With your map of existing conditions and the goals of your garden in mind, you can finally turn your attention to the species and layout of your garden. Read about some basic principles to guide your design and a more in-depth look into plant features and services for your garden.

As was covered briefly in the previous section, there is a lot hidden behind the humble plant. This page discusses how the various aspects of plants work together with your yard to create something wonderful and unique. For non-design people, 'design' can be an intimidating word associated with professionals and fancy sketches and knowledge that feels out of reach. But it doesn't have to be so scary. Following some basic planting design rules-of-thumb will allow you create the garden that you wanted without feeling overwhelmed by a bunch of complicated plans. 

A good rule of thumb is to put taller plants in the back and shorter plants in the front. This creates a full, aesthetically pleasing organization that can be easily tweaked for different design intentions.

Focal plants can be used to create a visual feature in a garden. These plants can have drastic contrast in height, texture, or color which makes it stand out from the crowd. Shrubs and trees in herbaceous plantings can easily become focal points.

Ecologically, a garden with layers of vegetation can support a wider variety of animal species by offering them many different places to make a nest and snack. By adding biological diversity and complexity, competition among species is reduced. Aesthetically, layers create a fuller garden that adds visual depth and interest. 

While plans for planting design may show plants in distinctive patches, it's a good idea to add some accent plants with contrasting texture or color to make your garden really pop. A single species can be scattered across a few planting beds to mimic the concept of 'drift' in natural landscapes where new plants disperse across a native meadow from a mother plant.

Don't be afraid to do what has been done before. There are a myriad of plant combinations that you can turn to if you are at a loss. This design concept is called "Companion Plants" which refers to plant groupings that look good together. These plants are also companions in the sense that they are adapted to the same habitat and are part of the same ecological plant community.

The "A Bit about Plants" section touched briefly on the different qualities, both functional and aesthetic that you may be looking for in a plant. Now, let's see what these qualities bring to the garden party and how you can use them in your design.

Flowers may be beautiful but they really only bloom at certain times during the season. For most of the year, your garden will be a jumble of stems and leaves. Using contrasting or complimentary textures and forms can add visual interest to your garden when it's not in bloom. 

A garden in the winter can feel lifeless and dull. But don't worry, there's a solution! Evergreens, colorful stems, and winter fruits add a splash of color for a lively landscape on even the coldest days.

Learn more about what sorts of services plants can provide for you and the environment.

One of the greatest things that plants do is attract all sorts of wildlife to come pollinate, munch on, and take shelter in your garden. Certain species are especially good at providing a service for different critters.