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)

• Native meadow

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

• Public (front yard)

• Private (hangout spaces)

• Functional (storage, compost, work areas)

Then ask:

• Where do people gather?

• Where do kids play?

• Where do you want quiet?

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