Tips & Tricks and Everything You Need to Know
So you’ve decided on setting up your own garden. But do you know how to style it? Do you know what plants and materials can bring life to your lawn and yard?
If you answered “no” to these questions, don’t stress! Our team of specialists is right here to help you make your dream garden come true.
In this blog post, we discuss the basic principles of landscaping. We lay out a list of things to think about when preparing your landscape design. We go over the pros and cons of common landscaping styles. We share guidelines you need to know when picking your theme and the best flowers for your design. Lastly, we help you execute your plans and layout. You’ll find all the essentials of landscaping and garden styling right here!
Get the very best tips from premier florists and gardeners on the best landscape design for your lifestyle! Learn how it can enhance your home, embody who you are as a person, and go with your day-to-day activities and social hostings all at once.
Interested in a formal course? Want to get certified as a gardening expert? We encourage you to look into organizations offering classes in floristry, like:
American Institute of Floral Designers (www.aifd.org)
National Gardening Organization (www.garden.org)
American Floral Endowment (www.endowment.org)
American Horticultural Society (www.ahsgardening.org)
First Things You Should Consider
Always keep in mind that the conditions in your backyard come first before the style. If not, it will never come out right! This rule goes for every whatever style you select for your garden.
Here is a rundown of the first things you should look into when you choose and plan out a design for your landscape!
Architecture of the House
Picking out the design of the landscape needs to go with your own home design and interior design including furniture and furnishings, you want your outside space to reflect your inside space. This will give your home a good sense of balance and cohesion with your garden. It will also help tie your flowers and plants with the style and structure of your chosen landscape design.
Sunlight and where it falls longest
Some plants need lots of sunlight. Some need a whole lot of shade. So it’s important to assess the direction of sunlight and where it falls longest. It will help you plot out your plants with care and accuracy.
Position of potential or existing trees
Like the above factor, the position of existing trees or trees you wish to grow matters. Take note of this to ensure enough sunlight and shade reach your beloved flowers and greens.
Depth and texture of the soil
Look into which areas of your lot have shallow and rocky dirt. Check which spots have more depth and texture. This will help give room for your plant’s roots and growth.
Air quality, wind direction, and strength
If you live in or near the city, you have to consider the quality of the air in your yard. This is to make sure your plants don’t get stifled from too much smoke and fog from cars. Restaurant exhausts and the cramped city space can also be sources of this. So it’s smart to keep this in mind.
The strength and direction of the wind change at different times of the day and throughout the year. These can affect plant growth and texture. So make note of this to help keep your plants nurtured and healthy.
Family pet and neighbor’s pets
Do you have dogs, cats, or other critters that often go out to your yard? If so, make sure you get pet-friendly flowers, shrubs and trees. You might also need to set up a low-rise fence or something similar. This will keep them from harming seedlings or, god forbid, doing their business in the garden bed.
Basic Steps to Designing Your Landscape
Whatever you decide on for your landscape design, there are basic steps you need to follow. Here are a few standards for styling your garden!
Sketch the Plan Out
If you can, it’s far better to get the specific dimensions of your yard from your house’s blueprint. This way, you get an overview of your design. It will even help you explore different styles while you’re still in the preparation phase.
Pick out Flowers as Focal Points
Follow the classic rules of designing bouquets! Choose the star (or stars) of your garden and base your accents and foliage off of the main flower.
Choosing Your Garden Style
It’s important to note here what you plan to do in your garden, as it influences how you do the landscaping in your yard. Is it for leisure? For gatherings and playtime? For rest and relaxation? Strike a balance between lawn and planting areas. This way, you have enough room to move while enjoying the beauty of nature in your garden.
Borders and Edging
It’s also important to know the most ideal kind of materials for the borders and edges of your garden. Whether it’s wood, brick, stone, or anything else, think about your theme and style. Make sure to complement your main flowers and accents with the material you’ll use.
Selecting Your Plants
Now you’re at the phase of choosing your flowers, shrubs, and trees for your garden. In line with that, it’s vital to know the full size of a plant before putting them in the soil. This is to make sure they don’t get too crowded once they arrive at maturity.
Putting it All Together
You’ve chosen landscape design, borders and edging, focal flowers, accents, foliage, and plants. Now you need to bring them all together!
Basic knowledge of the color wheel comes in handy here. Also, consider the textures, shapes, and sizes of different types of flowers and shrubs. Make sure to check how well they match each other.
Pros & Cons of Different Landscape Designs
Which landscape best complements your home design and architectural structure? Which landscape design best reflects your lifestyle and daily life? Whatever your answer is, you can find ideas here! Below is a short list of standard landscape styles you can pick from.
Want to create a personalized design and get creative? Go ahead! You can pick some aspects from these styles and incorporate them into your own. Let your inspiration flow and make your dream garden come true!
English Garden.
Features: Lush shrubs and perennials to suit your home’s architectural style. Sometimes includes birdbaths and arbor.
Oriental/ Japanese Zen
Features: Water, rocks, and evergreens similar to how Asian-style gardens look. Features a selection of plants in complementing shades and hues of green.
Woodland
Features: Takes after its name. Mimics the natural way that flora and fauna grow as seen in forests and wooded areas. Demands less regular maintenance.
Formal
Features: Balanced arrangements, straight lines, and clear-cut geometric shapes with manicured, well-trimmed appearance. Needs a lot of maintenance.
Informal
Features: Curved edges and asymmetrical arrangements, placed in plant beds.
Tropical
Features: Bountiful ferns and shrubs with brightly colored blossoms and tall trees. Akin to a tropical rainforest.
Mediterranean
Features: Secure plant containers on lines of brick or stone, intermixed with flowering plants and blooms.