Overwhelmed Beginer

Overwhelmed beginner

I want to transition my 40 sq ft. garden from mostly annuals to mostly perennial but I get so overwhelmed!! I can’t decide what plants to select and I’m having a hard time visualizing the plant combinations. Plant pictures I see on the internet are close-ups of the bloom and not the whole plant. Harder part is selecting the plants that would go well next to Gladiolus.

As you can see from my picture there is no rhyme or reason to the selection of plants in my 2009 garden. The gaps you see were filled in with Coleus and Marigolds. I want fullness and color. I would like to keep the Glads as the backdrop.

I have looked at sites that have pre-planned gardens but I’m turned off by how tall the plants get. I would like the plants to gradually go from a few inches along the front to half the height of the Galds.

Any suggestions???

Start by ordering catalogs( I like looking at catalogs moreso than on line when planning my garden) I am super anal when planning my gardens.
First is the area full sun, part or shady? Do you want all flowers or mixed with plants for texture? Certain colors?
Then go thru and see what you like, what catches your eye, then see if it suits your site. Put it on your list if it works with the area. I make a chart with color, when it blooms and height. I make sure I have something blooming each season. After I have my list I actually do a collage with the flower pics and see how it looks to me.

If you aren't a planner like me, there are preplanned gardens available from most nurseries. You can check out garden plans on Better Homes and Gardens and can print them too.
http://www.bhg.com/gardening/plans/

Bring the photo you posted (or others if you can get with a longer view) of the house to your local landscape nursery (better if the nursery has design/installation services) Ask the person there for advice. It can't hurt - you don't have to commit - but do go and look at what was suggested.

My suggestion is to not try and do it all in one season. That's been my experience. You will become overwhelmed if you try to get a finished garden all at once. Take your time. Gardening is ongoing and always evolving. Select some plants that you like and put them in where you best see fit. Over time gradually add more plants. Some may not survive, and you can always move others to different locations if they don't work where they were originally placed. Garden Gate is a good magazine to get inspiration. Every issue has several garden layouts to give you some ideas. Most importantly, have fun :-)

Personally I absolutely love a "no rhyme or reason" garden!

I have issues too mainly because nothing here in the desert ever
meets the growth specs on labels. A plant that was supposed to
reach 3 feet ends up being 18 inches and cowering behind taller
plants, and vice versa. Plants in my two flower gardens seem to
get moved every Spring and it all works out. I have a literal
YahYah Sisterhood of the Traveling Plants! ;-)

June_nmexico, very "punny" lol

I agree that you should go slowly. Half the fun of gardening is having it a "work in progress". Many times a plant will not perform for you the way you want it - it may get too floppy or not bloom at the right time. Garden gate magazine is wonderful, as are catalogs for looking at what's available. Just remember - a garden is never truly finished!! Just enjoy!
E

Soletude,

I know it is hard to go slowly when you want everything to look "right" immediately. Keep in mind that you are the only one who knows the look that you are striving for. The rest of us will assume that is what you what.

Having said that, if you would like to add perennials to you garden, I would suggest purchasing one or two types this year. I usually would get several of each one so that they make a statement. The minimum that most landscapers recommend is three although you could certainly get more.

You already have a tall narrow shape with the glads, so I would consider another shape such as a daisy or round shape for contrast. My favorite flower in this category are the coneflowers. Coneflowers are available in a variety of colors: white, pink, orange, yellow, and red. They range in height from about 20" to 40", so there should be a size that is good for your glads. Unless you purchase the newer sterile hybrids, you are should have new seedlings new year.

This picture has kims knees, the short coneflowers with the taller liatris mixed in. The lilies have already lost their blooms.

You might also want to consider something airy like a short ornamental grass.

or blue star amsonia -the kind with the narrow leaves.