What are the "rules" when designing your flowerbed?

When I moved into my home just over a year ago, I was greeted by a large (and empty) flowerbed just in the front of the house. It's somewhat of a long kidney shape that slopes down on one end. I am very much an amateur, but eager to learn. I have plants already in mind that I'd like to plant there in my empty space.

In my search for the perfect plants I have stumbled across online nurseries selling plant collections with a diagram of placement, which leads me to wonder what the rules are when it comes to planning a flowerbed...

I realise there probably aren't any "rules" per se, but rather, are there any tips as to what is pleasing to the eye? Are plants placed together based on height? Do they cascade in height front to back, side to side? Or are they often interspersed amongst one another?

I have a pink and white garden in mind. So far I intend to plant the following:

- Calamintha nepeta 'white cloud' (18-24")
- Penstemon x mexicali 'red rocks' (12-18")
- Platycodon 'astra white' (6-12")
- Platycodon 'astra pink' (6-12")

Any thoughts on how I can arrange these?

Thanks in advance! :)

I prefer to plant a larger cluster of one plant, then a blob of something else, perhaps a mass of some other plant, then a thick band of something else weaving in and out to tie it all together. Not isolated plants, or even isolated clumps. Get enough to fill in the space.

Tall stuff at the back (if the bed is viewed from one side only) or middle (if the bed is seen from several places).

Short stuff near the front (if the bed is seen from several places then it may have several 'fronts') or middle, especially grouped around some taller items.

Not in straight lines. Formal circles, squares, outlines... are easy to do, and certainly have their place, if your house is formal, and you want that. Go for it. However, most of the planting I design is not for such formal settings, and a less formal layout, interlocking curves, big masses and little ones may be a bit tricky to lay out, but look better, more suited to the location.

Don't just copy this shape, but think about the concept:
You know the yin-yang symbol? Interlocking S shape with a couple of spots? (google it to remind yourself if needed)

Plant sort of like that:
The spots represent focal points. Perhaps 3-5 of one plant in a cluster, surrounded by lower growing plants. Then these lower growing ones sort of tail off and a different plant is at another focal point with a different lower growing plant around it. The 2 species of lower growing plants sort of make a larger area/mass that then tapers off to a narrower area.

These focal points do not need to be plants. Maybe a birdbath, or sundial, or garden statuary could be at the center, then surrounded by plants.

If you are starting with a kidney shape, and it is seen from more than one angle:

Sort of make a stretched out yin-yang. Lay a hose or string across the area and look at it from several sides. Perhaps put a bucket or something in the focal points to see what something taller looks like. Move stuff a little this way... a little that way... It will probably look best with the focal points moved a bit closer to the middle, not widely separated, but you will have to be the judge.

Plant the Clamintha (tallest) at the one focal point that really seems the most important.
Plant the Penstemon (tall) at the other focal point.
Surround the Calamintha with the pink Platycodon, and sweep the Platycodon out and around one edge of the planter area, the way the black field in the yin-yang wraps around the circle.
Surround the Penstemon with the white Platycodon, and sweep it around the other way, sort of the way the white field in the yin-yang wraps and tapers off.

Thanks so much for your tips/ideas, Diana_K. I really like the yin-yang concept. I think that has inspired me to look into getting a birdbath to place as my focal point. I think that would be quite lovely, especially from the view of my front window.

I've tried to draw up the 'true' shape of my flowerbed in the attached image. It's a bit complicated to explain, but I'll try: we have a small set of steps that take you down to the front door, and parallel to those stairs (to the right) is the flowerbed, a retaining wall, and a patch of gravel below. I'd be happy to try and get a different picture when I'm home.

Do you still think I could get a yin-yang concept going here, or should I consider altering the shape of the bed? I haven't changed it from what the previous owners had in place (except for lining with paving stones + solar lights).

Thanks again! :)

I could see dividing the area sort of like this, along anything sort of like the three lines, and 2 focal points. (first drawing)
Or, a bit less of yin yang, 3 groupings:
The ovals would still be larger plants, surrounded by lower plants. Select a 3rd lower growing plant (perhaps even lower than the Platycodons) for the front section
The diamond, at the junction of 3 low growing areas could be the birdbath.

Perhaps in your next drawing you could show where the house is, especially the window that looks out into this area. Yes, several more photos would help, too.

