Chris Young. Garden Design

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Integrating texture into a design

It is easy to be seduced by color when selecting plants and

materials for the garden, but form and texture are equally

important. Whether the design is a success or not depends on

how well you combine the various shapes and textures, not only

HOW TO DESIGN

TYPES OF TEXTURE

Experiencing different textures in the garden

is a crucial part of our sensual enjoyment of

the space. You can often tell what something

is going to feel like just by looking at it, but

COMBINING TEXTURES

To introduce a variety of textures, combine

plain with patterned surfaces, shiny with

matt, smooth with rough, and so on, but don’t

overdo the number of materials or the garden

could end up looking too busy. Accentuate

on a large scale but also at a more detailed level. To emphasize

the contrasts, try to visualize in monochrome the hard and soft

landscaping elements you are considering using, and pay

particular attention to how light affects different forms.

GLOSS WITH MATT

Shiny glass and metal doors echo the visual qualities

of the swimming pool. These elements are separated by

the smooth paved terrace and matt rendered wall.

SOFT WITH HARD

The wooden walkway, circular terrace, and snaking wall

are perfectly opposed by luxuriant “soft” plantings of

hostas, irises, grasses, and marginals.

ALL TEXTURES

This pool garden shows how different

textures can create exciting patterns, even

when a restrained color range is used.

The water acts as a mirror and the pebbles

make a satisfying foil for the pathway.

ROUGH

For rough textures

choose stone chippings,

dry stone walls, wattle

hurdles, peeling tree

bark, or prickly plants.

SMOOTH

Choose ﬂat or rounded

surfaces like concrete

cubes and spheres, plain

pots, smooth bark, and

water-worn cobbles.

GLOSS

Shiny, mirrored surfaces

include many evergreens,

polished granite, stainless

steel, chrome, still water,

and glazed ceramic.

MATT

Ideal for combining with

glossy elements, matt

surfaces include cut

timbers, galvanized metal

planters, and sandstone.

SOFT

Impossible to ignore, soft,

felted, furry-leaved plants

are irresistible to the touch,

as are ﬂuffy seedheads

and grass-like stems.

HARD

Non-pliable solid surfaces

can be matt or gloss: cast

metal, stone and concrete

walling, ﬂint, granite

setts and terrazzo pots.

the contrast between two elements by

making the difference marked. Pair strongly

vertical plants with horizontal decking, for

example, or a glittering, stainless steel water

feature with matt-textured ferns and hostas.

there may be more surprises in store as you

explore. Certain forms and surfaces invite

touch and the visual and physical effect is

heightened when there is great textural

contrast. There are a number of basic

categories describing texture, some of which

relate to how something feels and others to

how light affects a material’s appearance.

ROUGH WITH SMOOTH

This walled courtyard marries gravel and rough-cut stone

with smooth spheres to dramatic effect. The dry stone

water feature cuts the sheer rendered wall in half.

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IT IS NOT JUST planting that deﬁnes a

garden. The texture and shape of the hard

materials you select, whether for surfaces,

boundaries, or structures, are an integral part

of the design. Different materials add shape,

color, and movement, to lure you in and to

determine where the eye is drawn, while

materials sympathetic to the house or the local

environment produce a more pleasing aspect.

When making your selection, consider the

view from the house. Do you want to soften

large areas of hard landscaping by incorporating

a mixture of materials—slate with gravel, or

wood with crushed shells, perhaps? Paths that

are heavily used need to be solid, but a secondary

walkway can be constructed from gravel, bark,

or stepping stones. Using the same material

for a path and a patio

creates continuity; a

change further along

will suggest a different

area of the garden.

Laying materials

lengthways or widthways

draws the eye onward or

to the side, and obscuring

paths invites exploration.

Walls and solid screens shut out the vista, while

open screens and apertures provide teasing

glimpses of what lies beyond.

Furniture should be in keeping with the style

of the garden. Ensure any timber pieces carry

the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) logo to

show that the wood comes from sustainable

forests. Also consider the siting: if you want a

large dining table and chairs, you may have to

build a patio big enough to accommodate them.

Most gardens will have a spot for a water

feature, as well as a piece of art. If you plan

to include lighting, the electricity supply

and cables must be installed by a qualiﬁed

electrician; solar lighting has to be accessible to

sunlight. Outdoor heating is becoming popular,

too, but consideration should be given to its

environmental impact.

Choosing materials

Tall metal containers form

a divide in a gravel garden.

Permeable materials provide environmentally friendly parking.

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Materials for surfaces

Large areas of paving or decking are visually dominant features,

and have a signiﬁcant impact on the appearance of a garden.

