This raise bed can add color to your garden. You pick the colors you like and the result is magic. View and print a larger version of this design.

Here’s what you know: You like color. You like flowers. You have a yard. You’d like to have some colorful flowers in your yard.

You’re not sure you’re ready to go blooming crazy throughout your entire landscape. But it would be nice to have at least one pretty planting bed in the back yard dedicated to growing some gorgeous annuals and/or perennials.

Guess what? You’re already ahead of the game! Color is one of the most important and distinguishing elements in good landscaping. The trick is to use it properly.

Creating a raised bed for annuals or perennials is a fantastic way to highlight a particular area in an ordinary back yard, as well as add that punch of needed color – as well as texture, height and interest. What’s more, it’s also a smart way to garden!

In regions where drought is a problem and water restrictions enforced, a raised bed creates a specific area where you can focus your limited watering resources to provide a “bright spot” in an otherwise bleak landscape. On the other hand, “wet feet” can hurt a plant just as much as drought. A raised bed can help avoid possible drainage problems in the landscape, too, so your plants won’t drown or rot.

If your yard has very poor soil to plant in, a raised bed also gives you an area to bring in “the good stuff.” So plants that might not survive directly in the ground you’ve got can grow and thrive in a fresh, nourishing planting bed filled with fresh, nourishing soil.

And almost as exciting as picking the plants to put in your raised bed, is picking the material to build it. The charming shape of this particular design makes local stone or manufactured dry stone a perfect choice. (Try to pick a material that complements the style or architecture of your home.)

Of course, the best part is choosing the perennials that you like best! Annuals make great additions to this design, too, because you can switch them out with other plants as the seasons change, adding year-round interest to your raised bed – even when you can only enjoy it by looking out the window in winter. As long as the plants you select are ones that fit the appropriate function in the design and will thrive under your particular property conditions (sun-loving plants for your sun-loving location, etc.), you can’t go wrong with this design. Now let’s bring your vision into living color!

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