The Best Plants to Add Movement and Life to Your Garden?
DECEMBER 15 , 2024 . Jill Livingston
I was sitting on my front porch this morning enjoying my coffee and a beautiful sunny day in Colorado. Although it’s mid-December we’re still getting plenty of sunshine and temperate weather. A few sips into my coffee, a gust of wind loosened and gathered a collection of Viburnum leaves and dropped them on my table and into my coffee mug.
In the not so recent past, I would have promptly discarded the coffee and proceeded to fetch a broom or leaf blower to remove the leaf refuse from the porch. Instead, I plucked the leaf intruders out of my coffee and sat contentedly watching the symphony of plant movement playing out in my imperfect landscape.
Maybe it’s that I’m older, or my decades of experience creating landscapes, but I feel that my interpretation and enjoyment of outdoor spaces has become more relaxed over the years. Maybe “relaxed” isn’t necessarily the best word to describe it. As I age, it seems like I embrace the simple wonders in the dynamic ever-changing landscape rather than trying to control nature.
Straight lines and rigid forms are useful organizing elements in landscape design to lead the eye or provide wonderful juxtaposition with organic/natural plantings. Rigid structures, however, aren’t as receptive to an often-overlooked design consideration – movement.
When selecting plants for a client design or my own garden, I always consider plants that come alive in the wind or undulate with even the most subtle breeze. If you’re in Wyoming, this is definitely the article for you!
Understanding Motion in Landscaping
When designing a landscape, incorporating motion is an essential element to consider. Living landscapes become more dynamic when movement is introduced, stimulating our senses and creating an environment that feels vibrant and full of life. Movement brings personality to a garden, making it a place that feels ever-changing. Choosing plants that move with the breeze doesn’t just enhance visual interest—it also brings a sense of calm and connection to nature.
The Importance of Motion in Gardens
Motion transforms a static space into something captivating. It draws attention, invites interaction, and connects us to the rhythm of the outdoor world. Imagine a still garden - while beautiful, it may feel lifeless without the interplay of swaying grasses or the rustle of leaves in a breeze. Movement not only elevates visual appeal but creates sound that reflects the ever-changing natural environment.
3 Tips for Selecting Plants that Provide Movement
Thin/Fine Stems – Look for plants that have finer, slender stems. Their lighter weight makes them the first in line at the wind dance party.
Height Matters – It might seem like common sense, but the taller or longer the stems, the more movement you’ll enjoy! Yes, Festuca glauca, is a fine-textured ornamental grass, but at a mature height of 6 – 12” you might have to lay on the ground next to it to see any hints of movement.
Vertical Stems or Branches – Choose perennials or shrubs that have a vertical stem/branching habit. Fewer horizontal or lateral stems will provide greater opportunity for unencumbered movement.
Types of Motion Created by Plants
Plants can add motion to your yard in a variety of ways, each with its own effect. Some movements are subtle, while others demand attention. Here's how different plants add life to your garden:
Rustling Leaves: Trees and shrubs with lightweight foliage, like Aspens (Populus tremuloides) or Willows (Salix), create soothing sounds and visual movement when the wind sweeps through. Their constant sway keeps the space animated, even on the stillest days.
Since Aspen Trees aren’t a long-lived tree at lower elevations, like in Denver, I often use Blue Stem Willow (Salix irrorata) as a rustling leaf substitute.
Swaying Flowers: Delicate blooms of Hyssop (Agastache), Autumn Sapphire Sage (Salvia reptans), or Whirling Butterflies (Gaura lindheimeri ‘Summer Breeze’) respond to even the smallest breeze. Their gentle bowing and swaying create an elegant dance within your garden.
Some other favorites include Poppies (Papaver orientale), Prairie Coneflower (Ratibida columnifera), or Knautia macedonica.
Cascading Vines: Perennial vines like Silver Lace Vine (Polygonum aubertii) or Native Hop Vine (Humulus lupulus neomexicanus) provide a flowing, downward motion when draped over a pergola or wall - mimicking a waterfall.
Dancing Grasses: Ornamental grasses like Mexican Feather Grass (Nassella tenuissima) or Grama Grass (Bouteloua gracilis ‘Blonde Ambition’) are two favorites for creating texture and movement. Their thin stems catch every hint of wind.
An extra bonus in the winter – thin stemmed/finely textured grasses are the first to pop back into shape after a Colorado snow.
Each type of motion plays a unique role, blending sight and sound to make your landscape more engaging. Together, these elements make your garden a space to linger, observe, and enjoy!
