Embrace the Wild Beauty of a Naturalistic Garden

One of my main goals as a landscape designer is to bring some of the untamed beauty of natural ecosystems into the smaller, more structured context of a residential garden. An essential early step in my process is to observe and understand a garden’s environmental setting, carefully noting details that could imbue the design with a genuine sense of place. I develop a limited, site-appropriate plant palette that will evoke a balanced, authentic sense of harmony.

| At a glance |

Location: Bainbridge Island, Washington

Zone: 8b

Size: .48 acres

Conditions: Full sun to partial shade; rocky, well-drained soil

1. Beach on Puget Sound

2. Full-sun front garden

3. Patio dining table

4. Tree swing

5. Shared driveway

6. Shaded side entrance

7. Courtyard fire feature

8. Back garden

9. Mixed hedging along property line

This was my approach when I moved into my home with its existing garden 14 years ago, but with the luxury of time that is often not available when working with clients. Through the seasons, I was able to observe the changing light and soft breezes that are key players in this waterfront location, as well as the intense summer sun and winter’s strong winds, heavy rain, and salt spray. Fast-draining, rocky soil is another challenging factor. Over time, I preserved the plants that performed well in these conditions with little care, while letting go of the lawn and any lackluster or needy plants that didn’t thrive. The look of the garden has grown more relaxed and organic as the plant choices have become more tailored to the site. Here are some ideas for balancing order with wildness that I’ve gleaned from the process of developing my own garden retreat.

Keeping sight lines open maximizes the unique potential of this waterfront setting. The patio and front porch are ideal spots to watch sunsets over Puget Sound with drifts of colorful, low-growing perennials and backlit grasses in the foreground.

WELL-ADAPTED PLANTS MINIMIZE MAINTENANCE AND STRENGTHEN A SENSE OF PLACE

In the early days of garden renovation, I kept the larger trees and shrubs that framed the space, enhanced its privacy, and contributed to its informal design aesthetic. Rather than adding a variety of different plants, I focused on expanding and repeating plantings that already worked. Over time, prioritizing plants with relaxed forms has reduced maintenance and created a more organic, naturalistic look.

Strategically placed focal points serve as garden signposts. Features like this large ceramic jar make the relaxed layout feel more intentional and inviting. Pathways winding through the front beds took the place of a traditional lawn that never did well in this exposed location.

I increased the plant palette minimally to enhance the restful and authentic feeling of the waterside setting. I favored ornamental grasses like ‘Blonde Ambition’ blue grama grass (Bouteloua gracilis ‘Blonde Ambition’, Zones 4–9) and ‘Moorhexe’ purple moor grass (Molinia caerulea ‘Moorhexe’, Zones 5–8), which have seed heads that glow when backlit by the golden evening sun and move softly in the breeze against the water backdrop (photo below).

Low-angle sunlight accentuates soft textures. ‘Blonde Ambition’ blue grama grass, ‘Firefly’ heather, and ‘Walker’s Low’ catmint all provide months of captivating color and interest without ever getting too tall. A low hedge separates the garden from the road without obscuring water views, and taller plants are mostly kept to the side boundaries of the property.

When choosing flowering ground covers, perennials, and shrubs, I considered seasonality and went with long and profuse bloomers that support pollinators. There’s enough variety to encourage biodiversity, and enough repetition to have a calming effect. Chilean lobelia (Lobelia tupa, Zones 7–10) and ‘Walker’s Low’ catmint (Nepeta × faassenii ‘Walker’s Low’, Zones 4–8) offer a long bloom cycle. Evergreens like daisy bush (Brachyglottis greyi, Zones 8–10) and ‘Firefly’ heather (Calluna vulgaris* ‘Firefly’, Zones 4–8; See invasive alert for this plant) anchor the beds with continuous color through the seasons.

Color comes in waves throughout the growing season. Long-blooming ‘Walker’s Low’ catmint (above) offers a steady dose of cool lavender that contrasts beautifully with the warmer hues of ‘Firefly’ heather, ‘Goldsturm’ black-eyed Susan, and other summer stars.

Allowing some self-sowers to spread adds an element of improvisation that relaxes the layout. Mexican daisy (Erigeron karvinskianus, Zones 6–9) edges the patio and sows itself in a few new locations each year. Judicious editing of volunteers maintains balance yet allows spontaneity. Choosing plants that can be left undisturbed in winter enhances the wild feel of the garden, especially if some selections provide food or habitat for insects and wildlife. I’ve included plenty of perennials like ‘Goldsturm’ black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia fulgida var. sullivantii ‘Goldsturm’, Zones 3–9) and Jerusalem sage (Phlomis russeliana, Zones 5–9), which have striking seed heads that birds feast on in fall and winter.

Certain selections delight wildlife and humans alike. Who would not feel their heart lift at the sight of afternoon sun blazing across the petals of ’Goldsturm’ black-eyed Susan? The seed heads of this stalwart garden staple also provide months of fall and winter forage for the birds.

