Garden Design IdeasGarden Ideas, Photos and Tips for Gardening at Home

Any gardener can tell you that the act of put your hands in the soil and run to a garden can be a relaxing and healing experience . Afterall , just being alfresco can trim back stress , promote a sense of felicity , and better our quality of life .

While nurseryman know these benefits to be true , they also know that gardens are n’t always serene , tranquil spaces . It ’s not exactly comfortable to design a garden in a agency that puts the judgement at ease . As landscape painting designer and garden source Jan Johnsen says , “ we enjoy create a beautiful outdoor infinite and relish the calm air it bestows upon us . ” She conceive that there are specific technique and element we can incorporate to make our gardens a more visually pleasing environment that we can unwind in and bask . Here , we share just a few of our preferent design lessons from Jan.

1. INCORPORATE THE SWEEP OF A CURVE

Gently cut lines are well-to-do on the eyes than straight lines with acute corners , and in gardens , curve give our eyes something to keep up . “ By laying out a plant bed or even a walkway in a strong , playful occupation you invite people to explore , ” Johnsen says . Her conjuring trick for laying out a curve ? Pick a central wheel spoke point , then utilize mark pigment or powdery limestone to mark the ground as you swivel from the primal point . Get moremusings about curved air from Johnsen .

curving melodic phrase are easygoing on the eyes and give them something to keep abreast . Here , a arc garden bottom showing red salvia and white impatiens . picture by Jan Johnsen .

2. PRACTICE COLOR ECHOING

As Johnsen key out it , color echoing is when “ one color meander through a landscape painting via the role of flowers , ornament , foliage , and even furniture . ” This make a sense of cohesiveness that carry the eye around the outdoor space . Choose the semblance you ’d wish to see more of , then incorporate it scrap by bit . ( see more : make Echoes in the Garden )

The mild gold and yellow people of colour gently wrap throughout this garden , creating a harmonious speech rhythm and flow . The Heather Garden , designed by Lynden B. Miller . Photo by : Rebecca Sweet .

3. PAIR FLOWERS AND GRASSES TOGETHER

As Johnsen arrange it , “ flowers and grasses make a glad matrimony because they set aside each other to shine . ” Ornamental supergrass serve as a beautiful background for colorful blooming plants , and Johnsen recommend combining various colours , shapes , and textures . See some of hergrass and bloom combination .

Violet - blue ‘ Rozanne ’ geranium blooms among dwarf fountain eatage . The two see great together and both tolerate full sunlight or fond shade , make them groovy companions . photograph by Jan Johnsen .

4. ADD “FOOD FOR THE NOSE”

Pleasing fragrancy are therapeutical and incorporate them into your garden is just one direction to put your mind at relief . Here are some places Johnsen advocate includingscented plantsin your landscape :

Fragrant plants , like this At Last ® rose , add another layer of tranquillity to the garden , produce a soothe leak for the senses . picture by : Proven Winners .

5. USE NATURAL MATERIALS AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE

By incorporating fabric such as river rock music and declamatory stones to create characteristic we want or need in our garden , we can create something that ’s both esthetically pleasingandsustainable . The neutral look of instinctive textile have a calming event , giving our gardens a more peaceable feeling than stuff that can sometimes bet out of place .

Johnsen used stones to project this drain area , creating a feature that is not only useable but also sum to the garden ’s aesthetic . Photo by Jan Johnsen .

6. FIND YOUR GARDEN’S POWER SPOT

According to Johnsen , a garden ’s ability stain is the place in your garden that have the most interest . For lesson , a location that provide a beautiful prospect of the sunset , a spot where you’re able to sit under the shade of a Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree and hear to the child’s play , or a corner of your garden that ’s peculiarly still . Johnsen commend finding that power spot and then figuring out how to make the most of it . Maybe add a comfy hot seat or a piece of garden art that will draw you out to the spot .

produce a garden exponent spot by placing a cozy chairperson in a peaceable , scenic area - like this inviting hillside retirement surround by profuse verdure and colorful flower . exposure by Jan Johnsen .

Books by Jan Johnsen

Gardentopia

Heaven is a Garden

The Spirit of Stone