Chris Young. Garden Design

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What is concept style?

CHOOSING A STYLE

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These gardens are essentially installations that combine art

and sculpture, using bold materials and plants, lighting, and

structures to stimulate the senses. In some gardens, however,

planting is ignored completely, and man-made hard landscaping

materials make up the whole garden.

In other concept gardens, plants are used along with materials

and are selected for speciﬁc qualities and characteristics —

CONCEPT STYLE IN DETAIL

Ideas are usually derived from several sources to produce different

responses and results—although color and form, reﬂected in

materials or planting combinations, may also relate closely to one

original subject. Art provides a common starting point, but the

interpretation of local history or folklore can also offer inspiration

and root a design in its location. Alternatively, a garden may be

developed to reﬂect the personality or interests of its owner, or

it can reﬂect the surrounding landscape, inﬂuencing the choice

of land forms, layout, materials, and planting.

Once the central idea or concept is identiﬁed, it provides a reason

or a philosophical basis for the selection of materials and plants,

how they are organized and arranged within the space, and how we

eventually experience and understand the composition. In this way,

conceptualist thinking produces very different responses to the

accepted view of the garden, and a dramatic move away from

horticultural endeavors.

Blue aggregate

Pool and rocks

Curved and polished

stainless steel panel

Dynamically

shaped sweep

of fescue grass

Dark blue

aggregate

Curved box

hedge

“Fish scale” slates add

an unusual texture

HELTER SKELTER

Tony Heywood used a restricted, coordinated color palette in this

garden (right), so that our focus is on its ﬂuid lines and changes in

surface texture—from spiky grasses to polished stainless steel.

He has also used sweeps of planting and repeated textures, such

as the “ﬁsh scales”, to create visual rhythms.

often sculptural. Mass planting of a single species is a popular

way to provide drama and impact, while seasonal interest,

ﬂower color, and foliage offer additional effects.

In a concept garden, the designer controls how we see and

explore the garden. Ampliﬁed colors and abstract shapes draw

attention to particular objects within the space and the layout is

deﬁned by patterns or repetitions.

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WHAT IS CONCEPT STYLE?

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DESIGN INFLUENCES

Conceptualism restores the link between art and

garden design that was lost during the 19th and

20th centuries, when plantsmanship came to the

fore. The movement redresses the balance, as

planting is only one of the materials used to

create a concept garden.

American landscape architect Martha Schwartz

is considered by many to be the accidental

innovator of this style. Her 1979 Bagel Garden in

Boston—created as a welcome-home surprise for

her then husband Peter Walker, and subsequently

much photographed and publicized—has its place

in garden-making history ensured.

Since then, international festivals, such as

Chaumont-sur-Loire in France, Métis in Canada,

and Future Gardens in the UK, have become a

forum for conceptualist designers, igniting debate

over what a garden is and can be.

Bagel Garden by Martha Schwartz.

ARTIFICIAL

SURFACES

Highly colored, man-made

materials emphasize a

mood or message. Glass,

plastic, dyed rubber, and

Astro Turf are all typical

of the style.

INSTALLATIONS

Many concept gardens

look like art installations.

Objects are carefully

placed relative to one

another, or a composition

of “found” objects may

create a narrative.

SCULPTURE

Abstract sculpture

or sculptural objects are

placed, sometimes in

sequences, to focus

attention, to reinforce

a message, or simply as

part of the composition.

ABSTRACT

PLANTING

A simple palette, repetition,

or color massing are

typical. Bold architectural

specimens may feature,

and can be topiarized or

grown in unlikely positions.

USE OF COLOR

Concept gardens often

make use of bold, bright

color. In gardens that

feature little or no planting,

this works as a substitute

for ﬂower color, and can

create a focal point.

KEY DESIGN ELEMENTS

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Interpreting the style

In the exploration of ideas, hard materials frequently become

the focus of concept gardens. Apply vivid color to create

patterns or drama and, if using plants, limit your palette and

repeat architectural specimens to create a powerful statement.

Sculpture, textures, or other appropriate artefacts and lighting

reinforce the sense of theater.

TRUE BLUE

Claude Cormier’s Blue Stick garden was

inspired by Meconopsis betonicifolia (blue

poppy). Two sides of each stick are blue

and two red, creating different effects.

RED ALERT

Charles Jencks explored the concepts of

chaos and life in this powerful combination

of red structural forms and reflective

water at the Chaumont festival in France.

MAKING AN ENTRANCE

In this tiny space, every surface along the path to this

front door is used to full effect. The big pattern, bold

colors, and oversized details—in the form of ball-and-

chain candleholders—have a dream-like quality.

