Lay the Groundwork

• 1). Fit the garden to your lifestyle. Consider whether your flower garden needs room for children to play or whether you want to use it as a backdrop for formal dinner parties. Determine whether it's a hobby or whether you want to hire someone to maintain it.
  
  
• 2). Remember the physical limitations of anyone who will use the garden, such as an elderly relative with bad knees, and make sure it's accessible.
  
  
• 3). Decide whether you want a garden that is formal, informal or themed. Visit a botanical garden for ideas, if available, but go with what looks good to you.
  
  

Put it on Paper

• 1). Grab a piece of paper and sketch out your ideas; your drawings don't have to be works of art as long as they help you visualize your ideas. If you want something more detailed, plot your garden to scale on a piece of graph paper.
  
  
• 2). Work with what you have. Mark down permanent structures such as buildings, sidewalks and large trees. Remember less permanent fixtures such as trellises, benches and existing beds and borders.
  
  
• 3). Plan your garden around a focal point to give it more appeal. Use an element such as an arch, bench, fence or pool as the centerpiece of your flower garden.
  
  
• 4). Envision additions. Visualize components you want in your garden, including flowers, shrubs, trees and decorative structures such as sundials or lighting. Keep in mind traffic flow, areas for recreation and meditation, and views to be framed or hidden.
  
  

Fill in the Flowers

• 1). Choose according to climate. Determine your growing zone so you can choose flowers that are hardy to your area. Map out areas of shade in your garden to find out if you need sun- or shade-loving plants.
  
  
• 2). Determine whether your soil is acid or alkaline; wet, dry or damp; and whether it is well-drained or boggy. Choose plants to fit your conditions.
  
  
• 3). Choose flower companions. Place flowers next to plants with similar needs as far as soil, sunlight and moisture. Match colors with like colors, but don't overthink it...choose what you like.
  
  
• 4). Plan for the seasons. Make sure you choose flowers that will add color and texture to your flower garden at the right time, whether that means a limited time for a season-themed garden or through all four seasons for year-round enjoyment.
  
  
• 5). Fill your space. Plant flowers of the same kind in groups of three or more to create a greater effect and avoid a jumbled look. Visualize how large plants will look in five years---height as well as spread---and leave room for them to grow.