I am curious as to how each person determines a lay out of a new bed or garden. I thought it would be fun if everyone would tell their thoughts as to how they begin, lay out plants, etc. for a new space.

Maggie, you for instance are starting a Greek garden. How do you choose elements for that space? Do you look for archetectural elements first or add them last? Do you know what plants you want to use going into the project or do the plants find you? What determines your plant selection? How is your "theme" chosen - by color - plant type, etc.? Does a space just evolve or is it planned down to the last detail?

I personally have a bad habit of going about this in a backward fashion apparently. Dan will say, "what do you want to plant in "this" space?" What kind of question is THAT? I have NO idea .... until I get to the garden center and see my options, that is. My imagination kicks into gear and then I set about to find something I particularly like or find interesting or unusual. Then I take "it" home and plant it "there". My decision is governed by what appeals to me rather than a "plan". Color is a big factor but uniqueness plays a huge role as well. I love the unusual(....which is evident in my choice of partners! I could get off track and make reference to my sweet husband at this juncture but will refrain and stay on topic-LOL!)

When I start out on a project, I, more or less, determine the amount of light for a specific area. That is my primary "guideline". I narrow the plants down to what will "work" in that space. Then set about choosing plants based on their needs and soley on what appeals to me.

I go to garden centers with an open mind and no plan other than the necessary survival needs of the plants that will fill a space. I just start collecting plants of interest. Just whatever appeals to me. Once I get home and all of the plants are gathered, I begin placement. I arrange according to what I have, rather than where things "go". (This is the point where Dan comes into the picture again - hopefully with shovel in hand) Then afterwards I go back and fill in spaces as needed, adding any architectural elements as accents to the space.

I find my approach to be quite perplexing for professionals! Not to mention irritating as the devil. My sister-in-law does landscape design and my approach makes her crazy! She feels she has to have a long term "plan" for a space, with plants penciled in to her "plan". While you may not be able to do an entire project, start to finish, her theory is at least you don't plant something now in a space where something else belongs later. Well...while I appreciate what she is saying - that just doesn't work for me. Later is later...and I will deal with that then.

Admittedly, I usually have a "big picture" in mind when I start a project but I never have a "plan" on paper. That limits my imagination too much. To me the bed takes on a life of its own by the choices I make at the garden center... not by what is drawn in on a piece of paper!

Obviously, my approach would not allow me to EVER be a professional! LOL! My approach is all wrong for that....or so I am told...repeatidly! Which makes me curious as to how others approach a new bed.

Anyone willing to share their thoughts on this subject?

Flowerbeds are kind of a funny thing to people. I think you should always start at the back of the bed (height) and go forward. I believe to never buy to many plants at any givin time. I think you need to get out and see other peoples gardens and learn form there successes and failures....true gardeners will love to talk plants......anytime......I would use some paper and a pencil to line out a plan and a list of plats you would like to have SOMEDAY....One great place to get cheap plants is at plant swaps, all you do is swap plants and it costs you time and gas and that's it......
Did I mention the plant sale June 21st?? Good Luck....

Good thoughts David, and thanks for making me smile as always!

Leeann, your post instigated a flood of thoughts that I may post later, but I’d rather hold off on them until we hear from others on the subject.

For now, I’ll make a start on the Greek bed questions. Yes, architectural elements are always the first consideration in my plantings, whether they be plant or otherwise.

I’ve ordered a wall fountain for the Greek bed that will not arrive for another week or two, but since I know where it will go, plants have all ready been eagerly installed around the space. Wanting an olive tree to replace the departed willow was the first inspiration for the bed and everything else followed. Some of the present plants were things that had been hanging around in pots for way too long, yet they were perfect for the beds situation as well as fitting in with the scheme. Some gals have huge wardrobes. I tend to keep a huge inventory of pot plants awaiting a bed vacancy.

When I have acquired the majority of plants for a new bed, I move them around in the minds eye first and then just set the pots on the ground in that configuration. Sometimes they need moving around a bit more before being planting. It is the same way when a plan is done on paper – slight adjustments need be made when you can see the potted plants in 3D. After the initial planting, new things will gradually be added or original ones removed or moved - as you said,,, for me in my own garden, bed design is an ongoing evolution.

I seldom draw site plans for my own beds. Instead, I do it in the mind for weeks or months before the actual planting. But commissioned designs require exacting plans for cost calculating and other such boring stuff.

I’ll go on more about the Greek bed next to the pic under my ‘making messes’ thread above.
I love your thread.
Lets hear more garden design ways from others, ya’ll.