What is Green Drenching?

Layer Tones and Textures of Green Foliage for A Sense of Calm

Green drenching is the garden trend that lush dreams are made of

Leafy ferns are perfect for a green shady garden where calmness reigns. Green balances and alleviates anxiety.

Imagine walking into a space where every surface is cloaked in shades of green — a tapestry of foliage that makes you feel like you’ve stepped into a secret forest. It is a monochromatic statement — your garden wears all green, and it does so with flair.

Here, a Dragon’s-Eye Pine is underplanted with green junipers. I placed the frog here for a bit of fun.

At its heart, green drenching is about immersing a garden space entirely in green plants — from groundcovers and shrubs to vines and trees. The goal is to layer multiple tones and textures of green foliage to create a harmonious look. Flowers take a backseat here; it’s about celebrating leaf form, shape, and subtle color shifts, from emerald to chartreuse, sage to deep forest green.

Why is this planting design technique so popular?

Green drenching is a soothing antidote to modern life.

Green — Nature’s signature hue — is more than just a color; it’s a balm for the soul. Often called the “master color” of peace and renewal, green is the most restful shade for our eyes, offering a gentle visual embrace that soothes and restores. It’s long been associated with love and beauty — from the Roman goddess Venus to the heart chakra, green symbolizes compassion and emotional harmony.

In Hindu philosophy, simply visualizing green is said to invite balance and empathy into one’s life. Acclaimed landscape designer Russell Page captured this beautifully when he wrote, “Green fingers are the extension of a verdant heart,” suggesting that gardeners carry their love in every leaf they tend. (BTW, his book, ‘The Education of a Gardener’ is one of my favorites).