Designing a harmonious garden isn’t just about picking your favorite plants—it’s about arranging them in a way that creates balance and visual depth. One of the most effective landscaping techniques, suitable for both small and large gardens, is the three-layered approach.
This method involves organizing plants on three height levels—upper, middle, and lower—to achieve a natural, balanced, and low-maintenance landscape. Discover how to apply this rule to your own garden!
1. The Upper Layer – The Garden’s Natural Architecture
The upper layer consists of tall trees and shrubs that define the structure of the garden while providing shade, protection, and privacy. This level acts as a natural backdrop for other plants and integrates the garden into its surrounding landscape.
Best Plants for the Upper Layer:
- Ornamental trees – birch, maple, linden, ginkgo biloba, oak, pine
- Tall shrubs – serviceberry, redbud, Japanese maples
Benefits of the Upper Layer:
- Provides natural shade for lower plants
- Creates a green backdrop all year round (if evergreens are chosen)
- Ensures privacy and protection from wind
2. The Middle Layer – Adding Color and Texture
The middle layer brings dynamism and volume to the garden, featuring ornamental shrubs and perennial plants. This level transitions between tall trees and ground-level plants, offering an attractive contrast of colors and textures.
Best Plants for the Middle Layer:
- Flowering shrubs – hydrangea, roses, abelia, spirea, butterfly bush
- Perennials – echinacea, daylilies, veronica, lady’s mantle, Russian sage
- Ornamental grasses – switchgrass, sedge, feather reed grass, fountain grass
- Evergreen shrubs – holly, camellia, cherry laurel, photinia, silverberry
Benefits of the Middle Layer:
- Adds color and texture throughout the year
- Attracts pollinators like bees and butterflies
- Provides protection and shade for ground-level plants
3. The Lower Layer – The Green Foundation of the Garden
The final layer completes the design and brings cohesion to the landscape. It includes lawn, ground covers, ornamental grasses, and mulched areas that create a natural aesthetic while reducing maintenance needs.
Best Plants for the Lower Layer:
- Durable lawn – for a classic and neat appearance
- Ground covers – ivy, periwinkle, creeping phlox
- Ornamental grasses – Mexican feather grass, fescue, miscanthus
- Decorative gravel or mulch – for a modern design and well-protected soil
Benefits of the Lower Layer:
- Completes the landscape and ensures visual continuity
- Helps retain soil moisture and suppress weeds
- Minimizes maintenance requirements
Why Use the Three-Layer Rule in Your Garden?
Creates a balanced, natural-looking landscape – Your garden will remain visually appealing year-round.
Enhances depth and visual diversity – A mix of heights, colors, and textures adds a striking effect.
Optimizes space usage – Each layer plays a distinct role, contributing to a functional and well-structured design.
Excerpt: A well-balanced garden has depth and harmony. The three-layer rule—tall trees, shrubs, and low-growing plants—creates a natural, cohesive, and low-maintenance landscape.