The Art of Texture: Why It’s Vital in Your Garden

Claudia Parrott
November 9, 2023

When envisioning a dream garden, one might think of images of vibrant blooms and verdant foliage. Yet, there’s another element that’s equally important but far subtler: texture. It’s the subtle play between light and shadow, the contrast of leaf against leaf that creates the rich tapestry we love in our outdoor spaces.

While blooms and foliage color capture the headlines, texture ensures the garden has depth and interest throughout the seasons.

The Role of Texture

When we talk about plant texture in gardening and landscaping, we’re referring to the overall visual and tactile quality of the plant parts, and this includes both leaves and flowers, along with stems and even bark on trees and shrubs.

Leaves often play a huge role because they’re usually abundant and visible throughout the plant’s life cycle, not just during the blooming season. They can be smooth, glossy, furry, or even spiky. The size of the leaves also contributes to texture—think of the fine, feathery leaves of a fern compared to the broad, waxy leaves of a magnolia.

Flowers add to the texture with their own unique forms and surfaces. For instance, the ruffled petals of a peony provide a different texture compared to the sleek surface of a tulip petal. When flowers bloom, they can change the texture of the plant dramatically, adding a new layer of visual interest.

Why Texture Matters

Texture in garden design matters for several reasons, much like it does in any form of art or design.

Visual Interest: Different textures add depth and contrast. Imagine a garden where every plant has the same smooth, green leaf. It might look nice but can also be a bit monotonous. Now, add in some fuzzy lamb’s ear, the spiky fronds of an ornamental grass, and the delicate, lace-like leaves of a fern. Suddenly, the garden has layers and richness—it’s more inviting to the eye.
Seasonal Dynamics: Textures can change throughout the seasons, offering a dynamic display. The plump, full blooms of summer can give way to the stark, sculptural forms of plants in winter. This seasonal evolution keeps the garden interesting all year round.
Movement: Plants with different textures respond differently to light and wind. A breeze might make grasses sway and shimmer, while sturdier leaves on a shrub might barely move. This creates a dance of shadows and movement that brings the garden to life.
Sensory Experience: A garden isn’t just about looks. It’s also about touch. The softness of moss, the roughness of tree bark, the smoothness of a polished leaf—these textures invite you to interact with the garden, to be a part of it.
Balance and Contrast: In design, contrast creates balance. A garden with both coarse and fine textures can feel balanced and harmonious. It’s the same principle as mixing materials in interior design—wood with metal, glass with fabric—to create a space that’s pleasing to the senses.
Highlighting Focal Points: Textural plants can draw attention to certain areas of the garden. For example, a plant with large, bold leaves can be a focal point. Surrounding it with finer-textured plants will make the focal point stand out even more.
Psychological Effect: The texture can influence the mood of a garden. Soft, fine textures can be soothing and create a sense of tranquility, while bold, rough textures might energize a space and draw you in.

Check if you Have Enough Texture

A hack is to take a picture of your garden and turn the photo black and white. If different plants appear to merge into one another, it’s an indication that you might need to introduce more varied textures to your garden.

Design Strategies to Improve your Garden Texture

Adding texture to your garden is like adding spices to a dish—it enhances the overall experience. Here are some design strategies to effectively incorporate texture:

Contrast is Key: Place plants with contrasting textures next to each other. Smooth leaves against finely dissected foliage, or rigid, architectural plants beside soft, billowy ones create visual interest and highlight the unique qualities of each texture.
Layering: Just like in fashion, layering in gardening can create a rich tapestry of textures. Start with a background of fine textures and layer in medium and bold textures in the foreground to create depth.
Repetition: While contrast is important, so is repetition. Repeating similar textures throughout the garden can create a rhythm that leads the eye from one area to another, providing a cohesive look.
Balance with Color: Sometimes, texture can be overshadowed by color. Use foliage with different textures in similar hues to let the texture, rather than the color, take the stage.
Seasonal Considerations: Choose plants that offer textural interest in different seasons for year-round appeal. Deciduous plants, evergreens, and ornamental grasses can provide a variety of textures at any time of the year.
Mix Up Plant Shapes: The shape of a plant contributes to its texture. Upright, spiky plants provide a different texture than round, bushy plants. Use a variety of shapes to enhance the textural design.
Include a Range of Foliage Sizes: Large-leaved plants make fine-leaved plants stand out more, and vice versa. The difference in foliage size is a textural contrast in itself.

Conclusion

Texture is a vital component of garden design. It may be less immediately striking than a splash of color, but it is the backbone of a garden’s character. Through thoughtful selection and placement of plants and materials, gardeners can craft a space that not only looks good but feels alive. The interplay of textures can turn a collection of plants into a cohesive, engaging garden that invites exploration and enjoyment throughout the seasons.