It is perfectly fine—some gardeners are quite comfortable with status quo design features—a birdbath in the center of the yard, a swing on the porch, a rose-covered trellis against a garden shed, and some well-behaved flowerbeds with pretty foliage. But then again—there are some gardeners and landscapers who like a bit of wow when they look out the window. The following article offers some great ideas to transform your space into a one-of-a-kind garden through use of novel design techniques, original ornamentation and your own individual style.
From single color gardens to thematic gardens—there are more novel ways to make your garden an original than you will ever be able to use. By incorporating ancient, traditional and modern techniques you can make your garden into a visual showplace for family and friends to enjoy, a garden that will reflect your own sensibilities. First thing’s first—assess your space and climate. There’s no use planting a Mexican hacienda style garden in northern Minnesota. You want an unusual garden, but not necessarily one that cannot be easily maintained. Instead, think about the styles and plants you love. Consider how you use your space and how you prefer to garden. The following are simply design elements that may be applied to your own landscape or garden style.
Backyard decks are great features for outdoor entertaining, but consider thinking upwards a bit and add a pergola to your deck. It need not be elaborate and pergolas may even be attached to the house. These great features go back to ancient Roman times. Vines and climbers love pergolas and they add plenty of shade to sunny spots making for relaxation matched with beauty. Of course an interesting gazebo design or even covering your old swing with an arbor could add extra appeal.
Adding ancient features to your garden is not only in keeping with history, but it is unusual in this day of similar suburban lawns and ordinary vegetable gardens. If your landscape is large enough, consider incorporating a ruined feature for an ancient touch—old marble columns or stone arches bedecked with English ivy. Armless statues overlooking your heirloom roses or old wrought iron gates that act like a trellis for your trumpet vine—adding anything very old or antique will provide great garden interest.
Adding lighting features to your garden may be anything from simple candle lanterns to fountain lights that change colors. Lighting is important if you do a lot of outdoor entertaining during evening hours. Whatever your garden style, there are lighting solutions that will compliment it and may even be used to highlight special features like a garden path or a sunken pond.
If you love your bird bath but want to spice it up a bit, make it into a fountain. Adding any water feature to your garden will add visual interest to your space. Wildlife ponds, fishponds, or any garden pond will require some care and maintenance, but it will allow you to incorporate plants like water lilies—even Egyptian papyrus to a landscape that did not previously support water-loving flora. From waterfalls to manmade streams, adding water is a fabulous way to create a memorable garden feature. Also, consider simple freestanding fountains or wall fountains for your patio area. Simple basins used to collect rainwater also make for an interesting feature that is easy to maintain.
Of course, the plants themselves can be interesting in their own right. Hostas may seem somewhat typical as they are found in many gardens, but a hosta garden that incorporates many varieties and variegated species is unique. Single color gardens are popular—white is perfect for a formal garden but if you live in a blue house you could certainly incorporate many plants with blue flowers and foliage. There are also many hardy flowers that can provide your garden with pizzazz. From Serracenia pitcher plants that eat pesky insects to easy-to-maintain ornamental grasses, plant what seems beautiful and interesting to you. Also, consider an ornamental tree or two or a new line of shrubs to divide your flowerbeds from your vegetable patch.
Finally, consider something thematic for your garden—a concept that may tie everything together even if it is rustic country. Prairie gardens are more than trendy—they are good for the environment and planning for ornamentation can be quite fun. A Victorian garden might contain lots of wrought iron features and could be made charming simply with an interesting choice of planters—old chimney pieces or even ornate light fixtures to replace hanging floral baskets. Oriental gardens also make for serene and lovely places with their koi ponds and bamboo fences—many Oriental ornaments can be found easily at your local garden center or online.
There are many garden styles to employ that can be appropriate for your space. Rock and water gardens, Mexican courtyard gardens, English cottage, American frontier, prairie gardens, hanging gardens or shade gardens, ancient and formal gardens, etc…Perhaps your garden could boast a floral sundial or a maze. Perhaps you found an old marble basin you could decorate with antique or reproduction Spanish tiles. Perhaps you don’t want the burden or installing a pond but have an old claw-foot tub that could work great as a water feature.
Perhaps your theme might simply be eclectic—composed of anything that you find appealing. Your garden scarecrow might sport a kimono. Your tool shed might actually sport a hidden hot-tub. Perhaps you could screen your compost heap with a stonewall complete with a hacienda-style mural. Statues, fountains, birdhouses, containers—all these things can and will reflect your garden’s unique appeal. Combing online stores is a great way to find design ideas. Any outdoor space is a great place to garden—even a steep slope can be terraced and made lovely. Even a swamp can be tamed into a bog garden. If you truly don’t want the hassle of outdoors—consider putting up a greenhouse for an indoor tropical garden. The possibilities are endless and great design ideas for your garden abound.
Disclaimer: All information on this site is provided for informational purposes only! By no means is any
information presented herein intended to substitute for the advice provided to you by any health care or other professional
or organization.
tweet this!