Ever found yourself in a naturalistic garden and felt like you’d stepped into a painting or wandered into nature itself?
I think that’s the magic of naturalistic gardens. They have a pull, a wildness that draws us in and wraps us up in a natural beat.
But what is it about naturalistic gardens that’s so popular? And why is colour so important? In this post we’ll get into why naturalistic gardens are hot right now and how thoughtful colour choices bring them to life.
1. The Allure of Naturalistic Gardens: Bringing Nature Closer
Naturalistic gardens aren’t about perfection. Instead of neat rows or symmetrical beds they’re designed to mimic the flow and unpredictability of nature. They have wild edges, unexpected blooms and plants that seem to have chosen their own place to grow. This style brings an organic, peaceful feeling that I think helps us escape our structured, busy lives.
2. Lower Maintenance, Eco Friendly
For many of us the dream of a beautiful garden can seem daunting when we think of the upkeep. I think naturalistic gardens have become popular partly because they offer beauty with less maintenance. By choosing plants that naturally thrive in your local climate you’re reducing the need for extra watering, fertilising and fussing.
Not only are these gardens easier to maintain but they’re also more sustainable. A naturalistic garden with native plants supports biodiversity, attracts pollinators and provides habitats for local wildlife. This isn’t just about creating a pretty space it’s about giving back to the environment.
Personal Tip: Sporobolus heterolepis is one of my favourite naturalistic garden plants. It adds texture in two ways: the fine, delicate texture of the grass blades and the soft, rounded form of the plant itself. The low profile of this ornamental grass leaves plenty of room to show off the perennials it’s planted with, bringing harmony and depth.
3. The Colour: More Than Just Pretty Flowers
In my opinion colour is at the heart of a naturalistic garden. It’s more than adding pretty flowers; it’s about creating a flow that feels organic, as if nature painted the scene herself. Softer, natural tones blend into the landscape while brighter blooms draw the eye and create focal points.
Think about how you want someone to feel as they walk through the garden. Do you want them to feel calm, energised or delighted? Colour lets you set the mood and guide people through the landscape. In naturalistic gardens colour isn’t structured it’s more like a wave in a wild field.
One of my favourite combinations is red roses with monarda and purple leaf foliage. This is my go to for bold sections in a naturalistic garden.
4. Seasonal Colour Transitions for Year Round Beauty
One of the best things about naturalistic gardens is how they change with the seasons. With some planning you can have a garden that feels alive all year round not just in spring and summer. Imagine pastel shades in early spring, bold and vibrant colours in summer, warm autumn tones and a structure that holds its own in winter.
Visual Tip: Since colour transitions are key, take a moment to map out each season’s colour palette. Maybe you love pairing pastels with deep greens in spring or introducing burnt oranges and burgundy in autumn. A simple sketch will bring your colour vision to life.
5. Creating Flow and Depth with Colour
In naturalistic gardens colour isn’t scattered randomly it’s placed to create flow and depth. You might use warm colours like reds, oranges and yellows at the front of a planting area to make it feel closer and more vibrant, while cool colours like blues and purples can create depth and distance.
This layering creates a sense of flow and pulls the viewer’s eye through the landscape, making the garden feel big even if it’s small.
Personal Tip: One of my favourite end of season combinations is red bee balm, golden fuzzy tails of pennisetum, medium pink knockout roses and neon sedum. When the evening sun shines through them, especially if they’re planted en masse, the view is stunning.
6. Why Colour Makes Naturalistic Gardens Better
Colour isn’t just for beauty; I believe it serves a purpose in the garden. Different colours evoke different emotions and can completely change the feel of a space. Cool colours like blues and purples are calming, perfect for a quiet corner of the garden. Warm colours like yellow and red energise, great for spaces where you gather with family and friends.
But colour isn’t just for us. Pollinators like bees, butterflies and birds are attracted to bright colours, especially purple, yellow and red. By choosing a mix of colourful plants you’re creating a haven that looks beautiful and supports local wildlife.
7. Bringing Your Naturalistic Gardens to Life with Colour
If you want to bring the beauty of a naturalistic garden into your own space I recommend starting with a simple colour plan. Begin with natives for structure, add texture with grasses and shrubs and layer in pops of colour with flowering perennials. Remember you’re not going for a strict colour scheme; let your garden have a little freedom to evolve with each season.
Conclusion: Naturalistic gardens connect us to nature in a way that feels both timeless and current. They’re a combination of low maintenance beauty, eco friendly design and with the right colour choices a year round masterpiece. As you think about your garden ask yourself how colour can be used to create a space that feels wild and intentional.
Ready to turn your outdoor space into a naturalistic garden masterpiece? Start with our most popular garden design template, designed for a colourful low maintenance garden. This easy to follow plan will guide you through plant selection, layout and colour placement to bring your naturalistic vision to life. Click here to get the template and start your garden journey today!
FAQs
What does a naturalistic garden mean?
- A naturalistic garden uses native plants, diverse textures and a layout that mirrors natural landscapes. It’s eco friendly and low maintenance and visually interesting outdoor space.
How do I start planning my colour scheme?
- Begin with a few main colours that will work across the seasons. Start with a base of greens from native plants and add contrasting pops of colour with flowering perennials. Our template has a pre-planned design to help you get started.
Do naturalistic gardens need a lot of maintenance?
- No! One of the joys of naturalistic gardens is the low maintenance. By choosing plants that are hardy in your climate and grouping them thoughtfully you’ll reduce the need for heavy upkeep.
Can I use bright colours in a naturalistic garden?
- Yes! Bright colours can add interest and focal points in a naturalistic design. Just balance the bold colours with softer neutral tones and you’ll have a cohesive look.
Which plants should I use in my garden?
- Begin with native plants that are hardy in your area. They’ll need minimal care and will attract local wildlife. For a structured plan our template has a pre-curated plant list.
What’s in your garden design template?
- A detailed layout
- A plant list with botanical and common names
- Container sizes
- 90 page e-book “Blueprint to Blossom” to customise the template to your space
Can I use the template for different sized gardens?
- Yes.<|start_header_id|><|start_header_id|><|start_header_id|>assistant<|end_header_id|>
Note: I removed the extra sentence as it was a bit redundant since the previous answer was already yes.
