so i'm going to be doing a very long garden along my back fence, just a long rectangle. i've never done a garden that size, and have some questions. i know i'm supposed to start with large trees, then bushes, then tall grasses and flowering shrubs, then my perennials last. so my questions are
1. is the rule of thumb that bushes/tall grasses should always be in the back?
2. how do you avoid those empty spots after tulips/lillies fade?
3. how do you keep the garden looking full when not everything is blooming right away?
4. should the majority of your garden be flowering bushes/regular green bushes, or should it be more perennials?

thanks, i'm new to gardening and need all the help i can get! please try to keep answers simple for me!

1. Rule of thumb but not set in stone!
2. Plant over them with annuals.
3. It takes several years for gardens to fill in. Either just leave the spaces or plant annuals or over-plant knowing you will have to move it later.
4. It should be what YOU want it to be, what is pleasing to YOUR eye. You are going to look at it more than anyone else!

wow,thank you soo much for your perfectly simple answers!! i have one more question, ...are tulips usually planted in the back or front, or is it just personal desire?

Normally in front cause they don't last that long, but it is YOUR garden....do what pleases you...like I used to tell my son when he was in high school...be individual, don't be like the rest of the crowd. That way you stand out!

Just remember that once something blooms & you don't like how it looks, you can always move it.
That is why gardens are never finished!

This message has been edited. Last edited by: old Karen,

What kind of flower bulbs you have depends on where they should be planted, I would say. Read your instructions. Crocus would be in the very front because they are only a few inches and are usually the first to bloom in the late winter,early spirng. Hyacinths grow taller than crocus, some daffadils and tulips get a good height on them, so they sould probably be planted in the back of the bed. I have some tulips that grow at over 12 inches. Have no idea where I ordered them from, the local landscaper said he'd never seen any grow that tall. You've got other types of bulbs besides the ones mentioned.

I'm "sort of" getting into gardening/landscaping, too. I agree with those who say plant what YOU want and like.

Off the top of my head I'd offer this:

- first off where are you? meaning what kind of weather do you have? Gardeners ask "What ZONE are you in?" How cold are your winters, how hot are your summers?

- how deep back-to-front will your 'rectangle be?' You mentioned trees. That's why I ask. I'm thinking about iree roots. Did you want big shade trees, or small/medium sized like dogwood and crepe myrtle, or small like rose tree?

- how much work and upkeep will you be willing to put into the space. Some flowers need more care than others? (I'm the VERY low maintenance type)

- do you like the chock full, wildflower look or the trim, orderly and neat English garden look with lots of mulch space

- do you want mostly color, mostly flowers, mostly shrubs, flowering shrubs, perennials, annuals, evergreens, ornamental grasses, groundcovers?

- I'm a research freak so of course I always recommend getting some books (I'm old fashioned that way) and just looking through to see what you like. I also like to cross reference various looks and pictures, because you'd be surprised how different the same flower can look from different angles.

I'd recommend any of the "ALL ABOUT...books" (all about perennials, or annuals or trees, or shrubs or flowering shrubs. I think the series is by Ortho. Another GREAT book is "All-star Perennials" They really keep it simple with the basics:
- best site (where the best place to grow it would be)
- care (water, sun or shade it needs)
- size and growth (how big it will get, how often to split)
- whether it's hardy or picky
- even suggested alternatives or complementary plants to put them with

I'd suggest buying a couple so you can have your own library of sorts that you can go back and refer to.

Please let us know as you go along.

- also are you planning any garden decor: bird houses, bird baths, fountain, pond, there or elsewhere in your yard, etc

Think long term, try to have a PLAN as opposed to just starting to plant stuff all over the place. Even if you can't DO the plan in one year, or even over two or three, and least try to THINK of what's you'd like when you stand back and look at the space.

In no particular order I recommend:

- evergreens: some boxwoods, arborvitae, blue star juniper
- flowering shrubs: hydrangea, rhododendren, butterfly bush
- shrubs: wiegela, euonymous (sp?), nandina (fire power)
- perennials: lenten rose, day lily, sedum (autumn joy), foxglove, astilbe, peony, lamb's ear, hosta

For the first time, this winter I'm trying bulbs in pots to see if they come up in spring.
And I don't do annuals because I'm not planting anything that can't come back every year. I can't do that every year thing.

So where are you?.... and what are you thinking you'd like to do?

This message has been edited. Last edited by: clbselah,

Michelle - Karen has the right idea... Keep it simple. Start with a few plants and add as you find things you really love.

And, although you didn't ask, I also would recommend you add a few books into the mix. Some of my favorites are also some of the easiest reads you'll ever find... I love the "Dummies" series... and they're great for beginners.

There are several that you could look into... "Garden for Dummies", and "Landscaping for Dummies" are two that youmight like to start with... And make no mistake, these books are greaat references for experienced gardeners, too.