Flowers make any landscape more beautiful. But there are a few things to know about how to design a discount for maximum impact. By keeping these concepts in mind, even beginners can create a flower-filled garden that will look professional.

The best flower garden designs incorporate a variety of flowering plants, including long-lived perennials, short-lived (but long-blooming) annuals, seasonal bulbs, ornamental grasses, and vines. Before you start designing your flower garden, research which plants will grow best in your area, their colors and flowers, and any special care they may need. Your local extension office or public garden is a good place to start.

Your personal preferences (or your home’s architectural style) can help set parameters for your garden’s style and size. Different flower garden design ideas and techniques are also suitable for different types of plants. For example, a modern sloping landscape can take a minimalist approach and clearly define flower beds with hard lines. Or a cottage-style garden like the one pictured here encourages a mix-and-match approach with winding paths and bed forms.

Flowering plants can be arranged in beds of almost any shape and size, from sprawling rectangles to small corner beds. To get an idea of how your flower garden will fit in with the rest of your landscape, use a garden hose to outline the edges before you start digging. Then walk around the bed; look at the proposed garden from every point of view. Test if you will be able to access plants in the middle or if you need to include a path.

Once you’ve decided on the design, shape and size of your flower garden, it’s time to start your plant research. Decide on the plants you want for a focus, flower sizes, year round interest, bloom time and color combinations. Also consider bonus attributes such as fragrance and whether the flowers attract butterflies, hummingbirds and other pollinators.

Consider a plant’s full height when making your selections. For example, if you want to create a colorful foundation garden along the front of your house, the tallest plants must go to the back, but they should not be so tall that they block windows or doors.

The tallest plants should go in the center if your flower garden design is an island. Also consider a plant’s mature overall size to ensure it has enough room to grow without crowding its neighbors or spilling out of the bed too much.The best flower garden designers incorporate various flowering plants, including long-living perennials, short-term (but long-blooming) annuals, seasonal bulbs, ornamental grasses, and vines. Before starting your flower garden design, research which plants will grow best in your area, their colors and blooms, and any special care they might need. Your local extension office or public garden is a good starting place.