How to Arrange a Flowerbed

A properly arranged flowerbed can enhance your home’s landscape and be easier to maintain. It’s hard not to get carried away buying all sorts of beautiful flowers when you are at the nursery. Impulse buys can be fun, but may not always work with your flowerbed. It’s important to have a plan to work from, so you can fill in your bed with the right plants.

Keep in mind these tips when arranging your flowerbed:

Plant by height
Plant in three tiers and start your plan with foundation plants. These are your largest plants or anchors for your bed. Then you can fill in with plants to add color. Finally, consider border plants to act as your final and third tier or plantings for your bed. If your flower bed can only be seen from one direction, place the plants that grow tallest toward the back. Fill forward with plants that gradually decrease in size to give a nice graded appearance. For flower beds that can be seen from any angle, put the taller growing plants in the middle and fill around with smaller plants to create a pleasing domed effect.

Plant in odd numbers
Always choose plants in odd numbers. Whether you plant 3, 5 or 7 or more, odd number arrangements look better. Plants also work better as a team than standing alone. Group your plants in odd numbers and consider repeating them in other areas of your flowerbed. When planting groupings of plants, avoid the “straight line” look by arranging the plants in a triangular shape to build blocks of color.

Focal points
Having a focal point in your flowerbed can add interest and variety. It can be a plant or a decorative item, such as a sundial, or a hardscape, such as a garden arch. Specimen trees like Japanese Maples or Magnolias make nice focal points with smaller plantings around them. Plants like the Yucca, Pampas Grass or Delphiniums have unique foliage and can be suitable as focal plants. The key is having your focal point stand out and not be crowded out by other plantings.

Color
The flowers in your garden will change as the seasons change, so you can move the color emphasis in your garden from month to month, and season to season. Try to plan your flowerbed so it has blooms year-round. Color in your flowerbed isn’t just about flowers. Don’t neglect plant foliage, bark and stems in your search for color in the garden. Come up with a color theme for your flowerbed, like pale and muted tones, bright and vibrant or contrasting shades. Don’t forget your background and framework of greens.

Seems a bit overwhelming or just want some professional help? Greensketch Concepts is here! It’s our plans (with your input) and your hands. We are here to make your landscaping dreams come true.