This is a highly requested post on how to fill in a flowerbed with landscaping! Many of you have messaged me asking where to even start with your landscaping, and while I am not an expert, I have learned many things over the years. Most of what I know is because I just go for it. So much about DIY is just diving in and trying new things. I have always loved working in my yard, even when we were first married. It’s a passion and something I could spend hours working on, and definitely have! This process takes time and patience too! We have lived in our home for 8 years and the yard is finally getting the point where I’m in love! Today, I’m going to focus on one section of our yard (other parts to come)!
When we moved into our spec home, there was only landscaping mapped out for the front of the home. I decided to ask the landscapers to create a berm at the back of the house, next to the covered patio. They basically created a blank slate for me, adding one river birch and that’s it. Here is what it looked like right after we moved in.
I knew that having something aesthetically please next to where we lounge and sit and entertain would take things up a notch back here. Adding the river birch tree instantly added height and whimsy. Now to fill in the berm! The space doesn’t look that big, but I have added so many plants back here, it’s crazy!
- The first thing we decided to do was to add rock around the edge of the berm to give it texture and color and to help keep the mulch in the bed. We had the rock delivered to our driveway and my husband and I individually hand laid all of the rock! We do have grass that comes up between the rocks and I either hand pick (preferred method), or I spray a grass and weed spray.
2. Along with the rock, we purchased stepping stones from Home Depot to add a walkway from the covered patio to the fence gate. Adding stepping stones creates an inviting pathway for adults and kids to take the path instead of taking the mulch! Ha! Stepping stones are an inexpensive way to break up the mulch, add texture, dimension, and function! We have them in two other places in our landscaping up front as well.
3. Adding different perennials into the bed becomes sort of a personal preference. I like the look of filled in, whimsy, not formal, and not super structured. It makes my life easier to just buy what I like and throw it in the ground! I am all about buying clearance perennials and adding in every single year. I move things if they get too large, split larger plants into two and replant. I’m resourceful because landscaping can be expensive! I am aware of the light needs of the perennials I purchase, as well as the heights and colors. Use differing heights and colors to create color and balance and texture. Mostly, the rule of thumb here is buy what I like and plant it! Simple!
4. Our office windows look directly out onto this flower bed. My mom gave me a bird bath for Christmas this year and I absolutely love it! The birds come every single day! I love the added height and color and texture as well. It makes it feel more like a garden oasis to me!
5. Solar lights give the bed an added touch at night. I have a few spread throughout this berm. Solar lights are inexpensive and no maintenance!
6. Add height and color with an inexpensive shepherd’s hook! This is your opportunity to add annuals to your beds without having to put them in the ground. This bright pink begonia is what my eye is drawn to when I look out here! Love!
7. Lastly, every flower bed needs mulch or pine straw or whatever it is you like to ground the space! I use brown mulch for our beds. I have always bought bags of mulch and lay it myself. It’s a dirty and time consuming job, but I always feel better that the work done on our yard was done by me! I think I take more pride in my yard because I have done everything myself!
I know that I got my love of gardening and working in the yard from my mom. She is the original plant lady in my life. My parents always had immaculate lawns and it stuck with me. I LOVE curb appeal. I think it’s like jewelry for a home! Transforming this little space takes time and effort and patience for things to grow! Little by little, this space is turning into a filled-in and whimsical little space that we love!
With time and effort, you can fill in a flowerbed with landscaping! Just go for it! Buy what you love! Add texture and color and dimension! I hope this helps a little bit! Happy planting! XO