Garden Design Basics

Many gardeners will buy plants on a whim, with no particular idea as to where they might go or how they will improve the existing site. Having a landscape plan or strong direction for your landscape will greatly help you use these plants in functional and attractive combinations. Some of these details are basic and familiar, while some will involve more planning.

Creating physical and visual texture will give your landscape enduring appeal, so consider all of the characteristics a plant has to offer In addition to flower color, include size, habit, leaf shape, texture, and the colors of the various plant parts, all of which contribute to a plant's sustained presence. For example, combine leafy or succulent plants with spare ones, such as sedum with ornamental grass or add sculptural or winter interest plants such as red-twig dogwood in front of white pine. For a partial shade location, plant highbush blueberry or snakeroot with hosta at the front and iris throughout the planting bed.

Most gardeners are aware of some of the basic rules of plant arrangement, one of which is that plants are often more appealing if they are grouped in odd numbers. Plants grouped in even numbers, however, will work well for formal arrangements. Grouping plants in masses is also visually appealing, since it provides satisfying simplicity, such as a massed planting of large leaf hosta varieties which utilizes the simplicity of this plant's habit. The subtle variety of the leaf colors make it stand out!

Large and bold plants give structure to a landscape, as these structural aspects are the landscape mainstays that prevail throughout the year. Structural plants that can accomplish this are big grasses, evergreen shrubs and trees, and deciduous plants (those that drop their leaves for the winter) with interesting branching. Non-plant structural items include stonewalls, series of boulders or stones, fencing, outdoor furniture, rocky ledges, and outdoor sculptures. Imagine a wooded area cleared of underbrush with ostrich fern planted as the groundcover and a stonewall cutting through or behind the site. This is an idyllic site with significant presence. To increase the dramatic presence, add a piece of outdoor sculpture, a very large pot or urn, a specimen evergreen shrub, or a handful of large shade perennials, which would also enhance the seasonal change on the site. The idea is to augment or flatter the existing landscape, using it as a stage to present your ideas and additions.

Just as plants need help to get to their full potential, gardeners who are interested in changing the existing landscape need some help as well. Consider the following ideas to help you get started:

Placing a light colored or feathery plant in a shaded corner will both brighten that spot and highlight the plant, such as yellow leaved bleeding heart under shady evergreen boughs.

Plant a single rhododendron in the woods within view of your home or a path. This one plant in flower will bring meaning to that otherwise overlooked area with a burst of color and texture.

Use a bare barn or shed wall to hang a bold wood or metal lattice on, with a vine combination running through it. Combine climbing hydrangea or arctic kiwi with a flowering vine of relatively delicate habit such as any clematis or morning glory. Virginia creeper, a native plant which has great fall color and berries, entwining itself in a weeping evergreen would be a wonderful display, too.

Remember that a landscape is not static, since the plants and structural facets in it are malleable, with many basic considerations of location, effort expended, plant needs, and maintenance required. However, if directed with your ideas and efforts, your landscape will bring you satisfaction many times over for years to come.

Grounds by Design – Fine Landscapes is locally owned by Matt Giroux, who is available for design, gardening, consulting, and photography on your landscape project. Contact Matt at 371-7093 with your gardening and landscape questions.