A planting plan is a map of where plants will go in your garden. It can include the type, positioning, and variety of species. Having the right planting plan is important to make sure all your plants have the best chance to thrive in Perth’s hot and coastal climate. Knowing when and where to plant certain species will greatly improve the overall health and biodiversity in your garden. Trying to emulate the perfect garden as seen on Instagram will be impossible if there’s no plan to guide you. Here’s how to create a plan that will make your ideal landscape design in Perth a reality.
Get to know the climate
Before you start choosing plants and deciding on the layout, get to know your environment first. Landscape design in Perth relies heavily on understanding and working with the climate. This will guide some of the decisions about which plants to choose and where they’ll be planted. Perth has a dry climate with long, hot summers and mild winters. If you’re on the coast, you can expect poor, sandy, alkaline soils, salty winds, and plenty of sunlight. If you’re further inland, expect less salinity, but no less sand. It can help to get your soil tested before moving ahead. Especially if your plants require specific growing conditions. Generally, you’ll need to do plenty of soil-enriching before you can think about planting water reliant plants.
Choose your plants
Choose based on your immediate environment. Plants are generally stronger in groups – especially if they’re planted in the ground. This will make watering easier – those requiring more water won’t drown out drier native plants and drought-tolerant species. Having variety is important and can be beautiful – just make sure they’re arranged so their differing water needs don’t infringe on others.
Plan ahead
Before you start getting your hands dirty, have a clear idea about what space is going to look like. Check each plant’s full growth size and organise accordingly. Create a list of how many plants you’re getting – species variant – how much water they’ll need. There’s no point planting a banana tree underneath a cubby house that will restrict much-needed light and inhibit growth or cause structural damage.
Aesthetics
Not all plants are created equal. And certain plants placed together will look better than others. Try to find the perfect match of colours and textures, while maintaining appropriate exposure to sunlight and access to water and irrigation systems. Different plant heights and foliage will play a role in your decision about where they should be placed. Pairing garden structures such as fountains, gateways, wooden beams, or brick pathways with the right plant heights, colours and shapes will make your garden even more beautiful.
Draw up the plan
Grab some grid paper and map out your garden, including all the structures such as sheds, cubby houses, pathways, and existing plants or trees. Using a drawing compass or computer software if you’re that good, begin by populating each plant in its position on the map. Take care to draw to scale taking into account the height and growth radius (distance from the centre of the plant to its outermost leaves. Think about which plants will grow faster – combining a variety of plants will ensure your garden looks lush all year round.
Plant away
Once your plants have been carefully chosen, placed in their spots, and all your soil, spatial and other requirements taken care of, get planting. Choose a sunny day and make sure your plants get a good amount of water to ensure their transition is smooth. For more on how to nail landscape design in Perth check out Luke’s Landscaping for inspiration. Happy planting!
