Have you ever wondered why some gardens look effortlessly epic? You’re walking along, and then suddenly you see them and they stop you in your tracks. What is it about them that’s so appealing, and why do they feel so aesthetically pleasing? Let’s take a look.
They use layering
Whether you like it or not, many of the world’s most attractive gardens use layering. Amateur gardens often look flat because they plant everything in the same rows, but high-quality gardens use vertical layering so the eye moves up and down as well as from side to side.
The layering usually starts with the canopy. Gardeners use pergolas or tall fruit trees to create a sense of height. Next is the understory, where you see climbing vines or ornamental grasses. Below that is the regular ground floor, where you see cover crops and other textures like lawns that carpet the ground. Using all three is what makes gardens so appealing and attractive.
They offer repetition and rhythm
One hallmark of an epic garden is the repetition and rhythm it creates. Many gardens feel like chaotic plant museums, but the most attractive ones pick a signature plant colour and run with it. In a way, they have a theme, like a well-designed interior.
The nicest gardens often use odd-number groupings. For example, you might see five or seven plants of the same type placed next to each other. The brain finds these asymmetrical groupings more appealing than neat, even squares of plants that use even numbers.
They come with a professional touch
Beyond all of this, many of these gardens also have a professional touch. They don’t look like that by chance. Designers use golden ratios and work with expert landscapers like SkyFrog Landscape to generate remarkable atmospheres using proven methods.
Once professionals get involved, the game changes. They often have templates in their minds that they can turn into reality for your property. Suddenly, you can transform something that looks ho-hum into an exciting and engaging space.
They have framed views and focal points
Just like in interiors, epic gardens also offer framed views and focal points. These guide the eye and create scenes that take people on a journey. For example, there might be a striking water feature surrounded by birds, or a Japanese maple lit by spotlights from the ground to enhance its beauty in the evening. When these framings are installed, they transform how gardens feel as you walk through them. Everything becomes about aesthetics and beauty.
They use high contrast textures
One of the key elements that make many of the world’s most beautiful gardens stand out is contrast in texture. While many people think colour is what brings a garden to life, it’s actually the texture that does.
An outdoor space with wispy leaves can work, but big, broad leaves can also enhance the appearance. The goal is to strike the right balance. For example, you might pair structural agave with delicate ground covers, or combine glossy, light leaves with dense, matte, deep green foliage.
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