Tips for Garden Design

1. Garden Layout

  • Draw a planting plan.
  • Space plants so the plants will touch when they are mature.
  • Use varying plant heights to create layers.
  • For more information, see Resources

2. Garden Size: How Many Plants?

  • Container Gardens

    • Sample Layout:

    Sample Plant List:

    • 5-7 groundcovers and/or perennials
  • Small Gardens – less than 50 square feet

    • Sample Layout:

    Sample Plant List:

    • 1 small tree or large shrub
    • small shrubs
    • 5-15 groundcovers and/or perennials
      •
  • Medium Gardens – 50 to 200 sq ft

    • Sample Layout:

    Sample Plant List:

    • 1-2 small trees or large shrubs
    • 5-7 small shrubs
    • 10-20 groundcovers and/or perennials
      •
  • Large Gardens – over 200 sq ft

    • Sample Layout:

    Sample Plant List:

    • 1 medium tree
    • 1-2 small trees or large shrubs
    • 7-9 small shrubs
    • 25-30 groundcovers and/or perennials