Check out our “plant-by-letter” landscape design formulas, a great resource for everyone! Whether you’re an experienced gardener or a new homeowner, these easy-to-follow landscape design formulas are sure to add curb appeal, color, and beauty to your property!
To bake amazing cookies, you need a “secret” recipe and all the right ingredients! Sometimes, landscapes and gardens can work that way too! I’ve put together a couple landscape design formulas. Let’s consider these the recipe cards. The design formula outlines what plants you need and how many of each! If your home doesn’t look exactly like the sample I’ve drawn in, not to worry. These formulas can be abbreviated or repeated as needed to accommodate your space. Both formulas utilize some basic design strategies that create a visually appealing outcome. Balance, contrast, accents, texture, and seasonal interest are a few of the design principles that I use to create a well thought design. Features of the space such as the front walk, porch, and windows are equally important to consider when placing your plant material and combinations.
Design Formula A
Design Formula B
Once I had my formulas ready it was time to put together the ingredients list. Here are two shrub combinations that you could consider plugging into either shrub formula. The first one, “Pretty Pink”, will have your landscape blooming in shades of pink throughout the growing season and into the winter. Soft contrast and accent textures provide interest and depth allowing the subtle beauty of the soft pinks to really shine! This shrub combination would work well in full sun or part shade and will tolerate a wide range of soil types.
The second shrub combination, “Maroon & Gold Moment” will be colorful throughout the growing season. Yellow and peach flowers combined with maroon and chartreuse foliage will keep this combination glowing right up until fall. As our days and nights grow shorter you can expect some lovely fall color to add beauty to your landscape all through autumn! This shrub combination would perform best in full sun and would be quite drought tolerant once they’ve become established.
