Landscaping Inspiration

I've been very focused on landscaping and designing beds this season.  The process has come about in different ways.

I began by considering what kind of garden I prefer.  I like a cottage look with lots of flowering perennials packed in together.  But I also like the straight lines and clean shapes of a more formal area.   There are so many styles I like and for different areas and different reasons.  I found it impossible to resign myself to just one.

I tried considering the gardens based solely on planting conditions.  Where there is full sun I made lists of sun loving plants.  I considered planting trees in full sun to create some shade so I could have shady plants that I love.  From experience I know you can't fight your location so this factor was important.  In my previous shady garden all I wanted was flowers flowers flowers.  I tried, and failed - many times - to plant bright vibrant flowers.  It just wasn't working and I was frustrated.  Working with the shade brought about a garden I could be happy with so it's important I put plants where they will thrive.

It would have been near impossible to
grow these dahlias in a shady location

In the back garden I was inspired by a single plant.  I bought a Plume Poppy last year not knowing what it was.  When I discovered it wasn't a poppy at all but a large spreading perennial I needed to create a space specifically for it and I began to create a garden in colours and textures that would support it.

Plume Poppy

The large leaves of hollyhocks and hosta echo those of the poppy and the maroon flowers of Geranium Samobor complement the purple/blue leaves.  Thus far this strategy has worked well.  You can see the bed filling out below.

The entrance bed ran a completely different course.  This bed was constructed specifically to create a divide between the house entrance and the orchard.  As this bed is located at the front of the house for all to see I felt it should be in keeping with the tone of the house.  We live in a century old farmhouse and rather than a stiff formal garden I felt it needed a more romantic feel.  A cottage garden was decided on.  Loaded with perennials that I remember from my childhood.  It's funny, as I look around I see that in some ways I have recreated my mother's garden.  The size of the bed was important as well.  It's a large house and a large property.  A small bed would have looked insignificant in this setting.  Only a large bed would do.  A bed large enough to hold several trees, numerous flowering shrubs as well as loads of perennials.

The house won't dwarf this bed, it might be the other way around!

What design inspirations do you use?  Do you start with a drawing? Are you moved by a specific plant or object?  Is there an aesthetic you strive to achieve?