Free sample design
Cottage garden, full sun, zone 8
This is a real design package for an example yard. For $29.99, you get the same for your own yard.
All 3 concepts in this package. Tap one to see its full plan.
The closest match to everything you asked for: a classic layered border in cool blues, purples, soft pinks and white.
🌿 Plant list
- Beach Strawberry Fragaria chiloensis ↻ Can't find it? Ask for Creeping Phlox (Phlox subulata) or Creeping Phlox 'Emerald Blue' (Phlox subulata 'Emerald Blue'). ×5
- Bee Balm Monarda didyma ↻ Can't find it? Ask for Garden Phlox (Phlox paniculata) or Blazing Star (Liatris spicata). ×5
- Iceberg Rose Rosa 'KORbin' ↻ Can't find it? Ask for Possumhaw Viburnum 'Brandywine' (Viburnum nudum 'Brandywine') or Virginia Sweetspire (Itea virginica). ×1
- Koreanspice Viburnum Viburnum carlesii ↻ Can't find it? Ask for Weigela (Weigela florida) or Miss Kim Lilac (Syringa pubescens subsp. patula 'Miss Kim'). ×1
- Maiden Grass Miscanthus sinensis ↻ Can't find it? Ask for Korean Feather Reed Grass (Calamagrostis brachytricha) or Sand Cordgrass (Spartina bakeri). ×5
- New England Aster Symphyotrichum novae-angliae ↻ Can't find it? Ask for Swamp Sunflower (Helianthus angustifolius) or Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata). ×5
- Panicle Hydrangea Hydrangea paniculata ↻ Can't find it? Ask for Summersweet (Clethra alnifolia) or Common Ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius). ×1
- Yoshino Cherry Prunus x yedoensis ↻ Can't find it? Ask for Kwanzan Cherry (Prunus serrulata 'Kwanzan') or Yellowwood (Cladrastis kentukea). ×1
💧 Care list
Watering and feeding for each plant. With your own design you also get weekly care emails and a Companion to ask questions.
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Iceberg Rose
For the first growing season, water deeply about 2–3 times weekly, adjusting for rain and allowing the top inch of soil to dry slightly between waterings. Once established, provide about 1 inch of water weekly during active growth, including rainfall, with extra water during prolonged heat. Apply a slow-release rose fertilizer at the labeled rate in early spring and repeat only as directed, stopping feeding about 6–8 weeks before the first expected frost.
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Bee Balm
Water thoroughly every 2–3 days during the first few weeks, then reduce frequency as roots establish while keeping the soil evenly moist rather than soggy. Once established, provide about 1 inch of water weekly, including rainfall, watering more often during hot, dry spells because bee balm dislikes drying out. Fertilizer is usually unnecessary in reasonably fertile soil; in poor soil, apply a light dose of balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring.
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Yoshino Cherry
During the first growing season, check the root ball every few days and water deeply when its upper 2 inches begin to dry; during the second season, water roughly weekly in dry weather. Once established, water deeply during extended dry spells rather than maintaining a fixed year-round schedule, avoiding persistently wet soil. Do not routinely fertilize at planting or afterward; if a soil test indicates a deficiency, apply the recommended fertilizer at its labeled rate in early spring.
…and 6 more.
📐 Planting Plan (overhead view)
Every plant in this design on one plan, seen from above. Each circle is one plant; the number tells you which plant it is (see the key below).
- 1 Yoshino Cherry ×1
- 2 Iceberg Rose ×1
- 3 Panicle Hydrangea ×1
- 4 Koreanspice Viburnum ×1
- 5 Maiden Grass ×5
- 6 Bee Balm ×5
- 7 New England Aster ×5
- 8 Beach Strawberry ×5
🌱 Watch It Grow
🛒 Shopping list
Every design comes with a printable shopping list like this one.
🌿 Plants
| Plant | Qty | Size to buy | Rough cost | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beach Strawberry Fragaria chiloensis ↻ Can't find it? Ask for Creeping Phlox (Phlox subulata) or Creeping Phlox 'Emerald Blue' (Phlox subulata 'Emerald Blue'). | 5 | 4-inch pot or flat | $30–$60 $6–$12 each | |
| Bee Balm Monarda didyma ↻ Can't find it? Ask for Garden Phlox (Phlox paniculata) or Blazing Star (Liatris spicata). | 5 | 1-gallon pot | $40–$90 $8–$18 each | |
| Iceberg Rose Rosa 'KORbin' ↻ Can't find it? Ask for Possumhaw Viburnum 'Brandywine' (Viburnum nudum 'Brandywine') or Virginia Sweetspire (Itea virginica). | 1 | 3-gallon pot | $35–$70 $35–$70 each | |
| Koreanspice Viburnum Viburnum carlesii ↻ Can't find it? Ask for Weigela (Weigela florida) or Miss Kim Lilac (Syringa pubescens subsp. patula 'Miss Kim'). | 1 | 3-gallon pot | $35–$70 $35–$70 each | |
| Maiden Grass Miscanthus sinensis ↻ Can't find it? Ask for Korean Feather Reed Grass (Calamagrostis brachytricha) or Sand Cordgrass (Spartina bakeri). | 5 | 1-gallon pot | $50–$100 $10–$20 each | |
| New England Aster Symphyotrichum novae-angliae ↻ Can't find it? Ask for Swamp Sunflower (Helianthus angustifolius) or Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata). | 5 | 1-gallon pot | $40–$90 $8–$18 each | |
| Panicle Hydrangea Hydrangea paniculata ↻ Can't find it? Ask for Summersweet (Clethra alnifolia) or Common Ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius). | 1 | 5-gallon pot | $60–$120 $60–$120 each | |
| Yoshino Cherry Prunus x yedoensis ↻ Can't find it? Ask for Kwanzan Cherry (Prunus serrulata 'Kwanzan') or Yellowwood (Cladrastis kentukea). | 1 | 15-gallon pot | $150–$300 $150–$300 each | |
| Plants subtotal | $440–$900 | |||
🧰 Supplies
| Item | How much | Rough cost | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mulch: dark brown shredded hardwood A 3-inch layer over about 110 square feet of bed. | 14 bags (2 cubic feet each) | $56–$98 | |
| Compost or garden soil About an inch worked into the beds, plus a scoop in each planting hole. | 10 bags (1 cubic foot each) | $60–$100 | |
| Garden edging Along the front of the beds where they meet the lawn. | 40 feet | $60–$200 | |
| Tree stake kit One per new tree, for its first year or two. | 1 kit | $15–$25 | |
| Slow-release fertilizer For the spring feeding of the trees and shrubs. | 1 bag | $15–$25 | |
| Supplies subtotal | $206–$448 | ||
Soaker hose (50 feet, $20–$40): Optional, but it makes the first weeks of watering much easier.
Prices are rough US estimates, not quotes. They vary by region, store and season, so expect to pay more at a specialty nursery and less at a big-box store or end-of-season sale. Amounts of mulch, compost and edging are worked out from about 110 square feet of bed; measure your beds to fine-tune them.
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