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The following garden designs are intended to help gardeners with planting ideas. An underlying theme you will notice in the following designs is the use of shrubs as a border or backdrop for perennials. You may choose either a zig-zag pattern and use a mix of shrub varieties or opt for a more formal, narrow, linear pattern using the same variety. For the latter, providing a trench rather than individual planting holes, will allow shrubs to develop more quickly. Typically, a shrub hedge/backdrop requires atleast 8' of growing space depth for the shrubs, 4' of growing space depth for the perennials, and another 3' of depth when adding groundcovers. This will achieve screening/fullness without crowding. Though design guidelines often include the use of taller varieties to the back, shorter perennials that bloom early, can be planted towards the center of the garden since they will finish before taller, later blooming plants reach mature heights. When planting veggies in the garden, don't forget to include plants, including flowering shrubs, that attract those essential pollinators (bees). Notes on Garden1:ht=height sp=spread 2-Shrubs, 25'htx12'sp; 5-Shrubs, 6'htx6'sp; 19-Perennials, 1.5'htx2'sp; 11-Perennials, 2.5'htx2.5'sp; 8-Vines, 8'htx6.5'sp; 16-Groundcovers Total Garden Area=Aprox. 54' Wide x 30' Deep 1.5' Perennials bloom; spring-early summer, interplanted w/bulbs. 2.5' Perennials bloom; mid-late summer and into fall. Notes on Garden2:ht=height sp=spread 2-Shrubs, 25'htx12'sp; 1-Shrub, 6'htx6'sp (Mid-Point); 2-Shrubs, 4'htx4'sp (Front Corners); 2-Shrubs, 8'htx8'sp (Back Corners); 14-Perennials, 2.5'htx2.5'sp; Towards back half and 14-Perennials, 1.5'htx1.5'sp; Towards front half Total Garden Area=Aprox. 42' Wide x 30' Deep 2.5' Perennials bloom; mid-late summer-into fall, interplanted with spring flowering bulbs. 1.5' Perennials bloom through summer Designs facing busy roadways have shifted emphasis from foundation to the curb. Though most of us like to be out in the gardens, gardens are often viewed from indoors, especially through the winter months. Looking out into the garden allows us to bring nature into our home; think of it as entering a room, visually. Looking out also inspires us to be out in the gardens when the weather is nice and visualize the garden as defined space rather than individual plants randomly planted throughout the landscape. Notes on Garden3:ht=height sp=spread 2-Shrubs, 25'htx12'sp; 5-Flowering Shrubs, 5'htx5'sp; 14- Perennials, 2.5'htx2.5'sp; 7-Groundcovers Total Garden Area=Aprox. 30' Wide x 14' Deep 10-Perennials, 2.5'htx2.5'sp; (Foundation Planting) Full Sun Foundation Planting: South or West Facing Part-Shade: East Facing, Full Shade: North Facing Notes on Garden3a:ht=height sp=spread 1-Shrub, 15'htx12'sp; 5-Shrubs, 8'htx8'sp; 14- Perennials, 2.5'htx2.5'sp; 7-Groundcovers Total Garden Area=Aprox. 30' Wide x 14' Deep 10-Perennials, 2.5'htx2.5'sp; (Foundation Planting) 1-Flowering Shrub, 4'htx4'sp; at or near entrance Notes on Garden4:ht=height sp=spread 3-Trees, 25'htx12'sp; 3-Shrubs, 8'htx8'sp; 17-Perennials, 2.5'htx2.5'sp; 17-Groundcovers; Total Garden Area=Aprox. 60' Wide x 42' Deep Notes on Garden5:ht=height sp=spread 6-Shrubs, 8'htx8'sp; 14-Perennials, 2.5'htx2.5'sp; 10-Perennials, 3'htx2.5'sp; 4-Perennials, 2.5'htx2.5'sp; 14-Groundcovers. Total Garden Area=Aprox. 50' Wide x 28' Deep 4-2.5' Perennials bloom spring-early summer, 14-2.5' Perennials (Towards Center) bloom; mid-late summer-into fall, 10-3' Perennials, interplanted with spring flowering bulbs, bloom spring-early summer (deadhead by mid-summer) Notes on Garden6:ht=height sp=spread SE Garden: 5-Shrubs, 5'htx5'sp; 13-Perennials, 2.5'htx2.5'sp; Total Garden Area=Aprox. 28' Wide x 18' Deep SW Garden: 4-Shrubs, 8'htx8'sp; and 3-Shrubs, 5'htx5'sp; 6-Perennials, 2.5'htx2.5'sp; 6-Groundcovers, Total Garden Area=Aprox. Same Size Notes on Garden7: Raised Beds for Vegetable Gardening Beds are Aprox. 4' Wide x 12' Long Herb Garden includes 3-Small, Flowering Shrubs Notes on Garden8:ht=height sp=spread 2-Shrubs, 25'htx12'sp; 5-Shrubs, 8'htx8'sp; 4-Shrubs, 4'htx4'sp; 18-Perennials, 2.5'htx2.5'sp; 8-Groundcovers interplanted w/annuals Total Garden Area=Aprox. 36' x 12' + 18' x 18'; 750 sq. ft. 8-Shrubs, 4'htx4'sp; 34-Perennials interplanted w/annuals Total Garden Area=Aprox. 24' Wide x 14' Deep Notes on Garden9:ht=height sp=spread 3-Shrubs, 25'htx12'sp, 3-Evergreen Trees, 60'htx30'sp; 7-Shrubs, 10'htx10'sp; 18-Groundcovers, 4-Vines Total Garden Area=Aprox. 120' x 60' + 40' x 40'; 8,800 sq. ft. Skirted Evergreens have a natural shape and cover a wider area than limbed/pruned up Evergreens. Notes on Garden10:ht=height sp=spread 1-Shrub 10'htx10'sp (Corner); 11-Shrubs, 6'htx6'sp; 11-Perennials, 2.5'htx2.5'sp; 11-Groundcovers Total Garden Area=Aprox. 48' x 30' /2 = 720 sq. ft. Vegetable Garden Area=Aprox. 30' x 30' /1.5 = 600 sq. ft. 5-Shrubs, 8'htx8'sp; 17-Perennials, 2.5'htx2.5'sp; 8-Groundcovers. Total Garden Area Aprox. 36' Wide x 20' Deep Avoid the overwhelming task of taking on the entire landscape in one season. Divide the landscape into areas; some designers refer to these areas as outdoor rooms. Fully develop one area before moving onto the next. Work with the natural configuration of the landscape. Use slopes and contours as transition points from one area to the next. These transition points can include a pathway or hedge that can lead to or divide different areas of the landscape. Avoid an over-reliance on any one planting. A well-designed landscape includes a balanced mix of trees, shrubs, perennials, and annuals. Include underplantings and groundcovers that attract attention and add interest. Have a plan. It can be sketched onto a napkin or precisely drawn to scale. You can do it youself or have it professionally done, either way, it's a start to a successful finish. Home Page Marvel's Corner In the Greenhouse About Us Colorscapes Greenhouse and Nursery Marvel Clyde-Owner colorscapes@peoplepc.com