Creating a beautiful garden is an excellent way to add value to your home and enjoy the outdoors. But before you start planting, there are some essential considerations to keep in mind. From existing gardens and budget to weather conditions and planting zones, there are many factors that can affect the success of your landscape design. Knowing your planting zone is essential for selecting plants that are appropriate for your location and will thrive.
You can search for your planting zone online through the National Gardening Association or Sunset's planting areas if you live in the west. Once you have an idea of the plants you'll be using, start thinking about how the water behaves in your garden. If there are certain areas where water accumulates, you'll want to group plants that need a lot of water there. On the other hand, if there are certain areas where water drains quickly, you'll want to group plants that like dry conditions - this process is often referred to as hydrozone planting. Professional designers rely on five main principles - texture, color, scale, line and form - to develop a design that is beautiful, timeless, balanced and appropriate for the season.
If you're starting the exterior of your home from scratch, it can be helpful to enlist the help of a professional landscaper. Care should be taken to choose the appropriate themes for your garden based on the architecture, type of neighborhood, topography, and regional landscapes. Focal points are also important in a garden design. These are used to visually organize a garden area and help create an aesthetic, functional and environmentally sustainable landscape. There are many different landscape design styles that homeowners can choose from - from modern to traditional - so take your time deciding which one best suits your home. Scale and rhythm give your garden a unified look and should be taken into consideration when designing your landscape.
It's also worth considering incorporating a rainwater collection system into your design. When you take your time designing your own landscape, you're less likely to be careless or resort to shortcuts that you'll regret later on. Finally, make sure to factor in the cost of plants and materials when budgeting for your landscape design project. The exact cost can vary greatly depending on the size of your garden, the scope of your plans, and the cost of plants in your area.
