Landscaping Basics

Help Us Help You

Before you choose the plants for your landscape, it’s important to assess the area and your goals. Not only will this help you to better determine what you’re looking for, but having these things in mind will better help us in helping you find the perfect plants and complete your space. Follow this guide to help you plan out your landscape before purchasing plants. Note: depending on your goals, not all of this may be helpful or relevant to you. If you need assistance in determining plants for your landscape, chat with someone from the Ashcombe Nursery. Call (717) 766-7611 during store hours or stop by and visit.

Define your purpose and goals

The first step in planning your landscape is to think about your dreams for your space. How do you want to use it? Is it a space for relaxing, entertaining, and/or gardening? Do you have young children or pets using the space as well? Are you looking for your space to welcome pollinators and birds with native plants?

Understand your site

Before selecting plants for your space, one of the most important things you need to do is know the environment it’s in. It may be helpful to jot down notes on the following categories, as different plants have different cultural requirements:

• Sunlight exposure – how much sun does your space receive? 6+ hours? 4-6 hours? 4 or less?
• Size – how large is your space? Consider your front porch, any garden rooms, sides of your yard, and the backyard.
• Shape
• Slope
• Existing plants or hardscaping – are there any plants or permanent features in the space?
• Drainage – what kind of drainage does the soil receive? What kind of soil is it?
• Soil pH – is the soil more acidic or alkaline? Remember: different plants have different needs and preferences!

Create a functional layout

As you have now started analyzing your space, you may find it helpful to create a map on graph paper, use a stencil, or consult a professional to create a functional layout. A functional layout may feature an inventory of any existing items in your space, goals with a timeline and budget, pictures of plants and designs from magazines as inspiration, and your house color. Another source of inspiration as you are developing ideas for your area could be displays at garden centers or botanical gardens.

Scale and proportion

Before selecting specific plants, another aspect to consider is scale and proportion in comparison to existing features such as your house size/garage and in comparison to any existing plants. How do you want the balance of height to look? Are there any limits in height, such as a plant that reaches no higher than a certain window onlooking the area?

Consider maintenance

New plants need water until established, and other maintenance may be required from time to time depending on your plant, such as fertilizing, pest and disease control, or mulch/rocks. How much time do you have to care for the plants in your landscape?

Select appropriate plants

Now that you have assessed your location, it’s time to choose the right plant for the job. Our Trees & Shrubs Plant List contains all the plants we anticipate having for the season with information such as distinctive features and mature height. Or, chat with our Nursery about finding a plant that matches your landscape’s needs.

You may find it helpful to choose based on aesthetic preferences or by key principles.

Aesthetic preferences

Do you prefer a casual or formal look? Beds of plants or meadow-like? Do you like the style of evergreen? Natives?

Key principles

• Unity – plants all work well together, forming repetition or consistency.
• Balance – elements are distributed evenly, creating a symmetrical/mirror image look or asymmetrical with different elements, but still balanced.
• Emphasis – focal points such as statuary or a bird bath, lighting, or specimen plants.
• Scale – appropriate size.
• Color – color scheme with house color (warm tones vs cool vs neutrals).
• Texture – plants creating interests and depth with coarseness, fineness of leaves, or density of foliage.
• Line – space defined by paths, guiding the eye and creating movement.
• Form – 3D shapes.
• Variety or simplicity – can be created by bloom times or repetition.
• Sequence – guide the view through the space.

As stated earlier, all or only some of this may be relevant or helpful to you in creating your space. If you need assistance in determining plants for your landscape, chat with someone from the Ashcombe Nursery. Call (717) 766-7611 during store hours or stop by and visit.

Happy landscaping!