It's time to plant new beds and borders, and although starting with a blank canvas is easier than trying to work around what you have, you certainly can increase the size or change the shape of your existing garden. It just takes knowledge, imagination and a plan.To help you get started, six prominent Long Island garden designers and landscape architects have drawn up plans you can implement in your own garden. All plants listed are available on Long Island.

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A successful landscape comprises greenscape and hardscape components. Greenscape refers to plant material; hardscape is anything constructed of wood, stone, bricks, concrete and the like. The latter includes walkways, patios, decks, statues and ponds. Plan and install your hardscaping first, then fill in the greenscaping. 
Garden beds should be at least 3 to 4 feet deep to allow for adequate layering of plants. Include plants with four seasons of interest; the bed would look awfully barren over the winter if it's filled only with herbaceous perennials. Incorporate evergreen shrubs, trees with interesting bark or even a big rock. Though they're perennial, I file ornamental grasses under winter interest, as they turn strawlike and add a pretty dimension when they sway in the winter winds. Cut them down in March, and new growth will be apparent almost immediately. 
The tallest residents in a bed should be in the center, visible from all sides. This is called layering. 
Consider the mature sizes of plants and space accordingly. This is vital for the health of your plants, as crowding can lead to mold and fungal diseases and undesired shading. Plan properly, allowing room for growth and adequate air circulation. Bare spots could be occupied by annuals for the first few seasons until they fill in.

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Planning your garden: The basics

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There are five simple rules to keep in mind when planning a garden: 
1 Repetition. Repeat foliage or flower color and texture throughout the space. Using just one each of several plants will create a jumble. 
2 Balance. You can achieve balance two ways, but first you have to figure out what sort of garden you want. Do you like a formal look? Then you'll want things arranged symmetrically. Prefer things informal? Shoot for an asymmetrical arrangement. Either way, you need balance. Imagine a line running through the center of your garden. Now, fold it in half. Oh, and erase the garden and replace it with a mirror. If both sides are identical, that's a symmetrical arrangement. If they're a bit askew, like in my mirror, then you're an asymmetrical type. Planting in odd numbers, typically groups of threes or fives, looks best regardless of your style. 
Using just one of a plant makes it a specimen. If you use two to flank a doorway, walkway or structure, then the arrangement is symmetrical, and you likely are a formal person. When grouping in threes, plants look best if arranged in the shape of an equilateral triangle. If you want to use four of the same plant, don't just line them up: Plant three on one side and one opposite. Or divide the space into quadrants and plant one in each quad. When you have five of the same plant, situate four on one side and another across from them. This creates balance, even though it's not symmetrical. 
3 Contrast and harmony. Plant textures and colors should be varied enough to provide contrast but have enough similarities to blend well together. 
4 Movement. Hopefully in No. 2, you figured out whether you were a formal or informal type. Use that new self-awareness to determine how you'll create movement in your garden. Soft, curved lines are used in informal gardens; straight, geometric lines are found in formal applications. Either way, your gardening style determines how people navigate the property and how much of the garden can be viewed upon entering. 
5 Unity. Think about all the components of your property. There's a house, plants, maybe a deck or a patio, a walkway, some trees. If you're mindful of creating unity, all those individual parts will come together. Consider using plants with colors that coordinate with your house. And don't stop there: It's important to match style as well. A cottage garden would seem out of place in front of a fancy estate, while a formal garden might seem odd behind a bungalow. 
In the end, though, you should use these principles to express your individuality. What to plant? Plant what you like. Just be sure it's suited to the climate, soil and sun exposure. After that, it's all you.

