I have never been a natural gardener. For years, I struggled to keep basic houseplants alive, only to kill them at the first opportunity. It was difficult and stressful to buy a home with a yard, but I knew that I might be able to learn what I was doing wrong and correct the problem. To start off, I focused heavily on the lawn, and tried hard to keep it trimmed and well-maintained. Next, I cleaned up the flowerbeds. It was a lot of work, but I knew that it would pay off in the end. When I was done, my front yard was gorgeous, and guess what--it even stayed alive. This blog is all about loving your little landscape.
Planning a flower garden for your yard? Before you run out to the nursery and start buying flowers, give some thought to the planning process. By planning well, you can avoid mistakes that could detract from your enjoyment of your flowers. Here are 5 steps to designing a successful flower garden.
Size and Shape
The best place to begin designing the garden is to know the general size and shape of the space you plan to use. Being clear on the size available and how much of it you want to devote to flowers will help you choose accessories and plants that are appropriately sized. The shape will both inform and be determined by the style of garden you want (more on that below) and how it will fit into the surroundings. If you're unsure how your garden will fit in with your overall landscaping, working with a professional landscaper may give you the boost you need to move forward.
Style
Once you know what size garden you're working with, it's time to settle on a style. If you want a modern yard design, you may want to use geometric designs, stark contrasts in flowers or exotic plants. If you're looking for a cottage garden, on the other hand, it's all about soft edges, meandering paths and mix-and-match plants. Match your garden's traditional style elements with your size and shape decisions.
Research Plants
This is the point at which to spend some time researching plants and flowers. Start by learning about your planting zone so you can pick flowers that will thrive with minimal care and watering. Create a selection of shorter and taller flowers as well as perennials and annuals for variety. If your garden area is large enough for some complementary greenery, choose shrubs or small trees that will work well with your particular style.
Focal Point
By the time you've gotten this far, your garden should be taking shape nicely... at least on paper. Now, add some accents as focal points to break up the flowers and give visitors something to marvel at. If the space is small, a single focal point object -- such as a bubbling fountain, a piece of eclectic yard art or a bench -- is probably enough. If the garden is large or meanders around, you can plan two or more focal points of different types -- like a water feature, a sitting area or a unique tree.
Think Ahead
As you plant your flowers, think about how the garden will look year-round. In your plant research, look for flowers that bloom at different times to provide the most color. Complement them with foliage that stays green or thrives in the early spring or late fall. Small shrubs may also help provide structure during the months when few flowers will be in force.
By spending some time planning out your flower garden, you can create something that will last for years to come and provide beauty all year long. Talk to a landscaping expert for more help.
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