Let's say you've assembled a palette of plants that you think work well together. It doesn't really matter how you arrived at it—maybe you dreamed it up yourself, or perhaps you followed one of the many road maps to success you'll find here on eGardenGo. Whatever the source of your inspiration, though, getting your plants laid out in an organized and logical fashion can be daunting until you get the hang of it.
Not to worry: I've got your back. In this post, I show seven plants arranged in a variety of different layouts, suited to a variety of garden situations, that you can adapt and use as a guide. The layouts are based on a description of the plants so that, with some practice, you can adjust them to work with a variety of different plants.
IMPORTANT: All the plants in your palette must share the same cultural requirements—i.e. hardiness, exposure, soil and water needs, etc. So if you're searching for plants on eGardenGo, you'll want to make sure to adjust the search filters to reflect your zone and the cultural conditions of your site, so that only plants that'll thrive in your conditions will be included in your results. In addition, you'll want to add on top of these criteria any aesthetic and functional qualities you desire—for example, size and shape, texture and color, persistence of foliage. Is there something you need the plant to DO for you? If so, make sure it's up for the job.
DESCRIBE, THEN SEARCH
The graphic symbols below are used in the planting layouts in the following section and each symbol corresponds to the description of that particular plant. The images and the descriptions link to a search where you can peruse a variety of plants that meet the description. Click through to see even more possibilities for plants that may fit the bill—do be careful to make sure that any that you consider as alternates match the description, paying special attention to size and, as mentioned above, the cultural requirements.
Seven Different Planting Plans
Flip through the slide carousel to see the seven plants laid out in a variety of different ways. An important consideration is whether your garden scene will be viewed only from one side or will you be able to walk all around it?

DESCRIBE THE PLANTS. Notice the scale, which will give you an idea of the relative size of each plant.

PLANT PALETTE #2 — Learn about them below.

PLANT PALETTE #3 — Learn about them below.

Rectangular planting bed 16 feet x 10 feet, designed to be viewed from one side.

Ell-shaped bed with 15 foot legs that is designed to be viewed from all sides.

Ell-shaped bed with square corners that is designed to be viewed from one side, the interior of the curve.

Rectangular bed 30 feet long and 8 deep that is designed for viewing from all sides. Pass-through path makes it perfect for along front sidewalk or in the parking strip.

Rectangular bed 30 feet long and 10 deep that is designed for viewing from all sides. Pass-through path makes it perfect for along front sidewalk or in the parking strip.

Rectangular bed 40 feet long and 10 deep that is designed for viewing from all sides. Pass-through path makes it perfect for along front sidewalk or in the parking strip.

Irregularly-shaped island bed designed to be viewed from all sides.

