Backyard Garden Design
There’s just something about this time of year that makes me want to refresh every corner of our home, our backyard included! As soon as the weather starts warming up, I immediately begin dreaming of layered garden beds, overflowing planters, soft textures, and all of the little details that make an outdoor space feel cozy and collected. During the warmer months, our backyard is truly an extension of our indoor space so I want it to feel full and established, but still calm, neutral, and very “us.” Think soft whites, layered greens, touches of lavender, and a mix of structured landscaping with a relaxed cottage garden vibe.
Nepeta “Walker’s Low” | Stachys “Silver Carpet” | Salvia Snow Hill | Liriope | Limelight Hydrangea | Endless Summer Hydrangea | Veronica Magic Show “Snow Wands” | Nepeta “Walker’s Low”
Use code: GIRLONTHEHUDSON for 20% off all plants and flowers from Perennial Farm Marketplace
One thing I’ve learned over the years is that a beautiful backyard does not happen overnight. It’s all about patience and something good always take time. Adding texture, mixing varieties and heights and repeating plants and colors can really go a long way. And honestly, finding plants that feel timeless and natural is what I look for. I want everything to feel organic and effortless, almost like the garden had always been here.
Outdoor Sectional | Woven Coffee Table | Neutral Outdoor Rug | Outdoor Pillow Cover | Round Scalloped Hurricane | Tilden Round Bowl | Malibu Rug | Striped Pillow Cover | Montecito Pillow Cover | Umbrella | Placemats | Water Glasses | Cordless Lamp | Neutral Outdoor Rug | Dining Chairs | Outdoor Dining Table | Capiz Scalloped Votives | Capiz Scalloped Candle Hurricane
For this refresh, I focused heavily on plants and flowers that would soften the space and bring life to the patio without overwhelming it. I also wanted the landscaping to complement our outdoor furniture and patio decor, so sticking to a softer palette with whites, greens, lavender tones, and silvery foliage helped everything flow together beautifully.
We sourced so many gorgeous plants from Perennial Farm Marketplace, and my code GIRLONTHEHUDSON is still good for 20% off, which makes this the perfect time to start planning your own backyard refresh!
Before adding foliage, I wanted the patio itself to feel calm, layered, and connected to the landscaping around it. Since the backyard already has such a beautiful natural backdrop with the mature trees, I leaned into softer tones and textures that would complement the setting instead of overpowering it.
The patio furniture has a very relaxed and collected feel, which I love for outdoor spaces. I wanted everything to feel inviting and comfortable enough for slow mornings outside, summer dinners, and casual evenings with friends. The neutral cushions help keep the space feeling light and airy, while the darker accents ground everything and tie in beautifully with the landscaping and black mulch throughout the yard.
One of my favorite parts of our patio design is how the greenery and planters soften the seating areas. Adding oversized planters around the furniture instantly makes the entire space feel more layered and lived in. I always love when outdoor spaces feel like an extension of the home instead of just a patio with furniture placed on it.
The lanterns, planters, and surrounding flowers help create that cozy garden feel I was going for. Nothing feels too formal or overly styled, which was really important to me. I wanted the backyard to feel welcoming, peaceful, and easy to spend time in.
I always think the prettiest gardens feel balanced. Not too manicured, but not overly wild either. I wanted the landscaping to feel intentional while still looking relaxed and welcoming.
The Plants We Chose
Floor Solar Light | Scalloped Planter | Outdoor Sectional | Fluted Outdoor Planter | Use code: GIRLONTHEHUDSON for 20% off all flowers at Perennial Farm Marketplace
One of my favorite parts of designing this backyard was mixing together plants with different textures and bloom styles. I wanted some flowers that felt airy and romantic, others that brought structure, and a few that would add softness around the edges of the beds and surrounding hardscape.
