Tending a garden is like painting: You start with a blank slate and layer on colors and textures. But unlike painting, no garden is ever really finished.
Like all living things, your garden needs regular tending, and will continue to evolve and change over time. Whether you’ve got a new brand new flower bed you’d like to plant or a more mature garden that could use some sprucing up, there are plenty of ways to update your garden with our flower bed ideas.
How to Start Planning a Garden Bed
The first thing to consider is what kind of light you have so you can choose the right kinds of plants. Watch your yard throughout the day and determine how much light the areas you're planning to use get each day. Most plants are labeled as needing full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight every day) partial sun (about half that) or full shade (little or no direct sunlight).
This changes slightly throughout the growing season, of course. Sunny areas in spring may be shaded by deciduous trees later in the year, or may receive more sunlight as the days lengthen and the sun rises higher in the sky. Remember, too, that morning sun is more gentle while blazing afternoon sun is the most intense.
When choosing a garden plan, remember that you can — and should — think about how the space will look throughout all four seasons. One way to do that is by combining annual flowers that bloom at different times with perennials. (Here's more about the differences between annual and perennial plants.) Adding in shrubs and small trees can take your flower bed from average to show-stopping.
Don't forget to layer your plants, as well! Placing taller plants in back, shorter in front, will offer depth and privacy to your garden.
1
Create Gentle Curves
This flower bed uses gentle curves to create a shape that naturally draws the eye to the entryway and makes the space feel more welcoming. To achieve this look, lay out a garden hose to outline the pattern first before digging the bed.
2
Use Edging to Define a Space
Garden beds should have some definition to stand out. This one uses hardscape pavers to create a curving form for a perennial bed. You also could use bricks or stones or pound-in edging.
Read more: 15 Best Garden Edging Ideas for the Most Beautiful Landscaping
3
Incorporate Natural Stone Accents
This bed is accented with stacks of natural stone, which provide texture and structure. You don't necessarily have to build a wall; one or two well-placed rocks our small boulders add interest to any bed when artistically placed.
Read more: Why You Should Be Using More Stones In Your Garden
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4
Mix Annuals, Perennials and Shrubs in Flower Beds
The prettiest gardens show off color in all seasons, which you can accomplish by planting a mix of annuals, perennials and small shrubs. Here, flowering azalea shrubs welcome late spring, while perennials such as irises are getting ready to bloom.
Read more: 10 Best Low-Maintenance Bushes and Shrubs to Plant in Your Garden
5
Add Containers to Flower Beds
Placing containers in planting beds not only offers a splash of color, it provides height. The containers shown here overflow with annuals that can be changed out seasonally, such as pansies for spring or mums for fall.
Read more: 20 Favorite Container Plants and Ideas for Your Potted Garden Oasis
6
Create Whimsical Accents
A brightly-colored section of fence contrasts beautifully with these annuals, including geraniums and zinnias, and perennials, including heuchera and lilies.
Read more: 21 Best Garden Ornaments That Aren't Gnomes
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7
Add Raised Beds
Raised beds allow you to plant in what may be otherwise unsuitable conditions, such as sandy, rocky or clay soil. They can be a few inches to a few feet tall, which make gardening easier on the back, too.
Read more: 15 Best Raised Garden Beds
8
Plant Edibles and Ornamentals Together
You don't have to have a dedicated vegetable garden; combine edibles and ornamentals in the same bed for a pretty and practical garden. Here, tomatoes tumble alongside annuals such as flossflower. Flowers also attract and support pollinators, which is essential for some crops such as squash to form fruit. You even can incorporate edible flowers in your garden design!
Read more: 12 Beautiful Edible Flowers for Decorating Your Dinner Plates
9
Add Pollinator Plants
Tall flowering plants, like those found in meadows, are beautiful and support pollinator insects. While it's not practical to transform your entire yard into a meadow, you can convert a small portion, such as a narrow strip along the driveway or a small border area along your property line.
Read more: 20 Gorgeous Flowering Plants that Will Attract Bees
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10
Make a Statement
Your flower garden is already colorful, but adding an accent piece in an eye-catching hue, such as this sunny-yellow Adirondack chair, puts your personal stamp on it.
Read more: 21 Best Garden Ornaments That Aren't Gnomes
11
Create Height
Place vertical accents throughout the garden. A trellis, as shown here, obelisk, or other tall decorative piece will provide interest and a place for vining plants to climb.
Read more: 22 DIY Garden Trellis Projects for All Your Climbing Plants and Flowers
12
Construct a Gravel Path...
Paths don't have to be expensive; even a simple gravel path adds personality to any flower garden setting. It's also a way to encourage visitors to wander through the flowers to enjoy the experience.
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13
... Or Make a Natural Stone Path
Don't want to bother with gravel? This path is even simpler to construct: Natural stones are sunk into mulch or lawn to create an attractive and wending path that makes you want to explore the garden.
Read more: 18 Stone Walkways That Will Beautify Your Yard
14
Shrink Your Lawn
Instead of a large lawn with a small edge of flowers, consider expanding your beds and leaving just a small portion of lawn to serve as a grass pathway. It looks beautiful, helps pollinators, and with the right blend of plants will actually reduce work: Perennial beds also don't need to be mowed like grass does!
Read more: 25 Best Perennial Flowers and Plants to Make Any Yard Beautiful
15
Mount Window Boxes
Window boxes are another way to enhance your flower garden. They're also a great alternative if you don't have the space to plant in-ground. Match them to your home's style, as shown here with this picket fence-styled window box on a cottage window.
Read more: 20 DIY Window Boxes to Step Up Your Outdoor Décor
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16
Plant in Patterns
The repetition of plants provides continuous color and flow, which is far more appealing to the eye than one or two plants placed here and there in garden beds.
17
Use Unexpected Containers
This old wagon is a charming container for flowers, either planted directly into it or kept in pots, like the lilies, for ease of design. You can change the flowers seasonally, too.
Read more: 20 Favorite Container Plants and Ideas for Your Potted Garden Oasis
18
Grow a Cut-Flower Garden
Part of the joy of gardening is adding flowers you can snip and bring indoors. Even a single stem makes a difference! You don't have to create a separate space; just plant many different types of flowers, especially those with nice long stems for cutting, such as peonies, coneflowers, zinnias, and cosmos.
Read more: 60 Best Types of Flowers You Should Have in Your Garden
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19
Add Hanging Baskets
Hanging baskets are another way to provide vertical interest in your garden. They can be mounted to walls, off of decks, or on posts in the garden. Or use a shepherd's hook so you can hang them anywhere you like.
Read more: 16 Best Flowers to Grow in Your Hanging Basket
20
Provide Water and Shelter
These garden accents are not only adorable, but they also support local wildlife, including pollinators such as bees, butterflies, and birds. The idea isn't to clutter up the garden, but to use these as practical objects of beauty.
Read more: 12 DIY Bird Feeders That Will Fill Your Garden with Songbirds
Arricca Elin SanSone
Arricca Elin SanSone has written about health and lifestyle topics for Prevention, Country Living, Woman's Day, and more. She’s passionate about gardening, baking, reading, and spending time with the people and dogs she loves.
