Examples of Contemporary Landscaping

Water Features

• Water is an important component in many contemporary landscape designs, especially when it has an element of surprise. Instead of re-creating natural streams and waterfalls, water becomes art as it stands seemingly motionless in an angular concrete-walled pool or flows over a large, upright sheet of glass into a metal reservoir. The soft trickling sounds that accompany contemporary water features provide a touch of serenity to rigid architecture.

Hardscapes

• Hardscapes are nonliving materials in the garden such as sculptures, sitting walls, patios and fire pits. They take subtle cues from nature without imitating it. To understand the shape and scope of hardscapes in contemporary landscaping, find an image of a natural element such as a flower and zoom in until you only see one or two lines of a flower petal section. The slow, gentle curve of the petal duplicated in a metal sculpture for the yard is a nod toward the flower without re-creating it. Concrete formed into a square or rectangular fire pit is softened by dancing flames inside. Heavy, raw timber posts support a contemporary glass or shiny copper tabletop on a patio. Careful pairing of the natural with the contemporary gives this look its balance. Choose unobtrusive recessed lighting and spotlights to brighten a patio and illuminate hardscapes in the yard.

Plant Materials

• Low-maintenance, unfussy plants are best in contemporary landscaping. Instead of dainty flowers trailing over a stone wall, opt for slow-growing succulents, palms, groundcovers and evergreen trees. If your heart is set on deciduous trees, keep in mind the leaves on the ground in autumn and consider how bare branches will blend or contrast with the landscape in winter. Contemporary landscaping is more about art than nature. If you must have flowers, choose a select few for their impressive beauty and plant them in containers instead of filling numerous flower beds with fussy blooms. Plant small areas of lush grass with a defined border instead of striving for a traditional, sprawling lawn. Alternatively, skip the lawn and cover the soil with flat stones, pebbles and raised wooden paths. Cover plant beds with a weed barrier to help reduce maintenance, and cover it with pebbles or gravel instead of mulch.

Tidiness

• The serenity of contemporary landscaping is in its clean, uncluttered appearance. There is no room for wilted flowers, untended shrubs, overgrown grass or weeds in the plant beds. Likewise, mossy or grimy concrete is unwelcome. Because contemporary landscapes are designed for less maintenance than traditional landscapes, regular upkeep should not be overwhelming. It is, however, critical. Rambling, wild gardens surrounding country cottages gain some charm from a little neglect. Neglected contemporary landscapes look dirty and faded.