Family-Style Backyard Garden Design: Zones for Play, Dining & Growing

This landscape plan transforms a modest backyard into a garden with something for every family member.

Key Features

• Patio. Brick patio provides solid footing for furniture and a view of the entire yard.
• Formal bed and fountain. Designed for viewing from inside the house; fountain sound masks neighborhood noise.
• Lawn. Small grass panel for children's play—easily resodded, provides visual break. Circular walkway offers year-round strolling path.
• Decorative arbor. Softens yard corner, provides shady refuge. Paving stones below eliminate mowing.
• Play area. Bordered by sunken logs for sitting/hopping; shaded with triangular sandbox for younger kids.
• Vegetable garden. Separated from play areas by low fence, protected from pets.

Patio Planning, Step-by-Step

Legend (Planting Plan 1)

(A) Yew (Taxus x media 'Densiformis'); Zones 4-7. (B) Hydrangea 'Annabelle'; Zones 4-9. (C) Astilbe 'Sprite'; Zones 4-8. (N) Hosta 'Fragrant Bouquet'; Zones 3-9. (D) Coralbells (Heuchera 'Pewter Moon'); Zones 4-8. (E) Anemone 'Robustissima'; Zones 5-8. (F) Ajuga 'Bronze'; Zones 3-9. (G) Hosta 'Patriot'; Zones 3-9. (H) Northern sea oats (Chasmanthium latifolium); Zones 5-9. (I) Astilbe 'Ostrich Plume'; Zones 4-9. (K) Serviceberry (Amelachier x grandiflora); Zones 5-8. (P) Catmint (Nepeta x faassenii); Zones 4-8.

Best Flowering Trees and Shrubs

Legend (Planting Plan 2)

(G) Hosta 'Patriot'; Zones 3-9. (M) Rhododendron 'Aglo'; Zones 4-8. (O) Boxwood (Buxus microphylla); Zones 6-9. (N) Hosta 'Fragrant Bouquet'; Zones 3-9. (P) Catmint (Nepeta x faassenii); Zones 4-8. (R) Salvia 'May Night'; Zones 5-9. (H) Northern sea oats (Chasmanthium latifolium); Zones 5-9. (W) Russian sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia); Zones 5-9. (U) Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia fulgida); Zones 4-9. (T) Rose (Rosa 'The Fairy'); Zones 5-9. (V) Phlox 'David'; Zones 4-8. (Q) Sedum 'Vera Jameson'; Zones 4-9. (X) Geranium 'Biokovo'; Zones 5-8. (Y) Pussy willow (Salix caprea); Zones 6-8.

Legend (Planting Plan 3)

(B) Hydrangea 'Annabelle'; Zones 4-9. (FF) Willow (Salix 'Prairie Cascade'); Zones 2-5. (BB) Miscanthus 'Silver Arrow'; Zones 4-9. (CC) Salvia 'Purple Rain'; Zones 6-8. (AA) Sunflower (Helianthus annuus); Annual. (Z) Nasturtium (Tropaeolum spp.); Annual. (DD) Semidwarf apple (Malus 'Honeygold'); Zones 5-8. (EE) Summersweet (Clethra 'Ruby Spice'); Zones 3-9.