Select materials that reinforce your chosen style, complement

the colours and textures used, and mix different types to

develop patterns and lead the eye around the garden.

(See also pp.330–341 for more on materials.)

DECKING WITH A TWIST

Decking is easy to cut and a good option for both

geometric and organic layouts, and intricate designs such

as this, with its inlay of blue tiles.

LARGE PAVERS MAY NEED CUTTING

When planning an area to be paved, try to avoid cutting

by making the overall area an exact multiple of units. If it

is not, larger slabs may require more cuts to ﬁt.

SMALL PAVERS FIT TIGHTER SPACES

Smaller units provide greater ﬂexibility, and are more

likely to ﬁt exactly the dimension of your patio. They are

also easier to cut, when required.

SMALL UNITS BEST FOR INTRICATE DESIGNS

Using small units or even mosaic tiles allows you to

create intricate shapes and patterns more easily, but

these designs are often very time-consuming to build.

HORIZONTAL PAVING

Bricks are used to frame the edge of

this formal path, and stone slabs laid

horizontally shift the focus to the planting.

BRICKS FOLLOWING DIRECTION

The cottage planting is complemented by

a traditional brick path which leads the

eye to the gate.

TEXTURED SURFACE

This random paving pattern

is framed by a strip made

from the same material,

giving a clean, sharp edge.

Although difﬁcult to

construct, the light-

coloured textured path

works well against the

still water of the pond.

HOWTODESIGN

PAVING AND DECKING

A strong design statement, or simply a block of uniform colour, can

be achieved with large paved spaces. Bear in mind that when using

slabs, pavers, or bricks, the joints will form a pattern, too; the

smaller the unit, the more complex the pattern will be. Rectilinear

paving can be combined to form larger rectangles or grid layouts, or

use ﬂuid materials, such as gravel and poured concrete, for curved

edges to make organic shapes. All paving must be constructed on a

solid base, and should slope to allow drainage (see opposite).

PATHS AND WALKWAYS

Paths are the arteries of the garden. Materials should be selected to

enhance the journey along the path, and to complement the planting

on either side. Pavers, and the joints between them, can run

lengthways to give a sense of motion, or laid perpendicular to the

direction of travel to slow walking pace, and attract attention to the

surroundings. Choose paving that matches the garden style: bricks

or gravel are good for a cottage-style garden, and more up-to-date

materials, such as concrete and composites—or traditional materials

used with a contemporary twist—suit a modern space.

600mm

300mm

100

600mm

300mm

100mm

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STONES AND MOSAIC

Set on a concrete foundation, these small stone

blocks and mosaic tiles create a decorative pattern

around the trees and a foil for the gravel.

COMPLEMENTARY TEXTURES

Four materials combine here—pebbles, granite,

slate, and gravel—to give interest and texture to

a threshold between two paths.

WOOD AND SLATE

This mix of hard and soft materials, with contrasting

colours but similar tones, has been combined on four

levels to great effect.

CAMBERED PATH

Paths can be proﬁled to allow water to run off on both

sides, where it can be collected in channels, or allowed

to drain into planting beds.

SLIGHTLY SLOPING PATIO

Create a slope away from buildings towards a collection

point. Patios made from rougher materials will need to

slope more steeply than smooth ones.

PLANTS BETWEEN PAVING

Contrasting colours and textures are combined in this

beautifully executed pavement, where mind-your-own-

business (Soleirolia soleirolii) frames the paving.

MATERIALS FOR SURFACES

MIXING MATERIALS

Assorted materials, as well as different

textures and levels, can be used to dramatic

effect in paving and decking designs. You

could use different materials to highlight key

features, or to deﬁne and separate areas of

the garden, such as a raised wooden deck

over a stone-tiled ﬂoor. Try to choose

complementary colours, and select pre-sized,

coordinating materials, to avoid extra work

and higher costs. More complex construction

techniques may be required when working

with materials of varying thicknesses and

where a different foundation is needed.

PEBBLES

Loose pebbles make an

informal edge between the

deck boards and the rill.

SLATE AND SETTS

This bold design is created

by slate paving butting up

to stone granite units.

GRAVEL AND PAVING

Make a design statement

with a clear, decorative

edging pattern.

EDGING IDEAS

Most paving materials, except in situ (poured) concrete,

or those set on a concrete slab, will require an edge to

contain the material. The edge can be detailed or

functional depending on the style of your garden, and

also connect or separate different materials, or areas of

planting. However, you may not need an edge if you

intend to allow planting to invade your gravel pathway.

DRAINAGE ISSUES

All surfaces should slope to allow water

to drain or be collected, and even gravel

surfaces may need extra drainage if laid on

clay-rich soil. Ensure that rainwater runs

away from buildings into collection points,

such as gullies; water from small areas of

paving can be directed into planting beds.

