Garden Bed Design

Where does one start? How do I decide what shape, what size, which plants? These are all things Diane can help you with at Earthworks.
Some basics:
Size: needs to be at least large enough to make an impact, usually a minimum of 4' wide. Step back from the house & size it up. Usually folks tend to make the garden too tiny.
Shape: Think mow lines! You don't want to have to get the weed whip out for the 'one spot.' Typically a very formal house that is very symmetrical, looks best with cornered gardens and straight lines, contemporary homes do best with free flowing lines.
Which plants? Some considerations are, sun & wind exposure, soil type, height. Plants that are too short, have little impact, save them for your containers.
What colors? Too many colors look messy. As you can see in the photo, I have used the 'principle of repetition. Less types and colors, repeated throughout the bed, easily moves your eyes throughout the garden. It offers continuity vs. a hodge podge garden of the gardener that just couldn't decide!  In this garden I have iris in about 6 areas, phlox in 3 areas, baby's breath in 5 areas, and about 200 tulips and bulbs. The year after this photo was taken,  I edged the bed next to the patio block with daylilies. The year after that, the 06 tornado hit my house. We had to dig up what we could and the rest got run over by equipment tearing down the house. The patio block was covered with plywood which really helped to preserve it from being ruined by equipment tires. The pathway thru this garden was made of  slices of a tree!
They only last 3-5 years before they start to rot. It's difficult to cover all your need to know here, but hopefully some of these tidbits of info will get you started thinking....one day closer to spring!