Rustic Garden Ideas That Will Add Charm

Along the sun-beaten path, drought-tolerant plants nod gently in the breeze, haloed in the noonday light. Seasoned, teeming, and freeform, a rustic garden is beautiful in its own right. Taking inspiration from the wild cottage gardens of the UK, a rustic garden has a certain weathered charm that speaks not of loud luxury, but of a life well-lived. 

Don’t mistake a lack of strict maintenance for inelegance – rustic gardens have their own inherent charm that brings to mind quaint cottages, slightly overgrown grass, and meadows scattered with wildflowers. Here are a few ideas that will make your garden seem like a fairytale setting. 

1. Use Arched Trellises to Support Climbers             

Rustic gardens often incorporate romantic elements that steer it away from the derelict, haphazard lawns dotting abandoned stretches of land. Certain plants are more compelling than others – select these that impart a whimsical, woodland character. Flowering climbers such as star jasmine, climbing roses, and wisteria are perfect for softening walkways, gates, and doorways. If your house is without a gate, an arched garden trellis laden with vines recreates the easy, unforced charm. Supplement with flowers and grasses of various lengths to create depth. 

Wisteria is a beautiful plant that achieves the winding, celestial look that suggests communion with nature, but its aggressive nature can be off putting. Amethyst Falls wisteria is a compact form of wisteria that doesn’t spread like the plague. 

2. Plant Ornamental Grasses 

Ornamental grasses are highly malleable, able to be sculpted in accordance with the surrounding landscape. They’re ideal for creating impromptu garden paths and screens of privacy. Some, like pink muhly grass, go beyond the usual earthy tones and sport unusual colors. Underscore with Purple Explosion™ Lilyturf, a striking plant intended to be used as a groundcover or in mass plantings – it spreads gently, filling in spaces without aggrandizing them. 

3. Use Wrought-Iron and Stone 

In a rustic garden, shiny plastic and modern, geometric shapes are eschewed. When looking for inspiration, Victorian-era gardens, with their soft, natural elegance, are a haven of inspiration. Metal gates abutted with stone facades create a gothic, exquisite feel that modern structures cannot replicate. The idea is to integrate naturally into the landscape instead of hijacking it. Scatter rustic items, such as stone fountains, statues covered in moss, and antique watering cans, throughout to evoke a fairytale wonder. Look for vintage metal chairs twisted into whimsical designs like butterflies or flowers. 

4. Throw in Some Herbs   

Herbs, seemingly the embodiment of a homespun life, are a natural fit for a rustic garden. They can be grown in containers or circular raised garden beds. Another popular option is for them to be interspersed with wildflowers along borders, creating a swathe of greenery. Rather than settling for basil or any of the more commonplace varieties, look for more uncommon herbs reminiscent of these once grown within the monastic walls of an apothecary garden. Red valerian, an old-world herb that can often be found amidst crumbling masonry, is a great addition to your garden.  

5. Use Weathered Pottery    

Weathered terracotta pottery has a vintage, earthen appearance that is perfect for growing a small sampling of plants. Aim for an irregular arrangement instead of a series of uniform pots, and line them along a wall for a laidback look. As for plants, ColorGrass® Twister is a unique plant with upright, corkscrew leaves, lending an Alice-in-Wonderland-esque effect. 

6. Go Green with Greenhouses  

Nowadays, greenhouses often have an overly commercial feel, but in the Victorian-era, they were elaborate constructions designed to preserve fragile plants that would otherwise not survive the harsh winters. A greenhouse should be more than simply a place for overwintering your plants – it is a source of pride for every gardener. Built for both function and beauty, Vego’s Pacific Greenhouse features a modern finish without detracting from the environment. Tuck in herbs and salads among a shelf of larger plants; outfit with vintage chairs and a table to create a hidden nook. 

7. Create a Wall of Blooms with Morning Glories 

Even those with limited space and on a budget can make their abode a little more beautiful with a few inventive ideas. Here, this gardener has created a living privacy screen by trailing morning glories onto their apartment balcony. Similarly, morning glories can be trained to clamber onto just about any surface – trellises, fences, and the woodworks of a deck. 

8. Implement Lighting  

Simple touches like outdoor lightning can add a layer of mystique. The lighting should exude a warm glow, not the cold sterileness of city lights. Use these solar garden lights to illuminate paths or highlight certain plants. Other lighting ideas include fairy lights, lanterns, or ground lighting. 

9. Create a Natural Walkway Using Twisted Branches 

This will require extensive planning, but a DIY trellis or arbor can be created entirely with twisted branches – the contorting structures are like something found in the realm of faerie. Thicker, weathered branches contribute to a cleaner, more polished look while a matted tangle of smaller twigs gives off a gnarled, unruly starkness. Attractive even without vining plants, it will look spectacular once vegetation is added to it. 

10. Create a Dry Creek Bed 

A dry creek bed, used to redirect water or create a temporary puddle, works with most budgets and adds rustic beauty to the landscape. Dig a shallow depression into the dirt, layer with landscape fabric, then fill with rocks of varying shapes. Make sure to plan the drainage path carefully to avoid stagnant water and possible structural damage. After it is finished, intersperse with sedges and various forbs.