This message was edited Feb 12, 2015 6:54 PM

I would amend your soil before you start planting, the type of plants you appear to like are mostly Perennials therefore, will be set in the same space for a long time, so adding as much humus /manure to the soil while clearing, forking over etc.

I would go along to your local library /book store and search for books on garden borders, plants and how to place the different plants, textures etc, I have to totally agree when Diana said NOT to plant individually but in blocks, Most gardeners prefer to plant using the odd numbers 5-7-9 depending on the size the plants will grow to, remember to allow for the spread of each plant within the same type as over the years they will spread and bulk out, after 4-5 years, you may have to lift thye plants and thin them out to allow for the roots to get more space.

Not sure about the Napeta, here we grow the blue one and various hight and width so remember, they do spread out as much as they are tall, always find the final width or spread or after the first season, your plants COULD end up with no space.
I love my borders planted quite close together and the plants growing into it's neighbouring plants, BUT cost wise that's a big ask when filling a large area of bare ground, so to help fill holes, grow large pots of annual plants from seed so you can fill spaces in the plants already placed and awaiting more plants as finances allow.
Dont be lulled into the thoughts you can plant a border on season and that's it finished, the different plants mostly grow at a different rate, so again, you will have thinner plantings till these mature while others (say Lupins) can fill a large space very quickly,
Just be patient, that way you learn what the plants need, how they grow, how much watering requirements AND weeding too, feeding is done early spring, you will attract some bugs, so you need to learn what, how and when to deal with them, so like I said, take time and allow yourself to enjoy your new found garden hobby, IF you try do it all at once, most new gardeners become overwhelmed and give up because they get down hearted and think its such hard work. it's not hard IF you plant an area you can cope with, then once you can cope, you extend your planting area.
Have fun, try read up as much as you can too and happy gardening.
Kindest regards.
WeeNel.

Thanks WeeNel, I am actually attempting to grow my own platycodons from seed at the moment. :) I have about forty-something seedlings (pink and white 'Astra') sprouting as we speak. I definitely think growing some annuals to fill the gaps is a great idea.

Regarding the bugs - I've definitely had some encounters just last year. Had some issues with a honeysuckle ('Goldflame') that I was growing. Luckily Mother Nature stepped in when I spotted a huge praying mantis hanging around - I was told that they're usually hanging around when dealing with some pests. I also had some issues with some white aphids (whiteflies?) with an indoor sago palm, and even had some ladybugs hanging around - again, Mother Nature doing her thing? In any event, I have had my fair share of small frustrations. Still willing to give it a go, though. Would love to see bumblebees and hummingbirds bringing my garden to life. I'm sure the cats will also appreciate the view from my front window! :)

I've attached some more photos to this post, and would love to know any further thoughts. So far I have 6 penstemon planted there (they've just turned fully brown over the past couple of weeks - should I cut them back?), alongside three agastache and three white gaura. I also planted two Sonic Bloom weigelas (one pearl, one pink) at the bottom of the slopped side, as my initial thoughts were to plant some large-ish flowering shrubs to fill the space and height in that space. The bed is heavily mulched as I planted 120 pink and white tulip bulbs on the upper level area of the bed, in rows running parallel to the length of the retaining wall. My husband and I also dug up some soil along the path leading to the steps, where I planted alternating Veronica speedwells ('Giles van Hees' and 'Sweet Lullaby').

Please let me know if you have any further thoughts. Thanks again for your input - it's hugely appreciated.

This message was edited Feb 14, 2015 5:04 PM

This message was edited Feb 14, 2015 5:04 PM

I think I would add more to the retaining wall so the planter is not so sloped. Other than that, good idea to add shrubs in that steepest spot. Difficult to get to for replanting, and every time you disturb the soil for more planting the more soil erosion can happen.

I would duplicate the lower growing plants in the narrow planter along the walkway.

Not sure if it is OK in your zone to cut things back, yet. Is that snow on the ground? Expecting any more? The dead foliage protects the live part by adding some insulation. I would wait until there were some green buds getting started. Then, before they get too tall, trim off the old stems.

Yep, that's snow. We've had more since my last post, and we're expecting more tomorrow. :(

I will follow your advice and wait until I start to see new growth before I trim off the dead stuff. Thanks for the help! :)