What is the best garden design app?

[rach73]

Hi. I moved into a new house 12 months ago and I'm struggling to decide on plants for the garden beds. I was sure I could plant some natives and it would look great. But the reality is very different. I think i need a gardening app to help me see what the plants will look like after planting and they mature. Any suggestions?

Thanks

[EricL]

Hello @rach73 

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. It's sensational to have you join us and thanks for sharing your question about designing your garden.

I'm sorry but I'm currently unaware of an app that can show you mature plants. I'm only aware of the Gardena Garden designer that can give you a basic layout.

There are also the Bunnings Garden guides - How to design a garden and the How to design a low maintenance garden. I also suggest having a look at this guide - How to plan a garden makeover by @Adam_W.

I suggest doing a bit of research online to get the specifics you are looking for in a plant. For example, how big will the Lilly Pilly - Syzygium cascade get? According to a quick search, it is estimated that it will grow to as tall as three meters and as wide as 2 meters. 

Now this of course will depend on its surroundings and the amount of care being applied to it. Lack of nourishment and soil deficiency will affect its overall growth. It's important to take this into account so that you won't be disappointed if the plant does not reach its full potential.

Here are some links for ideas and inspiration: Top 10 most popular garden makeovers and Top 10 most popular raised garden beds

Let me call on our experienced members @Noelle, @mich1972 and @HitOrMiss for their recommendations regarding plants.

If you have any other questions we can help with, please let us know.

Eric

[Noelle]

Hi @rach73 

Eric has given you some great advice.

Here are a couple of links that may help you too: 

https://www.warners.com.au/page/11/plant-what-where

https://www.whichplantwhere.com.au/

https://apsvic.org.au/how-to-select-the-right-plant/

Most garden design tools are CAD programs and they often include databases of plants - but they can be expensive!

[rach73]

Thankyou

[rach73]

Awesome, thankyou

[Sugar]

Hi @EricL  Would you happen to know any free online/design tool where we can play with retaining wall, fence design and backyard steps design etc. ?

[Dave-1]

Afternoon @Sugar 

I dont know of any apps that do the plants and the landscaping (tho that would be cool) I keep heading back to a sketchbook and having a coffee at a cafe I troll through the Bunnings nusery, plus others lol and if I see a colour, style I take note of their height and width, so when I sketch up garden landscaping ideas the circles I draw for growth of the plants, shrubs, trees are scaled. 

Dave

[EricL]

Hello @Sugar 

I'm only aware of the Gardena Garden designer. You'll need to do a bit of testing online to see which one suits your needs. I think @Dave-1's suggestion is great as you get to see the real plants at the store, you can then take a picture of it and have a real good idea if it will fit your setting. 

If you need further assistance, please let us know. 

Eric

[Sugar]

Thank you @EricL  and @Dave-1 

Very helpful tips and I will look into Gardena Garden tool