The Green & White Garden

It’s a classic for a reason. White blooms against a backdrop of verdant green oozes style, sophistication, and serenity. Often associated with Formal garden styles, the Green & White classic garden colour palette matches that of the Modern and Hampton garden styles too. It has even been seen in Tropical gardens and oh so fabulous in an Indoor garden setting. And best of all it is easy to achieve.

To achieve the Green & White garden, one must choose plants that either don’t flower or, if they do, flower only white! Sounds simple enough, but where to start?

Firstly you’ll need to plan out your garden. There are many tips and tricks when designing your very own garden to achieve the best results. Check out our Landscaping Techniques for advice or, if it’s all a little overwhelming, book in for a one-on-one free garden design and we’ll plan out your garden for you!

Sissinghurst Castle-garden by Bill H

Topiarized Buxus balls, conical Lemon trees contrasting against white ornamental pots and white ball hydrangeas in an Andrew Stark landscape design

Points to remember when creating your Green and White garden:

• Not just plants – don’t forget you can include green and white garden ornaments, pots and architectural features.
• Colour – just because it’s a green and white garden doesn’t mean you can’t have any colour. In fact a single, vibrantly coloured tree or shrub will stand out magnificently against a green and white back drop. But remember the key is minimal. Keep it to only one or two coloured features.
• Seasons – plants can change each season so keep in mind that something that looks green in summer might be bright red or pink in autumn or spring!
• Layers – landscape layering is a big part of the Green and White garden style.
• Contrast – contrasting white against green is the main point of this garden style but it doesn’t stop here. Think of foliage and plant shape, size, white blooms or trunks! Pathways against green foliage, white pebbles against straight hedges, green lawns against bold flowering borders. The options are endless!

Below we have grouped our top picks for a Green & White garden into their applications so you can design your whole garden from groundcovers up to tall screens.

Groundcovers

Low Border

Climbers

Flowering Garden Fillers

Feature Plants

Hedging

Screening

Moon Gardens

A green and white garden can also be a moon garden. A moon garden is simply a garden that is meant to be enjoyed by the light of the moon, or at nighttime. Moon garden designs include white or lightly colored blooms that open or remain open at night, plants that release sweet fragrances at night, and/or plant foliage that adds a unique texture, color, or shape that is illuminated by the moons glow. Most of the plants listed above fit in this category but here are some that are worth a mention.

Tony Hammond. Flickr