Maximalist Gardening: 13 Plants and Tips To Match Your Aesthetic

We’ve all heard it said that less is more; in some areas of life, that’s probably true. I must say, though, I am thrilled to see maximalism having a moment. The Marie Kondo method may work for some, but for myself, there are simply too many things that spark joy! This is especially true in the garden. 

The maximalist mindset suggests that more is actually more. Rather than keeping it simple, this style embraces creativity and whimsy. It encourages eclectic collections of everything that makes you smile. It tells a story of the individual or collective that inhabits the space. 

Make a Plan

The heart of the maximalist aesthetic is big, bold, and busy, but it’s not chaotic. It takes some planning to create this kind of space in a manner that is pleasing to the eye. 

Even if you don’t stick to it exclusively, I highly recommend making at least a basic plan for your project. A map is a wonderful tool, particularly if your garden is going to be a work in progress. 

A simple color palette doesn’t have to be boring. If you have a favorite, by all means, work it in wherever you can. This space should celebrate your personality, not restrain it. 

Remember that a rainbow is a color scheme, but it’s best carried out with some deliberation. If you prefer dark and moody, there are many plants with foliage and flowers in deep, dynamic shades. 

In addition to color, consider texture and scale. Mix wispy grasses with broad-leaved shrubs and frilly flowers. Ferns are wonderful for adding texture to more shaded areas of the garden.

Consider the mature size of your plants and how well they will suit your home. Make sure that the final product is proportionate to the surroundings.

Go Big or Go Home

When I say go big, I don’t necessarily mean that your plants have to be oversized to make this style work. Large plants and trees will certainly contribute to an overall appearance of maximalism, but so will large numbers of smaller plants. 

Rather than a strategically placed flower bed, consider planting a mass of the same plant to create a colorful drift. A drift is a group of plants we allow to meander and wander. Large swaths of colonizing bulbs or black-eyed Susans allowed to freely self-seed are great examples of this. 

Continue to be deliberate about where you place things. Make sure to leave yourself some space to enjoy the garden and to maintain it. But don’t hold back from planting more than one type of something. If you can’t choose between three rose shrubs, choose them all. 

Create Layers

When selecting your plants, consider their current size and how large they will be when they mature. Layering your beds allows you to clearly see everything you’ve worked so hard on. 

Create a foundation of larger shrubs and trees. These foundational plants should mature to a size appropriate to the size of any adjacent buildings. 

When you work on the mid-ground, choose large herbaceous perennials and small evergreens. Stagger them according to texture, color, and habit so that something is always happening in every part of the garden. 

Leave space in the foreground and border for the most floriferous additions. Place smaller perennials in this area and leave space for flashy annuals that keep things fresh and seasonal. Leave space for groundcovers that are more interesting and surprising than grass. 

Grow Vertically

Adding vertical elements is another way to use layering to maximize the space. The garden will feel incomplete if everything you plant is below eye level. Use elements like trellises, arbors, flowering trees, and climbing vines to give the eye an additional layer to explore. 

Flowering trees are a great addition to the maximalist garden. I love climbing flowering vines for this purpose as well. Grow some flowering vines that attract pollinators, and you’ll add yet another element of whimsy and interest.

Plant for All Seasons

If you only plant spring bloomers, your space won’t be nearly as interesting during the other seasons. When you plan out your selections, consider shrubs that flower in spring or summer and also provide autumn color or remain evergreen in winter. 

Camellias bring color through winter and create a glossy, green background for smaller perennials in spring and summer. Crape myrtles bloom explosively in summer and change color in fall, and their attractive, peeling bark adds winter interest. 

By considering this, your space will become a constantly evolving and eclectic vision. 

Go Beyond Plants

You’re going to want to spend time in the maximal masterpiece you’ve built. Don’t forget to give yourself and your guests a place to rest and enjoy the view. 

When you plan, predetermine the spaces you want to leave open for architectural elements. A fountain or fishpond is a great way to take your design over the top.

When you designate these spaces, be sure to plan the beds surrounding them to be as interesting as possible. If this is where you will repose, make this the more interesting and stimulating part of the garden. 

Create paths using stone, brick, or other materials that add more texture to the space. Consider lighting and repurposed found items that bring joy to suit the garden.

