Experts share advice for achieving this minimalist garden style in your own yard.
Heres what to know about modern landscape design and how to create the look yourself.
You see a lot of repeating the pattern or shape or size or color within the modern design.
Credit:David Tsay
And things tend to be asymmetrical or symmetrical for balance, says Chris Johannsen of CREATIVEscapes.
Johannsen is seeing more brown hues added to modern design.
Along with a limited color palette, landscape architects are thoughtful about the hardscape textures present in the garden.
Credit:Edmund Barr
Johannsen and Krent Wieland of KWD Landscape Architecture say that porcelain has become increasingly popular in modern landscape design.
Porcelain is the most impervious material we work with, says Wieland.
Now, many of his clients want fewer plants with a higherfocus on hardscaping.
He uses around a dozen species, focusing on creating a space rather than filling up a space.
As an example, he plants manicured trees with long trunks and agave plants accenting below.
The bare trunks function as negative space in the landscape.
Its more of an architectural style.
The landscape becomes more tightly related to the hardscape elements.
The pendulum has swung to less is more.
Instead of filling spaces with landscape, were creating spaces with landscape.
For example,purple alliumscan add colorful intrigue at one time in the season.
When the alliums arent in bloom,white or yellow daffodilscan blossom to showcase a different color.
One color at a time makes the garden feel more modern.
Horn likes to mimic hardscape coloring with her plant material.
For instance, she recently paired purple muhly grass with Corten steel edging, which has a similar aesthetic.
Geometric Shapes
Modern landscape design has a linear, geometric look.
Choosing shapes is crucial to keeping the garden uniform, manicured, and modern.
She paired round spherical hedges with columnar hedges in one of her recent designs.
One of the most recent [projects] weve done featured an assortment of different sizesphered boxwoodsand other hedges.
So therere a lot of round balls everywhere of different sizes, said Opton.
Lots of hedges, things that are framed with a hedge and then something in between.
If your look is softer and more rounded, go for circular choices in accessories.
Staying with the architectural design for the furnishings and finishing touches will create a calm and peaceful aesthetic.
Edmund Barr
Modern Landscape DesignTips
To create a modern landscape design, you need a less-is-more attitude.
However, Wieland cautions homeowners not to let their designs become monotonous.
Wieland says you’ve got the option to be modern while also having charm.
He tries to work with clients to make the space clean yet intriguing.
Horn agrees that modern landscape design doesnt mean boring.
This means the design has fewer elements, but each is intentionally included.
Every decision, every selection, carries a lot of weight; its really important, she says.
So theres a maximal impact with a minimum of material.
Its about fewer distractions.
double-check they grow well in your area.
Keep the colors subdued rather than brightusing one base color plus one or two colors as accents is sufficient.
Look for opportunities to add texture.
Popular choices include succulents, ornamental grasses, and trees with unique shapes and clean lines.
Stay away from most metallic elements.
Wood and stone for furniture or structures are much more contemporary choices.
Lighting enhances the design and can add drama after dark.
Use lighting to highlight a water feature, focal point, or path.
Contemporary modern LED lighting is long-lasting and energy-efficient.
