Choosing the style that you want for your landscaping should be the first thing to consider before you begin planting.

This week, let’s consider a natural style which gives a wispy non-formal appearance. For a natural style you usually do not keep your shrubs pruned in a ball or square shape nor rounded or flat topped hedge style. In a natural landscape quite often you have groups of planting. For the foundation of your home you may have several different types of plant such as three Cleyera with one Camellia and three Otto Luyken Laurels, unlike in the formal style which would use all the same plants. You can use one to three taller corner plants and one accent plant on each side of the entry way. In front of the foundation plants you can use groupings of Gulf Stream Nandina, Creeping Gardenia, Monkey Grass, Daylily, Carissa Holly, Helleri Holly or Dwarf Yaupon Holly, Crimson Pigmy Barberry, Gold Mound Spiraea, low-growing Azaleas or consider the new-comer, Purple Pixie Lorapetalum, to give you a nice burgundy accent year-round.

Depending on the situation and space, for some highlights and accent try designing in a Japanese Maple, Cherry tree, Dogwood, River Birch, Trident Maple, Crape Myrtle or Redbud. By using small trees near the house, you can create the appearance of a natural setting.

If you are in a wooded area, think about planting groups of Azaleas, Camellia, Oak Leaf Hydrangea, Mahonia, Aucuba or ferns. This will give you groups of color throughout the wooded area. If you do not have wooded areas, plant groupings of trees such as Red Maples, Oaks, or Elms with a Dogwood or Redbud mixed in. Then plant smaller plants under them like Azaleas, Camellias, Lorapetalum, or Knockout Roses for example. Natural landscaping is one of the most popular styles. Go to the garden center and see the many different plants available to use in this style of landscape.

Happy gardening.