Modern landscapes are ordered and cohesive. They are intentional spaces where clean lines and natural elements come together to create balance.
The simple plantings and layered, linear beds in a Modern landscape take the beauty of the natural world and organize it into something predictable and clean. For a modern landscape design to be successful, plants, colors, and materials should be chosen with a clear point of view from the beginning.
In the Dennis’ 7 Dees Modern Landscape Design Guide, we detail the principles of this clean, linear style, the materials that should be used to create the look, and the plants and techniques that are essential to creating a clear and unmistakably modern aesthetic.
Modern landscapes can be paired with any architectural style to help provide structure and make the home feel more current. Clearly modern homes are a natural fit for modern landscapes, but ranch homes, mid-century homes, and updated farmhouses are all well-suited to modern landscapes. Regardless of the style of your home, adding a modern garden will help create a haven a feeling of order and serenity.
Plants for a Modern Garden
An extensive list of hardy plants perfect for achieving a modern look is detailed in our Modern Design Guide.
- Use conifers and evergreen shrubs to provide the backbone of your design, placing them in lines that will act as evergreen structure at all times of the year.
- Introduce ornamental grasses and perennials in lines or blocks to complement the evergreen elements of your design.
- Add groundcover to cover bare soil, as a lawn-alternative, and to provide contrasting textures and green tones to other plantings.
- Utilize deciduous trees like Japanese Maples as statement trees in containers, around seating areas, and in groups of a single species or many species to add dimension and contrast to the more static elements of the landscape.
Modern Plant Color Palettes
When designing a modern garden, color is often used to create a peaceful, serene setting or alternatively color can be used in a more novel way to intensify the experience in the landscape. Two creative color palettes were pulled together for our Modern Design Guide, each with their own feeling and perspective.
- For a landscape that feels vibrant, youthful, and inviting, rely on an Energizing Plant Palette of acid and lime greens, chartreuse, tangerine, and amber set against richer deep greens.
- To set a more calming, spacious tone, use colors from the Relaxing Plant Palette which features foliage in every shade of blue-green, with white and black elements for added sophistication.
Modern Landscape Materials
Materials in the Modern landscape help enforce a sense of organization and order. From straight edges of patios and pathways to spaces to connect and relax, commitment to materials and intentional design will create a modern retreat, no matter the size of the property. Hardscaping materials details and a complete list of finishing touches for outdoor entertaining spaces are included in the Modern Design Guide.
- For hardscapes, rely on concrete in square or rectangular shapes for patios and walkways, and use steel edging for beds and less formal paths.
- Pottery should be used very intentionally, using large-scale pieces and matched sets in sleek designs with monochromatic color schemes.
- Utilize contemporary landscape lighting for featured trees in the landscape and for pathways to help make the property inviting and interesting even in the dark.
Modern Landscape Maintenance Tips
Modern landscapes can be low-maintenance or high-maintenance, depending on the plants chosen and frequency of pruning needed. Most modern landscape designs benefit from a thorough tidying in Fall or Winter, with attention given to cutting back grasses and perennials and trimming evergreen shrubs or hedges. If Japanese Maples have been included in the design, pruning them to enhance and open up their natural canopy shapes is recommended annually.
Dennis’ 7 Dees Residential Maintenance division is skilled in maintaining landscapes of any style and excels in modern landscape styles. The maintenance group and can be hired for a one-time enhancement or cleanup.
Creating a Refined Modern Landscape
Dennis’ 7 Dees Modern Design Guide is the perfect starting point for creating your own structured, thoughtful Modern landscape, whether you’re just looking for inspiration or are ready to start the project.
Follow the principles outlined in the guide to ensure you have set up your green space to reflect your style and create a true modern oasis. Use our comprehensive plant lists to make sure the plants you select will work well together in similar conditions and help bring the style to life. Utilize our color palettes to ensure that foliage and textures of your plants are cohesive and that nothing looks out of place.
If you love this look and want to work with a professional team to design and build the modern landscape of your dreams, our talented Residential Construction team is eager to partner with you. Our award-winning team will design, oversee, and install your custom Modern landscape. Book a free consultation and start building your new landscape today!