Garden Landscape Design

There are many elements that go into the overall design, including porches, fencing and walks as well as trees and shrubs. A beautiful garden landscape design should include every element that goes into your property and its purpose in the overall design.

Structures

Consider the style and size of your house when planning the garden landscape design. If it is large and formal, a small, informal bed of flowers will be lost.

However, several small informal beds scattered throughout might make a large, formal house look less imposing.

As long as you have good proportions between your plantings and your structures, it will all balance out.

If you have a shed or garage, decide how you'll design around it and whether you want to emphasize or camouflage it.

A cute little potting shed can be dressed up with a cottage garden and window boxes, while a garage that's an eyesore may be better hidden from view by tall hedges.

If there's a greenhouse, don't forget to include it in the overall design as well. Fencing should also reflect the style of the house.

White picket fencing isn't the best choice for a large formal house; just as a tall, iron fence with heavy gates surrounding a simple cottage would be overpowering.

Look at every element in your landscape and plan them to work together in scale and proportion. Include areas for recreation, cooking out, entertaining and relaxing.

Pools, play equipment, sand boxes and barbeque grills are an everyday part of your landscape and designing around them defines their space and make them look a part of the overall plan.

Find areas that are best suited to different purposes in the garden and choose landscape plants that suit the purpose.

For example, landscaping plants that require constant tending may detract from your entertaining area if you don't have a lot of time for maintenance.

Plantings

The bones of any garden landscape are the foundation plantings near the house. When selecting landscaping plants, trees should be placed where they will have room to grow to their full mature size without being disturbed.

A typical mistake is planting a small tree near the front door, only to find in ten years that it needs to be removed because it blocks the entrance or a view.

Instead, repeat a row of hedges that can be trimmed to maintain their size. Add trees as focal points, creating flower beds around them and in front of the hedges.

Mix different heights, with tall against the house and short in front. Visualize the arrangement and draw up a plan, cutting out pictures or sketching an outline of the design.

Once you make a plan that suits your needs and your property, you're ready to start the process of creating a garden landscape design that will be functional as well as beautiful for years to come.

More Garden Landscape Design Info

Bog Garden
There are some areas in our landscapes that are just more problematic than others. Low spots that don't drain well, areas that flood often and stay moist, or those that border ponds or streams are especially troublesome to gardeners. But these areas don't have to be wasted space in the garden if you select plants that are suited to these conditions and create a unique bog garden.

Cactus Garden
For a truly low-maintenance garden design, consider a cactus garden. Regardless of your climate, there are plants and locations that can be utilized to create a unique garden in any landscape.

Chinese Garden Design
In Chinese garden design, the garden is usually divided into various rooms each having its own purpose and character. The rooms are divided by paths to slow the viewer down and enjoy the beauty and uniqueness of each area.

Cottage Garden Design
This is a garden design that has lasted for generations and will only grow in popularity because of its charm.

English Gardens
The grace and formality that English gardens are best known for are the result of combining several elements into the design to provide privacy and elegance to the landscape.

Fairy Garden
Fairy gardens are enchanted places, filled with wonder and excitement. These magical gardens can be created in our backyards with careful care and respect for nature.

Shade Garden
By selecting plants that will thrive in the specific conditions in the shady area, you can create a colorful and beautiful shade garden.

Wayside Gardens
Straight and formal paths, or sinuous and curvy trails, what you plant along the wayside will create the look that will define your yard.

Xeric Gardens
Xeriscaping is the art of plant placement, water conservation and other management strategies for water wise gardening.

Zen Gardens
We can recreate the look of the Zen garden in our landscapes by selecting the right elements. But it is more important to capture the feeling of peace and connection with nature that Zen gardens are meant to evoke.

If you’d love to improve your front yard landscaping check out these creative design ideas to develop your home’s curb appeal.