REPETITION

Learn to apply this pro technique to unify your garden.

- Lisa Nunamaker

A simple starting point for repetition Groupings of upright evergreens in this black planter create a calm, unified rhythm, perfect in a formal garden.

Repeat, repeat, repeat. As a landscape architect and teacher of garden design, this simple advice is something I often share with new designers. In outdoor spaces, it can be tempting to add a variety of elements, but repetition is what brings a design together. Using the same shapes, colors and materials helps create a sense of unity and adds rhythm and visual interest. The result is a space that's not only more visually appealing but also easier to understand and navigate. You can see this principle at work in the garden at left. Here, repeated ornamental grasses, allium blooms and rusty orbs create rhythm and unity while adding just enough variety to keep the look lively and engaging.

As in other design disciplines, repetition in a landscape brings structure to creativity. When elements are echoed, they turn a scattered collection into a cohesive, intentional and welcoming environment.

Follow along and I'll show you some practical ways to incorporate this powerful tool into your garden.

REPEAT PLANTS

Groupings or drifts of the same plant type help guide the eye through a space. By strategically repeating key plants across different areas of the garden, you establish a sense of continuity and rhythm.

Though repetition is a key tool in garden design, too much of the same thing can make a space feel flat or predictable. The trick is to maintain consistency while introducing subtle variations. Here are some ways to accomplish that: