Garden Planning Tips: 6 Ways to Add Visual Interest to Your Garden

When planning how to lay out your garden space, here are many creative ways of adding visual interest to a garden. Anything that becomes a focal point in the garden will add interest. That can range from garden sculptures to the particular types of plants that you choose. Here are six helpful ideas, from popular to unique, for making your garden stand out.

#1: Block planting of a particular specimen can become a focal point in the garden. Even adding areas of variegated foliage can have the desired effect.

(Photo credit: jo.marshall)

#2: Seats are another item that can easily add interest to your garden. Additionally, of course, they offer a nice place to rest and relax while you admire your work!

#3: Mirrors that are strategically placed can enhance the garden, although they do require periodic cleaning. They can bring reflected light to dark corners. They can also give the impression that the garden is bigger than it really is, or they can offer the same benefit for a particular area of the garden.

Placed at strategic angles, mirrors can add a lot of fun and interest to a garden and help to lead a visitor through to other areas, giving a magical, whimsical feel to the space.

#4. Consider planting low hedges to add interest to the garden while offering protection to the plants, especially when growing shade-loving crops. Higher hedges can be used to divide a large garden. Hedges are also an excellent way to gain privacy without feeling claustrophobic.

#5. Water features are a favorite for many people. The sound of running water in one corner can make the garden feel calm and relaxing.

Water features can also be good for the birds in the garden particularly in the summer months when they might find it difficult to find water lying around to suit their needs.

# 6: Like sculptures, stones, rocks and pebbles can add interest. You can also create paths from them so that you can walk around even when the surrounding ground is too wet. Shells can also be used on the ground for bordering paths and beds.

There is such a wide variety of items that you put in your garden to add interest, you are limited only by your imagination! Everything from old cartwheels to wind chimes, aviaries or anything else that strikes your fancy, can be used to make your garden a unique and even magical place to spend time.