Maximalism is having a moment—not just in fashion and interior design but also in the garden!
This bold, joyful, personality-packed style works for any space, from an overflowing patio to a sprawling estate. Unlike minimalism, which thrives on restraint, maximalist gardens celebrate abundance, vibrant colors, and unique plant collections. But maximalism isn’t just about piling everything together—it’s an intentional, curated approach to design.
Historically, maximalism has roots in the lavish Baroque and Victorian eras, the Art Deco movement, and Dorothy Draper’s floral extravagance. In the 1970s, interior designer Tony Duquette popularized the phrase “more is more,” showcasing it in his fantastical Dawnridge garden in Beverly Hills.
Today, maximalism is less about luxury and more about celebrating personal expression—bold colors, fearless patterns, and an appreciation for collecting plants that bring joy.
Today’s Maximalist Gardens
Maximalist gardeners are transforming front lawns into lush wonderlands, curating rare plant collections, and embracing sheer abundance to attract pollinators, reduce carbon footprints, and sustain biodiversity. These gardens may seem wild, but they are created with artistic intention. From layering plants without chaos to skillfully incorporating tropicals in cold climates, maximalism is a design philosophy—just like minimalism—built on thoughtful choices and a love of abundance.
If you love plants, color, and creativity, this garden style might be for you.
Here are Ten Ways to Embrace Maximalism in your Garden:
Repeat Color for Cohesion
A well-curated maximalist garden creates harmony amid abundance. One effective way to achieve this is through repeated colors. Choose a palette that complements your home’s exterior and weave those hues throughout your garden. Match plant foliage, flowers, and even accents—such as window boxes, garden art, and benches—to create a unified, vibrant space.
Embrace Texture
Texture is a game changer in garden design. Some even believe texture is more important than color. When designing a garden, try viewing a space as if it were a black-and-white photo to highlight its forms and textures whether fine blades of ornamental grasses or sculptural structure of yuccas.
Curate Plant Collections
Maximalism doesn’t mean chaos—it thrives on intentional curation. Many maximalist gardeners collect specific plant types, such as succulents, ferns, or roses, and arrange them in groups for impact. Using uniform pots for similar plant types or grouping by color can provide a sense of order amidst the abundance. Stagger plant heights with stands, bricks and upturned pots to create a gallery-like display.
Create Distinct Garden Rooms
A sense of discovery is key to maximalist gardens. Divide your space into themed areas or “rooms,” such as a tropical retreat, a wildflower meadow, or a shaded fern grotto. This adds variety while maintaining an organized flow. Use doorways, arches, paths and even stairsteps to create drama, leading visitors through a wonderland of spaces.
Layer Plants for Depth
One of the hallmarks of maximalist gardens is their lush, layered look. Combine plants of varying heights and textures to create depth, from towering cacti to trailing ground covers. Think of it as painting with plants—use taller plants as the background, followed by a mid-layer, then low-growing plants and ground covers in the foreground.
Experiment with Exotic and Unusual Plants
Dare to be different! Incorporate bold tropical plants, vibrant foliage, and unusual flowers to create a garden that stands out. If you live in a colder climate, you can still experiment with exotic plants by growing them in containers and overwintering them indoors. Don’t be afraid to mix plants from different regions—sometimes the most unexpected combinations create the most striking results.
Celebrate Abundance and Density
Maximalist gardens are lush and overflowing with life. Rather than spacing plants far apart, pack them in! Densely planted beds create a sense of richness, support pollinators, and help suppress weeds naturally. Layering plants tightly also ensures year-round interest and sustenance for pollinators, as there’s always something blooming or filling in the gaps.
Adopt a Garden Theme
A theme can provide a sense of unity to channel boundless creativity. Whether you choose a romantic English cottage garden, a Mediterranean-inspired retreat, or a jungle oasis like pictured here, selecting a theme helps guide your plant choices, colors, and decorative elements. This thematic approach adds depth and character to your garden.
Infuse Your Personality into the Space
Maximalism is all about self-expression. Personalize your garden with unique elements, whether it’s whimsical statues, hand-crafted pots, or plants collected from travels. Artistic touches like mosaic pathways, decorative fencing, or hand-painted signs make your garden truly one-of-a-kin
Play with Vertical Space
Maximize a narrow space by using vertical gardening techniques. To create an immersive effect like pictured here, start with a base layer of textural perennials then punctuate the space with columnar trees, upright grasses and soaring annuals like sunflowers or this soaring mullein.
A Final Note on Maximalist Gardening
Maximalism isn’t just about excess—it’s about celebrating the joy of gardening in an unapologetically abundant way. Whether you start by adding bold colors, curating unique plants, or layering textures, maximalist gardening invites creativity, passion, and an appreciation for nature’s beauty. Read more at Big, Bold, and Beautiful: Use Maximalism to Grow a Gorgeous Garden.
Beyond personal expression, maximalist gardens matter as they contribute to the environment and community. They support biodiversity, create pollinator-friendly habitats, cool urban areas, provide habitat for wildlife, elevate community pride and spark joy. The world needs more gardens, more plants, and more people embracing the magic of growing.
So, Go Ahead—Garden to the Max!
Written by: Teresa Woodard
Author of: Garden to the Max: Joyful, Visionary, Maximalist Design
“This post is an educational/inspirational service of the National Garden Bureau and our members. Please credit and link to National Garden Bureau and author member when using all or parts of this article.”
