8 Ways a Garden Can Draw You In

Advised to "put the map away and let the garden guide you" before entering Hidcote Manor Garden, one of England's most influential gardens. Given the scale, not insignificant — made the experience eye-opening. Great gardens have flow, pulling you through as if the designer tours you without being there.

Margie Grace - Grace Design Associates

This doesn't happen by coincidence. Effective designs employ methods keeping visitors engaged. They play off senses, create mystery and intrigue. Iconic gardens offer lessons for compelling gardens of any size.

Features making unforgettable garden experiences:

1. A Defined Entry

Entrance is an important feature — opportunity for dramatic effect setting tone. Think contrast: more the better. Doesn't need grandeur; simple transition from shaded to well-lit open space signals garden entry.

Matt Kilburn

2. Cutout Windows in Hedging and Walls

Like an entrance focusing view to a vignette, cutouts in hedging/walls frame features and create interest. Peek into another garden area or "borrowed" view beyond boundary — great way to engage visitors.

Matt Kilburn

3. Paths That Hint at a Destination

Garden paths should always lead somewhere — obvious but overlooked. Another garden area or landscape feature tucked in framework — destination crucial. Hinting at interest at path's end pulls visitors to far reaches, showcases garden art or favorite furniture.

Lankford Associates Landscape Architects

4. Changes in Path Materials

Path size/materials greatly enhance experience. Larger, defined paths = quicker movement, opportunity to look up at distant features. Smaller, irregular paths (flagstone, uneven brickwork) = slower pace, eyes down, attention to immediate details. Changing material/scale signals transition to new garden room.

Studio William Hefner

5. Hidden Water Features

Water sound always welcome — covers unwanted noise, imparts calm (rushing stream or gurgling pot). More intriguing when heard before seen. Sound acts as beacon, compelling visitor to find source. Locate where heard in front and back garden — sound connects areas.

Matt Kilburn

6. Foliage Color That Draws Attention

Color is a powerful design tool. Plants with foliage contrasting surroundings draw eye to desired area. Garden art in sea of color (statue fronting bright chartreuse ferns) comes alive; seasonal foliage changes create different effects.

Landscape Design Associates of Westchester, Inc.

7. Green Boundaries

Successful gardens fit seamlessly into landscape — often aided by softening boundaries to draw eye back in. Screen hard fence/wall edges with green foliage masses. Berm soil near property boundary (shown) for perennials/trees rising above main grade, obscuring fencing. Smaller spaces: vines/green walls create same effect in smaller footprint.

Grant and Power Landscaping

8. Alluring Landscape Lighting

Amazing shift at sunset: daytime center-stage features recede; new atmosphere via creative lighting. Uplight trees, define paths with lights leading visitors through, enjoyable outdoors and from indoors. Incorporate into water features for movement (and prevent pond stepping!).