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The 5 principles of garden design

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DESIGNER: Timothy J. Barry, senior landscape designer, Dodds &amp; Eder, Oyster Bay and Northport 
Barry received his degree in landscape architecture from <a href="/topics/West_Virginia_University">West Virginia University</a> in 1984. He is a member of the American Society of Landscape Architects, has been recognized as an industry innovator and has received numerous local and regional awards for his landscape designs. Barry's designs focus on the creation of high-functioning garden rooms that relate pleasantly with the residence and offer year-round enjoyability. 
Barry's expert tips: 
"Consider the existing environment as you contemplate the garden's location: existing root systems, wet/dry areas, poor soil conditions, as well as light or lack thereof, that the plants will receive. Are there focal points or highlights in the garden that you wish to enhance, such as a sculpture, bench or bird bath? 
"Once you have chosen the appropriate site, consider hardscape elements that may be present. Walls, paths and patio or deck surfaces will influence the ebb and flow of your bed lines. The use of clean, strong and simple bed shapes will best highlight your plantings. 
"Choose plants based on shape, texture and color of foliage. Although it may be tempting to base your selection on flowers, not all shade-tolerant plants will give you the "show" typical of many of their sun-hardy cousins. Shape refers to a plant's habit, whether spreading, rounded, spiky, etc. Texture is provided by leaf size and shape. When choosing colors, consider the various shades of green and variegation of foliage. Don't forget: Potted plants can always help lend a splash of color and interest to any garden setting. 
"Lastly, group your new plantings properly: Larger groupings make more of a statement, versus a scattershot approach, which will reduce impact."

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Shade garden by Timothy J. Barry

DESIGNER: Maria Morrison, landscape designer, <a href="/topics/Ireland">Ireland</a>-Gannon Associates, East Norwich and Stony Brook 
Morrison received her degree in ornamental horticulture and landscape development from <a href="/topics/Farmingdale_State_College">Farmingdale State College</a>. She is an award-winning garden designer and has been with <a href="/topics/Ireland">Ireland</a>-Gannon Associates for more than 20 years. Her work has been exhibited at several designer showcases and published in nationally distributed garden design books. 
Morrison's expert tips: 
"This garden design can be adapted to fit almost any situation, although you can never go wrong with a picket fence or a boxwood hedge as a backdrop. I love working with garden ornamentation such as birdhouses or a well-placed bench to create a focal point in the garden. In this design, the arbor is the focal point, and the garden radiates off it. The plant palette reflects today's need for low maintenance -- not no maintenance -- long bloom time and repetition of color and texture. The specific plant material can be substituted, but be careful not to choose fussy, weedy, short-blooming plants that will become unsightly in the garden. Most important to remember is that the garden should reflect your personality and lifestyle and provide personal satisfaction and enjoyment."

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Street-side cottage garden by Maria Morrison

DESIGNER: Neil Markey, Sitescapes Landscape Design, <a href="/topics/Stony_Brook%2C_NY">Stony Brook</a> 
While in high school, Markey attended night school at <a href="/topics/Farmingdale_State_College">Farmingdale State College</a>, where he studied ornamental horticulture. He earned an associate degree there, concentrating on residential design, then went on to receive a bachelor's degree in landscape architecture from the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry at <a href="/topics/Syracuse">Syracuse</a>. Since 1997, Sitescapes has been designing and installing award-winning landscapes throughout Long Island. Markey is a member of several community landscape organizations and has won seven design awards from the Long Island Nursery &amp; Landscape Association. 
Markey's expert tips: 
"A healthy perennial garden starts with plenty of sun and good soil structure. The ideal soil type would be a well-drained sandy loam. Loamy soil is made up of roughly 40 percent sand, 40 percent silt and 20 percent clay. When mixed with organic matter, it should have a slightly moist feel and be easily workable. This structure allows air, water and nutrients to be absorbed by the plants. If your soil falls short, you can improve it by amending it with organic matter such as compost or peat moss. As for fertilizer, I like to use Roots or Healthy Start. Establishing the roots of your plants provides a healthier, more durable plant. Once the soil structure is right and the pH is in the neutral range (between 6.0 and 7.0), your plants will be happy and thrive. Don't forget to water your new garden, and enjoy the fruits of your labor."

