Flowers can give life to any empty space. You can transform your dull yard into something that exudes richness and colors by filling it with wonderful blooms of flowers. All gardeners can attest that gardening is an indeed gratifying hobby. One of the most exciting parts of gardening that makes people be hooked to it is designing the garden. With the word design, we know that this is an art form, which is subjective and dependent of people’s different tastes and preferences.
However, even if garden designing is all a matter of personal taste, there are still general guidelines to follow to ensure that you are able to make a beautiful garden design. If you are new to gardening or have no idea how to design your garden, here are some useful tips to guide you.
The following tips will not solely be for aesthetic purposes but for practical reasons as well. Draw the MapThe first step in garden design is drawing the map of your garden.
Determine the size of the area where you intend to plant your flowers then make a rough sketch of the yard in relation to the plot. Include in your map other aspects of the yard such as existing plants and trees, poles, faucets, and slopes. It is also essential that you observe sun patterns and take note of these so you will know where to place plants that need a full amount of sunlight to thrive.
Select the FlowersOnce you have completed your base map, it is now the time to map out the flowering plants you intend to put in your garden.
This leads to the next step, which involves flower seed selection. With the wide variety of flower species to choose from, it can be quite overwhelming to choose. Of course, it is imperative that you are able to choose flowers that will grow and thrive well in the soil and weather conditions in your garden.
Annuals or perennials?
Just like any gardener, you may find yourself torn between these two types of plants: annuals and perennials. Whether to go with annuals or perennials is just a question of which is more suitable to your needs and attitudes as a gardener. But it is always a good idea to incorporate both annuals and perennials in your garden. Annual flower seeds provide your garden with a lush of colorful and long-lasting blooms.
Plant them close together and you will be rewarded with a thick cluster of flowers that are surely pleasing to the eyes. Do not forget to include perennials, which after its short duration of bloom remain to be a visually interesting part of your garden with its foliage and textures.
Incorporate the Elements of Design Aside from choosing whether to grow annuals or perennial flower seeds, it will also help to consider the elements of design: color, texture and balance. ColorThe most prominent element of design is color. This is the first thing that catches the eye when you walk into a garden. Because of this, it is imperative that you are able to choose flowers that will look good together.
To ensure this, use the painting palette as your guide. To achieve a harmonious look for your garden, use a monochromatic pattern (choosing one hue and using it in its different tints and shades) or complementary colors (these are colors that are opposite to each other on the color wheel such as red/green or orange/blue.
For a more dramatic effect, plant contrasting colors next to each other. A pack of wildflower seeds is an efficient way to achieve this effect. This however requires a keen eye for colors so you do not end up with a garden full of clashing colors that are stressful to the eyes. If you are new in gardening, start with 2 to 3 colors to avoid being overwhelmed with lots of colors.
Your garden has life, which means it will change over time. So expect to see changes in colors and be ready to redesign if the colors do not go well together anymore.
Texture
Another important element of design is texture. Plant texture is not all about the foliage but also about how plants look like in different light or shadow conditions. To accomplish a perfect balance in texture, one-thirds of the flowers should have fine texture and two-thirds should be coarse.
Balance
Balance or symmetry ensures that there is order and proportion in the layout of your garden. To achieve balance in your garden design, consider the mature sizes of the plants you intend to grow. This will help you ensure that you will be able to balance the plants more efficiently.
Layout the Garden
After you finish with the design of the garden, lay it out in your yard by placing strings, pegs and other markers to designate the spaces in the plot. It is a good idea to purchase the flowers you intend to grow in small batches and then experiment with them to see if you have made the right choice in selecting them.
More Tips on Garden Design
· Plant in curved lines rather in straight rows to make the garden more visually appealing.
· Add fragrance in your garden by planting sweet smelling perennial flowers like daffodil, lily, hosta and iris.
· Plant flowers that attract butterflies. Butterflies not only help in pollination but also add color and interest to your already beautiful garden.
· Give plant sufficient space in between so you do not end up with a cluttered garden.
· Do not forget to include a place where you can sit. A comfortable chair, bench, or hammock can turn your wonderful garden into a place of relaxation.
· Include a pathway. This will ensure that you can tend to your plants without needing to wet your feet. In garden designing, you are the artist and your garden is your canvas. Make a masterpiece by pouring out energy, creativity and passion into it.
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