Plants with Maximum Impact

All plants are beautiful and have their place in any space where you would love to see them. The beauty of a maximalist garden is the variety and combination of elements working together for a cohesive whole. 

That said, some gorgeous plants are particularly impactful in any setting. Check out these exciting additions if you’re looking for some statement makers. 

Muhly Grass ‘Regal Mist’

	common name Muhly Grass ‘Regal Mist’
	botanical name Muhlenbergia capillaris ‘Lenca’
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 4’
	hardiness zones 6-10

Muhly grass is an amazing textural grass that blooms near the end of summer through fall. Tall plumes of sparkling pink foliage look incredible when backlit by the sun. A grouping of these creates an explosion of color. Consider these as a mid-ground element and add some low-growing annuals as a border. 

‘Regal Mist’ is a luminous shade of pink on bright green stems. The airiness of this grass in early autumn pairs stunningly with the changing leaves of other nearby shrubs. It’s native to most of the Eastern United States, as far west as Texas. 

Rudbeckia ‘Indian Summer’

	common name Rudbeckia ‘Indian Summer’
	botanical name Rudbeckia hirta ‘Indian Summer’
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 36”-42”
	hardiness zones 3-7

Rudbeckia are easy to grow and provide incredible color for a long period. Also known as Black-eyed Susans, these short-lived perennials re-seed freely, so give them space to grow. ‘Indian Summer is a classic variety that is reminiscent of wildflower banks along the roadside. It is nostalgic and a favorite among pollinators. 

Rose ‘Peggy Martin’

	common name Rose ‘Peggy Martin’
	botanical name Rosa ‘Peggy Martin’
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height Up to 15’
	hardiness zones 5-11

I would add ‘Peggy Martin’ to just about any list of recommendations. I adore this climbing rose for its incredible resilience and major blooming power. If you’re not familiar with “Peggy Martin’ and her rise to fame, it’s a story worth reading. This is one tough chick. 

Some gardeners find roses intimidating, but this one is easy as pie to care for. It grows incredibly fast; small pink blooms positively cover the entire vine in late spring. I have one growing over a trellis, and it’s one of my absolute favorites.

Hydrangea ‘Endless Summer®’

	common name Hydrangea ‘Endless Summer®’
	botanical name Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Bailmer’
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 3’-4’
	hardiness zones 4-9

Hydrangeas are big bloomers. Their flower clusters are showy and colorful with a refined, classic vibe. If you want a shrub that knows what maximalism truly means, ‘Endless Summer’ is your girl. 

This variety is a repeat bloomer that will keep going throughout the summer. It flowers on both old and new wood, so caring for it is a breeze. Prune it after flowering, or don’t! It will keep right on producing gorgeous clusters of blue-violet blooms. 

Salvia ‘Violet Profusion’

	common name Salvia ‘Violet Profusion’
	botanical name Salvia nemorosa ‘Violet Profusion’
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 16”
	hardiness zones 3-8

If you want the look of lavender but can’t seem to master this Mediterranean marvel, salvia is a great alternative. ‘Violet Profusion’ makes a striking border for your footpaths and mingles well with other perennial flowers. The sparkling spikes of violet blossoms are highly appealing to pollinators, which keep your garden blooming bigger and better. 

Use this plant in smaller-scale beds as a drift, border, or mid-ground accent. It’s a reliable, long bloomer that grows into a lovely, petite shrub. Salvia is a member of the mint family and has aromatic foliage.

Delphinium ‘Cobalt Dreams’

	common name Delphinium ‘Cobalt Dreams’
	botanical name Delphinium x elatum New Millenium ‘Cobalt Blue’
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 4’-6’
	hardiness zones 3-7

Delphiniums are tall and regal, shining spires of color in your beds. Pollinators love them, but deer and rabbits leave them alone. They are toxic to humans and animals, so keep these out of reach if you have curious pets or children. 

‘Cobalt Dreams’ is simply dreamy. This member of the hybrid ‘New Millennium’ series is a vigorous grower with strong stems that are wonderful for cutting. The tall stalks hold large flower clusters in electric cobalt blue with gleaming white centers.

Hosta ‘Patriot’

	common name Hosta ‘Patriot’
	botanical name Hosta ‘Patriot’
	sun requirements Partial to full shade
	height 12”-20”
	hardiness zones 3-9

Hostas are a perfect pairing with roughly textured ferns in shaded spots. Plant these together with a small foliage fern beneath a tree for a gorgeous combination. Hostas like similar conditions to ferns, moist, cool soil, and limited exposure. 

