Design Ideas for Landscaping Around a Square Patio

A square patio provides a great footprint for outdoor entertaining and relaxation. But the landscape around it also deserves thoughtful design to complement the shape and fully enhance the space. With the right plantings and hardscape, you can create a cohesive look that ties your patio into the whole backyard.

Planning the Layout

When landscaping around a square patio, consider the following layout factors:

• Garden beds around the borders – Beds with plants, shrubs, and ornamental grasses help soften the patio’s hard edges.

• Paths leading to and from – Pathways create flow and connect the patio to other areas of the yard

• Privacy elements – Tall plants, trellises, screens, and fences increase seclusion.

• Lighting – Strings of lights, spotlights, and lanterns illuminate the space for nighttime use.

• Special features – Water features, ornamental pots, sculpture, and unique gardens provide interest.

Also think about views both from the patio looking out and from other parts of the yard looking in. Frame desirable views with plants or use screening to hide unsightly areas.

Garden Bed Designs and Shapes

Beds around a square patio help integrate it into the landscape, Consider these shape options

• Square planting beds – These mirror the patio shape and provide a seamless look. Repeat the same bed on all four sides.

• Rectangular beds – Elongated beds allow for larger plant groupings on each side.

• Circular or oval beds – Curved beds soften square corners and edges.

• Freeform beds – Shape beds organically for an asymmetrical design.

• Diamond-shaped beds – These add angles that contrast the square patio.

Mix and match bed shapes on different sides for interest. For example, use square beds on two sides and oval beds on the other two sides.

Choosing Plants and Materials

Select plants suited to the light levels and garden conditions around your patio. Consider these options:

• Flowering shrubs – Azaleas, hydrangeas, and other blooming shrubs provide multi-season color.

• Ornamental grasses – Grasses like maiden grass and fountain grass add texture and sway gracefully around the patio borders.

• Vines – Grow vines up a trellis or porch posts for vertical interest.

• Annuals and perennials – Choose varieties like petunias, daylilies, and lavender for added color.

• Container gardens – Pots filled with colorful, seasonal plantings are easy to arrange around a patio.

• Hardscaping – Things like gravel, mulch, stepping stones, and garden art further enhance the space.

Design Concepts and Inspiration

Now that you know the basics, here are some specific ideas for landscaping around a square patio:

• Formal garden beds – Neat, symmetrical beds with boxwood hedges or rose bushes create an elegant appeal. Add a central water feature as a focal point.

• Cottage garden beds – An informal mix of flowering perennials and vines in loose beds suits a casual, welcoming vibe.

• Patio “rooms” – Use screening, trellises, and planted partitions to divide the space into outdoor living “rooms” for dining, lounging, etc.

• Garden pathways – Winding gravel or stone paths lined with planted beds direct visitors to and from the patio.

• Tropical oasis – Lush tropical plants like palmettos, elephant ears, and bromeliads transform the patio into a private jungle paradise.

• Sunken patio – Lower the patio and raise the planted beds around it for a cozy, nestled effect.

Take cues from your home’s architecture and style. For example, use geometric beds for a contemporary patio or naturalmaterials for a Craftsman bungalow. Get creative and have fun designing your ideal landscape around your square patio!