Modern gardens have a very clean, serene look about them which appeals to the minimalist in all of us at the end of a hectic day. Their lines are similar to those used in formal gardens; they are based on geometrical shapes with straight or angular lines rather than soft curves. Bold colors are used as accents. Their focus is more on the “hard goods” such as retaining walls, patios, outdoor furniture, and sculptures. Materials such as glazed tile, metal, stone, and concrete are commonly used.
The plant palette is very limited in modern gardens. Since the plants are considered an extension of the architecture of the house, long hedges, large groupings of a single kind of plant, and architecturally valuable specimen plants are used to create a sense of harmony with the hardscape.
Modern Garden Design Elements
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| Bold color used as an accent |
Limited palette of ornamental grasses planted in a straight line |
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