Designing a Garden – Choose From Many Shapes and Themes

Designing a Garden – Choose From Many Shapes and Themes But Plan Before You Dig Or Plant

When planning a new garden bed it pays to take a little time to plan the design before you start digging. There are many different shapes and types of gardens, something for everyone and every purpose.

Vegetable gardens are primarily functional and are usually a square plot or other shape that fits into the landscape. “Kitchen” gardens or “potageres” are usually placed right outside the back door, are enclosed by a fence, and take up a good portion of the available land. These are similar to the concept of a cottage garden, but usually without the flowers. If flowers are included, they are usually for cutting and planted in rows or intensive beds just like the vegetables.

Flower gardens take many sizes and shapes. They are most often rectangular with one side bordering a building, fence, sidewalk or other landscape feature. roof leaks . A perennial border oftentimes has an undulating edge with feature plants in the “bumps” that jut out from the rest of the bed. Freestanding flower gardens take many shapes, from square to rectangle to circular and even triangular.

Herb gardens are usually planted either very informally or very formally. Some types of herb gardens include a wagon wheel, ladder or knot. A wagon wheel herb garden is a circular garden divided into slices like a pie. Each slice contains a different type of herb. A ladder garden is a long narrow strip divided along its length into short sections. Each section is planted with a different herb. A knot garden is a very formal herb garden usually square-shaped and planted in an intricate geometric design. The plants appear to create “knots” as the rows intersect. This type of herb garden is the most labor-intensive.

Aside from their shape and size, garden beds can also be planted in “themes.” The most obvious theme is the rose garden. Typically they are featured prominently in the landscape and accessible from all sides so the flowers can be easily cared for and receive good air circulation. This helps prevent fungal diseases that can occur due to poor air circulation. Quebec Foundation Repair . Some rose beds are planted with a single color or type of rose. Others are filled with favorites of the gardener.

Another popular themed flower garden is one planted with different varieties of a single type of flower, such as marigolds or sunflowers. Other popular theme gardens are those designed to attract butterflies, dragonflies or hummingbirds. There are many varieties of flowers and herbs that are very attractive to these beautiful flying creatures.

Another way to make a theme garden is to plant many varieties of flowers in a single color or color palette. These can be very striking and will become a focal point in your yard. Yellow gardens are very popular, as are those in the yellow-gold-orange color palette. A garden containing all pink, red or purple flowers will delight all who pass by. Finally, all white gardens are a good choice near building entrances, decks or patios. The white flowers shimmer in the moonlight and many white flowers become more fragrant during darkness in order to attract night-flying moths for pollination.

There are many different shapes, types, and themes to consider when planning gardens. Plasma TVs . Take a little time to decide exactly what purpose the garden will serve and what impact you want the garden to have on the landscape before you begin to dig and plant.

Copyright Sharon Sweeny, 2009. All rights reserved.