How to create a good design for my garden

about 3 month ago I moved to a new house. There are fruit trees on the backyard - an apple tree and 2 plum trees.
very good area,
I also think that will be great to turn it into beautiful garden...e.g. build arbour and do some landscape works to make it's look better

I started from searching help in Internet and I found a 3D tool where I could create my backyard to see how it will look if I will decorate it

here what I've got http://mydeco.com/3d-design/garden-design/1292773/

I would like to ask you about feedback or advice on how it could be improved?

Always remember to take into account the mature size of plants, especially the big stuff...ie a 15 foot tall tree can have a final spread of 25 ft even though it only covered 10 ft when you planted it.

Remember to space your focal points across the yard so they don't appear crammed together and they allow the eye to flow naturally through the garden.

The plantings around the fountain should be in a bed, with no grass between them and the fountain, and remember to leave yourself room to mow between beds and hardscape and structures. Try to avoid sharp angles and corners for the same reason. It is easier to cut along a curve or a straight line. Try not to incorporate too many straight lines in your beds unless you are going for a very formal garden. Soft curves give a more casual, natural look.

This message was edited Feb 25, 2011 6:48 PM

Hi , Moonhowl . How is the japanese maple doing ? Wish we lived closer , would love your input into my stuff . Always good if you can see it and sit with a cup of coffee and just look at it and plan . Yo Georgia buddy , Sally

Hi Sally. How was Texas? The maple is getting ready to start leafing out. I too wished we were closer, can't beat playing in the dirt with a Buddy. Moon/Jean


That is good advice, once you think you have the design plan, sit back with a cup of coffee and try to visualize your plan.....I even walk around the area to get a feel for the size of beds by using flour in an old shaker top jar to mark lines...sorta like tracing a pattern before ya cut.

Sometimes, I hold a plant for two years or more before I decide the light , space , height , obstruction is right . Been wrong a few times and had to move something , like underestimating how big a viburnum would get beside my walk.
Not as much fun this year here . All my tropicals froze again . Some won't be back and I'm giving up on them . I do swear by the loquat tho , it got down to 24 with no damage at all. Going home to GA. last week of March .

I had a few things belly-up after a night that was only supposed to get down to 38 decide to drop to 29....I'll swan i am at the point where if it can't live in the ground, it may just not get to live here....except for the orchids....GRIN

Heads up on that, my feelings exactly!

thank you all for your advices!
I will start landscape works in two weeks and hope to get some results in the end of the spring

Strilets , one thing to remember . You will always be adding and changing . It will never be finished . It will be a lifelong love and work for perfection . What you'll get is suggestions for landscaping , but the ultimate eye candy will be what pleases your eye .