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Sunny perennial garden by Neil Markey

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DESIGNER: Salvatore A. Masullo, <a href="/topics/Brightwaters%2C_NY">Brightwaters</a> 
Masullo, who has been working in <a href="/topics/Long_Island%2C_NY">Long Island</a>'s landscape industry for more than 30 years, has a degree in landscape architecture from the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry in <a href="/topics/Syracuse">Syracuse</a> and has studied garden design in France and Italy. His design work has been published in several nationally distributed garden design books, and he has won 20 state, local and national landscape design awards. Masullo, a past president of the <a href="/topics/Long_Island%2C_NY">Long Island</a> Nursery &amp; Landscape Association, is a state-certified nursery and landscape professional and a member of several national and local environmental and landscape societies. 
Masullo's expert tips: 
"When designing a four-season garden, patience is important. Whether the garden space is large or small, proper planning is essential. This should include using the right plant in the right place for the proper aesthetic effect, and proper timing relative to sequential bloom period. Decisions need to be made regarding plant height, width, texture, flower and juxtaposition with other plants and landscape elements. 
"Try to place plants of significant winter interest where they can be viewed and appreciated from inside the house. The entire composition is important, so think about what the garden will look like in each season and plant accordingly. Please do not collect one plant of each species. Instead, plant in masses and allow space to highlight special plants. Every plant plays a role in the overall garden design. 
"Remember: Garden centers are a great resource, but they tend to highlight what is in bloom, so plan on visiting one or more garden centers regularly to choose the best available plant material in terms of bloom period."

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Four-season garden by Salvatore A. Masullo

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DESIGNER: Dwight Andrews, Dwight Andrews Landscape Design, Bay Shore 
Andrews, who has been operating his own design firm since 1993, has been a landscape designer on Long Island for more than 33 years. He began his horticultural training in high school, where he focused on plant science, and went on to earn associate and bachelor degrees from the College of Agriculture and Technology at Cobleskill and <a href="/topics/Mississippi_State_University">Mississippi State University</a>, respectively, in landscape design, nursery management production and sales, and landscape contracting. He has since gone on to win more than a dozen awards, including the National Landscape Association's residential design award of merit, and also was the Long Island Nursery &amp; Landscape Association's Man of the Year in 2008. Andrews' work has been featured in Better Homes &amp; Gardens and House magazines. 
Andrews' expert tips: "This plan is for the front entry area of a typical Long Island high ranch. I included the typical walk and driveway area construction elements as well as the planting plan for this house."

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Front entry garden by Dwight Andrews

DESIGNER: Debbie Van Bourgondien, executive vice president, Van Bourgondien and Sons, West <a href="/topics/Babylon%2C_NY">Babylon</a> 
Van Bourgondien has been known as "The Bulb Lady" for so long, the name is actually a registered trademark. She was born into a strong Italian family that didn't even grow tomatoes, but when she met her husband, John, she discovered her passion for gardening. These days, she plants more than 500 varieties of bulbs, annuals and perennials each year, and every spring more than 100,000 bulbs create a colorful display outside her Babylon home. With 40 years of gardening experience under her belt, Van Bourgondien is a member of the Southside Garden Club and lectures and writes as a member of the Garden Writers of America. She and her husband and three sons run their seventh-generation family business, which sells bulbs via its Van Bourgondien catalog and website, <a href="http://dutchbulbs.com" target="_blank">dutchbulbs.com</a>. 
Van Bourgondien's expert tips: Spring-blooming bulbs should be planted in fall. <a href="http://www.newsday.com/lifestyle/home-and-garden/lfcovgardens-1.2844440" target="_blank">Click here for planting illustration.</a>

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Spring bulb garden by Debbie Van Bourgondien

It's time for the third annual Garden Poetry Contest, and this year’s theme is “Better Times Ahead.” Send in your original poem of 10 lines or fewer that celebrates (or laments) your garden’s performance during last summer’s miserable drought. 
The best submissions will be published in Newsday, and the Garden Detective's three favorites will get a token surprise in the mail. 
Email your poem, along with your full name, mailing address and phone number to <a href="mailto:jessica.damiano@newsday.com">jessica.damiano@newsday.com</a> by May 15, 2011 (addresses and phone numbers will not be published). &nbsp;

Garden poetry contest, 2011 edition

6 garden designs to plant at home

Newsday

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