GOLDEN BROWN

This gravelled courtyard space is unified by striking color

and strong shadows. The simple grove of Mexican fan

palms (Washingtonia robusta ) creates a brilliant

connection with the modern Mexican architecture, too.

CHOOSING A STYLE

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SWEET AS CANDY STRIPES

Australian Vladimir Sitta often emphasizes the theatrical

qualities of a space, inviting exploration and reaction

with his confrontational use of color and imposing forms.

PLAYING WITH THE ELEMENTS

In his garden of sculptural Jura limestone, Peter Latz uses

fog as a device with which to create a sense of mystery.

Its wisps veil and reveal the stone forms in turn.

TAMED BEAUTY

This caged planting suggests protection to some and

imprisonment to others. Whatever your opinion, it draws

attention to the plants as something extraordinary.

GARDENS TO VISIT

FUTURE GARDENS, Hertfordshire, UK

New home for the former Westonbirt Festival.

www.futuregardens.org

RHS HAMPTON COURT FLOWER SHOW, UK

Show with a section of conceptual gardens.

www.rhs.org.uk

JARDINS DE METIS, Quebec, Canada

Conceptualist garden festival.

www.jardinsmetis.com

INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL OF GARDENS

Chaumont-sur-Loire, France

www.chaumont-jardins.com

“Conceptualism has

produced stimulating,

provocative spaces”

INTERPRETING CONCEPT STYLE

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MAKING A GARDEN

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Building preparations

Creating a new garden from scratch, or tackling a major hard

landscaping project, is a serious undertaking. If you decide to

do the work, but only have weekends free, or do all the ground

preparations by hand, it could take months to ﬁnish. The upside,

CONSIDER LIGHTING BEFORE LANDSCAPING

Integrated light effects need to be planned well in

advance of construction so that ﬁxtures can be built

in and cables suitably camouﬂaged.

SPECIAL EFFECTS

Some lighting and water

features need expert

installation, and many

materials also require

specialist preparation.

Always check that your

contractors have the

relevant experience.

LAYING PAVING IN DIFFICULT PLACES

Building stepping-stones that appear to ﬂoat on the

surface of a pool is not easy, as water shows up the

slightest discrepancy in levels. Since the steps are to be

walked on, they must also be rock solid to avoid accidents.

LAYING SURFACES DIY STYLE

If you have the necessary strength, skill, and experience,

eg, in using specialist cutting equipment, you may

consider building your own new patio or wooden deck.

MAKING A GARDEN

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KEEPING TO A BUDGET

If you hire a contractor to run a project from

start to ﬁnish, and have a contract drawn up

detailing completion deadlines, material

selection, and costs, you shouldn’t run into

difﬁculties over the budget. Problems

commonly arise when you make changes to the

plan mid-way through the build, or alter the

speciﬁcations of the materials used. Good

organization is vital if you run the project

yourself, especially when hiring a workforce.

Workers standing idle, waiting for materials

to be delivered, still have to be paid.

DIYVSEMPLOYINGPROFESSIONALS

SEQUENCING WORKFLOW

The value of an experienced contractor is

that they know how long it takes to perform

various tasks, such as digging and laying

foundations, or constructing brick walls.

They should also be able to pull together the

necessary skilled workforce, just as the next

phase is about to commence.

Any project can be dogged with

unforeseen difﬁculties, such as bad weather

or delayed deliveries, which hamper the

work. As established contractors often have

several projects running simultaneously,

delays in these other gardens can also have a

knock-on effect on yours. Project managers

must maintain good communications with all

parties, anticipate problems and ﬁnd ways to

maintain a free-ﬂowing operation. Sit down

with your contractors, and go through the

details of construction together. Then draw

up an agreed schedule and refer to it regularly.

however, is the immense satisfaction of having done it yourself,

and the savings on labor. Detailed preparation is paramount,

and it is essential that you calculate the cost of all materials,

rental equipment, and any professional fees in your budget.

Depending on your previous experience,

you may feel conﬁdent about tackling a

simple paving project, erecting trellis panels,

or building a deck. In fact, many modern

building materials and garden features are

speciﬁcally designed for ease of construction

and assembly. That said, some jobs and

materials are still best left to professionals.

Natural stone, for instance, often comes

in large, heavy pieces that require skill to

cut and lay. Similarly, in a modern garden,

crisp contemporary design demands a very

high quality ﬁnish to avoid it standing out

for all the wrong reasons. Experience and

expertise especially count when it comes to

safety. Wet soil, for example, weighs a huge

amount, so leave the construction of any

retaining walls to builders who can calculate

the type and strength required.

If in any doubt about your ability to take

on a project, seek expert advice and locate

consultants, such as garden designers or civil

engineers, via their professional or trade

organizations (see p.360). Remember, when

you hire a contractor to build the garden for

you, it is they, not you, who are responsible

for taking out the appropriate insurances,

and for ensuring that work complies with

all safety standards and building codes.

