7 Simple Tips for a Well Designed Garden | Ottawa's Best Garden Centre

We know many gardeners feel that garden design can be a daunting task, so if you feel this way too, you are not alone. Whether you’re building new garden beds or adding plants to an existing space, you don’t need to be a trained landscape architect to create a well-designed garden that feels intentional and welcoming.

When you’re just starting out, or tackling an overgrown or poorly planted garden, it can be difficult to know where to begin. With that in mind, we’ve gathered 7 simple tips to help you create a well-designed garden that grows beautifully over time.

Start by choosing a general garden style that reflects your personal taste. Whether you’re drawn to an informal garden, a more structured formal layout, low-maintenance plantings, or an English cottage garden, think of gardening as decorating for the outdoors. Choose a colour palette that appeals to you and complements the architecture and exterior colours of your home.

Put extra time and thought into patios, walkways, and decks, as these elements are larger investments and much harder to change once built. Well-designed walkways can instantly make a property more inviting and significantly improve curb appeal, so be sure to build them large and wide enough the first time.

The first planting choices in a new garden should always be trees and shrubs 
(we have a blog on those too!) These are the “bones” of the garden, providing structure and interest through all four seasons. Evergreens make excellent year-round accent plants and should be incorporated into the front entrance garden of every home. Shrubs with staggered flowering times for spring, summer, and fall add seasonal interest and reward gardeners with vibrant reds, oranges, and yellows in autumn.

When planting shrubs, always read the tags. To make the most of your investment, prioritize the mature size of the plant when choosing where it goes otherwise, you may find yourself removing it in five years. Sun and shade are also critical elements of garden design. Take time to observe how much light each area receives, noting whether it’s 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 the key to successful gardening.

Avoid planting trees too close to your home, hydro lines, or other trees, as it’s heartbreaking to remove a mature tree later on. If you’d like your garden to feel established more quickly, consider investing in a few mature specimens rather than relying solely on small one-gallon shrubs and trees.

Rather than filling your garden with too many different plant varieties, keep it simple. Choose a few focal plants to act as statement pieces, then layer thoughtfully with a limited selection of complementary plants. Planting in groups of three or other odd numbers is a good rule of thumb, especially when working with perennials.

Take the time to educate yourself on how to keep shrubs healthy and thriving. Learning when and how to prune properly, along with understanding basic fertilizing needs, is essential for maintaining a beautiful garden. It’s not nearly as complicated as it sounds,  honest.

So, to Recap:

1. Choose a garden style and colour palette that reflects your taste and complements your home.

2. Plan patios, walkways, and decks carefully, as these hardscape elements are long-term investments.

3. Start with trees, shrubs, and evergreens to create the structure and year-round “bones” of your garden.

4. Always consider mature plant size, sun exposure, and spacing — right plant, right place matters.

5. Give trees enough room to grow by planting away from homes, utilities, and other trees.

6. Keep planting simple by using focal plants and grouping varieties in odd numbers.

7. Learn basic plant care, including pruning and fertilizing, to keep your garden healthy and thriving.

If you need additional assistance, visit your Gemmell's Garden Center, we have a location in Smiths Falls and Brockville, where trained horticultural staff can help you choose the right plants for your space and conditions.

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

~ Kelly