Storage Shed Landscaping IDEAS

Do not plant around the perimeter of an unattractive shed, as this will draw unwanted attention.

Accessory buildings, such as garden and storage sheds, are an extension of your home. It is important to take the same amount of time and effort designing your shed’s landscape as you do on the rest of your home and yard. Shed landscaping should match or complement the landscaping around your home. Plantings and ornamental features can highlight the unique design of this simple structure. If your shed is old or run down, the right design makes this building blend into your property naturally. Landscaping allows even the shabbiest shed to appear chic.

Creating a Path

Measure out a path that leads from your back of your house to your shed or from your shed to your garden. A path ties the shed into your garden landscape. If your shed is far from your house, create a small, shorter path leading up to the building.

Choose a paver, such as flagstone, to serve as the stepping stones of your path. You need enough pavers to place one every 6 to 12 inches for the length of your path. Measure the length of one of the pavers.

Cut the turf at the start of your path in the shape of one of your pavers using a spade. Dig down at least 1 to 2 inches deeper than the stone. Fill the bottom of the hole with rock dust screening so that the paver sits even with the turf when placed in the hole.

Hammer the corners of the paver with a rubber mallet to drive it snugly into place. Continue installing the pavers until you have a path leading up to your shed.

Adding Trees, Shrubs and Perennials

Plant a fruiting or flowering tree offset to the right or left of your shed. Choose a tree that thrives in USDA Hardiness Zones 8, 9 and 10, such as forest pansy (Cercis canadensis). Choose a tree that is slightly taller, but does not tower over the height of your shed.

Plant two medium-sized evergreen shrubs on either side of your shed’s entrance. Choose shrubs such as green gem boxwood (Buxus x “Green Gem”) which grows between 3 and 4 feet tall. Flank the medium shrubs with two smaller evergreen shrubs planted on the outside of the medium-sized shrubs, such as Hoogendorn Japanese holly (Ilex crenata “Hoogendorn”). At mature height, this evergreen shrub is approximately 2 feet tall.

Install a trellis to cover one of the broad walls of your shed that faces or is primarily visible in your yard. Plant climbing vines at the base of the trellis. Over time these plants will cover the trellis, adding lush vegetation to outside of your shed.

Place a weathered piece of outdoor furniture, such as a bench or a pair of chairs, against the broad wall of your shed with the climbing vines. Place a decorative planter in between the outdoor chairs or on either side of the bench. Fill the planter with an organic potting soil mixture and plant colorful perennial flowers.

Things You Will Need

• Tape measure
• Flagstone or other pavers
• Spade
• Rock dust screenings
• Rubber mallet
• Fruiting or flowering tree
• 2 medium-sized evergreen shrubs
• 2 small evergreen shrubs
• Trellis
• Climbing vines
• Weathered outdoor furniture
• Decorative planter
• Organic potting soil
• Perennial flowers

Tip

• If your shed is a pleasant-looking structure, consider adding other ornamental features, such as wind chimes, birdhouses or lighting. Sheds with windows also benefit from window boxes with flowers or herbs. If your shed is old and shabby-looking, a fresh coat of paint makes a big difference.

Warning

• Never use landscaping to try to hide or disguise the structure. If your shed is particularly ugly, stay away from colorful plantings to help the structure blend into your yard, rather than stand out.