The first aspect you will need to consider before planting or mapping out areas is to create a detailed plan. A great idea to gain inspiration is looking online for example at Pinterest, which will help you create a mood board with the style, colour scheme and orientation of your flowers and plants.
You will also need to consider what type of plants you would like, without just focusing on aesthetics. Some plants are higher maintenance than others, meaning they will need daily watering and lots of sunlight, however some will only need the occasional prune and water. If you enjoy spending time in the garden and have time to care for plants it can be interesting to give yourself a challenge, however, if you are looking for low maintenance why not look at plants such as ferns or lavender?
Now you have your plan, make sure to look for plants that match your soil type. Getting your soil type tested for pH level and texture from a professional can be the difference between your plants thriving or dying. Another aspect to consider is of course your available sunlight and the position of your house after all there is such a thing as too little or too much.
At the nursery or garden centre, it can be helpful to get a gardener or expert to help you with suggestions about heights, sizes or conditions needed. However, it is ultimately down to you in terms of colour scheme and fragrance. It can also be wise to not buy all your plants at once, to develop a gradual picture of your vision which will look clearer and more put together in the end.
Some garden centres also grow and supply Plants for Trade for example this wholesaler in Kent www.palmstead.co.uk/Content.aspx?content=2 Trading plants is extremely sustainable and a great way of getting inspiration for your own garden and perhaps considering different plants that you haven’t before.
Gardens can have other features besides plants such as sculptures or water fountains, therefore a common addition can be a plant or tree focal point. For example, if you have an entrance to your garden with a gate, you could plant a blossom tree that will be a bright pop of colour and fragrance as people enter your garden. Other larger displays could be Clematis or Wisteria as a climbing plant, however, be aware that they can get out of control easily.