If you've ever tried planting your own garden from scratch, you know how difficult it can be to actually make it look nice. Most people have this vision in their heads of some Palace of Versailles-type garden, only to have it turn out looking like a dog ran through it. Making a garden beautiful isn't as simple as putting nice flowers in the ground. It's about placement and coordination. We're here to help you make the garden of your dreams with these helpful tips. You'll have your backyard looking like Versailles in no time. Weeds, Weeds, Weeds Before you start planting or even picking out daffodils, take the time to clear the flower bed of weeds. Even just a few of these leeches can make a garden look unkempt. Aside from appearances, however, weeds will fight your flowers for nutrients in the ground. You don't want any plants hindering the growth of your babies!

Add Flowering Plants  Even if you only decided to add a few bushes or succulents, consider adding a flowering plant as well. Green is nice and pretty, but having that pop of color here and there can really make your garden stand out. You don't have to go overboard. You can opt for flowering vegetables such as garlic chives or red basil for function and beauty.

Add Themes By themes, we mean grouping plants that are alike in color or texture together. While it is nice to have multicolored pots of flowers, think of how more of a visual effect you can have if each pot has a designated color, or if certain types of plants were grouped together in the bed. Putting colors together that compliment one another is also something to consider. Adding a natural marker, such as a stone or hand-written sign can also add charm.

Put Trees and Shrubs in Pots Sometimes bigger is better. To make a bold statement, plant small trees in pots instead of flowers. Trees or shrubs can fill a pot in a way flowers can't and add a truly whimsical look.

Furniture If you have the space, it's a good idea to leave a spot in your garden to enjoy the garden. For example, a little table and chairs is the perfect place to enjoy afternoon tea and admire all your hard work. Make sure the garden furniture matches with the garden's theme (if any).

Use a Big Plant Adding one big plant can create drama and truly transport you someplace else. For example, Gunnera looks as if it belongs in the Amazon rainforest or prehistoric times. Oriental lilies can also give that wow factor. The key here is to not go overboard because doing that can make your garden feel messy or small.

Garden Art If you find your garden lacking character or pizzazz, add some DIY garden art. Little gnomes are cute, but we encourage you to be creative when it comes to decorating your garden. The quirkier the better.

Add Curves Something that always makes a garden feel bigger and more whimsical is curves. We're talking little pathways that lead you through or flower beds that curve around the perimeter. Having curves adds mystery and keeps you guessing. Even if you venture into your garden every day, something about that winding path suggests you might encounter something new.

Use Pretty Pots If flower beds aren't your thing, or if you have limited space, use pretty flower pots or statement pieces to hold your plants. This is where you can get creative with unusual things, like rain boots or tea kettles, to hold your plants.

Choose a Feature Pick something in your garden to feature. It can be a statue, a plant, or a water feature, but it should be something to draw attention and be at the focus of your garden. For maximum effect, this feature should be chosen before you start planting, that way you work toward highlighting it.

Avoid Clutter This is probably the most important tip. It's easy to go overboard with any garden, especially if you are working with a small space. You don't want an unhinged jungle, but a simple yet sophisticated design. Bottom line: It shouldn't look as if you haven't taken care of it in years.