How to Create Layers in the Garden

[@blackcatluckyfinds7607]

Finally garden layering was explained in a way that a struggling beginner can understand. I read the books, plant the plants and just struggle with it looking "not right". I watch the videos. The way you explained it with the white board, and then the pictures, I could actually visualize it! Maybe it was in its most simplistic form, but I saw exactly how I need to picture my landscaping front to back and top to bottom! Not only with plants but with hardscape, etc. Thank you, 1000 times, over!! Colorado zone 5b beginner!

[@gardeningTLC]

I learn that way too. I have to see it in my brain or it just does not click

[@brendahayes3365]

Great video Michelle, invaluable information that a lot of us need. I’ll be referring back to this over and over. It will be interesting to watch your ‘live’. I usually skip them, because all I get is the host answering questions that weren’t read out loud, I’m probably doing something wrong but I find it totally frustrates me 😂😂! Hopefully I can catch it ‘live’ and see if that makes a difference. Anyway, Thank you for this info. Brenda🇨🇦

[@gmaw23beauties37]

♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️ When you were first explaining the concept of layering.. you mentioned groups of the “same plant”. I always read to do so in odd numbers..3,5,7 etc. I have seen them in a cluster like you explained but also zig zagging,etc. but in your thistle video you just did, you have 2 fizzy mizzies adjacent , the nine bark back and then another fizzy mizzy which I loved 🥰. I was initially worried as I have picked up several perennials in different types and varieties that will mature to 6”-24” and not necessarily an odd number of each. But what really HELPED SO MUCH in your amazing visual explanation was seeing different varieties of plants for the second and third layer zig zagging throughout some of the slightly taller plants/bushes. I cannot tell you how many pictures I have saved,research,books and bookmarks 🔖 I have just on plant placement and have NEVER felt ok AND I have never seen ANYONE SHARE and educate viewers freely like yourself!!!! I started following you last year because you will always touch on your placement in order for me to learn! Thank you SO much!!!!!! 🙏 ❤

[@gmaw23beauties37]

Recalling what you said here, I remember now that you said if you want “cohesiveness “ to group the same cluster of plants and color. If you see this, is there a specific link or type of video you do for landscape questions? 🪴 🪴🪴

[@carolcowser1461]

This was the best teaching that I’ve seen in a very long time. Just excellent!!

[@gardeningTLC]

Glad it was helpful!

[@annkendall528]

Thank you, thank you, thank you. It is so helpful to have your landscaping expertise. I am so lacking in placing plants that complement each other together. You have inspired me to get out my graph paper and get started.

[@gardeningTLC]

You can do it!

[@stockinettestitch]

After 22 years of the same boring couple of shrubs in front of our house (in a large mulched area), I threw a leftover choral bell, that I didn’t know what to do with, in front of the 4’ conical pine thing and it made ALL the difference. It softened the geometric form of the Yew (or whatever it is) and it added the smallest bit of layering if you will. I just love it! So now I’ve planted more of them and I can’t wait to figure out what else I’m gonna do with that area.

[@rosemarythyme6351]

I've been studying key elements of garden design for some time and your white board with naming the layers of ground level, foreground, mid-ground and background is very helpful to me. Thank you! I agree that a finding a layered landscape of color and texture is a thing of beauty that draws you in and takes you down the garden path. I've had that layered garden in the past with annuals, self-seeders, and perennials, but now I'm working on a low maintenance garden with shrubs and perennials that don't require a lot of attention. It's proving to be a challenge, but I'll get there with your teaching videos. You're the best, Michelle. LOVE your encouragement!

[@gardeningTLC]

Your very welcome Rosemary

[@beckygrant4461]

Excellent explanation of layering in the garden. I will utilize this technique as I fine-tune my garden spaces. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and spirit of gardening😊😊

[@gardeningTLC]

Glad it was helpful!

[@dustyflats3832]

A lot of us end up with patchwork because either cost or not prepared or the plant over/under performs. It is sooo sweltering out and mosquitoes I can’t even go outside. Don’t remember a worst summer for being outside. Nice tips! Thank you!

[@richbishop7896]

I'm glad that you mentioned layering or making a shrub or perennial garden doesn't happen overnight. It takes years and time to fully develop. Great explanation and information Michelle. Bonny

[@jillsimpson8716]

That was sooo informative. I’m amazed that you think of these things to share with everyone with picture/video examples. You are so knowledgeable and have learned so much!!!

