ELEMENT SIGNIFICANCE
CONCRETE Contemporary gardens demand simplicity so it is
STEPPERS important to keep things straightforward and orderly
if you would like to develop a contemporary garden.
Simple geometric patterns and plain finishes help
reflect upon the existing design elements and
prevents a flashy and informal outlook
METAL GRIDS It is crisp and clean design element. As a general rule
of thumb, a contemporary garden incorporates clean,
crisp lines and shapes. A modern garden is sleek and
understated, sharp and chic. Sharp edges and angles,
are ideal landscaping elements.
COBBLES Natural materials are important for a timeless elegant
look. They contrast with the artificial materials such as
concrete and steel. They are not only eco-friendly but
also break the monotony of rigid lines and harsh
geometry.
SLICK POTS They give a clean and uncluttered look which is the
primary goal of Contemporary Gardens. They subtly
help enhance the plantation and blends perfectly with
the rest of the surroundings
LIGHTING As the layout is kept simple, lighting is used as an
enhancing feature to highlight certain aspects of the
design.
PURPOSE
They are inexpensive and highly versatile. Precast stepping
stones have the perfect geometry for surfacing. They are
available in various shapes such as round, square, pentagon,
hexagon etc.
It is used as a screen panels for vines, combine with wood
planks or create a revolutionary idea with new or recycled
segments.
The rounded, natural form of river stone is the perfect
contrast for rigid, man-made industrial materials. They offer
an excellent surfacing texture for those difficult spaces that
can be turned into serious design opportunities. Widely
available in a range of colours and sizes.
Follow the same clean lines as the rest of the landscape.
Cylindrical or square, composed of resin or ceramic, metals
with or without patina, containers paired with a plant
featuring bold sculptural form doubles the overall impact
Contemporary gardens use lighting creatively, to illuminate and
highlight particular features in the space. Whether you choose to
light up a row of precise plants, or splash a glow onto a spotless
walkway, your lighting should be purposeful.
WATER FEATURE It becomes the focal point of the design as the rest of One or two decorative features such as a sculpture or a
the installations are minimalistic. It not only acts as water feature adds depth to the Contemporary Garden.
the key feature that binds the design together but also
as a simple serene aesthetic feature.

NATIVE PLANTS Choose native plants will save you both space and Bright, colourful native plants add a pop of colour to the
time. The planting style in contemporary gardens garden. They are east to maintain and if chosen correctly
should look simple and clean, so choose native plants they are also beneficial to the user in several ways.
that are easy to manage, and in the meantime
decrease the variety relative to traditional gardens.
Avoid using plants that will overwhelm the whole
gardening space. Hardy, striking plants with bold
colours or strong dominant forms are recommended.

SOME NATIVE PLANTS ARE

ALOE VERA SUCCULENTS PLUMERIA CYCAS SNAKE PLANT BAMBOO SPLIT-LEAF PHILODENDRON
SCULPTURAL FORMS

Few examples of sculptural elements intentionally designed into the garden.

STATUARY This garden sculpture sits on a table-like pedestal, creates a

powerful visual interest at the entrance to the garden at the Palazzo Giusti in Verona

SCULPTURAL PLANTING

Château vaux le Vicom specimen Olive

Baroque style French garden. Tree reflection in water creates additional visual interest
STRUCTURES
In this modern garden, a beautiful, grey stone wall at the end of an allee creates an impactful terminus through the central axis; drawing the viewers eyes down to the
end of the path.

grey stone wall at the end of an allee creates

an impactful terminus through the central axis A sculptural pergola acts as a focal point wood screen wall creates an interesting boundary
between the building and the outside of this radiation treatment

a green wall is used as a work of art

CONTRASTING MATERIALS
Natural (elemental) materials always favoured, but many designs use plastic, concrete and a whole range of synthetic products with great
contemporary effect.