Basic Garden Design Principles and Plant Selection
                                          (May 2017)
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Creating or rejuvenating your garden space, as well as plant selection, is a fun and rewarding pastime. The following will get you well on your way to embracing your green outdoors:
 
Garden design

• A long term garden plan is essential; it may take a little bit of effort but it is really worth it. Include both existing and proposed structures and garden beds.
• Keep in mind that a garden is a living palate which is constantly changing and evolving.  A garden plan allows for this process and enables you to capture the ‘big picture’ in tangible steps to be applied over time.
• It’s important to observe and consider climate, aspect, soil type, drainage and slope. Don’t rush; take the time to observe your garden space and how you use it. Look for potential challenges and issues such as poor drainage and low light.
• Consider ‘zoning’ of garden beds & utility areas depending on frequency of use and maintenance required.
• Less is more when it comes to plant selection and man-made features. Too much going on is chaotic.
• Space in a garden is an important principle of garden design. This can be achieved using a mix of showy ‘look at me’ plants, along with quiet unassuming ones that the eye does not focus on.

 
Plant Selection

• How much time do you have available to establish your garden and maintain it? Hardy, long lived plants are going to need much less attention than more specialised intensive ones.
• What style of plants do you like?
• What are the plant’s primary functions? Is it for shade, cooling, production, wind protection, attracting wildlife, privacy, or simple aesthetics? Plants can have single or multiple functions, for example, veggies provide us with produce, are attractive to pollinators and beneficial insects, and are aesthetically pleasing.
• Select a mix of faster growing, short term plants along with longer lived structural ones. Faster growing plants provide protection for more sensitive plants while they are establishing and also reduce incidence of weeds. They also make for great mulch when they have served their purpose or reached their used by date.
• Select the right plant for the right purpose; don’t make unnecessary work for yourself and your neighbours.
• Select plants which are harmonious and mutually compatible. This can be achieved through matching aspects such as form, foliage shape, tone & colour. Adopting these principles enables the mixing of different species and plant types including exotic and native ones.
• Select form and foliage over flowers; they offer year-long interest and structure to your garden space. Consider flowers as an added bonus.
• Take a walk in your neighbourhood for inspiration, to observe plants you like the look of, and what does and does not work; learn from others’ successes and failures.
• Visit open gardens and local parklands.
• Visit local nurseries to see what plants are readily available and help identify that beautiful tree you saw when out walking.

 
 

Consider concept of space in the garden.

Consider existing structures and plants when designing new garden spaces.

Select form and foliage over flowers.