How to Add Height to Garden
When you picture a stunning garden, what comes to mind? Is it just a flat expanse of green lawn and low-lying flower beds? Likely not. The most captivating outdoor spaces are those that draw the eye upwards, using height to add drama, dimension, and structure.
A well-designed garden isn’t just about what you plant; it’s about how you plant it. Introducing vertical elements is one of the most effective ways to transform a flat, one-dimensional plot into a dynamic, multi-layered sanctuary. Whether you have a sprawling country estate or a compact suburban courtyard, playing with height allows you to maximise your space and create a garden you can be truly proud of.
At Landesigns, we have over two decades of experience helping homeowners across Hertfordshire and the surrounding areas unlock the full potential of their outdoor spaces. In this guide, we’re sharing our expert tips on how to elevate your garden design using height.
Why Height Matters in Garden Design
Garden design is a complex process that relies on considered features, careful layouts, and precise workmanship to be successful. This process is broken down in our post The Complete Guide to Garden Design in Hertfordshire: Climate, Styles, Costs, and Planning.
One thing many people forget when it comes to garden design is the other angles of their garden. Looking up gives you a whole new world of design opportunities, which is why adding height to the garden can be extremely beneficial.
Various benefits come from adding height to the garden, including:
- Visual Interest: Height in the garden breaks up the monotony of flat lines, giving the eye somewhere to travel and making the space more engaging and interesting from all angles.
- Privacy & Screening: Tall elements can block overlooking neighbours or unsightly views, making your garden feel more secluded and safe.
- Zoning: Vertical features act as natural dividers, creating distinct rooms within your garden that can be used for unique purposes. This is particularly beneficial for outdoor living spaces with separate spaces for eating, relaxing and entertaining.
- Illusion of Space: Believe it or not, drawing the eye upwards can actually make a small garden feel larger and more immersive. This is why learning how to add height to the garden is ideal for small or tricky-shaped spaces, and a key point in our post Tricky-Shaped Gardens: Landscaping Tips to Make the Most of Awkward Spaces.
Before You Add Height: Assess Your Garden Space
Before you can begin to add height to the garden and ensure the best visual impact, you should first perform a comprehensive assessment of the space.
As a leading landscaping company, we know that every garden is unique. Each landscape presents unique characteristics, and understanding the dimensions, configuration, and existing elements of your landscape will make it easier for you to optimise the potential of your available space.
During your assessment, note the sun exposure patterns and shade distribution in all sections, as this will impact where plants can be placed as well as inform the optimal layout for your new garden design. You should also examine your current planting beds, existing shrubs, and any established arboreal features, as these elements can often be integrated into your new design strategy to achieve a cohesive aesthetic outcome.
If you require guidance on the best design strategies, consulting with an award-winning garden design professional, like our company, can make the process easier. Our garden designers and landscape gardeners can assist in developing a comprehensive plan tailored to your specific landscape requirements, ensuring the best use of every section of your outdoor space.
Through a methodical assessment of your garden as the first step in your garden design process, you will learn how to successfully add height and ensure visual interest.
How To Add Height To Gardens: Our Top Tips
As we have explained, a garden with varying heights feels dynamic, layered, and full of life. There are various ways you can add height to gardens using plants, structures, and garden design details, such as:
1. Use Raised Flower Beds
One of the simplest and most practical ways to add height to gardens is through raised planting beds. These structures instantly lift your planting off the ground, creating distinct layers within the landscape.
Raised beds are incredibly versatile. They can be constructed from timber sleepers for a rustic look, or rendered brick and sleek metal for a modern aesthetic. Bricks are a popular choice for building raised beds and borders, offering both durability and visual appeal.
Beyond aesthetics, they are fantastic for:
- Defining Areas: Use them to frame a patio, line a pathway, or create defined planting areas with borders.
- Better Soil Control: Raised planters are ideal for gardens with poor soil conditions and those seeking a low-maintenance option.
- Accessibility: The raised planting space can make gardening easier on your back and knees, so it is more accessible for everyone.
