Trees and Shrubs are the foundation of any good landscape design and make up the structure of your garden bed. They set the tone for the design you’re trying to create. Here are some tips to help select the right plants for your landscape. . 

Foundation Planting

Garden designs typically start with plants that go along the foundation of your home. Trees and shrubs are planted near the house, and other plants like perennials and annuals are added in the next layer, as you move toward the yard. A classic, go-to plan has an entryway planting, a corner planting, and a transition planting that connects the other areas. This type of design is popular with homes that have an exposed foundation. Variations of this are used on homes that don’t have a foundation wall to hide. 

Entryway Planting

Creating a welcoming entryway has been a staple of garden design for centuries. Your entryway design should complement the style of your home and transition your interior space to your exterior space. 

A typical focal point for the entry is the front door. Use plants to highlight this area. Using symmetry is a great way to do that. Planting the same thing on each side of the doorway automatically draws the eye to the front door. Get creative with container plants, or use dwarf versions of your favorite plants to accent your entryway. Make sure the plants you chose won’t get too large and block windows or grow too close to your house. 

Corner Planting

Corner plantings at the edges of your home create a visual frame. These plants are typically larger than what you would choose for other areas of your landscape. You can also use these plants to compensate for the scale of other areas of your home. A low, 50’s style ranch may benefit from tall and skinny trees framing the corners. Contrastly, a tall narrow home would look great with a short, wide tree or shrub on each corner. Plant corner trees and shrubs far enough away from your home to not obscure your view of the house and to allow for maintenance to your home and plants. 

Transition Planting

Everything else along your foundation can be considered a transition plant. Although they don’t get the spotlight like the other areas, they are equally important. Choose transitional plants with the same purpose you did the others, and keep your selections in line with the rest of your landscaping. This is where colorful foliage and blooming perennials can really shine. Mixing in evergreens or ornamental grasses can help add texture to your landscape. Select the right size plant for your space. Dwarf varieties are often easier to maintain and won’t grow too close to your home. 

Planting annuals in front of your foundation plants is a great way to add color throughout the summer. Choose perennial flowering plants that bloom at different times to have non-stop color throughout the season. 

Planting Tips

Your home and plants need room to breathe. Make sure to leave roughly 5 feet of space between your plants and your home. Take into consideration the mature size of your trees and shrubs. Also, consider plants growing under eaves of your home will have limited access to rainwater.

Spread a 2-inch deep mulch layer around the base of your plants (or your entire bed) to conserve water and prevent weeds. This also gives your landscape a completed look. 

Using a linear planting pattern or rows can be easier to maintain, for example, a hedgerow is easier to trim if planted in a straight line rather than a curved pattern. However, using a curved pattern allows for more layers. Bringing the foundation plants away from the house allows you to add height variations to your beds as well as differing textures. 

For more information on designing your landscape beds, come by any English Gardens location and ask an expert. For full-service design and installation to  DIY assistance, we can help make your outdoor space spectacular. 

Watch our video for more ideas to help you get started.