Design a Native Garden (Step-by-Step)

A Simple, Visual Guide Anyone Can Follow

For inspiration, visit local native gardens like Red Butte Gardens in Salt Lake City

Step 1: Start With What You Have

Create a Basemap:

Sketch your property from above

Include:

House

Driveway

Paths

Existing trees

Use: Google Earth - Read our blog on How to Create a Landscape Design Basemap Using Google Earth

Your basemap is your foundation.

Step 2: Observe Your Land

What First to Look for When Designing Your Garden:

What direction does your house face: North, south, east west?

Where is it sunny vs shady?

Where does water flow?

Wind exposure?

Dry vs moist areas?

What are the differnt elevations, hills, slopes?

Draw arrows and notes right on a version of your map.

This is where smart native planting begins.

Step 3: Draw Bubble Zones. How Do You Want to Use Your Yard?

Design it Fast - Use Bubble Zones

Use circles (bubbles) for areas:

• Patio

• Garden beds

• Lawn (if any) Where do kids or pets play?

• Native meadow

• No details yet—just placement. Divide your yard into zones:

• Public (front yard) Where do people gather?

• Private (hangout spaces) Where do you want quiet?

• Functional (storage, compost, work areas)

Design around life, not just plants. This is where your yard starts to take shape.

Step 5: Plan How You Move Through It

Draw Movement Lines - How Will You Move Through the Space?:

• Front door → backyard

• House → seating area

• Paths people naturally take

Thick lines = high trafficThin lines = occasional use

Design for flow, not friction.

Step 6: Place Your Native Plant Zones

Group Plants by Water Needs - Hydrozones

• Low water (native backbone)

• Moderate (transition areas)

• Higher (Avoid, but if needed, near house)

This is where native design shines:

• Less water

• Less maintenance

• More resilience

Learn About Native Plants

• Visit local native nurseries

• Visit local gardens

• Scroll though Cache Valley Native Plants

Step 7: Shape the Design

Choose a Style That You Like:

• Natural + flowing

• Clean + structured

• A mix of both

Then:

• Shape planting beds

• Define edges

• Place gathering areas

This is where it becomes beautiful.

Step 8: Add Plants (Think in Groups)

Key idea: plant in groups, Plants like Community.

• Trees anchor the space

• Shrubs create structure

• Grasses + perennials fill and soften

Focus on:

• Repetition

• Layers

• Seasonal interest

This is how native gardens feel intentional, not wild.

Step 9: Refine + Simplify

Keep tweaking it! Ask yourself:

• Does it flow?

• Is it simple enough to maintain?

• Does it reduce water use?

If not—simplify.

The best designs are clear, not complicated.

The Big Idea

Designing a native garden isn’t about perfection.

It’s about:

• Understanding your land

• Working with nature

• Creating something that lasts

And when you do it right, you get:

• Lower water use

• Healthier soil

• More birds, pollinators, and life

• A yard that actually feels like it belongs

• A beautiful space that you can be proud of