Landscaping designs generally involve plants. It's rare to find landscaping that doesn't include some type of plant material.
It's only natural that you will want to choose plants that you love, but ones that also compliment each other. They also need to be suitable for your climate.
Choosing your plantings can be a very exciting part of your landscaping design.
Unless you hire a full time gardener you will need to have some knowledge about the plants you intend to use. You don't want costly mistakes like planting sunny varieties in a shady area or moisture loving plants in a dry area.
You will need to know the individual plant's water needs, soil needs, what type of fertilizer and how much, along with how much light they need. Knowing these things before you buy will help you to determine which plants you can mix and match. You want to plant a willing garden, one that will grow and thrive with relatively easy care.
The floor of your landscape
This includes grass, ground cover, flower beds, walkways, shrubs, vines, etc. Everything needs a base to be build upon. Landscaping is no different. Deciding on your plants also involves deciding on the types of plants and their growing season. You can opt to plant bulbs, fungi like tree and ground moss, or viney plants like ivy and grapevines.
Blooming season
It's essential to know when certain plants bloom. If you want color to last from early spring to fall, you will choose plants that have different blooming seasons.
Tulips are great for early spring, but once they stop blooming you are left with only greenery. You'll want to plant other plants in the same area that will bloom later on.
You need to decide if you'll choose to plant annuals, biennials, or perennials. Annuals, of course, will have to be replaced every year. If you enjoy planting each spring you may want to leave a bed or two open for these types of plants.
This way you can mix and match or choose something entirely different each year. Annual beds are very versatile.
How much color?
Some of the nicest landscapes include lots of colorful plants. You should consider if you want mostly greenery with a splash of color here and there, or if you want flower beds and areas that look as if they've been sprayed with tons of beautiful color.
Your choices all depend on what appeals to you and the effect you're trying to create. You can have areas of mostly greenery and areas of mostly color. It's really up to you and your tastes.
Other elements to consider
There are so many things you can and should consider during the planning phase of your landscaping design. Many of these elements aren't plants either, but can help show off your plantings by adding depth and contrast. Things such as fences, trellises, walls, etc.
You can also grow natural walls from shrubs and trees or use vines on fencing.
Landscaping can be a lot of fun and a lot of hard work. If you plan to tend to the yard yourself, make sure you have a good bit of knowledge about the plants you will use. You can create your own personal journal to keep up with each plant's individual needs. It's only natural that you will want to choose plants that you love, but ones that also compliment each other. They also need to be suitable for your climate.
Choosing your plantings can be a very exciting part of your landscaping design.
Unless you hire a full time gardener you will need to have some knowledge about the plants you intend to use. You don't want costly mistakes like planting sunny varieties in a shady area or moisture loving plants in a dry area.
You will need to know the individual plant's water needs, soil needs, what type of fertilizer and how much, along with how much light they need. Knowing these things before you buy will help you to determine which plants you can mix and match. You want to plant a willing garden, one that will grow and thrive with relatively easy care.
The floor of your landscape
This includes grass, ground cover, flower beds, walkways, shrubs, vines, etc. Everything needs a base to be build upon. Landscaping is no different. Deciding on your plants also involves deciding on the types of plants and their growing season. You can opt to plant bulbs, fungi like tree and ground moss, or viney plants like ivy and grapevines.
It's essential to know when certain plants bloom. If you want color to last from early spring to fall, you will choose plants that have different blooming seasons.
Tulips are great for early spring, but once they stop blooming you are left with only greenery. You'll want to plant other plants in the same area that will bloom later on.
You need to decide if you'll choose to plant annuals, biennials, or perennials. Annuals, of course, will have to be replaced every year. If you enjoy planting each spring you may want to leave a bed or two open for these types of plants.
This way you can mix and match or choose something entirely different each year. Annual beds are very versatile.
How much color?
Some of the nicest landscapes include lots of colorful plants. You should consider if you want mostly greenery with a splash of color here and there, or if you want flower beds and areas that look as if they've been sprayed with tons of beautiful color.
Your choices all depend on what appeals to you and the effect you're trying to create. You can have areas of mostly greenery and areas of mostly color. It's really up to you and your tastes.
Other elements to consider
There are so many things you can and should consider during the planning phase of your landscaping design. Many of these elements aren't plants either, but can help show off your plantings by adding depth and contrast. Things such as fences, trellises, walls, etc.
Even though it can be work, it should also bring you years of enjoyment and relaxation.
I have put some more tips online here on my squid pages, and I'll also be publishing some really helpful gardening books soon - ENJOY!
http://www.squidoo.com/how-to-build-kids-playhouse
http://www.squidoo.com/garden-planning-design-tips
http://www.squidoo.com/build-child-treehouse
http://www.squidoo.com/patios-verandahs-decks-balconies-how-to-tips
http://www.squidoo.com/pretty-garden-gloves-and-tools
http://www.squidoo.com/spring-flowers-flora
http://www.squidoo.com/greenhouse-construction
http://www.squidoo.com/small-manure-spreader
http://www.squidoo.com/worm-castings
http://www.squidoo.com/fall-seasonal-products
http://www.squidoo.com/residential-solar-energy-systems-pros-cons
http://www.squidoo.com/benefits-of-solar-energy-for-homes-info
http://www.squidoo.com/ecofriendly-diy-solar-power
Helene Malmsio
p.s. and I love my indoor gardens too - I have THREE Aerogardens on the go!
http://www.squidoo.com/aerogarden-too
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