After reading “Planting: A New Perspective” by Piet Oudolf and Noel Kingsbury, I was inspired to create a garden that reflects the principles of naturalistic planting. Their book dives deep into how plant communities thrive together and how to design with structure, texture, and seasonal interest in mind.
With a dry, south-facing slope under towering cypress trees as my canvas, I set out to apply their ideas to transform this space into a vibrant, self-sustaining garden.
The Vision
Piet Oudolf’s garden in Hummelo. Photo: Piet Oudolf
Inspired by Piet and Noel’s emphasis on layering and plant combinations that mimic nature, I envisioned a garden where grasses form the foundation and flowering accents bring drama and color. I wanted a space that feels dynamic and full of life throughout the seasons, with minimal maintenance needs. The goal was to use a matrix planting style, where 50–70% of the planting consists of grasses, complemented by flowering perennials and structural shrubs.
The challenge was to design a garden that would harmonize with the existing landscape while transforming the slope into something lush, vibrant, and naturalistic. Inspired by Piet and Noel’s work, I focused on:
• Creating a matrix of grasses for movement and cohesion.
• Incorporating flowering perennials and accents to add seasonal color and drama.
• Using structural shrubs and pathways to anchor the design.
• Blending new elements with existing plants to ensure continuity with the rest of the garden.
Same home garden in the fall. Photo: Piet Oudolf
Step 1: Drawing on Inspiration and Evaluating the Existing Landscape
From “Planting: A New Perspective,” I learned the importance of:
• Choosing resilient plants suited to the environment (dry, sunny, and low-maintenance in this case).
• Creating plant layers for structure and seasonal interest.
• Allowing plants to interact naturally, rather than overly controlling their placement.
With these principles in mind, I selected plants to suit the conditions and design vision.
The slope already had some established plants: low-maintenance juniper, fragrant broadleaf thyme, a Chinese privet, and a stunning lilac. These plants provided structure and maturity to build upon. A stone staircase meandering up the slope (which I added a few days prior with some free slate stone I found online placed on compacted dollops of grave) became a focal point for the redesign, creating both visual interest and a practical pathway through the space.
Rather than starting from scratch, I embraced the slope’s existing features:
• Structural Plants: The juniper provided evergreen stability, while the rescued privet will in a few years add height and density to one side. The mature and well loved broadleaf thyme (given to me by a neighbor) softens edges and brought fragrance, and the lilac offered spring blooms and a nostalgic touch.
• Hardscaping: The stone staircase was already in place, leading naturally through the space. I used this as a framework, designing the plantings to flow around it.
The challenge was to design a garden that would harmonize with the existing landscape while transforming the slope into something lush, vibrant, and naturalistic. Inspired by Piet and Noel’s work, I focused on:
• Creating a matrix of grasses for movement and cohesion.
• Incorporating flowering perennials and accents to add seasonal color and drama.
• Using structural shrubs and pathways to anchor the design.
• Blending new elements with existing plants to ensure continuity with the rest of the garden.
The Plant Palette
Inspired by “Planting: A New Perspective,” I selected plants to complement the existing elements and thrive in the dry, sunny conditions of the slope.
Matrix Grasses (70%)
Flowering Accents
Structural Shrubs/Tree Additions
These plants were chosen not just for their beauty, but for their ability to thrive together in a low-water, sunny environment.
Step 2: Preparing and Planting
Inspired by the naturalistic layouts in the book, I focused on creating a sense of flow across the slope. With the stone staircase as the focal point, I worked from the top of the slope downward, ensuring each planting zone felt connected but unique. Here’s how it came together:
Initial plant staging after a successful trip to Gray’s Nursery in Redmond on 202. Pro tip: head to the back for clearance deals! Every plant was at least 50% off, totaling just $216 after tax. To maximize coverage for the matrix grid planting, I divided each grass into 2, 4, or even 6 pieces.
1. Matrix of Grasses: Grasses were planted in sweeps along the slope to create a cohesive foundation. These will grow into soft mounds that move gently with the breeze.
2. Accents and Layers: Flowering perennials like Kniphofia, Dierama, and poppies were added in clusters along the edges of the staircase and around existing shrubs, creating dynamic layers.
3. Structural Framework: The existing juniper, privet, and lilac were left in place and integrated into the design. The addition of Cornus and Teucrium ensured year-round interest and balance.
How It Turned Out
The completed design: a dynamic blend of native grasses, structural shrubs, and flowering perennials anchored by a natural stone staircase. This revitalized slope now thrives as a functional and visually stunning part of the garden, inspired by the principles of naturalistic planting.
The finished space now feels like a cohesive part of the broader garden while standing out as a distinct, vibrant area. The stone staircase ties the slope together, inviting exploration, while the matrix grasses provide a soft, flowing backdrop. Flowering accents pop seasonally, and the shrubs offer structure and visual balance.
As the seasons pass, I’ll enjoy watching the garden evolve. Especially since my sale plants were mostly cut very low to the base. By Year 1, the intact grasses will fill out and the flowering accents will begin to bloom. By Year 2, the entire slope will feel lush, with grasses creating the flowing movement I envisioned and shrubs providing year-round interest.
Inspired Lessons from “Planting: A New Perspective”
This project would not have been the same without the insights from Oudolf and Kingsbury’s book. Check out my book review on where I talk more about matrix naturalist planting here.
Incorporating Naturistic Design into an Existing Landscape
One of the key lessons from this project is that you don’t need to redesign your entire garden to embrace naturalistic planting. By focusing on just one area:
• Work with what you have: Existing plants and features, like my juniper, lilac, and staircase, can provide a strong foundation.
• Create a focal point: Whether it’s a pathway, seating area, or grouping of plants, give the space a clear purpose.
• Add layers: Introduce grasses, perennials, and accents to transform the space naturally.
Your Turn: Start Small, Dream Big
If you’ve been inspired by naturalistic planting, why not start with one space in your garden? Whether it’s a slope, a corner, or even a small border, the principles of layering, structure, and plant communities can transform your garden into a dynamic, self-sustaining oasis.
Whether you’re inspired by naturalistic planting or want to create a low-maintenance landscape, I highly recommend “Planting: A New Perspective.” It’s not just a book; it’s a mindset shift that will change how you approach gardening.
What do you think of the transformation? If you need help let Eco Design and Maintenance lend a helping hand!
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