Bold Designs, Vibrant Hues, Intricate Layouts - 10 Extravagant Garden Concepts to Craft a Striking Outdoor Retreat
Nature's Impact on Mental WellnessUnderscored, A Maximalist Garden Can Offer Daily Stress Relief
The court has rendered its verdict: nature enhances our well-being. This fact, however, is not novel to most of us. One effective approach to accessing nature daily is to opt for a maximalist design in one's personal outdoor space.
Maximalist gardens captivate through the use of bold colors, clashing patterns, and rich textures, all designed to stimulate the senses. These elements can be implemented in one's modern garden with strategic planning and intentional plant selection.
Maximalism, while originally associated with interior design aesthetics, is not exclusive to that realm. By employing a considered color palette and carefully chosen plants, one can achieve a maximalist vibe outside, even without being a devout follower of the style.
A Strong yet Limited Color Palette
Maximalism, as an interior design trend, revolves around creating cheerful, expressive spaces brimming with color and pattern. However, maximalist spaces, whether indoors or out, are carefully curated, not a free-for-all of color.
Alexandra Hollingsworth, garden designer and co-founder of Dig, explains, "Whilst maximalist gardening may sound like a 'more is more' approach, in reality, doing a few bold things well has more impact and appears more designed. Selecting a strong, yet limited, color palette appears more effective than throwing as much color at the garden as possible." According to Hollingsworth, a suitable color palette might incorporate tones such as burgundy, orange, violet, and chartreuse.
Tropical Influence
Identifying a loose theme for one's maximalist garden can simplify the selection process among the myriad choices of plants. Considerations could include opting for a tropical vibe, an English countryside cottage, or a Mediterranean-style garden, tailoring the design to one's personal preferences or lifestyle.
A Vibrant, Personality-Driven Space
Paul Studholme, founder of The Plant Hunter, emphasizes that maximalist gardens are characterized by their rich colors, textures, and "organized chaos." These spaces emphasize creativity and artistry, with an emphasis on ecology and nature.
For instance, a maximalist garden inspired by traditional English cottage gardens on steroids might incorporate colors such as bright pinks, deep purples, sunny oranges, reds, and yellows. Peonies, verbena, rudbeckia, and salvias could be integrated alongside foxgloves, with knautia and cosmos creating a natural, wild look.
Grass Alternatives
Layering in the garden is vital, but crucial in a maximalist design. In place of large swathes of lawn, consider wildflowers, sedges, or groundcovers to foster greater biodiversity.
Vinca, pachysandra, and ajuga make excellent groundcovers, helping to discourage weeds. From this foundation, build up with plants that reach 40-80 cm, followed by taller trees and shrubs, depending on the available space. Ensure not to obstruct light to windows or position trees too close to the house.
Mixing Bold Blooms
Incorporating large blooms and tall stems alongside smaller flowers and foliage enhances the impact of the larger plants in a maximalist garden. Dahlias, camellias, rudbeckias, digitalis, and salvias are suitable plants that offer a wide range of colors, providing a focal point in the garden. Accent these with softer 'filler' plants like grasses and ferns.
Statement Elements
Once a color palette has been established, integrate it into other elements beyond just the flower beds. Colorful planters, furniture, or fabrics can complement the planting scheme, adding to the maximalist feel.
Layering Planting
A garden rich in planting layers, akin to a forest or jungle, feels more substantial than one with sparse flower beds and expansive lawns. To achieve this effect,Move away from minimalism and make room for an abundance of shrubs, plants, and trees at varying heights, incorporating canopy and understory layers.
Harry Holding, garden designer and founder of Harry Holding Studio, recommends using local, sustainable materials and innovative planting schemes to create immersive, captivating spaces that are low-input and beneficial for both people and nature.
Texture and Different Leaf Shapes
When layering plants, consider the different textures, shapes, and sizes of the leaves and foliage, as well as their heights. Achieving a maximalist feel without relying solely on color can be accomplished through foliage alone. Large-leaved plants like banana, canna lilies, and tree ferns, combined with contrasting textures, add visual interest.
Varied Levels
Gardens with multiple levels and plantings at different heights are more engaging than those that are flat. Incorporate steps, raised beds, or tall planters to add interest and verticality to sloping or terraced gardens.
Easy on the Hardscaping
Large expanses of paving, common in many gardens, often appear sterile and devoid of life. To avoid this, limit the use of hardscaping materials and choose them wisely, integrating them subtly into the overall design.
Choose Evergreens and Plants With Different Flowering Times
A maximalist garden does not solely bloom during the spring and summer months. To preserve color, texture, and interest in autumn and winter, incorporate evergreens and plants with different flowering times, ensuring the garden remains vibrant when everything else is dormant.
FAQs
Are Maximalist Gardens the New Trend for 2025?
Maximalism is the projected design trend for 2025, as popularized by Teresa Woodard's Garden to the Max. Regardless of one's personal style or location, maximalist gardens can be customized to suit any outdoor space, offering a sanctuary for peace and enjoyment in both urban and rural settings. From lush, green foliage to limited color palettes, emphasizing plants, shrubs, and trees will create a captivating oasis.
A maximalist garden, inspired by a 'more is more' approach, can create a vibrant, personality-driven space that transcends interior design. To implement this trend effectively, one should select a strong, yet limited, color palette to create an impactful and designed aesthetic. Achieving maximalism outside may involve identifying a loose theme, such as a tropical or countryside style, and selecting plants accordingly.
Layering is essential in a maximalist design, with groundcovers replacing large swathes of lawn to foster biodiversity. Mixing bold blooms and plants with different flowering times maintains interest throughout the seasons, while incorporating textured, contrasting foliage adds visual appeal without relying solely on color.
Gardens with varied levels, attractive hardscaping, and evergreens or plants with different flowering times will remain captivating and lively throughout the year. Incorporating statement elements, such as colorful planters or furniture, complements the planting scheme, enhancing the maximalist feel. By employing these strategies, a daily connection to nature and access to mental wellness can be achieved in one's personal outdoor space.
