Planning a flower bed requires a certain level of foresight. Don’t hesitate to draw up a plan to get an overview and create stunning combinations. With the right tools and expert advice, you'll become a true outdoor designer!
For a step-by-step guide to your entire project, check out our article on successful outdoor landscaping.
Things to consider:
Before buying perennials, select species and cultivars based on growing conditions:
- The type of soil: clay or heavy soil, sandy or light soil, organic soil.
- Drainage: well-drained soil, constantly wet soil.
- Light conditions: sunny, semi-shaded, or shady.
- Climatic conditions: wind exposure, rain, air humidity level, and cold hardiness. To find plants suitable for your region, refer to the plant hardiness zones.
- Resistance to diseases and pests.
- Ease of maintenance.
A matter of balance
For a successful garden design, the selected plants must enhance each other's beauty.
- Think about your garden's balance. Place the tallest plants in the background and the smallest ones in the foreground.
- Create rhythm in your flower bed by incorporating species with diverse shapes: upright, cascading, or creeping. Introduce variations in colors and foliage.
- To create noticeable clusters, group several plants of the same species, especially if the space is large.
- Stagger the blooming periods. The garden will be in bloom from spring until the end of the season.
Plan your arrangements
A perennial garden design is interesting when the combinations are varied. To make the planning process easier, follow these three essential steps:
- On a large sheet of paper, divide your choices into four columns based on the following blooming periods:
- Late April and May
- June to mid-July
- Late July to late August
- September and October
- Then, distribute the selected plants according to their mature height and spread. Consider their general habit (upright, cascading, creeping) and the proportions for each plant.
- Low plants: groundcovers (Aubrieta, creeping phlox), borders (Basket of Gold)
- Medium plants: mid-border (daylily, hosta)
- Tall plants: background (delphinium, black-eyed Susan)
- On a grid paper, draw the outlines of the flower bed and place the selected plants.
If the results are not what you wanted, don't hesitate to move the perennials to a more suitable location. Some are invasive, while others have foliage that disappears during the growing season. Arrange the species and cultivars so that the ornamental effect of one group succeeds another.
Proven combinations
For a harmonious result, mix textures and colors. Here are a few popular combination ideas:
- Daylily and black-eyed Susan for a stunning sunny cluster.
- Hosta and fern for a shady corner that highlights a variety of foliage.
- Echinacea and milkweed to attract butterflies.
What about maintenance?
Most perennials are very low-maintenance, but they sometimes need a minimum of care.
The importance of mulch
For the health of your flower bed, adding mulch is a crucial step. A 5 to 10 cm layer of cedar or woodchip mulch helps maintain soil moisture, reduce weed growth, and protect your plants' roots from temperature fluctuations.
Initial watering
After planting, thorough watering is essential. Make sure to keep the soil moist for the first few weeks to help your new plants establish their roots deeply.
Warning
Before choosing your perennials, make sure they are not a danger to your family or pets. Some plants, such as lily of the valley or foxglove, are toxic if ingested.
