Whether you're going for a vintage look or something modern, want to be unique or straightforward, these simple flower bed ideas are easy to create in any yard.
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Creating a relaxing outdoor space is simple; all it takes is a bit of landscaping and a lot of creativity. Second, instead of complicating things, transform your yard with small plants.
According to Jenn Myers, horticulturist and senior director of workforce development at the National Association of Landscape Professionals, the first step is to “determine the space available and your priorities for planting. Do you want lots of color? Do you care about having winter-interest plants, or is it okay for the space to look empty during that time?”
Ahead, see the 10 best small and simple flower bed ideas.
One person’s trash is another’s treasure! Consider transforming a junkyard or estate sale piano into a repurposed garden container blooming with flowers. The flowers will cascade over onto the keyboard, for a dreamy look you’ll love. It’s a simple design to add to your collection of flower bed ideas.
Designate a central patch on a large lawn for a simple yet gorgeous flower bed design. Pick several colors and types of flowers that will complement each other. The sunburst island design will serve as a magical focal point of your landscape, without requiring a ton of fuss! It’s one of the most creative yet simple flower bed ideas.
Being unique doesn’t have to be difficult! This flower bed design is easy to create, even for beginners. Tree stumps are a major pain to dig out and remove from your yard. Thankfully, they make beautiful, all-natural flower bed hosts, and can become a centerpiece in your yard!
Desert climates are perfect for planting succulents outdoors. You can have so much fun creating layers with different succulents among rocks, bricks, driftwood and more in a planting bed like this. While you can’t forget about them completely, succulents need very little attention, making them a worthy addition to your flower bed ideas if you want something very low maintenance.
Whether you are renovating an existing deck or constructing a new one, consider building a deck with built-in planters. Making them blend in with the rest of the deck seating makes for a seamless look, with the stunning flowers looking like they’re simply growing out of the wood.
If you like to use props to create a rustic look, consider this simple flower bed idea. An old barrel can be repurposed as a raised flower bed for vibrant flowers. Place among lawn-level garden bed edging to create dimension.
If you have a small patio that you want to keep simple but make beautiful, this is a great flower bed idea. Simply try cornering and stacking a group of cinder blocks up against a wall and filling them with soil and flowers. Using cinder blocks for raised beds is very inexpensive. The raised beds will make a magical backdrop for your quaint space.
Adorn a curved stone raised garden bed in your yard with budget-friendly and low maintenance pink and white petunias. They’re prolific bloomers that will last all summer long and are perfect for simple flower beds.
Turn a new (or vintage) cart into a piece of art by transforming it into a flower bed. Overstuffed with herbs and colorful blooms, it’s the perfect accent piece to adorn your patio or porch.
An excellent way to add some earthy appeal to your pool is to incorporate flowers and plants around the pool. Plan out and plant flower beds around your pool incorporating different heights, colors and textures to add dimension.
“Consider a variety of plant material, depending on your need for interest year-round or if you are more focused on having seasonal color in the summer months,” Myers says. “You may want to consider native and low-water plants.” Myers adds, “You want to find plants that are not vigorous spreaders, don’t require staking, and are not prone to pest problems or diseases.”
Alexa Erickson is an author who has contributed more than 50 articles to Family Handyman. She is an expert in various topics, including home design, DIY home improvement projects and storage and organization. You can also find Alexa’s work in Reader’s Digest, Martha Stewart, Bob Vila and Thrillist. Alexa also runs her own website, Living by Lex, where she writes about home decor, travel, tech and more.
Jenn Myers is a horticulturist and senior director of workforce development at the National Association of Landscape Professionals, where she is an expert in art and all things like landscaping.
According to Myers, decided, how much sun and shade does the spot receive? Is the soil well-draining? What plant hardiness zone do you live in, and what types of plants will be perennials or annuals? “Ultimately, you’ll want low-maintenance flowers, but the answers to these questions will help guide your plant selection. Consider installing a drip irrigation system so you don’t have to worry about watering,” she adds.
Some ideas of plants to put in a small, low-maintenance flower bed include: “Ornamental grasses (stay away from varieties that spread rapidly), coneflowers, salvia, yarrow, veronica, Russian sage, penstemon, vinca, lantana, alyssum, impatiens, begonia and coleus,” Myers explains.
“By filling in the spaces of the garden, the flower bed looks more expensive,” Myers shares. “Stick with three or four groupings of three of the same perennials, and then fill in with annuals.”
Myers also suggests clumping your annuals together to fill in the space, typically in groups of three or five. Don’t leave large holes with no flowers. “After watering your flower garden well, apply a two—to three-inch layer of good, shredded mulch. Mulch is your number one defense against weeds, and it helps the soil retain moisture so that your plants don’t dry out. It also helps the garden look clean and more polished,” she says.
If you’re planting a perennial flower bed, arrange the plants in a one-sided planting bed. Then, arrange the plants in stair-step heights, with tall plants in the back and short ones in front.
