Creating a garden that captivates and delights involves more than just plant selection—it’s about how you structure the space to draw the eye, create flow, and give it a sense of purpose. Using design techniques like view lines, focal points, pathways, garden "rooms," and layered planting can transform any garden, making large spaces feel more intimate and small spaces feel expansive.
View Lines
View lines are all about guiding the eye and leading movement through the garden. By carefully framing views, whether to distant scenery, a water feature, or a striking plant, you can encourage exploration and create a sense of depth. For example, a row of tall kangaroo paws (Anigozanthos spp.) or a delicate hedge of native rosemary (Westringia fruticosa) can direct attention toward a focal point while maintaining a native, low-maintenance planting scheme.
Photo: Josephine Ball
Focal Points
A well-chosen focal point gives the garden structure and draws people in. This could be a sculpture, a bird bath, or a particularly impressive feature tree like a flowering gum (Corymbia ficifolia), crepe myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica) or the dramatic grasstTree (Xanthorrhoea spp.). Focal points provide visual rest in the garden and help organize the space by giving the eye something to return to, grounding the design.
Photo: Josephine Ball
Pathways
Paths don’t just lead people through the garden—they shape how the space is experienced. Curving paths made of natural materials like gravel or stepping stones can create a feeling of mystery and discovery, while straight, well-defined paths lend structure and formality. Planting alongside the pathway with species like flax lily (Dianella spp.), one of the many lomandra varieties or a sterile liriope muscari variety such as 'Just Right' or 'Isabella' can soften the edges while reinforcing the garden’s style.
Garden Rooms
Dividing a garden into “rooms” is a great way to create interest and make a large space feel more intimate. Each room can have its own character and function, whether it’s a peaceful retreat, a play area, or a productive zone for growing vegetables. This approach also works wonders in smaller spaces, giving the illusion of greater size by creating distinct areas. For example, a quiet nook under the dappled shade of a mature tree can feel worlds away from a sun-drenched zone filled with hardy natives or lawn.
Layered Planting
Layered planting is another effective technique for enhancing garden design, creating depth and visual interest. By layering plants of different heights, textures, and colors, you can add a natural flow and structure to your garden, mimicking the way plants grow in nature. Taller trees like water gums (Tristaniopsis laurina) can provide a canopy, while mid-layer shrubs such as Grevilleas add volume and variety. Groundcover plants like creeping boobialla (Myoporum parvifolium) can complete the look, helping to fill gaps and soften transitions between different areas. Layering also makes a space feel fuller and more established, helping to achieve a balanced and harmonious garden design.
Photo: Unknown
By using view lines, focal points, pathways, garden rooms, and layered planting, you can design a garden that feels both dynamic and serene, with layers of interest that unfold as you move through it. Whether you're working with a sprawling property or a compact courtyard, these techniques will help you make the most of the space and create a garden that is as functional as it is beautiful.
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