A parterre or a flower bed can transform a dull landscape into a sight for sore eyes by adding vibrant color and all-round texture to it. Designer Michael Glassman shows you how to decorate your yard by adding a flower bed as the center of attraction. He says that flower beds enhance the beauty of your lawn by drawing attention to it.

Materials needed:
Paint or flour
Shovel
Topsoil
Variety of plants
Water
Fertilizer
Ornamental garden structure
Optional materials:
Sphagnum moss, vines, fragrant flowering plants
Decorative landscaping rocks
Gardening gloves
Steps:

" Select an area of your garden that is visible from different points in your home. Measure the area for the flowerbed and use paint or flour to mark the edges. Create the perimeter by connecting the edges and play around with it till it shapes up to your liking.

" Using the shovel, extract the grass inside the area. You can now choose to make it a ground-level parterre or a raised one. For a ground-level flowerbed, all you require are the topsoil and the plants.

" For an elevated flowerbed, line it with decorative rocks. You can be creative with the placement of the rocks. You might need to use protective gloves if the rocks are too heavy or sharp-edged.

" Turn the soil with a shovel once your perimeter is in place. Add 4-6 inches of topsoil and spread well and even with a rake. Be sure to cover up the areas in between the rocks. You can also line up another inner row of rocks, along the spaces of the outer row.

" Consult your local gardening experts while choosing plants. Two aspects that you will need to pay attention to are blooming cycles and growth traits of the plants. You should also take care to choose plants that require similar watering.

" Go with more varieties for a bushy, filled up look or go easy and take time and consideration to add more as you go.

" Use architectural supplements like a fountain or trellis to create a focal point within a focal point as illustrated in the figure. Always remember to mix fertilizer into the soil. Once the bed is completed, water it thoroughly and set up a sprinkler system or drip-irrigation to cover the span of the bed.

If you like Vegetables....These pages might also interest you:

Allium Directory, Amaryllis Directory, Begonia Directory, Crocus Directory, Daffodils Directory, Dahlia Directory, Hyacinth Directory, Iris Directory, Lily Directory, Tulip Directory

Also See:

Allergy Free Garden Design, Choosing Color Combo,Desinging with Seasonal Flowers, Design an English Garden, Garden Design Project, Gardening in Small Spaces, Complete Garden Makeover, Napa Garden Design, Favorite Plants for Landscaping, Perk Up a Flower Bed, Natural Garden Design, Using Pathways in a Garden, Design a White Wonder Gardens, Your Own Outdoor Coffee House, Designing to reduce noise, Designer Lanscape ideas, Do it Yourself Lanscape Design, Garden Design Foundations, Keeping Your Garden Size in Check, Gardening With Little Space, Outside the Box Landscape Design, Side Yard Design Ideas, Stone Patio Design, Theme Gardening, Trends in Landscape Design, What to Plant on a Slope, Winning Landscape Design