Plant selection is not just tricky but can be slightly confusing, and as such, it should center on several factors. Fascinating as the features of any plant may be, the manner in which plants blend to establish a satisfying whole is the solution to guaranteeing a successful planting expedition.
Plant selection ought to be driven by extensive research into the attributes of the particular plants under consideration, and at times, you will be forced to make a compromise but all in all, your outdoor area is what you make it, you will have beautiful garden space if you put your mind to it and get those fingers green.
To guide you through the process, here are ten simple rules you can use to your advantage.
Identify your color theme:
Color is hugely significant, but if you are short of ideas, you can design a color wheel. Nonetheless, for your border or bed, go for spicy hot color’ options like bright oranges or red and calm cool’ colors like soft pinks, white or blues. Moreover, for a harmonious setting, go for closely related options such as violets, blues, and purples or yellows and oranges depending on your choice. Finally, for a more inspiring environment, you can select strongly inspiring color options like blue and orange, red and green and purple and yellow. The great thing about having your own garden is that you can do whatever you want to it, remeber whatever colours you choose make sure it represents YOU, this should be your pride and joy and should reflect on ones own personalitity.
Suitable growing conditions:
Of significance is to match your chosen plants with their growing conditions. Each plant features a unique combination of conditions for its development. One thing to note, however, that with only the exception of a few like the Gunnera manicata, many plants don’t thrive in water-logged areas. Of course we couldnt list every plant on its own conditions so this will require you to do some more research on the specific plants you have in mind, this is merley here to remind you one what you should be doing!
Tall order:
For your border, establish a structure by planting a line of tall plants and smaller plants at the back and front respectively. This will create a backdrop for lower-growing plants; you can use bamboo for instance for the back. In terms of what you should specifcally be using for the border it is really up to you, we believe, although there are certain rules you must follow to have sucessfull growth in your garden, there is truley no right or wrong in which order you should plant your flowers this is because, they are their to represnt you so do what you feel is right!
Use of High climbers:
Traditionally, climbers play the role for covering walls and fences, but they also work well within gardens too. Grow the climbers around wooden wigwams to add structure and height and to even break up your overall garden planting. They also can serve the purpose of walls themself, what we mean by this is that if you want an enclosed space in your garden that will also bring the affect of natural beauty, then using trellis to block out light and other areas of the garden which you do not want to see, then this is perfect.
Try adding a high climber in your bed’s center or also incorporate a pair to mark where your garden path starts. Place your wigwam in the soil and plant your climbers around the edge, training the tendrils up the slats.
Space and place
Before you decide on a plant, establish several essential details about it. How big does it get when fully developed? Don’t go for plants that will strain your garden size and fill out space since it will smother the plants around it and kill them off. Having plants like this will also hinge your choices and you will not be able to get a varity of your favourite flowers around your garden, you will simply just have one that takes up the potential space for many other flowers.
Four seasons-Perennials and Annuals
There are four seasons in a calendar year, and as such, you need to make informed decisions to exploit the seasonal color variations. Choose deciduous and evergreen plants and don’t forget to go for spring bulbs for every year’s first color burst, and foliage for the green setting.
There are the perennial plants-which come year after year and can either bloom for several weeks or go the entire year depending on which variety and annuals which only go for a year. Go for those which are most favored to bloom in your area.
Vary your shapes
Shapes are essential in your garden to create contrast or harmony. For instance, a dome-shaped neatly clipped box would adequately contrast with a hard architectural agave shape, or harmoniously work with a soft looking euphoria.
Try grouping your plants with defined, spiky shapes in a single place for compact, or add structured, sharp shapes among flower beds as your focal points. This again comes down to what you want your garden to be seen as, do you want something beautifully elegnt that shows off your personalitity or something that sticks out from a common garden and has the abiliity to catch the eyes of many. This is really one you want to be thinking about before you start getting messy.
SUMMARY:
Designing your garden is amazingly simpler than you think and the best bit is selecting the best plants. Nonetheless, the numerous numbers of options can be quite overwhelming, but with these simple rules, you can ensure your garden features only the best plants. And remember: there is no right or wrong choice, its YOUR personal space, do what YOU want with it, the rules are simply here to give you something to think about, not to hinder your creative flow.