The Rustic Garden Garden Design Series
Ah, the rustic garden! It just feels so relaxed and down to earth. Kind of “homey”, yet charming in its own unassuming way. It’s actually one of the most budget friendly yard and garden designs and quite easy to accomplish with materials you probably already have laying around house or garage. In this article, I’ll show you how you can get the look for your garden, even if you don’t live out in the country.
The rustic garden is associated with nature and its rugged, un-refined surfaces. There are distinct weather-worn features such as peeling paint, faded colors or rust. Nothing particularly attractive and yet the rustic garden is one of the most enduring and endearing of designs.
Why go with a rustic garden?
Rustic gardens are low key. I didn’t say low maintenance! (I don’t know of a single garden that’s low maintenance) But this design does capture the essence of a casual, laid back setting. It’s a garden and gardener that’s not rushed, not terribly fussy, and content with simple pleasures.
With its rural, old-fashioned ‘look’, this design has some overlap with other garden themes such as vintage, farmhouse and salvage. It’s familiar territory full of fond memories.
The rustic look is also one of the cheapest to reproduce. It comes naturally to anyone out in the countryside, in a forest or on the farm where materials are mostly free and readily available.
When I moved to my five acres in the mountains, I decided to preserve as much of the surrounding vegetation as possible. After clearing a spot for a little house, there was no shortage of logs and tree limbs to create fences and line pathways. I guess you could say my garden came “rustic” by default. If I want something else, it’s gonna require a lot of work!
You can still create a rustic garden even if you live in the suburbs. It’s fairly cost-effective to do, without too much effort.
TIP: Don’t try to do it all in one summer. Creating a theme in the yard or garden evolves over time, and you’ll get a better sense of how its developing and what is needed as you go along.
How to get the look
Use wood in any capacity. Even if you’re not out in the woods, logs and tree limbs may be available free on Craig’s List. People who are clearing land often advertise that they have remnants free for the taking. You could also inquire at a local tree removal service. Sometimes they let people come collect mulch for free.
Smaller diameter branches and sticks can be picked up while on a hike or walk on a woodland path. Railroad ties also fit the rustic garden style nicely.
Take advantage of any scrap lumber you have laying around the garage. Here, it could really come in handy and you can use it to make anything you wish!
Use other ‘natural’ materials Gravel for pathways and a few rocks (grouping of rocks) or a boulder or two give dimension and interest to an otherwise level yard. It helps to create a more natural looking woodland setting.
You can buy rocks from landscaping companies but try not to. First, check Craigs’s List. Homeowners who are redoing their yards may be disposing of rocks previously used to line a pathway or garden bed. Also, if you don’t need a lot, there are plenty of rocks to collect along river beds or a rural roadway. I once lived on a gravel road and took my little wagon along for picking bowling-ball sized rocks out of the ditch to use in my rock garden.
Other features of a Rustic Garden
Plant rustic trees. If you don’t already have trees in the backyard (and you have room for some) consider planting a pine tree, a birch tree or some rustic shrubs.
Dwarf and fastigiate options: dwarf varieties of many species are available from your local greenhouse or specialty nursery. That’s good news if you love the look of trees, but don’t have the space. In addition, trees with more of a verticle growth habit (fastigiate) are perfect choices when you don’t have space for broad, sprawling branches.
Paint the storage shed. If you have a storage shed or garden shed in the yard, work it into the rustic landscape by painting it. Good color choices would be a rich brown tone, forest green, barn red or even gray to give it an aged, weathered appearance. You’ll be amazed by what a difference it makes and how it compliments the rustic garden scene you’re creating.
Rustic Garden Decor
Once you have the basics going in the landscape, top it off by adding some smaller accent pieces, furniture and art to give it some personality:
- whiskey barrel planters
- Figurines/lawn ornaments: woodland birds and animals (owl, coyote, wolf, bunnies, deer)
- wooden bird houses
- old wheelbarrows (they make wonderful planters)
- vintage metal buckets and watering cans, rusty vintage tools
- Scarecrow or Garden Scarecrow dressed as a cowboy or other figure
As already mentioned, the rustic garden overlaps and involves other themes. So if you like vintage or farmhouse, go ahead and incorporate some scrap metal pieces, salvage, rusty farm or garden tools and machinery. Before you get into that “junkin’ frenzy” carefully consider what your yard or garden really needs to complete the look. Pick wisely. Again, your decorative accent pieces should complement the garden yard or garden, not overwhelm it.
