance qualities as well as whether or not their flowers attract butterflies, hummingbirds and other pollinators species.
Make an initial rough sketch of your garden area. Take note of any sun requirements of the planting area, space availability for flower beds and any existing trees that might restrict where new flowerbeds can be planted.
Most flower garden plants require full sun to thrive, so select locations with sufficient lighting. Avoid areas where soil stays wet as this makes growing most flowers difficult – with the exception of shade-tolerant varieties and certain groundcovers. Steep slopes may require terracing in order to prevent erosion and preserve soil health.
Plan a garden design that suits both your preferences and desired overall feel. Utilize a focal point that draws onlookers’ attention – such as an eye-catching plant or flowerpot; an inviting birdbath; or something more whimsical such as an eye-catching fountain; to provide balance, plan to include both filler flowers such as snapdragons and feverfew as well as larger blooms like lilies or daisies.
Repetitive colors and shapes give flower gardens an overall sense of cohesion, but it can be easy to overdo it; therefore, before making final decisions regarding color combinations it’s wise to review these carefully first. Color combinations that sit next to one another on the color wheel like pink and red look harmonious; colors opposite from each other such as purple and yellow make an interesting contrast; while solid and variegated foliage add texture. Also keep in mind that not all blooming times of your flowers will improve its overall aesthetic appearance.