PLANTING OPPORTUNITIES

Plants add colour and texture when squeezed

into joints and crevices; take care to choose

those that tolerate trampling, are relatively

drought-resistant, and ideally produce a

scent when crushed. Think carefully about

joints when combining paving and plants – a

solid foundation, while necessary for most

paving, will also contaminate the soil.

gully for

runoff

patio sloping away from house

water

runoff into

soakaway

or flower

beds

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Materials for screens and boundaries

Walls and boundary features, and the materials they are made

from, have a major impact on the look of a garden. Traditionally,

boundaries were constructed from local materials, such as

stone, brick, timber, or hedging, but today your options are

much broader, and modern gardens may make use of smooth

rendering, metal screens, or reinforced concrete. If you share a

boundary your choice may be limited, but if not, you can make it

as subtle or as dominant as you wish, and add a personal touch

with your choice of material, color, shape, and texture.

PLANTING POCKETS

Plants will soon establish in pockets of soil at the top or

on the face of a wall. Limited water will be available to

them, however, so choose species that can survive and

ﬂourish in dry conditions.

RENDERED COPING

Coping keeps the body of the wall dry and protects it

from frost damage. It also forms an important visual

element and can make a useful horizontal surface for

a decorative effect, or for seating.

STONE

Well-constructed stone

walls should last for ever,

but require an expensive

initial investment.

BRICK

Brick has been used for

centuries and is durable

and useful for creating

patterned designs.

RENDERED

For ﬂexibility and quick

and easy construction,

consider using rendered

concrete walls.

HOW TO DESIGN

Brick, stone, or rendered walls enclose

spaces and form a framework around the

garden. Solid foundations and specialist

construction skills may be required, and

these boundaries can demand a large

proportion of your building budget.

The color of stone and brick walls is best

left unaltered, so take this into account

when making your choice. Consider the size

and shape of the units, too, which can range

from random rubble to expensive dressed

stone blocks. Man-made materials, such as

concrete, offer almost endless possibilities

in terms of both color and shape, providing

clean lines or ﬂuid structures.

WALLS AND SOLID SCREENS

ENHANCING WALLS

Once you’ve decided on a material, think

about any details you could add, whether for

aesthetic or practical purposes. You could

consider adding color to all or some of the

wall, depending on the material. Masonry

walls, especially those made with mortar,

render, or clay bricks, beneﬁt from capping

or coping to frame the top of the wall and

allow water to run off. However, ensure that

it is in proportion to the size of the structure.

Planting in crevices is another possibility, but

select species carefully.

UNUSUAL MATERIALS

As long as walls are stable and shed water,

most materials that are suitable for outdoor

use can be used. Visit design shows and look

at books on garden details for inspiration,

but remember that specialist construction

techniques may be required.

TEXTURED WALL

The walls of this small urban garden have been

covered with old billboard vinyl, for a dramatically

individual, textured look.

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MODERN APERTURE

This perforated, reinforced concrete

screen would be difﬁcult to construct, but

the beautiful results link the contemporary

structure to the natural planting beyond.

PICKET FENCE

When closed, this picket gate blends

in with the rest of the fence; the only

breaks in continuity are the posts and

braces required for structural stability.

MATERIALS FOR SCREENS AND BOUNDARIES

GATES AND APERTURES

While screens and boundaries enclose space, they also create barriers

that restrict movement and views. Punctuating these with doorways,

gates, windows, and other apertures allows access or visual links

to other parts of the garden. Importantly, these provide further

opportunities for attractive details, and should not be dismissed

as utilitarian access points. Choose complementary materials and

consider how apertures can frame vistas and views. Also, design

doors and gates that look attractive when both open and closed.

SOLID FENCE

This tall, close-boarded fence

creates privacy, and has been

stained gray to enhance the

overall composition.

PERFORATED FENCE

The strong pattern of this

fence complements the

garden, and acts as a

decorative windbreak.

EFFECTIVE WINDBREAKS

Solid screens do not allow any wind to pass through them

and create turbulence on the leeward side. Use a

perforated screen, such as a trellis, to solve this problem.

FENCING AND TRELLIS

Timber and metal fences do not require strong strip

foundations or heavy building materials, and so are

usually cheap and easy to build. Most are made from

strips of material, and you should think about a design

based on a combination of these “lines”. To unify the

design of an existing garden, it may be best to simply

repeat or copy the original fencing styles. However,

for new designs you can create patterns using different

lengths, widths, and shapes of timber. In exposed areas,

leave gaps in the fencing to allow some wind to pass

through (see diagrams below).

