Garden Layouts

There are many types of garden layouts to choose from, depending on the location, size and shape of your area and the plants you wish to include.

Also consider sun exposure, drainage, shade and wind in your planning. Keep your garden areas in scale and in the style of your house and property.

A large, formal garden probably won't work in a small, odd shaped yard; and a tiny cottage garden may look out of place in a large formal setting.

To create balance in your garden beds, select various areas that can be tied together by color, seasonal plantings, or ground covers.

Plan the Garden

Draw a grid of your space and the various beds you want to include within the garden area.

Consider structures like sheds, garages and existing trees and how they will impact your sun exposure.

Draw various garden layouts and see what arrangement you like best. Don't forget to include paths and things like trellises, gazebos, and fountains.

Leave enough room to be able to walk among the beds for weeding and picking flowers.

And don't forget to allow space for a place to sit and relax, whether it's a lounge chair under a tree, or a table and chairs surrounded by flowers.

Select the Plants

Consider the types of plants you want to include. Shrubs, vines, bulbs, perennials and annuals can all be mixed together in a bed that is well planned.

Cut out pictures from magazines or seed catalogs and position them on your grid.

Visualize the colors, sizes, shapes and bloom times of the plantings and stagger plants to achieve the look you want.

Place large perennials where smaller plantings can be added in between, with tall plants where they won't shade low growers.

Add a trellis to support vines; it will also add textural interest. Ground covers or mulch can be used to tie all the elements together.

Making it all Work

Once you've planned your garden layout and selected your plantings, it's time to dig in. Plant your larger perennials, then add smaller plant and annuals.

Once everything is planted, step back and look around. Does anything look out of balance? There's still time to move things before the roots take hold.

It takes some work to plan your garden, but in the end, its well worth the time and effort.

More Garden Ideas

Vegetable Garden Layouts
Understanding the growth cycles and habits of the vegetables you want to plant, and carefully planning your vegetable garden layout will bring you a bountiful harvest of vegetables.