There are so many ways to transform a garden space and make a garden shine. However, there are three simple things that consistently seem to work regardless of the garden. These are:
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- Height: Creating a sightline with varying heights
- Color: Using color for major impact
- Texture: Including plant texture in a garden design
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We’ll review these three ways in more detail with a three part series and focus on the multiple options one has to transform a garden space with height first!
Creating a sightline with varying heights
Varying the Height of the items in a garden is paramount to making a space stand out. What do I mean by height? I mean making sure there is a good mixture of things with varying height from ground level to sky level. This can be done with anything from the plants to the containers and even to the fixtures around a garden. Creating multiple layers of height simply makes a space more visually interesting. And, in lots of ways ensures all the plants and the items in a garden have a spotlight of some sort. Let's look at a couple ways to do this.
Using Plants For Height
Mixing low level plants with tall or super tall plants is one of the simplest things to do to add height to a garden. Take for example the Day lilies growing here. These are ground level plants and will get no more than two to three feet tall on the shrub side. They are bordering cosmos and Zinnias which will grow three to four feet tall. All of these flowers are then growing under Giant sunflowers which will rise to over ten feet tall! Layering plants in a garden provides a continuous expansion for our eyes. Giving a person something to look at all the way to the sky!
Mixing in Ground and Raised Beds
A mixture of inground and raised beds across a space is another wonderful way to add height and visual interest in a garden. Take for example the way this yard appeared before any beds were added. The lines were flat, even the areas where inground gardens had been added still appeared flat in the space. However, adding a single raised bed in the corner completely changed the layout even before plants came in. Adding a taller raised bed along the fence line changed things. All of a sudden there were three levels of items to look at and grow in. Plants at the ground layered with height, plants raised up. This can be seen in the far back corner as well. All plants were at the ground level. Having a mix simply makes the space look and feel more interesting.
Note all my raised beds are from Vego Garden!
Using Potted Plants or a mix of pots
Once the layers of plants and various raised beds have been decided, pulling pots into the mix can really add flair. One can simply have fun with pots. From shapes and sizes that are small and round to square or long pots are simply fun. Take for example the two Vego Garden Planters added the top of the shelter above the raised bed Simply adding these two pots pulled even more height to the mix, The raised space now ladders the eyes up another layer and shows a blast of green surrounding the raised beds below it.
Using arbors or Teepees
Arbors or teepees can transform any garden right away! After all they are tall and have shapes and colors of their own allowing plants to climb up them. All of a sudden what was on the ground can sore into a space giving shadows and visuality that just wasn't there before. so never hesitate to add a Arbor for plants to give height to an area.
In Conclusion
Using height in a garden with beds and pots or inground plants is a wonderful way to help a space shine. Come back and we will look at tips for the second item Color; and, how color can transform a space. While your reading, here are some of the other blogs that can help you with growing the plants seen in this space. Ill be adding more soon so check back often.
