Plants for Garden Styles: Northwest
The northwest garden style includes many different aspects including asymmetry, year-round interest, and using native plants and a mix of woody and perennial plants. Asymmetrical landscape designs have a more natural, casual feel which is why they fit in so nicely in the northwest landscape. Having a mix of woody and perennial plants along with using native plants also helps create a more dynamic and sustainable landscape. Year-round interest is also important for the northwest garden as we experience all 4 seasons and we want the most from our gardens as we go through the year. By combining these 4 aspects, you can create a beautiful northwest garden that is sure to delight all year around.
Asymmetry Tips:
- Determine a central focal point to base your axis off of. Front doorways or a big shade tree in the back yard are good options for a focal point.
- If you have a pathway with planting beds on either side, you could plant a large shade tree on one side and in the other, plant a couple of smaller trees and mix in some lower growing shrubs to balance it out.
- Pathways can be used to lead the eye in a specific direction or to a focal point.
- You can use the texture of plants to create balance and unity.
- Below is a great example of pairing textures and colors together using Astilbe and Hakonechloa.
Native Plant Tips:
- Using native plants helps you create a garden that can be sustained naturally and responsibly without the use of synthetic fertilizers, chemicals, or pesticides.
- Many native plants will also be easy to care for and after they are well established; your water usage may go down.
- Here’s just a small sampling of some of our favorite northwest native plants:
Mixing Woody and Perennial Plants Tips:
- To make sure you don’t end up with a static display in your northwest garden, mix and layer woody and perennial plants together in your planting beds and container gardens.
- When using native plants to the northwest, you are more than likely already doing this! Go you!
Year-Round Interest Tips:
- When choosing plants for year-round interest, evergreen plants are a great option or plants that have an interesting feature once their leaves have fallen.
- They should be able to withstand the full range of weather conditions of the northwest.
- You want your plants to be easy to maintain and disease resistant.
- Check out our previous blog post about our 10 favorite all season plants
- Examples of year-round interest plants include (but are certainly not limited to):
What are your favorite plants in your Northwest garden?
Organized under Design Style, Garden Tips & Advice, Gardens, Sustainability. Labeled as Northwest Garden Style.