[@gardeningTLC]

I just try to think of how to do something ..back when I knew nothing...which at one time was me ...what do I want to learn and how does it make.sense

[@jenniplumer1903]

Thank you, Michelle!!!! I am a new gardener, planting my first bed last spring. I have struggled to understand how to get the layered look. This video makes it crystal clear. I'm working on the plans for a woodland border garden now, and you have so inspired me. I can't wait to get to work!!!

[@gardeningTLC]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Cmash5195]

Thank you so much for this excellent teaching video! I went outside and looked at my garden with your layering concepts and could finally see why certain parts of it looked more pleasing than other parts. Thanks for sharing your expertise!

[@gardeningTLC]

Your welcome

[@elainewashington3004]

Excellent teaching video. Great suggestions. Love your explanations.

[@gingercashman3289]

Thanks Michelle. Great information that is coming to me a timely fashion as I am just agonizing over a new space that I am creating. I will send a before and after when the project is completed.

[@gardeningTLC]

You can do it! And perfect I want to see

[@PeggyMills]

Excellent lesson, Michelle. You have an endless supply of things to teach us. Love, love your channel.

[@gardeningTLC]

Well I do not know about endless....lol

[@jennifergreene8891]

YAY!!! Michelle I really needed this video.. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge and great information with us. Right now my beds are about 3 feet deep. And my plants are pretty much soldiers lined up.. (most were plants I moved with us from old house. We needed to get them in the ground asap. ) So between the fence (and/or) neighbors not the greatest looking background, are my plants (soldiers lol) over 2 ft tall up to 5ft as of now. Living on only SS and a husband 77 yrs old and I 64 and disabled, we have to pick plants carefully. He doesn't want annuals, he said it's wasting $$ so I am going to try some from seed 😊 You gave me some much needed ideas. I saved this video to my favorites. Thank you thank you. 😊 🙏

[@gardeningTLC]

Your welcome. And split some of what you have already to make a bigger mass or to repeat a pattern.

[@jennifergreene8891]

@@gardeningTLC okay 😊 thanks so much Michelle! 🌺🌾🌼🌴

[@TrickRodTaylor]

I love your information packed videos featuring practical tips told and shown by great examples and illustration. I am so happy to have found your channel.

[@gardeningTLC]

Glad it was helpful!

[@angelakading8497]

Great info! I’ll be seeing my garden from a new perspective. Thanks so much!!!

[@di4731]

Great video and I love the board you used lol. It really did help. You are so adorable

[@gardeningTLC]

Thank you so much 🤗

[@terrypauloregon]

This was the best time for this video. I spent time last night screenshotting plants for my front bed. My other half said finally after two years. “I’m taking down the Lattice fence!” And I’m getting a shrub. 4-5’ tall. So I try to offer ideas so we aren’t going to the 70’s with a juniper hedge. This will really help me. Thank you.

[@Prettykittychimi]

Thank you this was inspirational and helpful! I’m obsessed with all those hostas towards the end!

[@theuerlings1342]

This is a great video. Thank you. I just threw my plants in there. I was happy to have 3 of a kind near each other. I am going to re work it a bit thanks to your info. A lot of it was wildflower seeds just thrown on the ground and i then added plugs.

[@carolrose4784]

Very good information! I keep forgetting the textures can contribute as well as color.

[@kathyburnette1266]

The information you have given is extremely useful.. plan to experiment with your ideas

[@donnaleitner9404]

Thanks for all the great information, Michelle! 🌸 Love watching your channel.

[@gardeningTLC]

So glad!

[@chinadolldr8091]

This was literally needed. I also feel this lady has been looking at my yard and saw I needed help. 😅 Thank you teacher.

[@LindaOsier]

love your videos. We never know enough about gardening so this is all helpful thank you

[@gardeningTLC]

You are so welcome!

[@douglassilva3243]

best chanel ever you deserve 100000000 folower

[@patriciakumar115]

Excellent tutorial. I learned so much. Thank you, Michelle!

[@gardeningTLC]

You are so welcome!

[@sivlow264]

Great video! Thanks for sharing😊

[@gardeningTLC]

Thanks for watching!

[@barbarawill-henn9219]

Loved this video! I am working on this throughout my northern Illinois garden. Just planted a viburnum hedge on property line as well as a Giant Thuja hedge on back fence line and working in what this layering will look like! I would love to have you visit my humble garden!

[@gardeningTLC]

Drop me an [e-mail]

[@dawndawn6946]

Whew! So much great information! Thank you so much!

[@gardeningTLC]

Glad it was helpful!

[@pamakers8439]

Great video! These beds were beautiful.

[@paulaheinrich1679]

Very helpful info! Thank you!😊

[@gardeningTLC]

You are so welcome!

[@marciagraves2122]

Seen a lot of videos on layering. Yours is the only one that made my brain click in. Lol. Yea you!

