Wild Elegance
Natural landscapes and their growing trend in gardening.
As the weather warms, swaying purple coneflowers dance in the breeze along retired railroad tracks, while switchgrass catches the morning light like spun silver. Farther down the path, Lady Jane tulips, Virginia bluebells, and sunburst witch hazel greet walkers. It is here, in the heart of Manhattan’s concrete canyons, that the High Line offers a rebellious greenway amid the cityscape. Once a piece of industrial infrastructure, this elevated park, designed by Dutch-born Piet Oudolf, illustrates a wilder, looser aesthetic—a revolutionary shift to natural or wild gardening.
“The natural gardening movement focuses on the idea of creating gardens that evoke nature as well as designing spaces [where people can] experience nature,” says Richard Hayden, Senior Director of Horticulture for the High Line. “Between 55% and 60% of the plant species [on the High Line] are considered native. We consider leaf textures and colors and design with all four seasons in mind. Instead of cutting plants and putting them to bed in October and November, we look forward to seed pods.”
The Nature Gardens at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County are another prime example of this type of approach, showcasing Southern California’s native vegetation in all its drought-resistant glory. Chicago’s Lurie Garden in Millennium Park presents a similarly bold vision, where tall prairie grasses and perennials transition through the seasons.
Chicago’s Lurie Garden in Millennium Park.
These celebrated spaces reflect a switch in landscape design philosophy. Wild gardens and natural landscapes have captured the world’s imagination, fundamentally changing how people envision and explore outdoor spaces in public—and at home.
SEEDS OF CHANGE
Natural gardening is rooted in larger movements such as sustainability, eco-consciousness, biodiversity and a deep longing to reconnect with the natural world. Typically speaking, wildscapes can be low-maintenance, requiring less time, effort and resources than traditional landscaping. By allowing native plants to flourish, they promote biodiversity and provide vital habitats for pollinators, birds and other wildlife.
For many, these looser landscapes symbolize a return to a more balanced, harmonious relationship between humans and the environment. Their relaxed, timeless appearance blends seamlessly into the surrounding environment, creating a cohesive, organic setting. For humans, this visual appeal translates to psychological benefits. In one study published in Science Advances in 2019, Dr. Gregory Bratman and his team at the University of Washington found that spending time in nature is linked to multiple psychological benefits, including greater happiness and well-being.
The High Line in Manhattan, New York.
The Spanish Lounge windows at The Cloister
The movement also symbolizes an extraordinary reawakening: Perhaps it is time for the mindful return to a more vibrant natural world.
“It’s an approach to adapt to our environment as opposed to transforming our environment to adapt to our desires and aspirations,” says author of “New Naturalism” and “Your Natural Garden,” Plantsman Kelly D. Norris. “In the end, it is far easier to work with your given circumstances of climate, location, soil and existing species rather than working with plants that may not grow well where you live.”
THE ART OF NATURAL DESIGN
According to Norris, designing a wild garden isn’t about control; it’s more about letting nature take the lead. The basic principles are simple: work with native plants that have evolved to thrive in a specific region, create layers of vegetation that mirror natural plant communities and consider the seasonal changes that bring different plants into the spotlight throughout the year.
Orange Dahlias
Local nurseries are excellent resources for selecting species that have evolved in specific geographies alongside regional wildlife, providing essential food and shelter for birds, bees and butterflies. These plants, which are already adapted to the local climate and soil conditions, not only require less maintenance and water but also help sustain complex ecological relationships that have developed over thousands of years between native flora and fauna. And a final note about plant selection: Native flowering plants in orange, red, yellow, purple and blue particularly attract pollinators.
Beyond the plantings, Sea Island landscape architect Rachael Strickland suggests adding inviting design elements—like seating or water features—to a natural garden.
Sculpture Garden at Turtle Bay, California
“Large pots and planters placed in the landscape provide design solutions for challenging locations while adding a level of architecture to the garden,” Strickland says. “Statuary, fountains, arches and large art pieces serve as focal points and add character to spaces, as well. Or consider positioning an interesting sculpture to complement plantings along a pathway or at the end of a walkway.”
One artist who understands this interplay between art and nature is Simon Gudgeon, a renowned British sculptor whose smooth, flowing forms capture both spirit and landscape. His work has been exhibited in prestigious collections, including the private collection of the Duke of Edinburgh and the National Museum of Wildlife Art.
