Garden Beauty

Enhancing the natural beauty of your garden can be fairly easy and affordable. To create a lasting and attractive atmosphere, you'll need to consider the landscape area, the natural sun and shade contrasts and, finally, the actual placement of plants.

Take a few minutes to survey and study your landscape. Watch for any natural paths, walkways, and corners. Is there a water source or are there places water pools? Note where the ground is flat, rolling, or has mounds; these can all be used in your planning. Be aware of places that may need wind barriers or fencing, too.

Areas of shade and sun are also important to find. Shaded places can provide a cool beauty in contrast to the heat of sunny ones. Do you have some that are mixed depending on the time of day?

Once you have a clear idea of your garden area you can begin to add plants. Depending on the style you choose, planters, flower beds, and low-walled areas can be useful and add continuity to your design.

Small and low-to-the-ground plants are great in front of tiered flower beds, plant clusters, and as edging. Using similar small plants throughout your garden will help give it unity. Trees, shrubs, and large flowering plants need space to not look cramped when full grown. They work great as backgrounds for benches, along fences, and garden entry ways. Enhance shaded areas with colorful floral groups and foliage. Sunny areas need strong colors and hardy plants.

With a little bit of forethought, garden beauty can be kept fairly simple. Allow your garden to glow as you enjoy its beauty for years to come.