When we think of gardens, our minds quickly bring up images of neat, trimmed hedges, clean-cut lawns and perfectly shaped flower beds. But have you ever felt as if it was too boring or even too stuffy for your tastes? Perhaps you’re looking for something closer to how it really is out in the fields or meadows? In this case, you might want to try your hand at creating and maintaining a natural garden.

 

Natural gardens turn your backyard into a wild patch of countryside with soft, waving grasses accented by bursts of color, care of wildflowers. While it does look like a wild patch of land, it actually takes some attention to keep a natural garden looking more like a stress-free paradise . Without care, a natural garden can easily be overrun by weeds and brambles.

With that in mind, let’s talk about how to put together your natural garden. First of all, go out and explore whatever is nearby: take photos and notes for your reference and use what you have to assemble the ideal look you want your garden to have.

Afterwards, it’s time to round up the essential plants to create your carefree yard. To make your garden look absolutely natural, you need to work with what’s already in your home. If your backyard looks more like woodland rather than a meadow, it might be a better idea to work with the trees in mind. The key to the breezy, carefree look, though, is to make the most out of ornamental grasses and flowers that move with the wind. 

While these gardens should look like a scene out of the nearby countryside, it pays to remember that you will always have control over the space. While it’s good to avoid straight lines as you design, it helps to create a little structure to remind you and your guests that your mini-meadow was man-made. Aside from adding a gazebo, why not go with the laid-back feel of the garden and install a porch swing in an open clearing, shaded by a pergola? Adding a gathering place allows you and your family to lay back and lose yourselves in a little countryside paradise. 

What do you think of natural gardens? We’d love to hear your thoughts on your fifth room.