What makes for a well designed garden? Here's what you need to know.

We know many gardeners feel that garden design is a daunting task, so if you feel that way too, you are not alone. Whether you are creating new garden beds or adding plants to an existing garden, you do not need to be a trained landscape architect to create a well designed garden.

When just starting out, or tackling an overgrown or poorly planted space, it can be hard to know where to begin. That is why we have gathered seven simple tips to help you create a well designed garden.

1. Choose a Garden Style

Start by choosing a general style that reflects your personal taste. Whether you prefer an informal or formal garden, low maintenance planting, or an English cottage garden, think of gardening as decorating for the outdoors. Choose a colour palette that not only appeals to you, but also complements the architecture and colour of your home.

2. Plan Hardscaping Carefully

Put extra time and thought into patios, walkways, and decks, as these elements are a larger investment and much more difficult to change once they are built. Well designed walkways are an easy way to make a property more inviting and improve curb appeal. Be sure to build them wide enough and large enough the first time.

3. Start with Trees and Shrubs

When planning a new garden, your first planting choices should be trees and shrubs. These are the bones of your garden and provide structure through all four seasons. Evergreens are an excellent year round accent plant and should be incorporated into the front entrance garden of every home. Shrubs with varying bloom times in spring, summer, and fall create seasonal interest and are a long term investment that will reward you with vibrant reds, oranges, and yellows in autumn.

4. Read the Tags and Respect Light

When planting shrubs, always read the plant tags. To get the most from your investment, prioritize the full grown size when selecting shrubs. Otherwise, you may find yourself needing to remove them in five years. Sun and shade are another important consideration in garden design. Take time to observe how much light each area receives. Is it morning or afternoon sun, and for how long? Full sun plants will not thrive in shade, and shade plants will struggle in full sun. Right plant, right place is key to successful gardening.

5. Give Trees Room to Grow

Avoid planting trees too close to your home, hydro lines, or other trees, as it can be heartbreaking to remove a mature tree later on. If you want your garden to look established more quickly, consider investing in a few mature specimens rather than planting only small one gallon shrubs and trees.

6. Keep Planting Simple

Rather than filling your garden with too many different plant varieties, keep it simple by choosing a few focal plants as statement pieces. Then layer in supporting plants using a limited selection of varieties. Planting in groups of three or other odd numbers is a helpful guideline, especially when working with perennials.

7. Learn How to Maintain Your Garden

Take the time to learn how to keep your shrubs healthy. Understanding when and how to prune, along with proper fertilizing, is essential for maintaining beautiful plants. It is not as complicated as it sounds, honest.

Need some additional assistance? Visit your local garden centre where trained horticultural staff can help you choose the right plants for your space.

Now it is time to get out and play in the dirt, because life is too short to always have clean fingernails.

~ Kelly