Garden Design’s New Perennial Movement

April 21, 2014 by

Trentham Estate by Piet Oudolf Tod MangreenAn example of the New Perennial Movement style the Trentham Estate was designed by Piet Oudolf. Photo by Tod Mangreen

Have you been to the High Line in New York City? Or the Lurie Garden in Chicago? Have you admired the sweeping masses of beautiful plantings and wondered what this look was called and where it came from? Well wonder no more.

This garden design style is the referred to as the New Perennial Movement. New Perennialists use a range of herbaceous perennials and grasses planted in drifts to invoke a naturalistic look. There is an emphasis on creating gardens that establish a link to nature. With the New Perennial Movement plants are chosen for form and structure and much emphasis is put on planting the right plant in the right spot.

Gravetye Perennial BorderCraig VaughnA perennial border at Gravetye, William Robinson’s garden. Photo by Craig Vaughn.

Many argue that the father of the New Perennial Movement was William Robinson, an Irish gardener in the late 18th and early 19th centuries who eschewed the Victorian pattern garden of planted out bedding schemes for a more naturalistic approach. He championed the mixed herbaceous border and wild gardening and is credited with spurring the English cottage style of gardening which is often cited as the precursor to the New Perennial Movement.

Modern day garden and landscape designers who are New Perennialists include Piet Oudolf, Adam Woodruff, and Benjamin Futa. Their work can be seen across the country in both public spaces and private gardens.

High Line CU Mixed Border Steven SeveringhausA mixed perennial border on the High Line designed by Piet Oudolf. Photo by Steven Severinghaus.

Designed by well known Dutch plant designer Piet Oudolf New York City’s High Line is probably the best known public space that utilizes the New Perennial planting style. A former nursery owner, Oudolf’s impressive knowledge of perennials helps him create beautifully patterned planting designs.

Lurie Garden Bob SegalThe Lurie Garden in Chicago is a rooftop garden built on a parking garage. Photo by R.L. Segal.

Oudolf is also credited with designing The Lurie Garden in Chicago. The Lurie Garden is unique in that it is a rooftop garden built on top of a parking garage.

Bank of Springfield  Adam WoodruffGardens at The Bank of Springfield designed by Adam Woodruff. Photo by Adam Woodruff.

Adam Woodruff is another well known New Perennialist. With a background in botany and a passion for plants Woodruff has designed many residential and commercial gardens. One of his most noted projects is the garden he did for the Bank of Springfield in Springfield, IL which received an Honor Award from the Perennial Plant Association.

Myrtle RoadBenjamin Futa’s personal garden, The Gardens at Myrtle Road, where he trials new plants. Photo by Benjamin Futa.

A lifelong gardener, Benjamin Futa studied Landscape Architecture and Public Horticulture at Purdue University. To broaden his horticultural knowledge and understanding of plants Futa maintains a trial garden, The Gardens at Myrtle Road, where he can observe and study plants he is interested in using in his designs.

10 Comments »

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  2. Ed Morrow said:

    Hello,
    A good description of the New Perennial movement. The dates on William Robinson are a bit off. Robinson lived from 1838 to 1835, so that would have been from the late 19th century to the early 20th century. Have you read Thomas Ranier’s book “Planting In A Post-Wild World”? It is the best book I’ve read on the New Perennial style.

    Ed Morrow
    Carmel Valley, Ca

    — October 31, 2016 @ 00:10

  3. 8 Trends Influencing the Gardening World in 2018 | Grow Beautifully Pingback said:

    […] are transitioning from the New Perennial landscape movement that dominated design for the past twenty years to a more integrated garden style with spectacular […]

    — January 4, 2018 @ 17:22

  4. Escape to 5 of the World's Most Tranquil (Some Secret!) GardensWorld News | World News Pingback said:

    […] summer, when I photographed. It’s so full of color, texture, and movement, and influenced by the New Perennial movement, which is typified by a more naturalistic approach to planting. I love seeing this in Australia and […]

    — March 22, 2018 @ 09:40

  5. Escape to 5 of the World's Most Tranquil (Some Secret!) Gardens – Lifestyle Blog for the City of Doral | DORAL 360 Pingback said:

    […] summer, when I photographed. It’s so full of color, texture, and movement, and influenced by the New Perennial movement, which is typified by a more naturalistic approach to planting. I love seeing this in Australia and […]

    — March 22, 2018 @ 10:42

  6. Hedgehogs, Floral Tapestries, and Design Inspiration from Harlow Carr Pingback said:

    […] beds were richly planted in a matrix of colorful perennials, an exciting take on the New Perennial Movement and a twist on the traditional English cottage garden […]

    — September 18, 2018 @ 04:06

  7. Things to Do in Atlanta Weekend Guide - UNATION Pingback said:

    […] the History Center’s newly opened Entrance Gardens. These gardens are based on the design of the New Perennial Movement and feature over 15,00 perennials with a new 60×30 white oak tree table. Perfect for social […]

    — November 2, 2020 @ 14:29

  8. Cocktails & Comedy and other fun things to do in Atlanta this weekend! - Stuff to Do | UNATION City Guides Pingback said:

    […] the History Center’s newly opened Entrance Gardens. These gardens are based on the design of the New Perennial Movement and feature over 15,00 perennials with a new 60×30 white oak tree table. Perfect for social […]

    — November 9, 2020 @ 09:34

  9. Misheck said:

    No I haven’t read it yet but I will

    — July 12, 2021 @ 01:27

  10. Look Inside This Stunningly Stylish and Sustainable Wilmette Home Pingback said:

    […] garden stays beautiful all year long, since the owners, both horticulturists, subscribe to the New Perennial Movement, a global gardening trend that advocates nurturing and celebrating an area’s historical ecology […]

    — November 15, 2022 @ 15:35

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