As time has passed, I’ve considered my choices and eliminated anything that required too much care to thrive, or that looked out of place living near the water in the Pacific Northwest. Any new plants I add must enhance the site’s attributes, adapt effortlessly to the existing conditions, and look at home in a relaxed environment.

SIMPLIFY COLORS AND SHAPES TO ACHIEVE AN EASYGOING, ORGANIC LOOK YEAR-ROUND

Sometimes less is more, and simplifying plant variety, colors, and forms can result in more cohesion. In addition to selecting site-appropriate plants, focusing on plant form and foliage makes it easier to narrow down a plant list. Prioritizing color shifts through the seasons, and leveraging plants that offer a variety of attributes other than just blooms makes a more dynamic design. In this garden, I have favored softer color transitions over high-contrast combinations, and I look for harmony and echoes in leaves, stems, bark, and blossoms. ‘Firefly’ heather has foliage that changes through the year with chartreuse and peach in summer and brick red in winter. ‘Caradonna’ meadow sage (Salvia nemorosa ‘Caradonna’, Zones 4–9) offers deep violet blooms on black stems in summer, and a hedge of yellow willow (Salix lutea, Zones 4–9) adds brilliantly colored twigs in winter. The seed heads of ‘Blonde Ambition’ blue grama grass also offer interest in winter and are foraged by birds.

Masses of red-flowered Chilean lobelia adore the hot, dry summer conditions of this site, bringing in swarms of hummingbirds over a long bloom period in midsummer.

Massed forms can be more impactful than individual specimens, so I organized groups of plants in loose waves and tiers. Layering and repetition mimics how a landscape typically evolves in a natural setting and is visually calming. Alternating evergreens with drifts of herbaceous or deciduous plants creates continuity through the year, with some seasonal interest that shifts and changes. Intersecting the layers and lines keeps the layout soft and natural.

Shade and privacy enfold the side entryway. On the north side of the house, a mature tree shelters shade plantings that echo the relaxed feel of the front garden with a stylized woodland vibe

Prioritizing plants that look best with relaxed forms helps reduce maintenance and create a pleasant, more organic look. In most parts of the garden, including the shaded north entrance, the majority of perennials and shrubs need to be fairly low to protect the water view, with just a few larger trees retained for privacy and framing (photo below). Choosing screening plants that mature to just the right height, like daisy bush, reduces upkeep and allows their natural forms to flourish.

Some larger trees have been kept to maintain privacy. Because the lots are deep and narrow in this neighborhood, mature trees and shrubs are particularly useful for screening along the side property lines between residences.

ACHIEVING HARMONY AND BALANCE SOMETIMES MEANS LETTING GO

By design, gardens are sanctuaries, places to unwind, reflect, and be in the present moment. These green havens provide a spot close to home for us to connect to the natural world, cultivating a reverence for it and the seasonal cycles. Gardens also give us the opportunity to express creativity through a dynamic and ever-changing living medium. Whether you are anticipating spring renewal, enjoying the bounty of high summer, celebrating autumn’s fireworks, or daydreaming about new ideas during winter dormancy, there are always things to study and imagine in a garden. This practice of careful and loving observation helps develop a wealth of knowledge, empowering you to maximize your landscape’s attributes in the choices you make both in plants and overall site planning.

At the end of the day, it’s about choosing harmony over drama. Letting go of plants that don’t pull their weight in favor of the ones that bring you joy will go a long way toward creating a space where you can truly relax and feel at home. Daisy bush, a silvery evergreen New Zealand native, has proven to be a four-season standout perfectly adapted to thrive through this garden’s hot, dry summers and windy winters.

All gardens require ongoing editing, care, and nurturing, which is part of the joy of gardening. Some routine tasks are disruptive to the natural cycles and can create more work for the gardener. Site-appropriate choices that evolve out of a deeper understanding of your landscape and a more relaxed design aesthetic can create a space that requires less maintenance. Understanding that a garden is an ever-changing performance, rather than a static backdrop, helps you to let go and enjoy the exciting changes through the seasons.

| Design Ideas |

Tips for getting your garden back to nature

A design that evokes the beauty of wild places and makes the most of unique site attributes will imbue the landscape with a sense of place. Here are a few ideas for bringing tranquility to your own garden sanctuary.

Create seating areas based on when they will be used. In this garden, seating options are designed to be convenient and inviting in the evening hours, when the garden becomes an after-work retreat.

Leverage unique aspects of your location. Late-afternoon backlighting and gentle breezes make ornamental grasses a fantastic choice in my garden as they glow in the evening sun and add movement to the landscape.

Choose plants wisely. You may love all plants, but not all plants will love your garden. Learn your site conditions, and select species that will thrive. Massing and repeating plants that perform effortlessly creates an organic feel and is visually peaceful.

Let go of perfection. Gardens are natural spaces. When it comes to care, sometimes less is more. Accepting change through the seasons and allowing transformations to occur can create a dynamic performance.

*Invasive alert: Scotch heather (Calluna vulgaris) is considered invasive in NC, MA, and RI.

Tish Treherne is the owner and designer at Bliss Gardens on Bainbridge Island, Washington.

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