Contemporary garden

Contemporary gardens


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Designing a contemporary and modern garden


The main characteristic of a contemporary, or modern style garden, is simplicity. Less is definitely more in a contemporary garden space. Designing a garden, at its most basic level, is solving logistical problems with the style of garden largely being dictated by the house and area in which it sits. If you own a modern property, or have a new extension, it will be more likely lend itself to a contemporary garden design.

Top tips for a contemporary garden


The modern trend for French doors opening directly from the back of the house into the garden creates an opportunity for everything to flow seamlessly together by using the same shapes, colour or type of stone indoors and out. Rendered, painted walls in a similar shade to that inside will ensure a harmonious, restful look. White and green is a good base as a colour scheme. For example using pale limestone paving and gravel to create paths and seating areas. Every architectural style can be mimicked in some way in the garden, for example in the colour of the stone, cement or brick. The choice of containers, and furniture should be an extension of that style, as can the plants.
A modern property will suit a minimalist style of planting design, with just a few, carefully chosen architectural specimen shrubs or trees. Using repeat patterns in the planting will hold the garden together. A row of small trees, topiary box and shrubs or ornaments placed at regular intervals will give an ordered, timeless feel to the space. Palms, bamboos, hardy succulents, evergreen grasses, and bold, architectural plants will provide a long-season of interest for minimal effort.

Where to get ideas for contemporary garden design


Barbara Hepworth's Sculptural Garden is a garden to stimulate the senses in every way. Located near St Ives in Cornwall visiting this garden with the magical sculpture and bold planting schemes is a special day out.

Bury Court near Bentley in Hampshire consists of two separate gardens created by Piet Oudolf and Christopher Bradley-Hole. Oudolf has an exuberant style of planting with sustainable perennials while Bradley-Hole has a more formal architectural approach.

Denmans near Arundel in West Sussex is the English garden of the late garden designer John Brookes. Denmans is now owned by the John Brookes-Denmans Foundation and shows John Book's eclectic style, combining straight lines alongside more informal, natural planting schemes. A contemporary classic style of garden design.