Naturalistic planting design - how to get it right in your own garden

Top garden designer and broadcaster Michael McCoy tells us the key tips on naturalistic planting. It's super low maintenance and looks good for months at a time, including in winter, so find out how to adapt this trend for your own garden. Plus how to use ornamental grasses in your border.
00:00 Welcome
00:07 What is naturalistic planting design
01:09 The naturalistic garden context and overview
01:57 How to achieve naturalistic garden planting in your own garden
02:08 Think about contrasting three fundamental plant shapes
03:09 You only need three types of plant in flower at any one time
03:31 How naturalistic planting is different from a herbaceous border
04:04 Colchicums in bloom in Michael's own garden
04:10 How densely to plant in naturalistic planting
04:45 Why deciduous grasses work better than evergreen ones
07:25 How to place ornamental grasses with other plants in a border
09:34 What percentage of a naturalistic border should be planted with grasses?
10.30 Tips on doing naturalistic planting in smaller spaces
12:19 Only use plants that look good before flowering, during flowering and afterwards!
13:33 Naturalistic planting design is very low maintenance

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[nicolewedemeyermiller]

This was a very articulate guest who was able to analyze this planting style very clearly. High marks to both interviewer and interviewee.

[KylieQueen]

One of the best interviews I’ve watched. I’m amazed that so much valuable information was conveyed in only 15 minutes…this is definitely one I’ll be watching again and again. Thank you!

[katieloovis]

His design has a real harmonious feel. Serenity.

[tara]

“A good flower has to look good dead.” This was simple yet eye opening to me. Often, when blooms brown and start to slime over, it feels like a blight. It suddenly changes my garden into a depressing state haha 😆 Whereas my Autumn Joy and Clematis leave intricate structure and pods. Despite acknowledging this, I’ve never made it a priority. I will try that from now on. What a wonderful interview.

[LeanneD]

This was a fabulous interview - so informative! Thank you!

[amyjones]

This is one of the best interviews I’ve seen. Well done.

[aaronfiordimondo]

This is hands down the MOST useful and concise description of native planting for the layman. Good on ya Michael!

[ourlifeedited]

Just stunning — every clip of the garden looks like a painting.

[chikensanwich]

I just wanted to say that I love what you do, we recently moved into a new home and your videos have been of so much help, I don't know how ugly my garden would look without you.

[Chimchimenys]

Wow what a talker Michael is, you can tell he's got that broadcaster flow to the way he gives information. Very easy to watch and listen to.

[jwalton]

I loved the level of detail given in this video to explain exactly why the borders look so good & how to replicate that.

[sweetpeasandyarrowaranchdi]

You are so good at getting the information out of these experts, that I need to hear!

[Wingate]

Thanks for another really great video. The three shapes tip of spires, horizontal and then round makes so much sense to me. I keep looking at one of my beds trying to work out why it’s not quite right and realise all the plants are roughly the same height and I don’t have enough texture variation 🤦‍♀️. Thanks also for taking the time to add in the plant names on screen as it’s so helpful but I imagine creates quite a bit of extra work for you.

[dyanalayng]

Oh, this is brilliant! You present the strongest garden programmes, Alexandra. 💖💕 And I found this particular one by talking to a friend as we weeded the church garden. We were talking about garden design, R. mentioned the term "engulfed by plants" and a few emails later, here I am watching. Very inspiring, so thank you.

[seasonallifestyle]

Gardening is the most beautiful hobby! The textures and fullness feel so cozy and homey!

[BinkyNoss]

Inspirational! I love seeing this concept in climates/countries other than my own. My tiny yard is planted this way but where I live it is called "Florida Friendly." It reduces the amount of water needed & there is no need for insecticides.

[p.h.c.]

Great interview, coming at the right time. Yes, I have been very interested in this style of planting. I am definitely more conscious of my decisions in the garden now. I will probably never have that look overall, but sections of my yard are getting there.

[heidibucci]

Gorgeous gardens and excellent design advice. One of the best garden design interviews I have seen on Youtube! I love this garden style and appreciate the opportunity to learn more.

[SpanishEclectic]

These Australian garden interviews are great, especially for gardeners who live in drought prone areas like California. Your questions are excellent, Alexandra, and unlike many people we see on TV, you let your guests complete their thoughts without interjecting. I love your quality content. I have a 16ft tall Mexican Fence Post Cactus, young Palo Verde Trees, and epazote herb growing in my rose garden, which is in shade in the late afternoon. The roses are in large resin planters, with white alyssum shading the roots. We do what we must! :)

[NoctLightCloud]

the beauty lies less in each individual plant but more in the walls and seas of plants when grouped and growing together! amazing.