Some planting beds are too small to accommodate a tree, even a small one. This planting layout omits the tree.
Plant Palette #1
This planting combination has a planting plan with SEVEN different layout options available to download for a small fee. Even if you don't anticipate planting this combination in your garden, examining the layouts is an excellent way to get a sense of how this method works. Click through for details!
Acer griseum
Paperbark Maple
Type: Deciduous Tree
Exposure: Full Sun, Sun, Part Sun, Part Shade, Morning Sun
Zone: 5, 6, 7, 8
Cryptomeria japonica 'Black Dragon'
Black Dragon Japanese Cedar
Type: Evergreen Conifer, Shrub
Exposure: Part Sun, Part Shade, Morning Sun, Filtered Sun, Open Shade, Bright Shade
Zone: 6, 7, 8, 9
Cephalotaxus harringtonia 'Duke Gardens'
Duke Gardens Japanese Plum Yew
Type: Evergreen Conifer, Shrub
Exposure: Morning Sun, Filtered Sun, Bright Shade
Zone: 6, 7, 8, 9
Hydrangea paniculata 'Bulk' Quick Fire
Quick Fire hardy hydrangea
Type: Deciduous Shrub
Exposure: Full Sun, Sun, Part Sun, Part Shade, Morning Sun, Filtered Sun, Open Shade, Bright Shade
Zone: 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
Helleborus argutifolius
Corsican Hellebore
Type: Evergreen Perennial
Exposure: Full Sun, Sun, Part Sun, Morning Sun, Filtered Sun, Open Shade, Bright Shade
Zone: 6, 7, 8, 9
Hakonechloa macra 'Aureola'
Gold Variegated Japanese forest grass
Type: Deciduous, Herbaceous Grass / Grass-Like
Exposure: Full Sun, Part Sun, Part Shade, Morning Sun, Filtered Sun, Open Shade, Bright Shade
Zone: 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10
Geranium 'Gerwat' Rozanne
Rozanne Hardy Geranium
Type: Deciduous, Herbaceous Groundcover, Perennial
Exposure: Full Sun, Sun, Part Sun, Afternoon Sun
Zone: 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
Plant Palette #2
Lagerstroemia x 'Natchez'
Crape Myrtle Natchez
Type: Deciduous Shrub, Tree
Exposure: Full Sun, Sun, Afternoon Sun, Reflected Heat
Zone: 6, 7, 8, 9, 10
Pittosporum tobira 'Tall and Tough'
Japanese mock-orange
Type: Evergreen Shrub
Exposure: Full Sun, Sun, Part Sun, Afternoon Sun, Morning Sun, Filtered Sun
Zone: 7, 8, 9, 10
Pinus strobus 'Blue Shag'
Blue Shag eastern white pine
Type: Evergreen Conifer, Shrub
Exposure: Full Sun, Sun, Afternoon Sun
Zone: 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
Rosa 'Radway Sunrise'
Radway Sunrise Rose
Type: Deciduous Rose, Shrub
Exposure: Afternoon Sun, Reflected Heat
Zone: 6, 7, 8, 9
Helleborus argutifolius 'Silver Lace'
Silver Lace Corsican Hellebore
Type: Evergreen Perennial
Exposure: Part Sun, Part Shade, Shade, Morning Sun, Filtered Sun, Open Shade, Bright Shade
Zone: 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
Carex testacea
Orange Sedge
Type: Evergreen Grass / Grass-Like, Groundcover, Perennial
Exposure: Full Sun, Sun, Part Sun, Part Shade, Afternoon Sun, Reflected Heat, Morning Sun
Zone: 7, 8, 9, 10
Zauschneria californica
Bowman California Fuchsia
Type: Herbaceous Perennial
Exposure: Full Sun, Shade, Afternoon Sun, Reflected Heat
Zone: 7, 8, 9, 10, 11
Plant Palette #3
Stewartia pseudocamellia
Japanese Stewartia
Type: Deciduous Tree
Exposure: Sun, Part Sun, Part Shade, Filtered Sun, Open Shade, Bright Shade
Zone: 5, 6, 7, 8
Aucuba japonica 'Serratifolia'
Sawtoothed Japanese Aucuba
Type: Evergreen Shrub
Exposure: Part Shade, Full Shade, Shade, Morning Sun, Open Shade, Bright Shade, Deep Shade
Zone: 6, 7, 8, 9, 10
Abelia grandiflora 'Rose Creek'
Rose Creek Abelia
Type: Evergreen Shrub
Exposure: Full Sun, Sun, Part Sun, Part Shade, Afternoon Sun, Morning Sun, Filtered Sun
Zone: 6, 7, 8, 9
Hydrangea paniculata 'Limelight'
Panicle Hydrangea
Type: Deciduous Shrub
Exposure: Full Sun, Sun, Part Sun, Part Shade, Morning Sun, Filtered Sun, Open Shade, Bright Shade
Zone: 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
Bergenia 'Magic Giant'
Magic Giant Pig Squeak
Type: Evergreen Perennial
Exposure: Part Shade, Shade, Morning Sun, Filtered Sun, Open Shade, Bright Shade
Zone: 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
Carex oshimensis 'Everest'
Everest Weeping Sedge
Type: Evergreen Grass / Grass-Like, Groundcover, Perennial
Exposure: Part Sun, Part Shade, Morning Sun, Filtered Sun, Open Shade, Bright Shade
Zone: 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10
Astrantia major 'Hadspen Blood'
Hadspen Blood Masterwort
Type: Deciduous, Herbaceous Perennial
Exposure: Full Sun, Sun, Part Sun, Part Shade, Morning Sun, Filtered Sun, Open Shade, Bright Shade
Zone: 6, 7, 8, 9
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