How to Create Atmosphere in the Garden With Light and Shadow
There’s so much we can achieve by harnessing the natural elements around us. Here’s how to use sunlight beautifully
It can be easy to overlook the value of sunlight and shadow and the way they work together in your garden. The interplay of the two creates atmosphere and a magical quality that’s subtle and hard to pin down, but it can make the difference between good design and great design.
Emphasize your contours. Changes in level, terraces or even gentle mounds or contours will look more dramatic when the light is low and skims along the surface of the ground. This is particularly effective as the sun sinks in the evening.
Incorporate grassy accents. Positioning grasses so they catch the low evening light will make them glow and add an extra dimension to their translucent seed heads, which will shimmer and dance in the sun’s rays.
This is true of all grasses, particularly those with prominent seed heads, such as the Stipa gigantea shown in this image. The foliage of grasses can also be very effective as it turns golden in the autumn.
This is true of all grasses, particularly those with prominent seed heads, such as the Stipa gigantea shown in this image. The foliage of grasses can also be very effective as it turns golden in the autumn.
Add a light dimension to your topiary. Sunlight, particularly low morning or evening light, can bring topiary to life. It allows the shapes to be truly appreciated, as the contrast between light and shadow becomes more emphasized. Without light, this cluster of box balls would appear static and flat, whereas here in the evening, they look dynamic and have a magical quality.
Backlight for effect. Many plants have very distinctive and attractive foliage — maples, bamboos, ferns and palms, to name a few. Low light can project the outline structure and leaf shape of a plant onto a screen or pale wall to magical effect, creating a changing pattern of interest and movement.
Create patterns. Perforated screens, fences or awnings can generate an interesting interplay of light and shadow on walls, paving and other surfaces. A little thought and experimentation may be needed to catch the evening or morning sun to best effect.
Feel the rhythm. The rhythm of formal planting, such as an avenue of trees or a line of topiary, can be underscored by shadows cast onto the ground by trunks or foliage. Here, there’s a combination of the formal shadows of the tree trunks and the spidery ones of the branches created by low spring sunshine.
Spotlight it. Even where there’s a lot of shade, accent plants can be positioned to catch some light and make it appear almost as if they have a spotlight on them in comparison to the shade around them. This technique could also be used to spotlight sculpture or other interesting objects in the garden.
Highlight tree bark. Interesting bark really catches the eye when facing the sun, as the light plays on the surfaces. This works well with many birch varieties, with their beautiful white bark, but consider other colors as well. Eucalyptus and arbutus have a huge variation of color and a reflective quality that responds well to sunlight.
Reflect on water. In this image, you can see water reflections on the ceiling. The small movements of wind on water create little waves, which in turn create light and shadow patterns in the pool. When the sun shines on these, it bounces reflections onto surfaces above the water.
By locating water close to a house entrance or window, light will reflect off the water and cause a wonderful shimmer on the ceiling. This is an effect I particularly love, and it’s without equal in terms of bringing light and movement into the house.
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By locating water close to a house entrance or window, light will reflect off the water and cause a wonderful shimmer on the ceiling. This is an effect I particularly love, and it’s without equal in terms of bringing light and movement into the house.
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Don’t forget to provide a little optional shade. A small tree located on or near the seating area will allow for a cool retreat on those days when the sun is too hot.