Basic Landscape Design

Designing planting beds can be a bit overwhelming if one does not know a lot about plants, their habits, sizes etc. When getting ready to design a bed, do some research first. Hit some local nurseries and check out lots of plants. Read the tags and ask questions. An independent nursery will usually be able to provide more information than a big box store.

You will need the dimensions of the bed you are creating. A mix of evergreen (plants that do not lose their leaves) and deciduous (plants that lose their leaves in the winter) shrubs. Adding in some perennials or grasses will add color and interest. Plantings should have symmetry and balance. It is most visually pleasing to plant in odd numbers and carry the plants across the bed. Planting one shrub here and another there makes for a mis-mash. Our eye relates well to symmetry and reads naturally from side to side. Balance is the key to a good landscape design. This does not mean all the beds have to be filled with the same material, however, carrying one or two varieties from one bed to the next will create a natural,visual flow.

Foundation Planting: Planting beds along the foundation of the house will give your home a manicured look. Tall shrubs on the corners of the house will anchor the house to the ground and soften the hard lines. An ornamental tree planted can add color and interest. Be sure to check how large an ornamental tree will grow and plant accordingly. Evergreen shrubs along the house will add color to the foundation and keep it looking nice during the winter months. Flowering shrubs or perennials for seasonal color will add a punch to the landscape.

Creating island beds: Island beds are a great way to add dimension to the yard. Plantings in an island should add visual interest, yet not block the rest of the landscape.

Having a drawing will be a huge help in planning your landscape. If you are not an artist, it doesn't matter. A sketch with dimensions will be of great assistance when you are at the nursery picking out shrubs. It can be shown to the nursery salesperson and they can offer suggestions as to how many plants to buy, spacing, etc.

Use a hose or spraypaint to shape beds before cutting them out. This will give you flexibility to change the shape before making it permanent. When getting ready to plant your shrubs, trees, etc. place everything first, take several steps back and look at the layout. Make all necessary adjustments before digging any holes. Once you have everything placed where you want them, dig one plant at a time, so your spacing will stay the same.

Have fun, be creative and do your research. You will be pleased and proud of what you created.