6 Important Garden Design Principles to Know
Learn the garden design principles that make some spaces feel magical. Discover how garden rooms, enclosure, and atmosphere shape unforgettable gardens.
Before a single plant goes in the ground, there are decisions to make. This is where I work through the design thinking behind Garden Moxie — the principles borrowed from landscape architects, historic garden makers, and hard-won experience. If you want to understand why some gardens feel magical, start here.
Learn the garden design principles that make some spaces feel magical. Discover how garden rooms, enclosure, and atmosphere shape unforgettable gardens.
Designing a garden from scratch can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. In my latest post, I’m sharing the process I’m using to create my new Kentucky garden—from studying historic garden design principles to choosing the right plants for the right place. Whether you’re starting with a blank slate or reimagining an existing space, these timeless design elements will help you create a garden that’s both beautiful and sustainable.
The arts and crafts movement, born in the late 19th century, was a rebellion against the soulless churn of industrial mass production. It championed handmade craftsmanship, natural materials, and designs that felt authentic and grounded. Arts and crafts garden design is relevant to today’s gardens.
Discover how a 1947 garden article inspired me to grow vintage blue flowers from seed. Follow my Michigan basement gardening adventure with Desert Bells, Baby Blue Eyes, Blue Woodruff, and more classic blue beauties recommended by Vita Sackville-West.
Discover the secret to stunning garden design that professional landscapers use. Learn why creating strong “bones” with hardscaping and trees—not flowers—is the key to beautiful gardens that look amazing all year round. Transform your outdoor space with these essential garden design principles.
Over the past year, I have read historic garden design books and visited beautiful gardens to figure out what makes a garden extraordinary.