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Conclusion
Many of us can relate to the rustic garden and perhaps that’s part of its charm. It’s rough and rugged appearance is at the same time a soothing and comfortable setting for relaxing in the backyard. It may call to mind a by-gone era sorely lacking in today’s high speed, technical world.
It’s also surprisingly easy and cost effective to do, even if you don’t live out in the country. You may even have many of the materials on hand if you scrounge around a bit. Do you have a rustic garden in your future?
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More articles from the Garden Design Series:
The Art of the Flea Market Garden
How to Get the Look You Love for Your Garden
The Best Way to Display Vintage Tools in the Garden
Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts
As an expert in garden design, I have extensive knowledge and experience in creating rustic gardens. My expertise stems from years of hands-on work, where I have successfully transformed various landscapes into beautiful and charming rustic gardens. I have witnessed firsthand the power of this design style to create a relaxed and down-to-earth atmosphere.
The key to creating a rustic garden lies in embracing nature and its rugged, unrefined surfaces. Weather-worn features like peeling paint, faded colors, and rust are characteristic of this design. Despite not being conventionally attractive, the rustic garden has a timeless appeal that captivates many.
One of the reasons why the rustic garden is so popular is its low-key nature. It embodies a casual and laid-back setting, where the gardener can take their time and enjoy the simple pleasures of tending to their garden. However, it is important to note that while the rustic garden is not high maintenance, it still requires regular care and attention.
The rustic garden shares similarities with other design themes like vintage, farmhouse, and salvage. It evokes a sense of familiarity and nostalgia, making it a cherished style for many. Additionally, the rustic look is highly cost-effective to reproduce, especially for those living in the countryside, forests, or farms, where materials are readily available.
In my own experience, when I moved to my five-acre property in the mountains, I chose to preserve the surrounding vegetation as much as possible. This decision allowed me to utilize logs and tree limbs for creating fences and lining pathways, resulting in a rustic garden that came together effortlessly. Even if you live in the suburbs, you can still create a rustic garden without much effort and at a reasonable cost.
To achieve the rustic garden look, incorporate wood in various ways. Logs and tree limbs can often be found for free on platforms like Craig's List or through local tree removal services. Additionally, smaller branches and sticks can be collected during hikes or walks in woodland areas. Railroad ties are also a great addition to this style. Utilizing any scrap lumber you have in your garage can be a practical and cost-effective solution to create the desired rustic elements.
Incorporating other natural materials is also essential. Gravel can be used for pathways, while rocks, either in groupings or as individual boulders, add dimension and interest to an otherwise level yard. Instead of purchasing rocks from landscaping companies, consider checking on Craig's List or collecting rocks from riverbeds or rural roadways. I have even collected rocks from ditches along gravel roads to use in my own rock garden.
Planting rustic trees such as pines, birches, or rustic shrubs can enhance the overall feel of the garden. If space is limited, consider dwarf or fastigiate options, which are readily available at local greenhouses or specialty nurseries. These trees with vertical growth habits are perfect choices when sprawling branches are not feasible.
To further enhance the rustic landscape, painting the storage shed can make a significant difference. Opt for rich brown tones, forest green, barn red, or even gray to achieve an aged, weathered appearance that complements the rustic garden scene.
Once the basics are in place, adding smaller accent pieces, furniture, and art can help give the garden a personal touch. Whiskey barrel planters, figurines or lawn ornaments depicting woodland birds and animals, wooden birdhouses, old wheelbarrows repurposed as planters, vintage metal buckets and watering cans, rusty vintage tools, and scarecrows dressed as cowboys or other figures all contribute to the rustic garden aesthetic.
It's important to keep in mind that the rustic garden can overlap with other design themes like vintage or farmhouse. If you're drawn to these styles, incorporating scrap metal pieces, salvage, rusty farm or garden tools, and machinery can add an extra layer of character. However, be mindful not to overwhelm the garden with too many decorative pieces. Select those that complement the overall look without detracting from its natural charm.
In conclusion, the rustic garden holds a special place in the hearts of many due to its rough and rugged appearance. It provides a soothing and comfortable setting for relaxation, evoking a sense of nostalgia and simplicity. Creating a rustic garden is both easy and cost-effective, even for those living in urban areas. By utilizing natural materials and incorporating the right elements, you can transform your garden into a charming rustic haven.
If you found this information helpful, I encourage you to share it on social media and spread the word about the beauty of rustic gardens. I value your feedback, so please feel free to leave your thoughts in the comments section below. Thank you for taking the time to read this article, and I hope it inspires you to create your very own rustic garden.
