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If you are thinking about starting a garden from scratch, this is the perfect time to consider the design and start the project: leisurely, taking your time and making sure it meets your needs. If you are not sure how to proceed, don't hesitate to consult with a professional. In the long run your garden will turn out better.

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If you are remodeling an existing garden, you must plan carefully. Don't forget that sometimes these jobs are more difficult than creating a new garden. But if you need to change something in a garden, there are options other than a major overhaul. There are several tricks which, well thought-out and well-executed, give nice results.

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A few well-chosen and properly placed flower pots liven up an entrance, porch, staircase or corner that otherwise looks drab. Including a seasonal plant adds a nice touch of color.

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Something as simple as covering an old fence with a climbing plant can turn a garden around completely. If you do it right and adapt the new plant to the overall design of the garden, the fence becomes a key decorative element, besides retaining its original, practical function of acting as a fence.

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Another way to effect an attractive change is to plant a row of bushes. You can achieve a year-round decorative look _ and make the row a key element of the garden _ by combining evergreen and deciduous species, playing with different colors and foliage textures and choosing bushes that bloom in staggered fashion. If you already have such bushes but are not happy with the results, you can broaden it or add species that blend in well.

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A change in the ground surface, to alter either the use or design of an area, produces a major and immediate visual transformation. Introducing something like a source of water or a sculpture can liven up an area visible from the home. It can also be done to decorate a new area. Choosing the spot and the decorative elements are important for this task to succeed.

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The same applies when one plants a large or eye-catching species. You have to get it just right so the plant will stand out, yet blend in at the same time.

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If you seek smaller changes, just invest in a few seasonal plants, start collecting perennials or bulb plants or just clean out that garden left to decay since the summer. Do anything that will encourage you to engage in gardening, a healthy hobby that always feels good.

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