Gudgeon believes that sculpture should both enhance the landscape and be enhanced by it. “The natural environment is always at the front of my mind when developing a sculpture,” he says. “It inspires my ideas, the style I select and even the placement of the finished piece.”
The philosophy of natural gardening emphasizes that the goal isn’t just aesthetic harmony, but also an emotional and sensory connection. Gudgeon explains, “each texture, curve and form interacts differently with its surroundings, just as wild gardens shift and evolve with the seasons.” He sees both sculpture and nature as mediums that invite reflection, offering people a chance to reconnect with the world around them.
Elegant and Ecologically Minded Landscapes
At Sea Island, the stunning natural landscapes blend elegant design profiles with environmental stewardship. “When you walk from The Cloister or Beach Club to the marsh, you see these beautiful live oaks draped with Spanish moss, resurrection ferns, Eastern red cedar trees and cabbage palms,” says Haley Rogers, the resort’s Lead Naturalist. “The marsh grass, black needlerush and sea oxeye daisy exemplify the natural world.”
The team at St. Simons Land Trust, a local partner to the resort, recently converted the grounds of their main office from sod to a thriving natural landscape incorporating more than 35 native plant species. “The garden not only benefits native wildlife but also serves as a model to promote the conservation and restoration of pollinator habitats in our community,” shares Land Trust Communications Director Raleigh Kitchen.
Wildflowers on Sea Island Beach.
This thoughtful preservation or integration of native flora is central to the ecological approach at Sea Island—an approach requiring minimal water and intervention. “We’ve worked with our existing natural habitat here, using native and non-invasive adapted species, to establish water-wise natural gardens,” explains Rachael Strickland. She points to ferns, woodland phlox, geranium, star chickweed, Florida anise, oak leaf hydrangea, Eastern redbud, bald cypress and bottlebrush buckeye as examples of plantings in low water-use zones. “Blue star, aster, tickseed, coneflower, beauty berry, coral bean, seashore mallow and magnolia do well in moderate water-use zones,” she says.
From landscaping that enhances the guest experience to residential architecture aligned with sustainable practices, the surroundings reflect an elegant balance between beauty and conservation.
“Wise Walk” at Sculptures By The Lakes in Dorchester, United Kingdom.
Even in urban environments, city dwellers are turning to wild garden concepts, transforming small spaces like rooftop gardens, balconies and compact yards into miniature wildlife havens.
“In the city, you may opt to limit the use of turf,” Strickland adds. “Or perhaps use vertical elements such as living walls using plant material consisting of ferns, mosses, herbs or vegetables.”
Indeed, many gardeners integrate edible elements into their wild landscapes, interweaving herbs, berry bushes and fruit trees alongside native plants.
“This past year, I worked with a restaurant to create a natural garden full of edible prairie plants—those traditionally grown by indigenous communities,” Norris adds. “Those plants will be harvested and will end up on a customer’s plate at the restaurant.”
EYE ON THE ENVIRONMENT
Haley Rogers, Lead Naturalist at Sea Island, notes that rewilding an area translates into numerous environmental benefits. Studies show that natural landscapes often consume less water than traditional grass lawns. Beds featuring native plants adapted to local rainfall patterns can thrive with minimal supplemental irrigation, significantly reducing water consumption. Natural gardens also dramatically reduce or eliminate the need for chemical fertilizers and pesticides.
Black Swallowtail Butterfly lands on a flower.
She also notes that these sanctuary gardens serve as refuges for local wildlife, creating complex habitat networks critical to the health and vitality of species throughout a region.
“Since we are along the Atlantic Flyway, we are monitoring pollinators to better understand them, so that we can better support them,” Rogers notes. “It’s important work.”
The shift toward wildlife-friendly gardening couldn’t be more timely. With global insect populations declining over the past 40 years and bird populations dropping since 1970, every wild garden serves as a crucial sanctuary for biodiversity.
A serene home wild garden.
By transforming backyards into thriving ecosystems, gardeners are not just creating beautiful spaces—they’re actively participating in conservation efforts and supporting the survival of countless species that depend on these habitats. With spring projects on the horizon, one should consider cultivating an untamed paradise with this in mind: The most rewarding gardens invite people to walk on the wild side.