Luvandula x Intermedia “Grosso” | Fluted Outdoor Planter | Use code: GIRLONTHEHUDSON for 20% off all flowers at Perennial Farm Marketplace
The lavender planters are probably one of my favorite details in the entire backyard. They smell incredible, add the prettiest soft purple tone, and give the patio such a relaxed European garden feel. I love using lavender in containers because it instantly makes an outdoor space feel elevated and being a perennial, they come back every year!
Fluted Outdoor Planter | Phlox | Use code: GIRLONTHEHUDSON for 20% off all flowers at Perennial Farm Marketplace
Phlox adds another soft layer of color and texture around the patio. I love how delicate and wispy it feels spilling out of the planter. It grows like crazy and is a good option for ground cover too! As it gets fuller, I like to divide the plant in half and move part of it elsewhere in the garden. It also blooms continuously all season long so there are always pretty purple flowers.
Limelight Hydrangea | Endless Summer Hydrangea | Veronica Magic Show “Snow Wands” | Nepeta “Walker’s Low” | Use code: GIRLONTHEHUDSON for 20% off all flowers at Perennial Farm Marketplace
The hydrangeas were another must for me. Endless Summer hydrangeas are always a favorite because they feel classic and timeless, changing color throughout the season, while the Limelight hydrangeas help add height and structure throughout the backyard well into fall.
Similar Planter | Use code: GIRLONTHEHUDSON for 20% off all flowers at Perennial Farm Marketplace
I also added foamflower in some of the shadier areas for a softer woodland garden feel. The delicate blooms are so pretty tucked into the planters and under the trees. Again, this is a perennial that I planted years ago and it comes back full and beautiful on its own each year. I’m planning to divide this one into four parts in a few weeks to grow in other areas of the yard.
One thing I really focused on throughout this backyard design was creating softness and movement within the landscaping. I did not want the garden beds to feel flat or overly structured, so layering different textures and heights became really important. Mixing ornamental grasses, flowering perennials, and softer greenery helps the entire space feel fuller and more established while still keeping that relaxed garden feel I was going for.
Nepeta “Walker’s Low” | Stachys “Silver Carpet” | Salvia Snow Hill | Liriope | Use code: GIRLONTHEHUDSON for 20% off all flowers at Perennial Farm Marketplace
The combination of Liriope and Nepeta “Walker’s Low” ended up being one of my favorite pairings in the backyard. The deep green texture from the Liriope adds structure and contrast, while the soft lavender blooms from the Nepeta bring in movement and color without feeling overwhelming. I love how this combination fills out the garden bed in such a natural way and helps soften the edges around the patio and walkways.
I also wanted to make sure some areas of the backyard felt a little more sculptural and elevated, especially around the patio and storage areas. Mixing oversized planters throughout the yard helped break up the greenery and create focal points that feel intentional without taking away from the softness of the landscaping.
This oversized planter ended up being one of my favorite details in the backyard. I love how the soft blush blooms bring height and movement to this corner of the space while still keeping everything neutral and airy. The shape of the planter feels timeless and classic, and pairing it beside the woven storage piece helps the entire area feel layered and cohesive instead of purely functional.
Nepeta “Walker’s Low” | Stachys “Silver Carpet” | Salvia Snow Hill | Liriope | Limelight Hydrangea | Endless Summer Hydrangea | Veronica Magic Show “Snow Wands” | Nepeta “Walker’s Low” | Phlox
Use code: GIRLONTHEHUDSON for 20% off all flowers at Perennial Farm Marketplace
Looking at the backyard now, it already feels so much fuller, softer, and more established than when we first started. I love how the layered greenery, flowering perennials, and oversized trees all work together to create a backyard that feels peaceful and private while still feeling bright and open. The mix of textures and soft blooms gives everything that relaxed garden feel I was hoping for, and I know it will only get prettier as everything continues to grow in over time.
One of my favorite things about designing outdoor spaces is that they are always evolving. Gardens never feel completely finished, and I actually love that about them. Each season brings new growth, different blooms, and little changes that make the backyard feel fresh again. This space has already become one of our favorite places to relax, entertain, and slow down, and I cannot wait to keep adding to it year after year.
