Well, after going through this for countless years and trying programs ending up paying hundreds of dollars, the best method is simply graph paper and pencil. Here's the steps:
1.) Start with a drawing of your beds. You need to maintain them, and unlikely you can reach in over 3'. So, your beds need to have access from any point within 3'. I leave a path in the back of my beds which lets me have beds 6' in depth. I also like curved beds, not straight/square.
2.) Next are trees. You probably want more than usual as birds use them for shelter and do not like going to bird feeders or gardens without a tree/large shrub nearby so they can escape to it at a notice.
Stick to Birch trees for many reasons. It's the only tree (locally) that gives dappled shade letting you grow part to full shade near them. All other trees give you FULL shade, or especially messy, or negatively affect the soil. With birch a slight wind causes the leaves to dance creating a magical affect and the shade it casts. In fall their leaves turn pure yellow and in winter there's rarely a tree that's as beautiful as a birch, white in particular. The white varities normally last about 20-30 years before a bug called the "birch borer" finally kills them, and their roots are shallow. But, they are the best tree for landscaping in New England.
3.) Next, the shrubs... in particular if you do pick birch trees they need a shrub on the south side of them they like their roots in shade and their tops in sun. Also, shrubs are pretty easy... for each tree on one side of a bed you should have a big shrub on the other side to balance. Get a butterfly bush on the opposite of your bed for your kids garden, they're hardy and attract butterflies like crazy but most get big (8' or so). There's some that don't (known as the "English butterfly series"). You'll need 2-3 of them to balance a tree on the opposite side of an island.
4.) Lastly, go for the plants that birds like. Try to at least pair ones that bloom at the same time together it's better than seperating. Fortunately, you don't want to go too crazy with the number of selections. Try to stick with odd numbers of plants, like 3 of this or 5 of that. For height, try to plant them from your path no more than their height. For example, if they grow 3' high try not to plant them more than 3' away. Try to plant the ones that can grow in part shade or shade on the north sides of the trees or shrubs. Best of all, and most important, don't be afraid to move them. I'm constantly moving mine around and haven't had a loss yet.
