The Expert Guide To Naturalistic Planting
Naturalistic planting, when done well, is an artistic representation and invocation of wilder spaces – creating areas of planting suggestive of meadow, woodland, prairie or riverbank.
It is, therefore, a style of gardening that mimics the look of natural landscapes. Although it is based on the principles of ecology and sustainability, and it will often include plants within the overall palette that are native to your local area, it is not simply a re-creation of lost landscapes. Naturalistic (or biophilic) planting can therefore be incorporated into a variety of garden styles, from formal to informal, and into any size of garden.
Why naturalistic gardens are more sustainable
There are many benefits to using naturalistic planting in your garden. Such gardens are low-maintenance, as they require less watering, weeding, and fertilising than traditional gardens. They are also more sustainable where they use plants adapted to the local climate.
Naturalistic plantings are most often designed to be beneficial for wildlife, as they provide food and shelter for birds, butterflies, and other animals - as well as for the aesthetic beauty of remembered wild places that they offer to the people who visit the garden.
Successful biophilic planting, therefore, requires the artful selection of a suitable palette of plants that will co-exist and will give long periods of interest - both floral and textural. The palette of plants should also bring to mind the intended wild space (even if that space is imagined as opposed to being based in reality). The selection of plants should also be sufficiently diverse, in its choices of different plant species and cultivars, to create complexity for biodiversity to thrive and for long periods visual of interest.
An ever-evolving garden that develops over time
An important point for the prospective garden owner seeking to incorporate such a planting though is that it must be accepted that the planting will change and develop over time. Plants will move (simply requiring gentle editing to stop certain plants taking over the entirety of a space), and others may well fall prey to slugs or snails, or simply reach the end of their lifespan (meaning that the movement of other plants should be encouraged in the right place to prevent large gaps from forming). You just need a different mindset to traditional horticultural practices, which seek to keep everything static before cutting it to the ground in autumn, to be successful. Indeed, revealing bare soil mimics the disturbance of a habitat and therefore encourages weeds to set and grow - increasing the gardener’s workload. A well-designed and carefully managed naturalistic planting is therefore a much more relaxed space that is, as a result, easier to look after.
The fundamental beauty of naturalistic plantings derives from their layering of plants, forms, colours, shapes and sizes; their encouragement of a rich variety of wildlife – from invertebrates to mammals; and their visual interest, especially when contrasted with geometric forms elsewhere in the garden.
Biophilic planting is therefore not a formula to be followed but a philosophy, and one that starts with seeing your garden as a place that provides habitat variety for people and wildlife to coexist.
Our top 6 tips for creating a successful naturalistic garden
Choose the right plants: When choosing plants, it is important to select the right plants for the right place - plants that are adapted to your local climate and soil conditions will be more likely to thrive in your garden.
Plant in drifts: Planting naturalistically is characterised by drifts or large groups of plants to create a more natural look and feel.
Space plants appropriately: When planting it is still important to space the plants appropriately, allowing them enough room to grow and spread, whilst being slightly closer together than they would be traditionally.
Weed occasionally: Naturalistic gardens do not require as much weeding as traditional gardens, but you may need to weed them occasionally to keep perennial weeds from invading.
Mulch: Mulching around your plants will help to suppress weeds, retain moisture, and improve the overall health of your garden, especially when your new plants are establishing.
Enjoy your garden! Naturalistic gardens are a beautiful and low-maintenance way to add colour and interest to your outdoor space.