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BUILDING PREPARATIONS

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Once you have completed a site survey, and

prepared your design, it is time to work out

when the construction and planting should

PRE-CONSTRUCTION CHECKLIST

take place, and who will do the work. You

may decide to do some of the preparations

yourself and bring in specialist contractors

only for speciﬁc jobs. Either way, try to

visualize the project from start to ﬁnish

to make it run as efﬁciently as possible.

PERMISSION

HIRING CONTRACTORS

SELECTING MATERIALS

MATERIALS ORDER/DELIVERY

SITE CLEARANCE

TOPSOIL REMOVAL

MACHINERY RENTAL/ACCESS

FOUNDATIONS AND DRAINAGE

LIGHTING AND POWER

BUILDING AND SURFACES

BOUNDARY CONSTRUCTION

TOPSOIL AND PLANTING

Major building work, such as the construction of a conservatory, may need

planning permission from your local neighborhood association. Check if in

any doubt, and talk to neighbors to explain plans and settle concerns.

One or more contractors may oversee the project, bringing in specialists as

needed. If project-managing the job yourself, you will need to ﬁnd and hire

bricklayers, pavers, joiners, electricians, etc.

Ask contractors to provide samples of landscaping materials, or visit stone

and builder’s merchants, and timber yards yourself. Personally select

feature items and commission custom pieces.

Double-check amounts to avoid under- or overbuying. Arrange deliveries to

coincide with different construction stages. This avoids materials getting in

the way and having to be relocated later.

Stake out area and rent a dumpster. Remove unwanted hard landscaping

materials and features. If it is to be re-laid, lift current lawn with a

turf-cutting machine. Also lift and move existing plants for reuse.

Save quality topsoil for reuse and do not mix with subsoil. Remove it

manually or with a mini digger. Locate topsoil away from the construction

site and pile it up on the future planting areas.

If your plan requires a lot of heavy digging, trenching, and re-levelling, rent

a mini digger and operator. Ensure suitable access, clearing pathways and

removing fence panels, as required.

Establish different site levels and excavate accordingly. Organize the

digging of foundations and drainage channels, then pour foundations and

lay drainage pipes. If needed, move existing drains.

Bring in a lighting engineer or electrician to install the cabling grid for all

garden lighting and powered features. Some of these shouldn’t be wired

up until the garden has been completed.

Build all hard landscaping features, including all walls, steps, terraces,

pathways, water features, and raised beds. Construct timber decks,

pergolas, and screens. Prepare new lawn areas.

Once the contractors, builders, or landscapers no longer require access

across the boundary for their machinery, vehicles, and materials, walls and

fences can be completed and/or repaired.

Some basic planting may have to be done during the dormant season, while

construction continues. Replace or buy in topsoil to make up levels, then

carry out remaining planting.

STAGE

PROJECT NAME DETAILED INFORMATION

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PERMANENT FEATURES and hard surfaces,

such as footpaths, patio areas, fences, raised

beds, ponds, and pergolas, provide the structural

framework for your garden design, underlining

and enhancing softer areas of lawn and planting.

Many garden structures are easy to

construct, and there are several simple projects

that gardeners with few building skills—or

none at all—can tackle safely, and achieve

satisfying results in just a day or two. For

example, pergola kits are widely available and

quite simple to assemble, and you can buy

pressure-treated timber pre-cut to length for

features such as raised beds or decking.

When executing your design, start with the

hard surfaces, but before you

begin, take time to measure

your yard carefully. Check that

you have sufﬁcient space for

a path that will be easy to

negotiate, and that the area for

a proposed patio or terrace will

accommodate your chosen

furniture. It may even be worth

selecting furniture before you

ﬁnalize your design plans; it’s

surprising how much room you

need for a dining table

and chairs, allowing for

the chairs to be moved

back comfortably with

space to walk around

them. Paths for main

routes should be at least

4 ft (1.2 m) wide, and preferably paved or laid

with gravel. These will be easier to navigate

than narrow, winding routes or a course of

stepping stones. Wide paths also provide space

for mature plants to spill over the edges.

Building patios and some paths can be major

DIY projects, and if you intend to pave or deck

big areas it may be worth considering professional

help, especially if your plans

include heavy materials, such as

stone or composite slabs. Small

blocks or bricks laid in intricate

designs also require expertise.

A gravel surface requires less

skill to lay, and is ideal for an

area around planting, or a path.

Informal ponds are beautiful

features and quite easy to

construct, although for a large

site, a digger would be helpful.

Building garden structures

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Stepping stones are easier

to lay than a paved pathway.

Pergola kits make construction relatively

easy and the results can be stunning.

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