21 Garden Layout Ideas for Every Size Garden
Check out these easy layout ideas for your garden
Gardens are for everyone! Even a beginner can create a garden space to love and enjoy. The best time to start planning a garden is now, in the winter. You can look out over your space, whether it's a large back yard, or just space for a few pots on a patio or porch, and dream about what you want it to look like when everything's in bloom.
And to help you dream, we've got garden plans that work for whatever space you have. Want to focus on finding great container plants for your outdoor space? We'll help you make it look great. Got a sprawling back yard you aren't sure what to do with? It may look bare now, but we'll help you turn it into a beautiful and inviting environment.
The most important thing to remember when you're creating a garden is to use the right plant in the right place. For starters, that means giving it the correct sun exposure: Full sun is considered 6 or more hours per day, and partial sun is about half that.
You simply can't cheat on this! Read the plant tags and descriptions when shopping so you'll know what each plant needs. Plants that love shade will fry in the sun, and sun-lovers will get leggy and will not bloom well without enough sun.
Also, be sure to choose a perennial, shrub or tree that can survive winters in your USDA Hardiness Zone. (Find your zone here.)
Finally, consider the mature height and width of a plant, especially for shrubs and trees. You don't want to plant too close to the house, other plants, rooflines, or overhead utility lines. That will create maintenance issues down the road.
For example, you don't want to prune a shrub several times a season just to keep it from crowding out neighbors.
Ahead, our favorite garden layout ideas for any size garden:
Arricca Elin SanSone has written about health and lifestyle topics for Prevention, Country Living, Woman's Day, and more. She’s passionate about gardening, baking, reading, and spending time with the people and dogs she loves.
Chris is the Senior Food & Garden Editor at Country Living, where he covers all things edible or growable. He has two kids and lives in Birmingham, AL.
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