Top tips for creating a more natural-style garden while keeping a curated look
If you’re looking to create a more relaxed, wild-looking landscape in your home garden, you’re not alone. Recent research from Monrovia shows that gardeners continue to be drawn toward a wild, meadow-like design with one new twist – they want a more curated look.
“Every year during our in-depth research, we ask home gardeners about their design interests,” says Katie Tamony, garden design expert and trend spotter for Monrovia. “This trend, we are calling Wild Meets Refined, is on the rise. It is where naturalistic design meets intentional simplicity. Gardeners’ interest in soil health, pollinators, sustainability, and native plants is evolving. They’re combining this interest into a design aesthetic that is natural but not unruly.”
For many gardeners, the focus is on form and function. They’re looking to create a looser, more natural-looking landscape, without a lot of maintenance. They also want a garden that attracts pollinators and birds and brings the feeling of a meadow or prairie. These gardeners may be drawn to native plants, but they are still looking for reliable and long-lasting blooms.
“One of the best ways to create this look and still love the result is to combine native plants with cultivars,” says Tamony. “The design offers less hit-or-miss performance and creates a freeform look that doesn’t look rangy. It really is the best way to make sure you have blooms you can count on. Often the combination can mean less maintenance too.”
Plant choices in these categories bring in pollinators and offer a flowing, relaxed look. Top plant categories include grasses, perennials, and roses paired with rocks and nature-inspired pathways.
Grasses
Compact selections are key for smaller space gardens. Many stay tidy while still offering the wild, breezy feel.
Perennials
Perennials offer the key to continuous color in a wild garden, with newer selections leading the curated look. Pollinator-friendly varieties invite wildlife and design complements from visitors.
Roses
Shrubs can create an organic backdrop in a wild garden. Natural-looking roses are right at home in this design style, and modern breeding keeps them more compact and refined. Plus, they are a pollinator favorite.
Are you creating a more relaxed, wild-looking landscape? Learn more at Monrovia.com or an independent garden center.
Written by NGB Member: Monrovia
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