If you are working on your landscaping and want to add interest and depth one of the best ways to do this is using multiple plants. Multiple plants can be used in many different ways including the following schemes and ideas:
- Tone on Tone: Some of the most elegant gardens in the world are single coloured gardens, many of them simply green. What brings these gardens to life is the use of interesting configurations such as winding pathways, retaining walls, the use of trellises and then of course multiple species of plants. Using a combination of hedges, trees and plants allows you to create depth, height and texture. Topiaries are an excellent way to add more expression and creativity to the elegant tone on tone garden as are a selection of elegant large scale urns. Placement of benches beneath trees, fountains in the middle of circular hedge structures and interesting paved paths and platforms all work together to enhance the tone on tone scheme.
- Varying Heights: Choosing plants of varying heights is another way to use multiple plants. Tall trees, mid size bushes, ground cover and various heights of flowers and greenery all work together to make the garden appear multi levelled with interesting tiers and layers.
- Bursts of Color: Looking for multiple patches of color patterns allows you to group flowers of like colors together using height, depth and texture to create interest and impact. This works particularly well with contrasting colors but is not limited to this treatment. You can create tonal sections, create visual intrigue with patterns and shapes and even write words a common tactic to welcome people to special towns, sites and even businesses.
- Shade and Light: When you use multiple plants you have to consider shade and light and which plants work in which areas of your garden. As well shade and light will vary the appearance of plants, casting shadows, deepening some colors and brightening others. You can also create shade using larger trees and bushes, adding hedges and developing structures such as trellises, gazebos and pergolas.
- Variegation: Variegated leaves are also another excellent way to use multiple plants. Most people get caught up in the different kinds of flowers but variegated leaves offer a lovely sense of texture and color that can work particularly well as backdrops or as smaller plantings along pathways.
As you can see there are many ways to use multiple plants for great landscape design.