‘Patriot’ has flashy, variegated leaves growing in a compact mound. They are easy to control, with a spread of about two feet. Once established, they will be fairly drought-tolerant as long as they have sufficient shade. Hostas flower in the summer, with delicate lavender flowers on tall, slender stems that rise above the foliage. 

Zinnia ‘Benary’s Giant’ Blend

	common name Zinnia ‘Benary’s Giant’ Blend
	botanical name Zinnia elegans ‘Benary’s Giant’
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 3’-4’
	hardiness zones 2-11

I talk about zinnias quite a bit, and I feel like they still don’t get the recognition they deserve. These are some of the very easiest flowers you can plant. They grow quickly, bloom early and long, and re-seed conservatively. Once they are in your garden, you’ll see them pop up here and there for years.

It’s impossible to choose just one color or variety of these, though I am a huge fan of the pure white ‘Polar Bear.’ You can’t go wrong with a mixture of colors, especially in a variety like ‘Benary’s Giant.’ These large, colorful blooms are great for cutting, too!

Cosmos ‘Dazzler’

	common name Cosmos ‘Dazzler’
	botanical name Cosmos bipinnatus ‘Dazzler’
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 3’-6’
	hardiness zones 2-11

Another excellent, reliable, big-blooming annual to add is cosmos. They are fast to grow and flower, and their delicate stems and feathery foliage add texture mixed with more substantial neighbors. Though they appear delicate, they are quite drought tolerant and bloom for a long period. Deadhead them to keep them going for several months. 

‘Dazzler’ is a hot pink variety that really packs a punch. These grow rather tall, but they are not intrusive. Even if they get a bit overgrown, they won’t overtake other nearby plants. 

Japanese Maple ‘Bloodgood’

	common name Japanese Maple ‘Bloodgood’
	botanical name Acer palmatum ‘Bloodgood’
	sun requirements Partial shade
	height 15’-20’
	hardiness zones 5-9

Every maximalist garden needs a Japanese maple. From the moment their scarlet leaves appear in spring, until they fall, russet and burgundy in autumn, they are an absolute joy. These are simply the loveliest of maples. 

‘Bloodgood’ is a sturdy variety with good heat tolerance. They prefer a bit of shelter from the heat of the afternoon sun, so partial shade is best. This stunning tree is mid-sized and makes a wonderful vertical element. 

Eastern Redbud Tree

	common name Eastern Redbud Tree
	botanical name Cercis canadensis
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 20’-30’
	hardiness zones 4-9

What the Japanese maple brings in foliage, the Eastern redbud offers in flowers. You can grow it as a large shrub or remove the lower limbs to create a tree shape. Their decorative scaly bark makes them stand out in the winter garden.

The true beauty of this tree is best witnessed in the spring. Eastern Redbud bursts onto the scene as one of the earliest bloomers. This tree will light up the landscape and be positively covered in gorgeous pink blossoms. 

Dwarf Burning Bush ‘Compacta’

	common name Dwarf Burning Bush ‘Compacta’
	botanical name Euonymus alatus ‘Compacta’
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 6’-11’
	hardiness zones 4-8

Burning bush is great for adding fall color to your landscape, but you must be careful to avoid planting it in areas where it is invasive. For most of the year, it is an attractive, green backdrop for other, more flamboyant plants. It puts on a show that rivals any maple or beech tree in fall. 

‘Compactus’ is a compact variety that reaches eleven feet tall but won’t overtake your entire garden. Its autumn foliage is such a bright shade of scarlet it practically glows. 

Ninebark ‘Summer Wine’

	common name Ninebark ‘Summer Wine’
	botanical name Physocarpus opulifolius ‘Summer Wine’
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 8’
	hardiness zones 3-8

If your vibe is dark academia, this is the perfect plant for your maximalist garden. Gracefully arching limbs covered in deep purple foliage have a weeping quality. It’s a very dramatic shrub that grows to an impressive eight feet tall at maturity.

‘Summer Wine’ grows quickly and produces clusters of small, white flowers in early summer. Its dramatic form and color combination make it a great addition.