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Getting Started With Design by Function

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Front planting area
Photo Credit: Mark Miller
This front bed makes for an inviting entrance with great curb appeal.
You know you want your outdoor living space to be beautiful and relaxing – you just don’t know how to get there. Well, here are two options: You can spend thousands of dollars and have a professional tell you what his vision for your yard is and let him pick all of his favorite plants for you; or you can spend a fraction of the cost, pick the plants that you like and “design by function.”

The choice is almost a no-brainer – save money, plant what you like! But now there’s just one little word standing in your way: “design.” Let’s face it: Dreaming of the perfect garden is easy – creating it from a blank sheet of paper can be downright intimidating. (And design software can be just as frustrating.) The fact is you already know what pretty plants you like – you just want to know what type of pretty plant you need for your yard, as well as the best way to use it.

We can help you get that amazing outdoor living space of your dreams, and it’s as easy as “planting by numbers.” Best of all, you don’t need to be a plant expert, experienced gardener or even have a design background to create your gorgeous garden all on your own! It doesn’t even matter how large or small your outdoor living space is. If you’ve got a too-open back yard, a boring patio, an empty window box – any outdoor space you want to beautify – Design by Function is for you, because it’s about you.

The concept is simple:

Begin by identifying your garden goal: What are you hoping to create – a privacy screen in the back yard…a rock garden…an area to attract butterflies…? We’ve got nine different garden scenarios for you to consider. Take a look at the plans we have to offer and find the one that best meets your goal. We’ll give you that design plan (and yes, that’s “give” as in, “the design is free!”) and show you what types of plants work best for that particular design, including where they should be planted. Each plan identifies plants according to their specific function in that particular design:

Feature – These plants are the focal point of the landscape. They are placed in prominent locations to provide interest and a unique look.  Smaller selections are often used near entrance ways or courtyards. Larger selections are used at the corner of buildings or in stand alone beds within the landscape.

Screening – These plants typically grow greater than six feet tall and have evergreen foliage from top to bottom.  The most common usage is to divide property lines providing privacy or to create a windbreak.

Flowering – Known primarily for their blossoms these plants bring a strong visual appeal to the landscape. The most common use is grouping several plants together creating a very impactful show of color.

Accent – Unique foliage and/or growth habit is the most recognized characteristic.  Unlike many flowering items that have a short bloom period these plants provide season long interest.

Hedge/Foundation – Plants that grow naturally or can be easily pruned to stay below eye level. The most common use is planting near the house to soften the foundation appearance. A less common use is to create a boundary between properties or to segment a portion of the landscape.

Just print out the plan, take it to your local garden center or nursery, and go shopping for the plants that you like best that fit the particular plant functions specified in your design. When you get home, just plant your picks according to the design.

You know what you want your garden to be and how you want to use it. Why pay someone else to create a vision for you? Design by Function will get you growing in the right direction so you can enjoy your outdoor living space the way you intend to.

Remember, when you shop for plants, pick the plants you like that match the functions identified on the plan!

Warnings
  • Plan before you plant! We’re giving you the design concept, but you’re the only one who knows how big your planting area really is. Take measurements of your property and know how large or small your gardening space is before you buy any plants. (It helps to plot your measurements on graph paper and include any permanent features on it. This way you’ll have a better idea of how much space you have for planting.)
Tips
  • Lowe’s Garden Centers are labeling their plants to match our Design by Function plans. Just print out the design project you’re ready to start, take it to Lowe’s and look for the appropriate plant sections (“flowering shrubs,” “foundation,” etc.) that help fill your shopping list. Then pick and buy the plants in that section that you like best!
  • Make sure the plants you pick for your project are ones that will thrive under your particular property conditions (drought-tolerant plants for your drought-tolerant area, sun-loving species for sun-loving locations, etc.).
Faqs
  • Q: So I can buy any plant I like for my design as long as it fits the appropriate “function,” right?
    A: Well, not any plant – you still need to make sure that the plants you pick for your project are ones that will thrive under your particular property conditions (drought-tolerant plants for your drought-tolerant area, sun-loving species for sun-loving locations, etc.). Remember, the function of your plant is important, but matching the plant’s sun, soil and moisture needs to your location is just as essential for growing success!
Resources
  • We’d love to see how your project’s grown! Visit our forums and post some before and after pictures of your privacy screen, and share your green thumb accomplishments with our Learn2Grow community!
    Read More...
 
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