Contrast Form, Texture, and Pattern in Landscape Design

Here is an article I wrote for the Washington Garden and Design, the magazine for the Washington State Federation of Garden Clubs.

Contrast Form, Texture, and Pattern in Landscape Design

Contrast is a useful principle to apply in landscape design. Creating a garden with contrasting elements for eye-catching design. Form, texture, patterns are important elements to consider.

Some different plant forms are round, columnar, spreading, spiky, and low-growing. Many other forms and shapes can provide effective contrast.

Plant texture is the surface quality. While leaf texture is a primary consideration, other parts of a plant offer textures too, such as bark, flowers, and seed pods. Plant texture may be smooth, rippled, rough, shiny, dull, and bumpy.

Pattern may be introduced into the landscape with leaf forms and hardscape. The photo of the Acer palmatum dissectum ‘Red Dragon’ and Fuchsia magellanica macrostemma shows different patterns in leaf shape.

The container planting pictured below demonstrates a pleasing variety in texture and pattern with the Dracaena and Jacobaea maritima (Dusty Miller).

Various hardscape techniques can be used to add pattern, such as the floor of the garden structure pictured below.

The photo below, taken at Point Defiance Park in Tacoma, illustrates different plant forms and textures. The Gunnera manicata provides a much different shape than the rounded compact Hakonechloa macra 'Aureola' (Golden Japanese Forest Grass). The Gunnera’s rough texture is also a foil to the rippling cascades of fine golden grass blades.

A pocket garden that demonstrates variations of texture, pattern, and form is pictured below. Plants include Hosta “Gold Standard”, two varieties of Astilbe, Osmunda regalis (Royal Fern), Matteuccia struthiopteris (Ostrich fern), and Athyrium niponicum (Japanese Painted Fern). The foliage of ferns and Astilbe introduce pattern into this garden bed.

To incorporate contrast in the landscape, you might select three plants that create a pleasing combination. Consider repeating this combination in your landscape area for a harmonious effect. Odd numbers are most effective, as a viewer will subconsciously make a division between even numbers of plants. Repetition can provide rhythm by drawing the viewer’s eye through the landscape. Other plants, hardscape, and garden art can be added to enhance the garden.

One final consideration is leaf size. Strive to include one plant with large leaves for every two plants. Large simple leaves will give the garden visitor’s eyes a place to rest. Variegated, lobed, or serrated leaves may detract from the pleasing effect of large leaves. Many large-leafed plants thrive in shade or part shade. It may be challenging to find big-leaf plants for the sunny garden bed. Consider tropical plants like Canna or Musa basjoo (Hardy Banana). Another option is a large-leafed edible, such as Rheum rhabarbarum (rhubarb) or Cucurbita (squash, gourds, and pumpkins).

Fall is an appropriate time to assess your landscape. Soil and weather conditions are great for planting, so you can make immediate improvements to your landscape design.