Soft focus: Airy plants that add drama
When we think about planting, it’s easy to default to colour, bold blooms, and harmonious palettes. But gardens are more than a collection of visual fireworks.
Some of the most beautiful, restful, and sophisticated spaces come to life not through colour, but through structure, texture, and movement.
One group of plants that often gets overlooked in favour of louder companions? The airy ones.
Watch the video:
My old way of viewing plants
When I moved to RHS Wisley at the age of 19, I remember being particularly impressed by the mixed borders. In fact, these borders were the subject of our first plant identification test.
Not wanting to give the RHS any reason to think they had made a mistake offering me a place on the training program at Wisley, I studied hard and aced the test. 100% 😀
Anyway, looking back, I loved this area because of the big, colourful flowers. That was about it!
Changing tastes (and ways of speaking)
I’d like to think that my taste in plants has matured as I have. I now appreciate the more subtle features of plants. The features that are harder to describe.
Rather than using colour and size, I find myself describing plants with sentences like…
- “The kind of plant that’s able to add clarity and calmness to an overly congested border.”
- “A cultivar that ties a planting together, helping different elements feel more connected and intentional.”
- “One that lets the eye rest, creating space between heavier, more solid forms.”
- “The sort that adds rhythm and movement, like a high note dancing above the deeper tones of surrounding foliage.”
How poetic I’ve become. I know my friends from County Durham would have a laugh at my expense if they heard me talking like that.
But sometimes, just saying what colour a flower is isn’t enough.
What do you look for in a plant?
I’d love to know what you look for in a plant. Is colour your main focus? Or do you look at aspects like structure and texture?
Perhaps you go in for the more abstract. Feel, rhythm, character…
Leave a reply below to let me know.
All the best and happy gardening.
Joe
Joe Vary Dip. Hort (Wisley), MCIHort, CMTGG
I'm a gardener, educator, consultant, and planting designer. Learn with me 1-to-1, or join my mentoring group and community.
This Post Has 8 Comments
An excellent video focussing on the use of certain plants to achieve effects in the garden. Airey plants add another layer to garden structure. A very useful selection of choice plants which will thrive in your garden. Other useful topics could cover autumn colour in the border, tree and shrubs for autumn planting, preparing the garden for winter, choice of hedging plants for shelter and wildlife.
Thanks so much for your kind words Nick. I’m really happy you enjoyed this 😀
These are great suggestions. Thank you for sharing! I’m always grateful to hear suggestions about what sort of content people would like me to make.
In relation to trees and shrubs for autumn planting; I filmed something in spring relating to tree planting techniques which would be good for posting in August in preparation for tree planting in September-October. Will work on editing this.
Have made a note of your other ideas too.
All the best,
Joe
Just watching the video gave me a wonderful relaxed dreamy feeling , and I am now looking in my garden and realising that the description ‘airy’ plant is exactly how I would describe my newly planted Pennisetum ‘flamingo’. I bought it as a bare root in April this year and it has a lovely flowing and feathery appearance with pinky flowers much loved by bees. I was concerned that it wouldn’t stand up well to the battering from strong wind and powerful rain but actually it has grown stronger but still for me retained that airy character.
Hi there Jo, yes definitely! Pennisetum is absolutely an airy plant; in fact, most grasses are 🌾
I love Pennisetum, we have three in our home garden, but none are as colourful as your P. ‘Flamingo’.
As a genus, they aren’t the hardiest of grasses, but actually… they all survived their first winter here (2024-25) and I’m hopeful for the future.
I would expect yours to do especially well in a sunny spot because you’re on the coast and are likely to be a bit milder than here.
I think they’re one of the most pretty (and airy) plants going. Really glad you’re enjoying yours and the bare root planting is coming to fruition.
Happy gardening,
Joe
Thanks Joe very interesting. Always learning and a great way of sharing
Thanks so much Val, that’s great feedback! I’m really pleased you enjoyed it.
If you ever want me to write/video about anything in particular, or answer a gardening question, just let me know.
All the best,
Joe
Loved the talk on a lesser known topic to me .. these airy plants but I can see now how this is being achieved in your design for me! There are some others in the video that I hope we can make room for !!
Thank you for this well structured and informative video.
Thank you for your comment Jane 🙏
I’m really pleased you enjoyed this!
There’s definitely room for more plants in your garden. I love seeing designs continue to evolve over time. You’ll have to let me know which plants you like the look of and we’ll see how we can fit them in.
Best wishes,
Joe