The main principles of garden design
Here are some tips that will be useful to anyone wanting to set up or modify a garden on their own. They will allow you to build a harmonious space where you can relax and indulge in your passions.
Right space
The garden should be divided into several zones depending on how you would like it to look. You definitely need a place to relax, and a barbecue or bonfire spot will be useful. It is necessary to separate the area for flower beds and space for trees and bushes. So that the plot is not boring, you can designate themed zones – all plantings made deliberately and according to pre-determined concepts will help to create thematic corners (in Japanese, Mediterranean style, moor, rockery). It can also be useful for a spectacular pond, mini fountain or greenhouse. Numerous paths will look particularly nice. Their function is both aesthetic and practical, therefore it is a subject worth careful consideration.
Trees
First, see what you already have on your plot – respect the existing plants – especially trees and shrubs. Try to base the idea for the garden on them. Remember that trees are growing slowly. Always adjust the trees to the scale of the garden so that it does not overwhelm it and that it does not disappear. When designing the location of the tree, you must constantly remember about its future appearance, so if you do not know how the plant will look in a dozen years – visit the botanical garden or the old park. Knowing how the tree you want to plant will look like it in the future is essential to design a garden well. And what is important, remember not to locate trees too close to architectural objects. The trees grow not only high but underground and across. Growing boughs can damage the roof of the house, the crown shades it and takes away the light, etc. The root system can do a lot of damage. This is an unusual and unstoppable force that literally tears rocks.
Shrubs and annual plants
The basis of garden compositions are conifers and flowering shrubs. A skilfully selected composition will make individual plants look better than planted separately. Shrubs are the most commonly used in gardens. The large ones, together with the trees, can be a space organizing element in the outermost parts of the garden. The low ones can be used to fill the edges of the plot. On the market there is a very large selection of low (up to 1/2 meter high) shrubs for both shady and sunny places, so remember that the key issue is choosing a plant for the conditions in a particular part of the garden. Always keep her environmental requirements in mind.
Annual and biennial plants are planted at discounts, planting them with several or one varieties of a given flower species. Carpet rebates are planted with low varieties, in clusters of various shapes and sizes. Fill the most distant place or center with the tallest plants; the rest lower. In this way, you can form a garden wall frame. An attractive combination is a combination of higher onion plants, e.g. tulips with low biennials such as daisies and pansies. You can buy ready-made mixtures for various types of discounts in stores. The contrast of plants looks very interesting. In the little frequented corners of the garden, it is worth establishing a flower meadow, which is very easy to care for.
Climbing plants
An old wall planted with vines will give each garden a mysterious and intriguing character. Garden creepers are a group of plants that have many advantages. As a rule, you don’t need too much space to plant them, and their growth strength is great. They are not only decorative but also useful: they are perfect as a living screen when we want to cover or fence something, e.g. an unsightly wall of a building. Most vines have average soil requirements but there are also exceptions. It is worth, however, due to the fact that they are often planted at houses or fences, where the soil is quite poor, dried and with debris, prepare the soil before planting the plants. Just dig a slightly larger hole and fill it with compost soil or appropriate soil from a gardening store. Such a romantic corner is a nice place to rest and relax, so it’s worth setting a bench or table with chairs nearby.
