Think you’re too old to have fun? Bilbo Baggins, the fifty-something protagonist of The Hobbit, proves that it’s never too late to go on an adventure. And sometimes that adventure can be found right in the sanctuary of one’s own garden. 

What better to encapsulate the exuberant, carefree feel of adventure than a bohemian-themed garden, overflowing with vibrant exotics and oozing with creativity? The term bohemian, or “boho-chic” style, was once used by the French to describe the Roma people, who they believe originated from Bohemia. Later, the term took on a romanticized notion and came to define anyone, particularly an artist or performer, with an electric, carefree lifestyle. It has also been used to characterize someone with a disregard for conventional societal norms – a desire for freedom from the strictures of society.  

What does a Bohemian-Themed Garden Look Like? 

A bohemian garden should reflect a free-spirited and adventurous nature that one might expect from an itinerant vagabond. Vibrant colors common to Mediterranean architecture, such as hot pink and turquoise blue, are favored. 

Seating areas are decorated with oriental-pattered rugs and pillows to evoke the feel of faraway lands. Rustic materials, including glass and clay, are artfully integrated into the landscape. Finally, repurposed items salvaged from antique shops add an artistic elegance to the entire design. 

Key Features of Boho Design:

• Natural, vibrant colors such as pink-ochre, powdered green, cobalt blue, raspberry pink, warm reds   

• Rugs, layered textiles, and loosely draped fabric with a Moroccan influence 

• Lush, tropical plantings 

• Areas intended for relaxation 

• Artistic vintage pieces to evoke a scattered, whimsical feel  

• Lack of rigid symmetry and formal grandeur; instead, maximalist elements are embraced 

1. Delve into Moroccan Influences            

Bohemian chic may allude to a disheveled look, but the result is anything but impoverished. Reveling in its luxuriant, care-free air, Bohemian décor has its basis in Moroccan design, with elements borrowed from Persia, France, the Far East, and the Mediterranean countries. Mosaic tiles, intricately carved wood, and brightly colored fabrics are all features you might find in a bohemian garden. Pavilions are fitted with voluminous, draping fabric to form a tent-like enclosure. A careful balance of colors should be the focus; neither should overpower the other. 

Unlike the formal grandeur of gardens in Europe, symmetry is eschewed, giving way to a melding of various textures, colors, and height. It’s not uncommon to see avant garde garden designs, such as outdoor mirrors or antique birdcages. 

2. Utilize Raised Beds and Trellises 

Raised garden beds, especially those with a wooden component, help promote a lush, vertical garden when combined with trellises. The raised space provides an opportunity to showcase plants that surpass others in nature: showy gladiolus bulbs, fragrant perennial vines, and wispy cosmos. Make use of the vertical space allotted by trellises to grow climbing plants like jasmine – arched trellises are especially useful for creating a big impact in a quick amount of time. To promote an unplanned look, let flowering vines ran amok, intertwining together in messy, wonderful excess. 

3. Add Definition with Succulents and Ornamental Grasses 

At first glance, it may seem that plants are strewn haphazardly along the garden path, but there is actually thorough preparation behind planting arrangements. Plants are carefully chosen for their aesthetic appeal, function, and suitability to their current habitat. Flowery plants are openly welcomed, but it’s the flowerless plants that are the unsung heroes, used to fill in empty spaces and hidden nooks and crannies. Water-wise, drought tolerant, and low-maintenance, many succulents and ornamental grasses fit in perfectly with the eclectic placement. The variegated, warped foliage of Agave Americana 'Variegata' pairs well with numerous plants. Ornamental grasses, excellent for creating a screen of privacy, help add rhythm and movement. 

4. Choose Unusual Plants   

A bohemian garden is never sparse or lacking in character. While almost any plant with dark green foliage and/or bright colors will suffice, unusual plants bring an irreplicable authenticity. When planning a chic bohemian garden, aim for the wonderfully strange – this extends to vegetables. Among the typical garden crops are vegetables of a darker shade, including the striking black tomato. Bare Necessities Kale is a unique variety of kale with finely serrated, frilly leaves; 'Alphonse Karr', a hardy bamboo whose canes are striped with soft green, easily transforms your outdoor space into a secluded retreat. 

5. Add Wall Murals and Garden Lights 

In a boho chic garden, living spaces are boldly delineated, often achieved through the use of vibrant colors such as cobalt blue. Another way to customize your space is to install wall murals. Glass mosaics or panels are tacked to the walls, while embedded lighting helps create an ephemeral, soft impression. 

6. Scour for Unusual Antiques  

Antique shops often contain loads of junk, but part of the charm is sorting through it to find vintage, off-beat accessories for your garden. Even silly items like a bulbous ceramic with a human face or a non-working lamp can add character to the garden. Items intended for interiors, such as mirrors or metal containers, can be repurposed and taken outside. The key is to create a warm, inviting space that contains the veneer of Old-World charm – old, weathered surfaces with peeling paint, textiles edged with fringe, and elaborate metal scrollwork. 

7. Focus on Comfort  

Your relaxation space should be an area where, protected from the sun, you can easily drift off to sleep. Tall grasses are a cost-effective way to create a shield of privacy while also adding texture. Fill your space with soft cushions and cozy blankets. Make sure to keep it airy and open by avoiding clustering plants together, which can invite spiders and other pests.