How to Plan a Flower Garden Layout

Flower gardens brighten any area and add a touch of home and warmth to any yard.  There are so many different types and colors of flowers that it is easy to customize a garden to reflect your own unique style and personality.  Planning the layout of your flower garden will maximize the use of space while making sure the flowers go well together.

• Sketch out the plans of your garden using paper and colored pencils or crayons.  This will enable you to visualize and rearrange the garden before planting.  Use the crayons to experiment with color and find a combination that works well for you.  Do not be afraid to change things around and relocate certain elements.


• Avoid using too many colors in your garden.  Choose three or four main colors, and look for plants in different shades of the colors you picked.  Depending on the style of garden you are going for, you can keep the colors grouped or mix them up together.


• Consider the amount of light versus shade that your garden will receive when deciding on what flowers to buy.  Some do well with lots of sunshine, and some flowers need shade more often.  Check the labels on the flowers and purchase only the ones that are appropriate for your space.  Optimally, it is best to choose an area that receives a good amount of sunshine for most of the day.


• Arrange the flowers by size, keeping the taller ones near the back of the garden bed or in the middle.  Having taller flowers mixed with lower ones will give your garden a messy, overgrown look.  By grouping flowers of the same size together, you will have more coherent look.


• Allow enough space between plants that the flowers will have ample room when fully grown.  Keeping flowers properly spaced will avoid overcrowding or replanting when the plant reaches maturity.  Fill in the spaces between flowers with mulch for a more attractive look. 


• Add a focal point to your flower garden, such as a large shrub or a group of attractive flowers.  The garden will flow better and have a more formal feel.  Arrange the other elements of the garden around the focal point.