[@gardeningTLC]

Yeah

[@sresmedje]

This is the explanation I've been looking for!! Thank you!

[@gardeningTLC]

You're very welcome!

[@suzybuchite1669]

Really appreciate the educational format and information. That is the kind of video that has ROI.

[@randyells3436]

This is such an excellent video. I'm so lacking in this skill but this has inspired me to improve. It has also helped me to see and understand layers. Thank you for sharing your expertise. 😊

[@gardeningTLC]

my pleasure

[@kellykiley]

This is a really good video finally more information rather than nonsense chatter. The gardens are gorgeous . Now I have a better idea how to fill in my spaces since I have the some of the layering in effect. thank you

[@gardeningTLC]

Glad it was helpful!

[@peachesandsugar1]

Love your opening theme music.

[@vanessab2726]

Wow! This was a super helpful video! You’ve explained so much! I so needed it. I’m really getting into gardening and this has helped me so much thank you! ❤

[@gardeningTLC]

I'm so glad!

[@aprilanywhere3879]

Thank you! I needed this information!

[@gardeningTLC]

Glad it was helpful!

[@anncunningham2702]

Fantastic information and so helpful to understanding how to layer. Awesome job Michelle!

[@gardeningTLC]

Glad it was helpful!

[@julesdavis1845]

Thank you. Breaking it down was super helpful.

[@DownSpriggLane]

So, so helpful! Now I can try and start the layering process!

[@gardeningTLC]

Have fun!

[@hannahbeertz1231]

My challenge is I have huge beds in the front and a tall house, but I don’t want to block the above-ground basement windows with a huge back layer. Also, you look down on the beds from a deck above for the whole length and it needs to look good from that angle too. So I don’t have anything taller than a couple feet (except a fountain and an arch to the side) but I’ve tried to vary the other factors you talked about like color and texture. There are a few changes I would make with my first attempt, but I am pretty happy with the work in progress. My next challenge is to plant in front of a tall wall of evergreens where I have maybe 10 feet in front and then a sidewalk path with a greenhouse on the other side. The step down has to happen quickly in a small space. Not sure quite how to work this space. I wouldn’t mind putting a more winding path in the middle of this corridor-type area, but then how does that work into the pattern you described?

[@gardeningTLC]

It might not. It might be you repeat blocks of plants and color along the narrow area. You can also create a screen with taller items as you walk the winding path. So as it curves you place a taller specimen plant that blocks the view until to turn the corner. It is not layers in the traditional sense, but it is layers along a long line

[@aidaidiaquez2209]

Love these ideas .. any suggestions for creating the layered look with edible perennials, I.e., berries and dwarf fruit trees? Thanks for the advice a few videos ago to not be afraid to move perennials if prior locations did not work … I am doing that now in zone 6B, Cleveland. Thanks ☺️

[@lanamolczyk5139]

Wonderful tips! Thank you.

[@tbryant1966]

Thank you!! Great info

[@gardeningTLC]

Glad it was helpful!

[@judygray7718]

Excellent video and teaching. Thanks so much.

[@angelaanderson5360]

Good lesson. I too am a visual learner. Thank you.

[@gardeningTLC]

You are welcome!

[@joycesharp3783]

That’s was an extremely helpful video! Thanks! 😊

[@chuckkolb1270]

Well done. The eye is the judge.

[@gardeningTLC]

Thank you

[@michellefrance1165]

Great tips!!! I have been trying to work on this definitely takes time. When do you think you will start touring other gardens?

[@gardeningTLC]

The 1st one will air next week. I actually visited and filmed one today.

[@michellefrance1165]

@gardeningTLC thank you. I did send you an email about mine in Indiana if that works out for you 😉

[@GardeningandMyDailyLife]

Bạn chia sẻ rất hữu ích ,cảm ơn bạn đã chia kinh nghiệm làm vườn với bạn bè .

[@gardeningTLC]

Your welcome.

[@5262janna]

Great video and topic

[@dennyb759]

Thank you , great video to help us make a plan .

[@gardeningTLC]

Glad it was helpful!

[@lizg3125]

Video was very informative! Well done!

[@gardeningTLC]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@maddart4445]

You’re the best!

[@Catherine3385]

This was very helpful thank you

[@elizabethmarchesani]

Thank you !! That was so helpful!!

[@gardeningTLC]

So glad!

[@jeangardensinIllinois]

Great information! Thanks 😊

[@gardeningTLC]

You are so welcome!

[@conniemccorriston2368]

Awesome video ! Very helpful

[@gardeningTLC]

Glad it was helpful!

