How to: Outdoor Landscaping With Perennials

Look over your property and visualize the kind of garden you want to see, considering straight lines or curves, the heights of plants, colors desired, and if you want to include perennial flowers, shrubs, evergreens and/or herbs. Also note whether the landscaping area is in full sun or shade and if the area stays dry or waterlogged.

Write down a few of your ideas as well as think about the function of the perennials, from creating a display area or a hidden retreat to shielding an unwanted view such as a building wall or the backside of a fence.

Measure your landscaping areas to get a real gauge of how large of an area you're working with. Roughly plot your landscaping workspace onto graph paper using each square on the paper to signify a square foot in your landscaping.

Make a list of the types of perennials you want to grow that are suitable for your region and follow your needs from Steps 1 and 2 using a perennial encyclopedia or website such as the USDA's PLANTS database. As you list the plants, note their full size, sun needs, color, blooming times, and if and when any regular pruning or feeding is necessary.

Draw in the selected plants from your list onto your graph paper diagram, using the mature size of the plant as a guide. Place taller plants toward the northern end of your design to keep them from shading shorter plants.

Change up the quantity or types of plants used as you draw in your landscape design according to the space provided until your design is complete. Use your drawing as a guide when buying and planting your perennials.