Growing Texture

What nature provided the garden in the beginning other than the forest trees was a good number of ferns and even more herbaceous perennials with simple leaves. The garden to be had little leaf syndrome, a bland, monotonous condition and it was all in a fairly uniform green.

A good garden is not just about the flowers. Contrasting textures, be it in growth habit, leaf shape, size and color can make a garden keep singing when the flowers are turned off.

As I went about making the garden, texture was always on my mind.

My efforts are starting to show. Grasses are very good at breaking up little leaf syndrome. Spiky foliage in general has been a good choice to add to the Tall Flower Meadow to give it more movement. Rhythm is created by the repetition of that spiky foliage.

Bits of the evergreen, winter under garden add more texture while they are still visible.

Stone is another texture and the contrast between mowed and let go makes for strong visuals in the garden.

The Tall Flower Meadow is a late season affair for the most part. I have been adding more early and mid season bloomers, but it is mainly green for a long portion of the time of vegetation. Texture is what I use to make this exuberance say garden.