Design a Garden with Depth: How to Layer Your Landscape

Ever wonder why some gardens feel instantly welcoming, while others feel a little…off? More often than not, it comes down to how the plants are layered. A well-layered garden isn’t just more attractive—it’s easier to care for, more inviting to pollinators, and more resilient through changing seasons.

Here in Northwest Arkansas, layering plants is both an art and a smart strategy with our unpredictable weather. Whether you're designing a new garden bed or refreshing an overgrown space, these tips will help you build a landscape that feels natural, lush, and full of life.

What Is Plant Layering in Landscaping?

Layering is all about arranging plants by height, structure, and texture, like building a living mosaic. In nature, plants grow in layers: tall trees form a canopy, mid-sized shrubs fill the space below, and smaller groundcovers spread at the base. In a landscape, you can mimic this to create depth and balance.

Think of the layers in three main categories:

• Tall layer (backdrop): Trees, large shrubs, or tall grasses
  
  
• Middle layer (focal point): Perennials, smaller shrubs, and statement plants
  
  
• Front layer (border): Low-growing plants, groundcovers, and edgers
  
  

Let’s break down each category further so that you know exactly how to layer your own landscape!

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Start with Structure: Trees, Large Shrubs, & Tall Grasses

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Your tallest plants are your anchors. They provide height, shade, and year-round structure. A few of our favorites here at Westwood are: 

• Japanese Maples – A classic, unique tree that comes in a variety of heights, colors, and structure to meet your landscape’s needs.  (Ex. Bloodgood, Crimson Queen, Seiryu, Wabi Sabi)
• Flowering Trees – Striking spring blooms and fall color (Ex: Cherry, Redbud, Dogwood)
• Blooming Grasses – Early to emerge in spring and holds form into winter (Ex: Karl Foerster Feather Reed Grass, Pink Muhly Grass)
• Large-Scale Shrubs – Colorful or flowering options for drama (Ex: Limelight Hydrangeas, Snowmound Spirea, Forsythia)
• Upright Junipers – Evergreen, for year-round interest in a wide range of sizes and colors (Ex: Taylor Juniper - Upright and columnar, perfect for screening or vertical interest)

Plant taller trees or shrubs at the back of a bed (or center, if it’s viewed from all sides), keeping in mind their full-grown size. This creates a “green wall” that gives your garden form even when the flowers fade.

🌳 Tip: Use deciduous trees in sunnier spots, and evergreens where you want year-round privacy or windbreaks.

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Fill the Middle: Perennials and Mid-Sized Shrubs

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This layer is where your garden really comes alive! The middle layer is where you can get creative with blooms, color, and texture.

Some of our favorite go-tos:

• Coneflower – Drought-tolerant and great for pollinators
  
  
• Russian Sage – Airy texture and long bloom time
  
  
• ‘Little Lime’ Hydrangea – A dwarf variety perfect for smaller beds
  
  
• Coreopsis, Salvia, or Yarrow – Long bloomers that thrive in the Ozark sun
  
  

This layer ties the whole garden together and keeps the eye moving. Choose a mix of heights, bloom times, and foliage colors to add interest throughout the seasons.

🌼 Tip: Don’t just think in lines! Group your plants in drifts or clusters of 3-5 for a more natural look.

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Bring It Down: Groundcovers and Edgers

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The front of your bed is the finishing touch. These low-growing plants soften hard edges, reduce weeds, and help retain moisture.

Try these locally-loved favorites:

• Creeping Jenny – Bright chartreuse color and fast spreader
  
  
• Lamb’s Ear – Silvery, soft, and loved by kids and pollinators alike
  
  
• Sedum – Drought-tolerant and beautiful in gravel or rock gardens
  
  
• Coral Bells (Heuchera) – Foliage adds color even when not in bloom
  
  

This layer should flow naturally into your lawn, paths, or patio, giving a sense of completion to the bed.

🌿 Tip: Mix in some evergreen groundcovers like ajuga or mondo grass for winter interest.

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Local Bonus: Think About Light and Water

Layering isn’t just about looks—it helps your plants thrive, especially in our Arkansas climate. Here’s why:

• Sunlight: Taller plants can provide partial shade for those that can’t handle full sun, like ferns or hostas.
  
  
• Water retention: Groundcovers help keep the soil moist in our hot, dry summers.
  
  
• Wind protection: Shrubs and trees block wind and protect more delicate plants behind them, making them more likely to survive a harsh winter (and unexpected cold snaps in APRIL).
  
  

By layering strategically, you’re creating microclimates that help your whole garden perform better!

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Final Thoughts: Let Your Garden Grow in Layers

Layering your plants isn’t about following a strict formula—it’s about working with nature to create a garden that feels full, balanced, and beautiful in every season. And the best part? It evolves with time. Plants grow, mature, and fill in, giving your landscape a lived-in, welcoming feel.

If you're planning a new bed or rethinking an overgrown one, come see us at the nursery! We can help you find the right plants for your layers.

🛒 Visit us at Westwood Gardens or check out our Plant Finder to explore options by size, color, or light needs.

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