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Step 1
Incorporate major elements into your patio landscaping design before adding smaller plantings. Large feature rocks, fountains or benches should be placed first to flatter the design of the patio and the surrounding yard and then the smaller elements used to fill in.
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Step 2
Consider your lifestyle when designing your patio landscape. The most beautiful flowers won't be of much use if you haven't the time to care for them properly.
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Step 3
Incorporate a theme in your design plan. This needn't be a strict rule but if you plan to entertain often on your patio, plan the landscaping to offer a welcoming atmosphere with plenty of seating choices. Alternately, if seclusion is important to you, choose tall structures and plantings to shield your patio from curious eyes.
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Step 4
Light up the night for a patio that beckons after the sun sets. Install low-wattage exterior lights on the sides of benches, under the overhang of steps or on the side of baluster railings. Not only do they provide a welcoming glow, they offer a measure of safety when navigating the patio after dark.
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Step 5
Relax to the sound of water bubbling over the lip of a fountain or trickling down a miniature waterfall. A favorite of patio enthusiasts, the inclusion of water add a cooling effect on hot summer days. Be sure to plan your water garden with care so as not to attract every neighborhood bird to your yard for his or her daily bath unless that is your goal.
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Step 6
Use plantings that compliment the patio and each other. After installing the permanent features, add elemental plantings, either annual or perennial that will add lush greenery, splashes of bright color or a totally white-blooming garden for a tranquil effect.
