Tips To Style Your Flower Bed

Flowers are a wonderful way to bring color, personality, and depth to your landscaping. But how do you design a flower bed?

There are so many varieties and types to choose from! This plethora of choice can be a double edge sword at times. The upside is that there is certainly a flower in any color and size that you may be looking for. The downside is that the task of planning out and designing your flower beds can quickly become daunting and a bit overwhelming.

Here are a few tips and tricks from professionals that will assist you in planning a perfectly designed flower bed arrangement in no time at all!

#1-Research

First, before ever purchasing or planting a flower – research, research, research!! The importance of this first step really can’t be overstated. Some of the most appealing professionally designed flower gardens include a well-thought-out combination of annuals, perennials, ornamental grasses, and seasonal bulbs.

First, learn what planting zone you live in.

Then picking a variety of flowers from those that are known to thrive in your location will give you the best foundation for your own flower gardens.

Learn about hedges or tall ornamental grasses that do well in your area as well. Once you have a list of plants you want to incorporate, you are ready for the next step.

#2- Consider Style

Another step to take before planting is to decide what type of floral landscape you would like to create. Take a minute to consider your personal style! Do you like symmetry? Do you love stone and rocks or do you enjoy woody wildflowers more?

Flower gardens with a more modern twist might incorporate clear and obvious lines and boundaries like this one.

A freer spirited garden would lean towards masses of mix-matched wildflowers. Your flower garden should bring beauty to our landscape and be a representation of you and your own unique style.

#3-Focal Point

The third step towards a professionally designed flower bed is to create a focal point or a large anchor. Natural anchors are trees, pavers creating an entryway or pathway, large landscape stones, etc. Manmade anchors could be a birdbath like this one , an old wheelbarrow, a water feature or a bench like thi s. This anchor piece should make a bold statement, that your flowers workaround.

#4-Layer Layer Layer!

Fourth, take plant height into account. While many of us pick out flowers based on color, the projected height of the plants is very important. If your flower bed is against a house then the tallest plants should go along the back. If it is a free-standing island-style planter then the tallest plants should naturally be placed in the middle. Make sure to have ground cover plants in the front, and fill in the middle with beautiful 12-18″ plants.

#5-Check Every Season

Finally, consider when your flowers are projected to bloom. Professional gardeners ensure that something is in full bloom throughout the growing season. Draw out your flower bed in the spring, summer and fall, showing what plants will look like in each season. If you realize you have no fall blossoms add some mums. If the bed in spring will look thin and sparse, add some bulbs.