How to Design a Perennial Garden

Step-by-Step Guide

1. 1

   Step 1: Start small.

   Design a garden that will fit in a space that is no larger than 15’ (4,572 mm) wide x 6’ (1828 mm) deep.
   
   That’s enough room to create a 3 season garden and it won’t be an overwhelming chore to maintain it.
   
   The initial planning and preparation of a perennial garden is labor intensive; if you attempt to design and plant a large garden, you might get discouraged, both with the planting and the maintenance.
2. 2

   Step 2: Choose the ideal garden spot.

   Walk around your property and observe the places where you spend the most time, or would like to spend the most time when you are outdoors.
   
   You can also walk through your house and look out of all the windows and decide where you would like to improve the view. , Note the locations of large trees or shrubs and the average amount of sun and shade the spot gets every day. , Some perennials are virtually maintenance-free once established, but others require diligent, sometimes daily, attention.
   
   Still others require full sunlight or partial shade.
   
   Look online or find books at your local library or book store that have full color photographs of perennials. , Don’t reject a favorite site because it has a large boulder or tree that can’t be moved; you can easily plant flowers that will complement natural elements. , Fill in any gaps with annuals so that you allow your perennials room to expand over the years. , A minimum of 3 similar plants or a group of a single variety of flowers gives the maximum eye appeal. , Taller plants should be planted in the background and lower growing flowers should be in the foreground.
   
   Sketching out your choices on your design plan will help you visualize what your mature garden will eventually look like. ,,,
3. 3

   Step 3: Sketch a simple map of the location you have chosen.

4. 4

   Step 4: Research types of perennials and decide how much time you are willing to devote to the care and maintenance of any plants you are considering.

5. 5

   Step 5: Think about other elements you can incorporate into your garden.

6. 6

   Step 6: Consider spacing when you are researching the plants you’d like to put in your garden; many perennials multiply by themselves

7. 7

   Step 7: so if you initially plant in every available space

8. 8

   Step 8: your garden will soon be overcrowded.

9. 9

   Step 9: Plant groups of similar plants together.

10. 10

    Step 10: Note the growing heights of the plants you are considering.

11. 11

    Step 11: Choose perennials that have a mixture of colors

12. 12

    Step 12: shapes and foliage.

13. 13

    Step 13: Factor in the blooming times of each perennial you want; that way you will have a colorful garden from spring until fall.

14. 14

    Step 14: Make sure your new perennial garden can be easily reached with a garden hose.

Detailed Guide

About the Author