Tips for Garden Design

1. Garden Layout

  • Draw a planting plan.
  • Space plants so the plants will touch when they are mature.
    • Example of proper plant spacing in a garden
  • Use varying plant heights to create layers.
    • Example of varying plant heights creating layers
  • For more information, see Resources

2. Garden Size: How Many Plants?

Container Gardens

Sample Layout:

Container garden sample layout diagram Container garden layout legend

Sample Plant List:

  • 5-7 groundcovers and/or perennials

Small Gardens – less than 50 square feet

Sample Layout:

Small garden sample layout diagram Small garden layout legend

Sample Plant List:

  • 1 small tree or large shrub
  • 2-3 small shrubs
  • 5-15 groundcovers and/or perennials

Medium Gardens – 50 to 200 sq ft

Sample Layout:

Medium garden sample layout diagram Medium garden layout legend

Sample Plant List:

  • 1-2 small trees or large shrubs
  • 5-7 small shrubs
  • 10-20 groundcovers and/or perennials

Large Gardens – over 200 sq ft

Sample Layout:

Large garden sample layout diagram Large garden layout legend

Sample Plant List:

  • 1 medium tree
  • 1-2 small trees or large shrubs
  • 7-9 small shrubs
  • 25-30 groundcovers and/or perennials