Whether you are starting with a blank slate or refreshing an established garden, following a few essential DIY landscaping tips allows you to take immense pride in your property while tailoring every detail to your personal style. In Michigan, a successful landscape is all about blending your creative vision with the practical realities of our unique climate and soil.
Here is how to navigate the design process and build a landscape that thrives.
WHY GO DIY?
There are several compelling reasons to get your hands dirty and lead your own design project:
- Personal Pride: There is a unique satisfaction in planting a garden yourself and seeing it flourish year after year.
- Cost Savings: Handling the labor yourself allows you to save significantly on labor costs, which can then be redirected toward higher-quality plant material.
- Customization: You know how you use your yard better than anyone else. DIY design ensures your space is perfectly suited for your family’s needs.
- Phased Planning: DIY allows you to work at your own pace, completing different garden beds as your schedule and budget allow.
DESIGNING WITH DIMENSION: THRILLERS, FILLERS, AND SPILLERS
A professional-looking landscape relies on creating layers of visual interest. Using the “thriller, filler, and spiller” method allows you to build a garden bed that has physical depth and multi-season dimension.
The Thriller: The Centerpiece
The “thriller” is your architectural focal point that adds vertical height and drama.
- What it does: It draws the eye upward and provides the primary structure for the bed.
- Michigan Favorites: The Scarlett Fire Dogwood or the Ruby Falls Redbud are excellent choices for adding immediate vertical dimension and dramatic color.
The Filler: The Supporting Cast
“Fillers” are mounding plants that surround the thriller to make the garden look lush and established.
- What it does: They add bulk, color, and texture while hiding the “legs” of your taller plants.
- Michigan Favorites: Coral Bells (Heuchera) offer incredible foliage color, while ‘Cat’s Meow’ Catmint provides a refined, mounded habit.
The Spiller: The Finishing Touch
“Spillers” are the trailing plants that soften the edges and anchor the design to the ground.
- What it does: They crawl along the front of a garden bed or tumble over edges to create movement.
- Michigan Favorites: Creeping Phlox provides a carpet of color in early spring, while Blue Wild Indigo adds a unique, spreading texture.
TIPS FOR A SUCCESSFUL DESIGN
Follow these professional tricks to ensure your DIY project looks polished:
- Know Your Site: Before buying, observe the sun exposure and soil. Note if an area is soggy or baked by the afternoon sun.
- The Power of Threes: For a natural look, group perennials and shrubs in odd numbers like 3, 5, or 7. This creates rhythm rather than a cluttered collection.
- Think Seasonally: Choose plants that offer interest beyond just one month, like evergreens for year-round structure.
THE DIY DESIGNER’S CHECKLIST
Before you pick up a shovel, ensure you have these “phase one” essentials to turn your vision into a workable plan:
- The “Outline” Tool: Use a flexible garden hose or marking paint to play with the shape of your garden beds. A hose allows you to test out soft, flowing curves before committing to a permanent edge.
- The “Mature Growth” Rule: Keep a measuring tape and graph paper handy. Check the tags on your plants and map out their mature width so you don’t over-crowd your design.
- The Soil “Secret Sauce”: Michigan soil can be tricky. Have Peat Moss ready for acid-loving plants and a high-quality Root Stimulator to help your new “Thrillers” establish deep, healthy root systems quickly.
- The Finishing Blanket: Never skip the Hardwood Bark Mulch. It’s the final touch that suppresses weeds and gives your DIY project that polished, professional look.
BRINGING YOUR VISION TO LIFE WITH EG DESIGNS
Even the most enthusiastic DIY gardener can sometimes feel overwhelmed by plant placement, sun exposure, or technical soil requirements. That is where EG Designs comes in. We offer a unique middle ground for the homeowner who wants to do the work but needs a professional roadmap.
Our professional designers meet with you to walk your property, taking note of your personal style and existing plants. We blend your ideas with a sustainable, site-specific plan, providing you with:
- A Custom Landscape Design: A professional layout uniquely created for your specific space.
- A Detailed Plant Material List: A precise guide to exactly what varieties you need to achieve your look.
- An Exclusive Discount: After receiving your design, you’ll get 5% off your plant material at Everett’s Gardens to help you hit the ground running.
THE FINAL TOUCH
Whether you choose to lead the design yourself or partner with EG Designs for a custom professional plan, the goal is the same: a landscape that flourishes in our unique Michigan climate. A successful DIY project starts with the right foundation and the best plant material. We invite you to explore our specialized gardens at Everett’s Gardens to see these varieties in action and talk with our staff about how to make your home the standout of the neighborhood.