Modern Garden Design

Modern garden design allows functional elements of landscapes such as walkways, parking areas, and patios to be a part of the landscape as opposed to a typical stand alone element. This is typically seen in contemporary landscapes, which feature very stark geometry and oft abstract ideas. The inorganic predominates in such a yard, with the organic serving to frame or connect significant geometric design elements and outdoor forms. Gardens are minimalist creations, serving a master design plan that promotes human consciousness above the aesthetics of nature and fundamental patterns found therein.

In a contemporary landscape, the modern garden is primarily inorganic in both element and design. Its function is to support manmade structures and home architecture, not showcase natural elements as an aesthetic in their own right. Darker foliage is preferred in these settings because it adds to the sense of stark absolutism inherent in modern landscaping. Boxwoods and mondo grass are typically used in linear plantings than run adjacent to a wall, such as we commonly see in backyard design. Modern garden areas can also be planted inside of hardscapes by removing portions of concrete, blocks, or stone. This has the effect of making nature look contained within modern human paradigms, and forms of nature sculpted to human geometric design.

A modern garden can also function as a perimeter element that adds emphasis to a major contemporary design element. Modern fountains are normally very predominant elements in contemporary landscaping, and adding a circular planting around its base helps strengthen its sense of form. The linear elements of contemporary wall fountains can similarly be magnified with low-profile plantings that emphasize strong lines at the base of the fountain and geometric angles inherent to its design.

Many custom homes feature an eclectic blend of architectural styles and are not purely contemporary or modern styles, per se. A garden here can be more organic and diverse in its design, provided it supports some aspect of the home or yard that requires an added decorative touch. For example, many two-story and three-story custom homes are built with second story patios and rooftop areas that are characterized by a high level of linearity and symmetry. These attributes can be magnified by taking a traditional garden style—such as Italian or Mediterranean—and adapting its form and proportion along more modern lines.

Similarly, more organic lawns will need gardens that add color with flowering plants, and contribute a sense of vibrancy to front and back yards. The degree of color and variety in these gardens will depend entirely upon such factors as the size and proportions of the house, the color of its façade, the materials used to build the home and other outdoor structures, and the number of trees within the yard which by their very presence demand something of a more organic design sensibility as a support element.

Modern garden design ideas such as the ones described in this article can only be developed by licensed landscaping architects who understand the complexities inherent to a very challenging style where organic priorities are almost exclusively determined by inorganic ones, and where garden installation and proportion are predicated on manmade geometry and exterior forms.