5 Ways to Recreate Joanna Gaines’s Garden in Your Yard

Designer and media personality Joanna Gaines hardly needs an introduction around here, but while you’re likely familiar with her modern farmhouse interiors, you might have missed the pièce de résistance that is her lush, stylized, and undeniably charming garden.

With spring in full swing, your green thumb might be itching to get Gaines-approved grounds, so we tapped landscape architect Kevin Lenhart from Yardzen to help break down how to turn your yard into an enviable plot of blooms and edibles.

Opt for Raised Garden Beds (Preferrably in Long Narrow Aisles) 

The hallmark of Gaines’ garden is her raised garden beds. For similar vibes, Lenhart notes that there are many materials to consider for raised beds—composite wood, aluminum, corten steel, natural stone—but based on the patina of these, Gaines is using natural wood (likely cedar).

Regardless of what you choose, the landscape architect suggests using a well-draining soil mix that’s rich in organic matter, a common blend being 75% topsoil and 25% compost. “You’ll also want to ensure that the bed is at least 12 inches deep to accommodate the root systems of most plants,” Lenhart advises.

Note that raised beds may dry out faster than in-ground gardens, so regular watering is essential, especially during hot weather.

Choose the Right Companion Flowers Both for Aesthetics and Planting Success 

Below, Gaines mixed anemones and ranunculus, which both have similar growing needs. That’s the key to companion flowers. “When designing mixed floral beds, we recommend grouping plants with similar sun, water, and soil preferences,” says Lenhart. “That way, your garden will be not only visually cohesive but also easier to care for and more resilient.”

Some pairings he recommends include lavender and roses, echinacea and rudbeckia, zinnias (a favorite of Gaines) and salvia, and yarrow and cosmos. 

Add Form and Function with Garden Hoops and Trellises

Any good design plan, whether inside the house or out, includes a good balance of visual width and height. In Gaines’ garden, she checks both those boxes with her long garden beds as well as garden hoops and trellises.

Lenhart mentions the hoops specifically serve as scaffolding for cloth plant protectors (used to shield plants against sun, weather, and pests), and both hoops and trellises (which create the center point of Gaines’ garden) provide climbing surfaces for any vining plants.  

Cover the Surrounding Ground with Pea Gravel

All around her garden beds, Gaines went with what looks to be white-gray gravel or small river rock. Lenhart adds that a similar material his company often recommends is pea gravel, as it’s elegant, works with many styles, is cost-effective and low-maintenance.

“It comes in a range of sizes and colors, and there are often local options that will complement your landscaping beautifully,” Lenhart says. Keep in mind that it needs regular raking, and you’ll need to lay landscaping fabric underneath to help control weed growth.

Consider a Cutting Garden

Gaines often shares her gorgeous floral clippings and arrangements she pulls from her garden, and Lenhart says that cutting gardens—dedicated beds filled with flowers grown specifically for harvesting and arranging indoors—have emerged as a standout trend.

“It’s a way to extend the enjoyment of a garden beyond the yard,” he notes. “Popular annual varieties include zinnias, cosmos, snapdragons, sunflowers, and dahlias—all prolific bloomers that hold up well as cut stems and thrive in a wide range of climates.” You’ll want to double-check that anything you’re planting works with your lighting conditions, water needs, and USDA zone.