Ellen DeGeneres's resort-like garden, exhibiting a rare Zen style, surprisingly lies amidst the English countryside - insights offered by a skilled horticulturist.
Ellen DeGeneres' Minimalist Garden: A Zen-like Sanctuary
Ellen DeGeneres and her wife, Portia de Rossi, reside in a modernist home named Heaven in south-west England. The garden of Heaven is a testament to DeGeneres' unique design philosophy, creating a serene, spa-like sanctuary that contrasts sharply with the exuberant, dense, and colorful nature of a traditional cottage garden.
The garden's key features include space and restraint, natural materials, a refined palette and atmosphere, and a zen-like presence. Trees and plants are given room to stand "in quiet authority" without crowded competing vegetation, fostering a calm and uncluttered composition.
A refined palette of ornamental grasses like soft plumes of Stipa and delicate Carex add sensory interest with subtle movement and texture year-round, enhancing the tranquil atmosphere. The garden combines stone and sand elements, creating a retreat-like feel far removed from the romantic, colorful vibe of cottage gardens.
Ellen's use of pine trees creates a minimalist yet deeply impactful composition, feeling like 'living artworks' when given room to breathe. The garden's overall design aims for a landscape that feels more like a sanctuary than a garden, thoughtfully curated to evoke calm and simplicity rather than the playful abundance typical in cottage gardens.
The garden is appreciated by professional gardeners for its zen-like quality. Thom Rutter, a master gardener and gardens editor at Homes & Gardens, comments that Ellen's garden is a serene, almost meditative space that balances sculptural boldness with gentle restraint.
The garden's minimalist design is reflected in the outdoor furniture, with a minimalist outdoor patio chaise lounge chair with woven natural rope and an interior aluminum frame inspired by Ellen's garden. A durable outdoor bench with thickly padded cushion and removable covers for easy washing is another practical yet stylish addition.
A lounge chair with an acacia wood frame and a built-in side table is a perfect finishing touch for a sunny spot, inspired by Heaven's garden. The garden is defined by smooth lines around the pool area and pine trees, resembling a luxury spa resort.
In conclusion, Ellen DeGeneres' garden design philosophy favors quiet elegance through minimalism, space, and natural textures, creating a modern, tranquil refuge that contrasts sharply with the exuberant, dense, and colorful nature of a traditional cottage garden.
- Ellen DeGeneres' garden, inspired by her minimalist design philosophy, transforms the outdoor-living space of her home into a sanctuary for home-and-garden enthusiasts who appreciate landscaping that promotes a zen-like lifestyle.
- In the garden design of Heaven, Ellen DeGeneres seamlessly integrates her minimalist furniture choices to mirror the garden's tranquil atmosphere, inviting guests to embrace the simplicity and elegance of outdoor living.
