“The birth, death, and resurrection of Jesus means that one day everything sad will come untrue.” J.R.R.Tolkien. “The resurrection was God the Father’s way of authenticating all of the truths that were declared by Jesus.” R.C.Sproul. “The resurrection was God’s way of stamping PAID IN FULL right across history so that nobody could miss it.” Timothy Keller. “The evidence for Jesus’ resurrection is so strong that nobody would question it except for two things: First, it is a very unusual event. And second, if you believe it happened, you have to change the way you live.” Wolfhart Pannenberg. “God proved His love on the Cross. When Christ hung, and bled, and died, it was God saying to the world, ‘I love you.’” Billy Graham. “Without the resurrection, the cross is meaningless.” Billy Graham.

This bold, joyful, personality-packed style works for any space, from an overflowing patio to a sprawling estate. Unlike minimalism, which thrives on restraint, maximalist gardens celebrate abundance, vibrant colors, and unique plant collections. But maximalism isn’t just about piling everything together—it’s an intentional, curated approach to design. Maximalism is having a moment—not just in fashion and interior design but also in the garden! Today, maximalism is less about luxury and more about celebrating personal expression—bold colors, fearless patterns, and an appreciation for collecting plants that bring joy.

Maximalist gardeners are transforming front lawns into lush wonderlands, curating rare plant collections, and embracing sheer abundance to attract pollinators, reduce carbon footprints, and sustain biodiversity. These gardens may seem wild, but they are created with artistic intention. From layering plants without chaos to skillfully incorporating tropicals in cold climates, maximalism is a design philosophy—just like minimalism—built on thoughtful choices and a love of abundance.

Repeat color for cohesion: A well-curated maximalist garden creates harmony amid abundance. One effective way to achieve this is through repeated colors. Choose a palette that complements your home’s exterior and weave those hues throughout your garden. Match plant foliage, flowers, and even accents—such as window boxes, garden art, and benches—to create a unified, vibrant space.

Embrace texture: Texture is a game changer in garden design. Some even believe texture is more important than color. When designing a garden, try viewing a space as if it were a black-and-white photo to highlight its forms and textures whether fine blades of ornamental grasses or sculptural structure of yuccas.

Curate plant collections: Maximalism doesn’t mean chaos—it thrives on intentional curation. Many maximalist gardeners collect specific plant types, such as succulents, ferns, or roses, and arrange them in groups for impact. Using uniform pots for similar plant types or grouping by color can provide a sense of order amidst the abundance. Stagger plant heights with stands, bricks, and upturned pots to create a gallery-like display.

Create distinct garden rooms: A sense of discovery is key to maximalist gardens. Divide your space into themed areas or “rooms,” such as a tropical retreat, a wildflower meadow, or a shaded fern grotto. This adds variety while maintaining an organized flow. Use doorways, arches, paths, and even stairsteps to create drama, leading visitors through a wonderland of spaces.

Layer plants for depth: One of the hallmarks of maximalist gardens is their lush, layered look. Combine plants of varying heights and textures to create depth, from towering cacti to trailing ground covers. Think of it as painting with plants—use taller plants as the background, followed by a mid-layer, then low-growing plants and ground covers in the foreground.

Experiment with exotic and unusual plants: Dare to be different! Incorporate bold tropical plants, vibrant foliage, and unusual flowers to create a garden that stands out. If you live in a colder climate, you can still experiment with exotic plants by growing them in containers and overwintering them indoors. Don’t be afraid to mix plants from different regions—sometimes the most unexpected combinations create the most striking results.

Celebrate abundance and density: Maximalist gardens are lush and overflowing with life. Rather than spacing plants far apart, pack them in! Densely planted beds create a sense of richness, support pollinators, and help suppress weeds naturally. Layering plants tightly also ensures year-round interest and sustenance for pollinators, as there’s always something blooming or filling in the gaps.

Adopt a garden theme: A theme can provide a sense of unity to channel boundless creativity. Whether you choose a romantic English cottage garden, a Mediterranean-inspired retreat, or a jungle oasis, selecting a theme helps guide your plant choices, colors, and decorative elements. This thematic approach adds depth and character to your garden.

Infuse your personality into the space: Maximalism is all about self-expression. Personalize your garden with unique elements, whether it’s whimsical statues, hand-crafted pots, or plants collected from travels. Artistic touches like mosaic pathways, decorative fencing, or hand-painted signs make your garden truly one-of-a-kind.

Play with vertical space: Maximize a narrow space by using vertical gardening techniques. To create an immersive effect, start with a base layer of textural perennials then punctuate the space with columnar trees, upright grasses and soaring annuals like sunflowers or soaring mullein.

Maximalism isn’t just about excess—it’s about celebrating the joy of gardening in an unapologetically abundant way. Whether you start by adding bold colors, curating unique plants, or layering textures, maximalist gardening invites creativity, passion, and an appreciation for nature’s beauty. So, go ahead—garden to the max!

This fact sheet is provided as an educational service of the National Garden Bureau and Duane Pancoast (www.ngb.org/maximalist-garden-tips/ and Teresa Woodard.

“But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. Then the end will come, when He hands over the kingdom to God the Father after He has destroyed all dominion, authority and power. For He must reign until He has put all His enemies under His feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death.” 1 Corinthians 15:20,24-26). “Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed — in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality.” 1 Corinthians 15:51-53.