Plan a yard you can grow into
Most backyard regrets are about time: the cute shrub that swallowed the path, the border that peaks for three weeks in June. OpenLandscape3D lets you see those years and seasons before you buy a single plant.
A path that starts where you are
- Find your region and typical zone with the zone lookup, then browse the plant library.
- Draw the yard — or import the house from OpenPlan3D — and sketch lawn, beds and a patio.
- Place plants; the planner flags anything that won’t suit the zone, the light or the moisture you described.
- Scrub months and years, then export the plant list and planting calendar.
Honest guidance
The planner explains each recommendation and each warning, and shows where the plant data came from. It won’t tell you a plant is guaranteed to thrive: a ZIP code or zone can’t see your soil, drainage or the shade from the neighbour’s oak. Check choices with a local nursery or your county extension office.
Do it in phases
Plant trees and structure first, fill in perennials later. Save alternatives of the same design and compare them side by side, then follow the step-by-step backyard planning guide.
The sample garden at planting, year 3 and year 10.
Questions
Do I need design experience?
No. Start with the guides and the free tools, then draw a simple plan. The checks catch the most common mistakes: wrong zone, wrong light, plants too close together.
Is my yard’s location shared?
No. Location is optional, and links shared between the web and iOS apps carry only a rounded, coarse location.
Related
Start designing in your browser
OpenLandscape3D is free and open source. Draw the site, place regional plants, and scrub through seasons and years before anything goes in the ground.