The enjoyment you get out of your flower garden will be largely dependent on the design. Knowing how to design a flower garden involves planting the right flowers in the right places for optimum beauty. Whether you want to attract butterflies and birds, grow cut flowers or have a three season garden, your success will hinge on the design.

The most important factors are your hardiness zone and the sunlight conditions. It’s possible to use perennials that are outside of your zone, but they should be considered annuals and won’t last more than one season. Whether you have dug the garden out yet or not, make a note of where the sun shines in the yard, especially which areas get full sun and which are shady all day long.

It’s best to start by knowing what you are looking for from your garden. Is there a reason for planting this space, such as a desire to watch the birds fly around the blossoms or to grow fresh herbs for your recipes? Do you feel most comfortable in the jumble of an English garden or the ordered appearance of a Japanese style flower bed? Do you need space between each flower to truly appreciate them or are you happiest when nature takes its course? Know ahead of time what you want out of the space to make sure you design it well.

You can design a flower garden based mainly on plant growth and size. Remember that when you start out with a fresh, new bed you may want to stuff it full of perennials, intent on a good show that first year. The problem is that the plants will have no room to grow and cannot thrive in that environment. Put the proper spacing between flowers and fill up any initial openness with colorful annuals. That way the perennials will have the space to grow next year and provide you with that beautiful show.

Normally you will plant taller flowers at the back of border beds and in the center of island beds. As you go towards the edge of the garden, the flowers will get shorter until ground covers and border plants surround the outside. This rule can be altered by placing early spring flowers along the back or in the middle as a burst of April color. Then when the later blooming plants grow in, the decaying foliage will be covered and your summer garden will be in full swing.

You can truly enjoy your garden when you have blooms for most of the year; April to October is ideal. Pick flowers for their bloom time and plant them near flowers they can follow or lead. Section off your bed into bloom periods and make sure you have all season interest. Start with bulbs like tulips and daffodils, followed by summer perennials like daisies and bee balm. Finish the season strong with fall bulbs and chrysanthemums.

Bring in the hummingbirds with trumpet shaped blooms like the annual petunia. Butterflies love flat, open faced blossoms such as Echinacea and daisies. Research which flowers grow well in your area and attract different wildlife, then enjoy the beautiful visitors when they fly in.

Incredible beauty and a peaceful setting will surround you with a well thought out flower bed. Design a flower garden that is perfect for you and your yard will truly become an oasis.

Before starting your landscape building you may want to check out the landscaping tips at Here you will find help on flowers to use and how to on landscaping. Click here to get your own unique version of this article with free reprint rights.