By Marianne Lipanovich, Houzz Contributor
A flower bed filled with masses of color to grab your attention, blooming from spring through fall -- what could be better in any garden? If what you want is a flower bed filled with masses of the same plant, such as a bed of impatiens or roses, it's easy to get it right. But if you hope to have a judicious mix of colors and shapes and flowers that will fill the space throughout the growing season, you'll need to take some time to plan ahead and follow some basic design guidelines.
Choose a spot. Some spots are classic choices for a flower bed, such as along the foundation of your home, nestled against a side or back fence to mark the yard's border, or at the edge of a sidewalk or path. They may be expected locations, but they remain at the top of the location list because flower beds serve as beautiful transition areas between the home or hardscape and the main garden areas, so they can be enjoyed often and up close.
Decide on a shape. There is no right or wrong; it all depends on your personal preferences. But there are some things to think about. Hard-edged square and rectangular garden beds, for example, work particularly well with both very traditional landscapes and modern styles.
Think about a color scheme. A flower bed filled with every color of the rainbow and then some will look messy unless you have an exceptionally good eye for color. So before you buy plants and seeds, decide on a color scheme. A good rule of thumb is to stick to no more than three main colors and add variety by varying the shades within each color. Not only will your flower bed look more cohesive, but you'll also be able to narrow down good choices at the garden center that much more quickly.
A monochromatic color scheme provides an immediate sense of calm and order. Go with a long run of the same plant or experiment with different shades of your chosen color.
For more drama try a two-color combination. A complementary color scheme, meaning the primary shades are opposite or almost opposite each other on the color wheel, create a sense of vibrancy. An analogous combination of colors that sit next to each other will give your bed a gradation of shades. Think of it as the ombré look for the garden.
A more complex color approach with three main hues, can be more of a challenge, but the result will be worth it. You can choose colors that are one-third the full circle's distance apart on the color wheel, but using colors that aren't quite directly opposite will create an unexpected twist.
Choose plants for your region, climate and growing conditions. Once you know the basics -- location, overall shape and color -- it's time to choose the actual plants and put them in place.
Start by choosing plants that have the same basic needs for sunlight, water and soil, such as the drought-tolerant sun lovers in this Mediterranean-inspired garden. And consider including plants native to your area. You'll find them much easier to take care of, and they'll attract pollinators and other beneficial insects.
Vary the plant height. A mix of tall and low plants, even if the difference is only a few inches, can make the difference between a garden that is static and a lively one.
Keeping plant height in mind is also important when you plant. Generally, place taller plants at the back or in the middle, with the medium-height ones surrounding them and the shortest lining the edges. That way the shortest plants won't get lost.
Mix shapes and textures. A garden bed filled with a range of shapes, from upright to gently spreading, will be more interesting than one where all the plants have the same general look.
Texture, too, can add interest. Soft and fluffy plants will play off those that are spikier and stiffer.
Plan for repetition. Too many individual plants can be as overwhelming as too many colors. Using the same plant throughout the space creates a sense of rhythm. Chose one to three plants that you can use throughout the flower bed to achieve this effect.
Anchor the space. Adding a tall plant at the back of the bed toward the center and two similar or matching plants at each end will help define the shape of the bed and give it some structure. It needn't be a flowering plant; shrubs, small trees and grasses can also serve this purpose.
Provide some accents. In the garden here, patches of bright green along the walk draw your eye through the cool pinks and purples to the front door of the house. Plant or foliage color is a good way to highlight areas of the bed, but a flower color outside your color theme or an unexpected shrub or tree is also a good choice.
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