By layering plants within these beds, placing taller species at the back and trailing plants at the front, you create a rich, textured display that feels established and intentional. For inspiration regarding decorative plants and colourful flowers, see our post Designing A Colourful Garden This Winter: Top Plants for Winter Interest.
2. Strategically Place Trees and Tall Shrubs
Trees are the architectural pillars of garden design. Even in smaller gardens, a carefully chosen tree can provide a stunning focal point without overwhelming the space.
The key is to select species that offer seasonal interest; think blossoms in spring, lush canopies in summer, and vibrant foliage in autumn. Many trees and perennials also bloom in late spring, making this season especially important for planning garden colour and structure.
Some of our favourites for adding height include:
- Silver Birch: With its slender white trunk and light canopy, it adds elegance without blocking too much light.
- Japanese Maple: Perfect for adding architectural structure and striking colour.
- Bay Trees: ideal for pots flanking an entrance or patio.
- Boxwood or Holly: Great for creating tall, evergreen hedging that acts as a natural screen or windbreak.
Combine these trees with other plants, such as vines or perennials, to create layers of height and interest throughout the season.
For more inspiration on what to plant in your garden based on the time of year, see our post Seasonal Gardening Hertfordshire: A Calendar for Homeowners.
3. Incorporate Vertical Structures
Sometimes, the best way to add height to gardens isn’t with a plant, but with a structure. Hard landscaping elements provide immediate height and can support vertical planting, such as:
- Pergolas and Arches: These are classic ways to frame a view or a walkway. When draped in climbing plants like wisteria, clematis, or climbing roses, they can cover fences or walls to enhance privacy and beauty, creating a romantic, whimsical tunnel of height.
- Trellises and Obelisks: If you have a blank fence or wall, a trellis adds depth. Obelisks placed within flower beds add a permanent vertical spike that looks great even in winter when herbaceous plants have died back. Placing taller structures or plants in the middle of borders helps create a balanced, natural look.
- Garden Screens: Decorative screens made of laser-cut metal or slatted wood are a modern way to create privacy zones while adding an artistic vertical element.
4. Play with Levels In Garden Design
If your landscape is naturally flat, you can manually add height to gardens by altering the ground levels is a fantastic way to add drama. This could involve creating a sunken seating area, which makes the surrounding ground level feel higher, or building a raised terrace for dining.
Using steps to transition between these zones creates a journey through the garden, forcing the eye to adjust and engage with the different elevations.
5. Enhance with Lighting and Accessories
Don’t forget that height can be accentuated even after the sun goes down. Lighting is a powerful tool for emphasising your vertical features and can be used to add height to gardens at all hours of the day.
Consider lighting such as:
- Uplighting: Position lights at the base of trees or sculptures to cast long, dramatic shadows upwards.
- String Lights: Draping fairy lights over a pergola or along a fence line draws the eye up and creates a cosy, intimate atmosphere.
Conclusion
Adding height is a wonderful tool to make your outdoor space truly magnificent. By incorporating vertical elements, you create balance, structure, and a garden that looks professional and cohesive.
If you are looking to transform your garden, whether you are starting from scratch or need help with a renovation, Landesigns is here to help. As an award-winning, family-run business, we have the expertise to bring your vision to life.
Contact Us Today
Contact our team today to discuss your garden design project.
FAQs
Why is adding height important in garden design?
Adding height creates visual interest, structure, and depth in your garden. It helps define zones, highlight focal points, and can even make smaller gardens feel larger. Using a mix of plants, structures, and levels brings balance and variety to your outdoor space.
What types of plants work best for adding height in a garden?
Tall shrubs, small trees, bamboo, and climbing plants are ideal for adding vertical interest. Layering plants of different heights, textures, and colours also enhances depth and keeps the garden visually engaging throughout the year.
How can garden structures enhance height in my outdoor space?
Structures like trellises, pergolas, obelisks, and raised beds provide support for climbers and vertical growth, create focal points, and add dimension to flat or small gardens. Combined with lighting or decorative elements, they make your garden more dynamic and attractive.