Garden landscapes not only add beauty to a home but also provide fresh vegetables, herbs and flowers. They also help to attract wildlife and create a peaceful sanctuary.

To ensure that your garden is beautiful, keep the following 7 tips in mind. They will help you create a vibrant and healthy garden that is sure to make you proud.

1. Choose the Right Plants

Whether you’re working with a large area or a smaller garden, starting with the right plants is essential. It can be overwhelming to walk through the nursery with beautiful flowering shrubs, promising saplings, and showy annuals all vying for your attention.

Look at the climate where you live and select varieties that will thrive in that environment. Also consider the amount of sunlight each area receives and sort the plants according to those requirements.

For example, if one section gets full sun and another is partially shaded, try mixing-and-matching your annuals to lay down stretches of eye-catching color. And don’t forget to add varying heights throughout the planting areas to create movement and interest.

2. Plan Your Garden

Before you even plant anything, take time to map out the permanent elements of your garden. This includes pathways, garden beds and features like ponds or water fountains.

Sketch out the spaces on graph paper and make notes to indicate shady spots, areas of full sun or shade and any other factors that might influence the kind of plantings you want to grow.

Consider how you can create seasonal interest with flowers, berries or coloured foliage. Try colour co-ordinating plants in clumps or swathes to maximise impact. Focal points also help draw the eye and add interest to a garden.

3. Think About Light

Flowers and plants don’t have to be just for decoration – they can also add comfort, utility, and a sense of place. For instance, conifers and broad-leaved evergreens provide privacy from neighbours. And a well-placed tree can create a cool and shady retreat on a hot summer’s day.

Illuminating a garden can change its atmosphere dramatically. For a soft, cosy atmosphere consider using low lighting to highlight features like seating areas and water features.

For more dramatic effects, consider using up-lighting to illuminate textured surfaces like stone walls and foliage. This creates a sense of depth and highlights important details.

4. Create a Border

When arranging plants in borders, consider their flowering times. Place the tallest plants, like delphiniums and cardoons, at the back of the border, then fill in with lower growing plants such as floppy Alchemilla mollis and hardy geraniums to create a tiered effect. This will help to ensure that there are always flowers in bloom throughout the summer.

Don’t forget to include foliage and fruit in the mix – they provide yearlong color, form and texture to the garden. Splashes of color add variety and contrast to green areas and draw the eye.

5. Think About Space

Creating beautiful gardens doesn’t require huge spaces – you can create a thriving garden no matter how small your outdoor space. In fact, a smaller garden often works better as you’re forced to think more creatively and find ways to make the most of your space.

Use splashes of colour to provide variety, contrast and focal points. These can be from flowers – try spring onions, chives and dill, thyme and lavender – or herbs like pineapple sage and rosemary. Alternatively, try growing flowering vegetables or fruit to attract beneficial insects who will help you with pest control.

6. Create a Design

A garden doesn’t just have to be functional; it can also enchant your senses with color and beauty. Use sculptural elements like statues, trellises and fence designs to add interest.

Create a colour theme that ties everything together. For example, use a range of yellows in your plantings (curly leaf parsley; chives; marigolds) and oranges (cherry tomatoes; nasturtiums).

Familiarize yourself with your region and the types of plants well suited to it. Study the soil’s characteristics too, such as its pH levels and moisture conditions. Then, plan your plantings accordingly.

7. Make a Statement

Having a statement piece in your garden is a great way to show off a unique aspect of your garden. This could be anything from statues and art to outdoor furniture or plants. It’s important to keep in mind that too many features can overwhelm a garden and make it look messy.

One way to create a beautiful garden is by adding a variety of colors. For example, you can plant flowers with warm or cool colors to create a theme. You can also incorporate color through foliage or berries.