In the previous article I discussed design for your new wild flower garden. The next stage is planning the planting. This is an exciting stage, we are just a few steps away from turning your garden design concept into a reality. But first things first.

If you have completed your design, does it fit within your budget? If it does, that’s great, if not now is the time to go back and make some changes. Before you go to the garden center or hardware, you will need to have a final shopping list. This will help you stay within budget and ensure that you have all the materials on handbefore you start your project.

From the design stage you will have factored in such items as concrete or mulch for walkways, brick for walls, seating, water features or lighting or any other accessories you might want to add to your new garden. Before you begin preparing the ground for planting, the hardscaping should be completed.

Now you will need to work out your plant requirements. Be sure to consider the following before making a final decision on plant choices:

• Some plants are invasive and banned from use in some areas. If you are not sure of the requirements check it out with your local authority.
• They should love the conditions in your garden
• If they do they will thrive, saving you time, money and the effort of replacing those that fail. The conditions to be considered in your garden are light moisture, wind factor and soil type.
• Remember the mature height and spread of each plant
• I know it is tempting, but please do not overplant. That 6 plant that you buy today could grow to a height and spread of 6 feet. If you do not take this into account, you will spend many unnecessary hours thinning out your garden rather than just enjoying it.
• They should blend into your existing surroundings.
• Color, height, plant type, annual or perennial, ongoing maintenance.
• An inexpensive way to help you choose colors that will work well together, use a paint chart and select from colors in the same grouping
• The finished garden should serve your purpose
• It should be a constant source of enjoyment to you.
• Maintenance requirements should fit with your lifestyle.

When you have decided on your plant list, having taken all of the above into account, shop around if possible. I have seen big varieties in price and quality for the same plants in the same area. Choose only healthy plants to give your flower garden the best possible start.

The next and final article of this series, discusses planting requirements.

Gabrielle Bennett is a gardener with many years experience gardening in different climates. More information on Wild Flower Gardens can be found at http://www.complete-flower-garden.com

This article Wild Flower Garden - Plan to Plant is part of the article series Wild Flower Garden - Recreate the Splendor of Nature in Your Own Backyard. Any or all of the articles in the series are free to use as long as the following is attached: - Author Gabrielle Bennett: http://www.complete-flower-garden.com

As landscape matures, things change. Garden design is the process of designing the layout and planting of domestic gardens while keeping this change under control. But as people’s lifestyles change the areas once used for kids play or for dining out evenings, may no longer be needed. Furthermore, in case the house you bought came with mature plantings that do not any more look healthy or suit your taste, the time has come for you to understand what landscape design is and why should you revive your garden by re-modeling the space and focusing on the plantation you want and covers your needs.

Garden owners became increasingly involved in garden design during the twentieth century and there was considerable expansion in the garden designers’ profession. Specifically, education on garden design has emerged from the older traditions of training and most garden designers are currently trained in design and horticulture. Over the years, well-known garden designers obtain an expert knowledge of plants, their habits and their needs. Most importantly, garden designers focus on constructing an outdoor space that is not only beautiful to see, but also feasible to manage and corresponds to the needs of the particular house residents. That is the reason why elements of garden design include landform and planting design, water features like fountains and ponds, garden lighting, sculpture and garden furniture.

As re-modeling of houses and gardens has turned out to be an in thing to do these days, more and more people consider altering their garden’s design and begin looking for possible ideas that will enhance their existing living space. If you are convinced that redesigning your home garden is a necessary step towards the outdoor space of your dreams, then the first thing you should do is to take a hard and honest look at what you have and reassess it so you can make improvements to your life and your lifestyle. If for example, you want to hide the garage walls from your view or to conceal the garbage and recycling area, consider shrub plantings, but make sure that once they are fully grown they will not obstruct access to the area you wish to hide.

It is important to landscape your yard in conjunction with your home’s size as well as its style and structure. As you are designing your outdoor space, keep in mind that trees get taller and cast deeper shades, bushes outgrow their original compactness and places in the garden and plants in pots at some point need to be transferred to bigger containers.

Remember that landscaping should only serve to enhance your home, as plants and trees must be in scale and balance with each other, as well as with your home, so as not to detract attention away! Spend your money wisely by planning the type of shrubs and trees you will purchase in conjunction with the type of home you own.

The very best gardeners are those who recognize gardening as an art form and not just as a hobby. There are several things to consider when you begin to plant your garden this season. From your potted plants to your flowerbeds, and even accessories like waterfalls, stone walkways, garden benches, statuettes and more, there are many options for you before you begin. So take the time to select carefully.

The creative gardener will plot out his or her floral dcor, not only in a way that accommodates his or her personal taste, but also considering the needs of the plant or flower and where it should be placed outdoors.

For example: many flowers need excessive sunlight, if you can find a few different kinds of flowers to place in a bed that gets direct sunlight for a good portion of the day, you can then design a color scheme suitable for that bed. Consider that some flowers will grow taller, and some will remain small, that some will fill out across the bed and some will remain exactly where you plant them. You will want to have a somewhat specific design in mind for your garden dcor before getting startedand even before you purchase your plants.

The art of gardening is a wonderful thing. You can enjoy the outdoors while you create. And then, aside from the maintenance your garden will require, you can enjoy the garden you have made, sit outside and relaxobserving the beauty of your own creation.

Find out about the kinds of flowers you want to plant before you plant them. Check on how much light they need, how much water they need, and what are the typical kinds of surroundings that will be best for a successful result. There will be some types of plants or flowers that you cannot use in your garden unless you create the conditions in your garden under which they will thrive.

However, it is possible to do this, to design an area suited for the particular flower or plant you want in your garden. Lets say that you want to plant a flower that needs to remain somewhat cool and does not want much sunlight at all. Well, the summer will be hot and the plant, if simply planted, will not survive. Nevertheless there are ways to work around the special needs of your plant or flowers. For example: if a flower you really want in your garden has the special needs I mentioned above, consider a waterfall to keep it cooler, if there is not enough shade provided beside the waterfall, perhaps you can build or install something to induce shade, like a covered walkway or a canopy, maybe a gazeboor maybe something as simple as planting a tree that will provide enough shade.

Let your garden be a perfect reflection of your own personal style and luxurious taste, whether your garden is elegant and simplistic, or elaborate and luxurious. Your garden should be something to be proud of.

Check out our website for more artistic gardening ideas today. There is a lot to learn, but be creative and inventive, too. You will be thrilled with your garden when you purchase the right plants and flowers, use the best garden equipment there is, and have an idea planned out for how your garden will work, thrive and be a pleasant, fragrant place for you to be this season.

Anne Clarke writes numerous articles for websites on gardening, parenting, fashion, and home decor. Her background includes teaching and gardening. For more of her articles on gardening please visit garden art.