[@SN-sz7kw]

Wow. This was a master class. I even took notes. 😂Thank you! 💗

[@gardeningTLC]

Glad it was helpful!

[@mssherbird]

Exactly what I was looking for! Thanks for sharing your thoughts and ideas to help with layering! ❤ zone 6b west michigan

[@gardeningTLC]

Glad it was helpful!

[@TaraFlynn-f8l]

Thank you so much

[@karenbarnes5517]

Hi 👋 From Kentucky

[@gardeningTLC]

Hello

[@1almeter]

You gave me so many great ideas, I need to move a lot of plants when would be the best time of year to do that ? Not now because of the heat and lack of rain . I live in western ny zone 5

[@gardeningTLC]

Spring and fall are the best times.

[@faydelongos7566]

absolutely wonder. my issue is how to do this with spring perennials

[@peachesandsugar1]

Where would you plant Hemerocallis fulva or Ditch Lily, they are one size before they bloom but the flowers are on very long stalks? The same with a very dark purple Iris, very tall flower stalk.

[@gardeningTLC]

I think those look good along a split rail fence

[@peachesandsugar1]

@@gardeningTLC Wish I had one

[@kaymack5304]

You are a great teacher! My most difficult area is a fairly steep hill garden. How do you layer that?

[@gardeningTLC]

Same way

[@LindaOsier]

please do a zone 9 garden and ideas. San Diego Calif

[@gardeningTLC]

I would recommend Janie at Dig Plant Water Repeat. She lives in that zone. I do not.

[@quick9smitty511]

Thank you for this advice. I made the mistake of running out and buying about 5 of each of Annabelles, large hostas, astilbe, brunera, ferns and heuchera to cover a shade area measuring about 8ft deep and 50ft.long. My budget was tight, so I tried to do repeat planting along the 50ft. length instead of doing "drifts" of plants. And now my garden looks like a pizza dotted with plants. Here's my question- Should I take my 5 of everything and move them into a drift of one plant, and then move on to the next drift containing 5 and so on, without worrying about repeating further down to create some symetry?? Your advice would be appreciated. Thanks.

[@gardeningTLC]

I would. Then split stuff in 2 years to repeat down the bed.....even if you plant some things inbetween you can still repeat the pattern further down the bed

[@karenbarnes5517]

Do you fertilize your Hostas? If you do what fertilizer…. Thank you

[@gardeningTLC]

Just once in the spring with a balanced fertilizer

[@jessicacook8186]

This is a fabulous video. Thank you! I have a few questions. I have the typical sidewalk up to my front door with the 2.5-3ft bed. Ugh. I can't widen it obviously. Is there a way to create layers here? I have created a 30ft bed across the sidewalk but still struggle with the small bed right up against my brick house. Also- how do you handle borders visible from both sides? Do you build up in the middle and then do smaller both sides, then the shortest then lawn? I hope that makes sense. Thanks!

[@gardeningTLC]

You can weave and color block but it is pretty hard to layer in 2.5 feet. And a border on both side...Is that an island then? Check out my video in creating island beds

[@terrypauloregon]

I wish I could just send you a picture and you tell me what to do! Lol😂

[@gardeningTLC]

Nope. Sorry....have the fun is the journey.

[@donnamcdan9326]

I have lambs ear but it is spreading everywhere sporadically! its now in beds that are seperated by cement. is there a way to control this? Btw your gardens are gorgeous!

[@gardeningTLC]

Pull it out. It goes everwhere

[@stacynagle5192]

Been trying for 7 years. Literally ripped everything out twice. Still struggling ❤

[@gardeningTLC]

That can be frustrating. Keep at it. I remember one bed I had when I 1st started. I'll bet I renovated it 3-4 times before I got it to where I wanted it, but boy did I learn a lot.

[@juliknapp9270]

The problem I have found with so many plants is getting in and weeding. I have to take a bunch out

[@CreatewithAmy-mg6ms]

You state they need to be touching but you also say they need to grow into each other so this takes time to acquire right? So its not going to look like you want (fullness) right after you plant it

[@gardeningTLC]

No. Sorry if that was confusing. You want them to touch after they are full grown.

[@deliapeter4517]

I live in the U.S. Virgin Islands, come and tour my garden area.😊

[@gardeningTLC]

Ok buy my plane ticket...lol

[@helio-trope]

💫🏆🥰😊

[@notnow7973]

Get to the point.

[@gardeningTLC]

probably not

[@susiemcgough9917]

Such a helpful video! Thank you!

[@susanwhite1641]

Great video, thank you 🌻

[@lauriehudson6873]

Great information. Thank you.

[@gardeningTLC]

Glad it was helpful!