Wind forced

up and over

solid screen

Turbulence

created on this

side of fence

Wind speed

is reduced

on this side

Perforated

screen allows

wind through

CLASSIC DOORWAY

A traditional ledge-and-brace door makes

a beautiful contribution to this old brick

wall, as well as providing access. When

left ajar, it gives an enticing glimpse

through to another part of the garden.

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Materials for slopes and structures

Raised beds, retaining walls, and similar structures that hold

soil need to be constructed from water-, frost-, and stain-

resistant materials. Natural materials, such as stone and some

metals, are obvious choices, but rendered concrete and even

CONTEMPORARY BEDS

Although susceptible to knocks and dents, metal lends a

contemporary note to raised beds. Lighter colored and

galvanized metals do not conduct heat as well as darker

metals, and are therefore less likely to scorch plant roots.

COUNTRY CHARM

For vegetables and native planting, consider woven beds

to complement your design. They are comparatively

short-lived and will need replacing after a few years, but

add rustic charm to a kitchen or cottage garden.

ELEGANT CONTAINERS

Beautifully detailed and ﬁnished timber beds can add to

the quality of a crisp, modern design. The addition of a

gravel margin will keep the timber pristine.

DRY STONE WALLS

A dry stone wall works well in rural

gardens. Place landscape fabric behind

the wall to trap soil but allow water to

pass through the gaps in the stones.

WOODEN WALLS

Timber walls are reasonably simple to

construct: the individual sections will

need to be screwed together for added

strength and stability.

HOW TO DESIGN

RETAINING WALLS

Heavy or strong materials, such as stone, concrete blocks, bricks,

timber, sheet metal, or reinforced concrete, are necessary for a

retaining wall. Your wall needs to hold water as well as soil, and will

require a drain to relieve the build-up of water, unless you have used

a permeable material such as dry stone or timber. You should consult

a structural engineer for advice on any impermeable retaining wall

above 3 ft (1 m) in height. Consider coordinating your wall with the

house, a water feature, or screen to help unify your garden style.

RAISED BEDS

Essentially low retaining walls, raised beds do

not need to be as strong or as heavy as larger

structures. They can also be more elegantly

designed, rather than serving a purely

functional purpose. Line beds with heavy-

duty plastic (with drainage holes punched in

the bottom) to retain soil moisture and avoid

leakage and staining. Also choose materials

that complement the plants you plan to use,

as well as the composition of your garden.

sheet metal could be used for a more contemporary look. For

garden structures such as pergolas and sheds, choose materials

that are lightweight and easy to ﬁt together, and that provide an

opportunity to combine colors, textures, and patterns.

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BOUND CHIPPINGS

These stylish steps are made

from galvanized metal risers

and bound crushed CDs (an

alternative to gravel).

METAL STEPS

Strong and durable, these

stainless steel grid steps

allow planting to creep

between them.

WOODEN STAIRS

Timber steps supported

on posts and bearers,

like these, can be built

to any height.

MATERIALS FOR SLOPES AND STRUCTURES

STEP STYLE

To prevent timber and metal steps rotting

or rusting, they need to be supported on a

solid framework above soil level. Stone slabs

can also be constructed in the same way.

Alternatively, solid blocks of stone, concrete,

or timber can sit directly on the ground on

a slope, or smaller units, such as paving

slabs, can be used with a retaining edge.

Consider the surrounding planting—you

can allow it to “intrude” on to, or grow

through, your steps—and the material

used for areas around the steps.

Many suppliers produce pre-fabricated garden structures, or you

may prefer a custom design if you have something speciﬁc in mind,

and your budget allows. If you have a small garden, a structure can

dominate the space, so plan carefully to ensure that it makes a

positive contribution to your design. The materials you choose for

the structure can reinforce a particular style. For a crisp, modern

look, combine clean-sawn timber with glass and stainless steel, or

consider rough-sawn timber for a rustic shed in a woodland-style

GARDEN STRUCTURES

OPEN STRUCTURE

This pergola is constructed

using powder-coated

aluminum combined with a

wood trim (see pp.250–251

for more information on

constructing a pergola).

BLENDING IN

The choice of dark stain

allows this large garden

ofﬁce to recede into the

background, while the

stainless steel staircase

gives a modern touch.

garden. Hardwood is expensive but durable and does not require

treating, but ensure that you use only FSC-certiﬁed woods from

sustainable forests. A cheaper option is softwood, pressure treated

for durability and stained with a colored preservative, or recycled

timber. Metal structures can be light, elegant, and contemporary,

and galvanized steel, painted if desired, is a popular choice. Self-

oxidizing metals such as Cor-Ten steel and copper (ideal for roofs),

which develops a green patina as it ages, should last indeﬁnitely.

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