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If you want a gorgeous garden, then you likely want one that suits your space, plays to your tastes, and perhaps has a few unique aspects. Whether you’re landscaping a small backyard or styling your front yard, planning the perfect garden — or adding to an existing one — is both exciting and overwhelming.
“There are thousands of images online showing different garden styles,” Mark Lane, Stannah’s gardening expert and BBC “Gardener’s World” presenter, told Real Homes. “Start collecting them and produce a mood board.” Lane adds that while looking through photos, “Sometimes it might be the smallest detail of a handcrafted door handle that you like — the shape, the craftsmanship, and/or the material might appeal. This, in turn, could steer you towards an arts -and-crafts-style garden.” You might also be intrigued by a certain family of fabulous flowers, an unexpected yet undeniably appealing layout, or an eye-catching accent piece.
With that in mind, check out the following ideas that will surely inspire your very own stunning flower garden.
1. Frame your flowers with hedges
Make your flowers pop by framing them with hedges. While not all designs need to be pristine or intricate, hedges help define various areas of your garden and let each group of flowers shine on their own. The result is an elegant aesthetic that you’ll surely adore.
2. Use rocks to fill gaps
Rocks are another way to define the separate areas of your flower garden, while also adding a layer of interest. A mix of pebbles, small stones, and large rocks provides a varied blend that fill in gaps and complements your flora and fauna.
3. Stick with certain colors
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If you adore flowers in certain colors, then feel free to focus on those particular shades when planning or expanding your garden. Just look at how stunning an outdoor space can be when filled with a simple palette of red, pink, and white blooms!
4. Adapt your flower garden to suit the seasons
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While you might think of gardening as something that’s only done during warm weather, that’s not necessarily the case. Your flower garden can look amazing during the fall by embracing the season and adding appropriate accents like pumpkins, gourds, leaves, and plants that thrive in cooler temperatures.
5. Don’t be afraid of dark and dramatic flowers
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When you think of a garden, you might imagine bright and colorful plants. However, there’s another option to consider: Dark plants add a level of drama to your yard. Make them stand out even more by placing them with bright white flowers that offer a striking contrast.
6. Add a bench
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Who doesn’t want to spend their day relaxing among the flowers? An adorable bench adds character to your garden while also allowing you to spend as much time as possible smelling the sweet floral scents and enjoying the gorgeous view.
7. Consider what’s above
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The beauty of your garden doesn’t have to just be about what’s at your feet. Plant a few trees — like fabulous flowering pear trees or charming cherry blossom trees — to add a touch of beauty above.
8. Add outdoor décor
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There’s certainly no shortage of garden décor. Explore garden centers, home décor stores, and vintage shops to find charming objects to place among your flowers — or even pieces that you can place your flowers in.
9. Plant flowers for pollinators
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Pollinators, such as bees and butterflies, rely on certain kinds of plants to provide them with much-needed nectar and pollen, according to Garden Design. Planting flowers that attract pollinators will not only provide pollinators with much-needed nutrients, but the attention from the critters will help your garden thrive.
10. Don’t hold back
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There are some areas of your life where it’s best to exercise restraint. Your flower garden doesn’t have to be one of them! When it comes to your yard, allow yourself to indulge in a little excess. For instance, if you love tulips, feel free to line your entire property with the classic flowers.
11. Opt for fragrant flowers
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It’s understandable if you focus on how flowers look when planning your garden. However, you might want to also consider how they smell. As Country Living points out, fragrant flowers (such as lilacs, peonies, and gardenias) add a dreamy ambiance.
12. Vary plant heights
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Take advantage of the multitude of shapes and sizes plants come in when you’re planning your garden. By choosing plants that are different heights, you can fill out your garden both horizontally and vertically, and the variety keeps things dynamic.
13. Plant perennials
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Perennials take time to mature, but they’re worth the wait since they will thrive for years if taken care of properly. This makes for an easy-to-care-for, low-maintenance garden. Popular perennials include chrysanthemums, black-eyed Susans, and purple coneflowers, according to Better Homes & Gardens.
14. Embrace a wildflower garden
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A pretty garden doesn’t have to be perfectly pristine. Wildflower gardens take care of themselves and are a gorgeous way to let nature do one of the things it does best — grow beautiful flowers!
15. Choose classic roses
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Roses’ stunning beauty and incredible scent make them a universally adored flower. While not all varieties are easy to grow, any effort you put into these flowers will be worth it.
16. Add arches
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Adding an arched trellis to your yard for climbing flowers makes for a dreamy setting. Encouraging certain blooms to settle themselves on the curve will create a stunning element that feels magical.
17. Create a flower-filled wall
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Arched trellises aren’t the only things that flowers explore. Plenty of plants — such as climbing roses — will happily make their way up a wall, which is another way to both extend your garden and make your yard incredibly idyllic.
18. Frame your vegetable garden with flowers
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You might think that it’s best to keep your flower garden and your vegetable garden separate. However, planting flora around your veggies is a lovely way to frame your cucumbers, tomatoes, and all of the other delicious vegetables you love to grow.
19. Set up a potted flower garden
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If you want a garden, but don’t have a yard (or just desire something easy to change up), then potted flowers are a great option. You simply position them close together and arrange them in the same way you would if you were actually planting them in the ground.
20. Create a raised flowerbed
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Give your garden a little oomph by elevating it. Build a raised flower bed using attractive bricks with large paver stones on top as both a decorative touch and a place to sit down and admire your plants.
21. Opt for unexpected flowers
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Classic flowers are always gorgeous. However, your garden is also a great place to opt for unique flowers that showcase your style and personality. Consider flowers with unexpected shapes, surprising petals, and playful colors.
22. Plant flowers around your fence
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Your garden doesn’t have to be confined to the usual spots in your yard. You can plant around your fence — or even put in some climbing flowers to go over it — as well as close to the sidewalk (if your local bylaws allow it).
23. Pop a flower garden around your pond
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If you have a pond in your yard or are considering putting one in, then think about popping a flower garden next to it — some flowers can even go in the water! Not only will it look lovely, but, according to Gardening Etc., certain plants keep your pond healthy.
24. Extend your garden with flower boxes
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Bring your garden up to your window with flower boxes. Not only will this give you more room to plant your favorite flowers, but it will also give you a chance to get a glimpse of them when you’re sitting inside.
25. Add unique accents
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In the same way that unique flowers can create a garden that you’ll adore, unique accents can do the same. For example, these chiseled cement pots add character while showcasing the flowers.
26. Incorporate ornamental grass
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You don’t have to fill your entire garden with flowers. Incorporate one, two, or several varieties of ornamental grass to add texture and fun to your garden.
27. Use outdoor lighting in your garden
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Who says you can only enjoy your garden during the day? Install outdoor lighting so you can admire your flowers through the evening and into the night.
28. Use mulch to define your flower garden
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Gardening mulch is a great way to fill in your garden while also framing your flowers. On top of looking good, mulch keeps your garden moist and healthy.
29. Create a tiered garden
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If your yard is on a hill, take advantage of the geography and create a tiered garden. It’s a stunning (and unique) way to showcase your favorite flowers.
30. Plant sunflowers
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Sunflowers make everyone smile! The impressively tall, yellow-petaled flowers are a great way to add a true feeling of sunshine to your garden. While there are some things you should know before you plant sunflowers, if you give them a little TLC then they’ll surely delight you in return.
