A modern garden is not a place of splendor or entertainment. It is an oasis of peace where you should feel light and comfortable. See which plants will help you achieve this!
When choosing plants for a modern garden, you should prioritize harmony of shape over harmony of color. A monochromatic landscape will be more expressive if you opt for plants with geometrical lines: Umbrella-shaped trees, ball-shaped boxwoods and foxgloves with soaring flowers.
Because of the austerity of the modern style, all plants must be carefully selected. Add a touch of the exotic to your garden by choosing trees and shrubs with showy flowers and leaves or interestingly curved trunks and branches. Look out for magnolias, paulownia and palm trees.
In addition to exotic plants in the modern garden will look good plants typical for our latitude: ash, oak, maple, birch and pine trees. Trees and shrubs can be planted as solitaries or in small groups. Rowans, dogwoods or weeping willows will beautify your garden. Plant them in the rest and relaxation area. Their presence will give you a feeling of blissful peace and when they bloom, they will be an invaluable garden ornament.
When choosing shrubs for a modern style garden, focus on plantings that can be easily shaped. Shrubs are best pruned into balls or cones. Rhododendrons, lilacs, bladderworts, and elms are ideal for shaping. You can also place round or oval pots of trimming plants around the garden.
The symbol of modern garden design are all varieties of irises in different shades. Their fancifully curved petals, combined with stark, simple leaves, will add an interesting accent to your garden. Also make room for swordtails with sabre-like leaves and spikes of multi-coloured flowers, mallows, phlox, lilies and narcissi.
If you’re looking for a way to screen a fence, consider planting climbing plants that will not only serve as a screen but also enliven your garden. Grapevines, pumpkins, hops, clematis and sweet peas will work best as ground covers. You can plant them not only along the fence but also on the terrace or pergola.
Decorate the rest and relaxation area with plants that give off strong scents. These can include roses, meadowsweet, jasmine, lily of the valley, and peonies. Flowerbeds are best arranged between benches and shrubs and along paths plant narcissus, lavender, phlox and lilies. When choosing aromatic plants follow your own taste. Their scent should not irritate you or give you a headache.
A modern garden is meant for relaxation so there is no room for fruit trees and even less for beds with vegetables. Flowerbeds, if there are any, have a decorative function and not a utilitarian one. The only exception are herbs which are worth planting in a sunny position close to the house. Think mint, lemon balm, basil, and cilantro. You can also add ornamental cabbage and lettuce to your herb beds. Interestingly shaped they will bring an element of liveliness and surprise to your garden.
Main photo: Pankaj Shah/unsplash.com
