Matrix Planting: Gorgeous, Low-Maintenance Beds for Busy Lives

The traditional perennial border is broken. It demands constant attention—staking, deadheading, dividing, weeding—yet still looks messy half the year. Meanwhile, there’s a planting revolution happening that creates gardens so self-sufficient they practically maintain themselves.

Matrix planting, pioneered by European designers and perfected at gardens like London’s Olympic Park, mimics nature’s own strategies. Instead of isolated specimens fighting weeds alone, plants work in layered communities that cover every inch of soil. The result? 75% less maintenance, no mulch needed, and a garden that looks intentionally beautiful rather than accidentally overgrown.

Understanding Matrix Planting

The Matrix Concept

Think of matrix planting as organized chaos—a carefully planned community where every plant has a role:

The Three Layers:

1. Matrix Layer (70%): Low groundcovers that carpet the soil
2. Veil Layer (20%): Mid-height plants that weave through
3. Emergent Layer (10%): Tall specimens that punctuate

This isn’t random mixed planting. It’s strategic layering where plants support each other physically and visually, creating a tapestry that changes through seasons but never has bare soil.

Why It Works

Natural Principles:

• Complete ground coverage prevents weeds
• Dense roots use all available water
• Varied heights capture all light
• Competition keeps plants in check
• Self-sowing fills any gaps

Design Benefits:

• No mulch needed (plants are the mulch)
• No staking (plants support each other)
• No edging (defined by density)
• Minimal watering (efficient resource use)
• Year-round interest (succession built in)

The Matrix Formula

Plant Selection Rules

Matrix Layer Requirements:

• 6-18 inches tall
• Spreading or clumping habit
• Persistent foliage
• Competitive but not invasive
• Similar water/sun needs

Top Matrix Plants:

• Sedges (Carex species)
• Wild strawberry (Fragaria vesca)
• Creeping phlox (Phlox subulata)
• Geranium macrorrhizum
• Ajuga reptans
• Liriope muscari

Veil Layer Characteristics:

• 18-36 inches tall
• See-through quality
• Self-supporting stems
• Long bloom period
• Seeds provide winter interest

Top Veil Plants:

• Gaura lindheimeri
• Verbena bonariensis
• Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare)
• Knautia macedonica
• Aquilegia species
• Thalictrum rochebrunianum

Emergent Layer Stars:

• 3-6 feet tall
• Strong architectural form
• Seasonal highlights
• Don’t dominate
• Add vertical rhythm

Top Emergent Plants:

• Ornamental grasses
• Verbascum species
• Digitalis (foxglove)
• Persicaria polymorpha
• Eupatorium species
• Veronicastrum virginicum

Design Process

Step 1: Site Analysis

Document Conditions:

• Sun exposure (hours/intensity)
• Soil type and drainage
• Moisture patterns
• Existing features
• Maintenance access

Define the Matrix Type:

• Dry Sunny: Mediterranean style
• Moist Shade: Woodland floor
• Average Sun: Prairie inspired
• Wet Areas: Bog matrix

Step 2: Calculate Quantities

Planting Density Formula:

• Matrix layer: 9-11 plants/m²
• Veil layer: 3-5 plants/m²
• Emergent layer: 1-2 plants/m²
• Total: 13-18 plants/m²

Example 100 sq ft bed:

• 75-90 matrix plants
• 20-30 veil plants
• 5-10 emergent plants
• Total: 100-130 plants

Step 3: Create the Pattern

Random but Balanced:

• No straight lines
• Avoid obvious patterns
• Drift sizes vary
• Edges blend naturally
• Repetition creates unity

Planting Map Method:

1. Grid the space
2. Place emergents first
3. Add veil plants between
4. Fill with matrix plants
5. Review for balance

Installation Guide

Site Preparation

Essential Steps:

1. Remove all perennial weeds
2. Improve soil if needed
3. Grade for drainage
4. No raised edges
5. Water deeply before planting

Skip These Traditional Steps:

• Deep cultivation (disturbs seeds)
• Adding mulch (plants are mulch)
• Creating defined edges
• Installing irrigation (usually)

Planting Technique

The Dense Planting Method:

Day 1: Layout

• Arrange plants in pots first
• Adjust for visual balance
• Ensure even coverage
• Check sight lines
• Photograph for reference

Day 2: Installation

• Start with emergent plants
• Add veil layer
• Fill with matrix plants
• Plant tightly (shoulders touching)
• Water thoroughly

Critical: First Year Care

• Weekly watering if dry
• Remove weeds immediately
• Replace failures quickly
• No fertilizer (encourages weeds)
• Let plants establish dominance

Maintenance Schedule

Year One: Establishment

Monthly Tasks:

• Water during dry spells
• Hand-weed any invaders
• Replace dead plants
• Monitor coverage
• Document progress

Seasonal Work:

• Spring: Plant assessment
• Summer: Watering as needed
• Fall: Note successes
• Winter: Plan adjustments

Year Two: Maturation

Reduced Care:

• Biweekly checks
• Spot weeding only
• Minimal watering
• Watch for thugs
• Enjoy development

Year Three+: Cruise Control

Annual Maintenance:

• Spring cleanup (one time)
• Remove unwanted seedlings
• Divide if needed (rare)
• Add plants for variety
• 4-6 hours total per year

Matrix Recipes for Different Conditions

Sunny Dry Matrix

The Mediterranean Blend:

Matrix Layer:

• Thymus serpyllum (50%)
• Sedum acre (30%)
• Festuca glauca (20%)

Veil Layer:

• Gaura lindheimeri
• Eryngium species
• Perovskia atriplicifolia

Emergent Layer:

• Verbascum bombyciferum
• Stipa gigantea
• Yucca filamentosa

Shady Moist Matrix

The Woodland Floor:

Matrix Layer:

• Carex pensylvanica (40%)
• Wild ginger (30%)
• Lamium maculatum (30%)

Veil Layer:

• Astilbe chinensis
• Brunnera macrophylla
• Japanese painted fern

Emergent Layer:

• Hosta ‘Sum and Substance’
• Actaea racemosa
• Aruncus dioicus

Prairie Sun Matrix

The Native Meadow:

Matrix Layer:

• Prairie dropseed (40%)
• Pennsylvania sedge (30%)
• Wild strawberry (30%)

Veil Layer:

• Rudbeckia fulgida
• Liatris spicata
• Asclepias tuberosa

Emergent Layer:

• Panicum virgatum
• Joe Pye weed
• Baptisia australis

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Problem: Bare spots appearing

• Solution: Add more matrix plants
• Increase density
• Check growing conditions

Problem: One plant dominating

• Solution: Reduce aggressive spreaders
• Add competitors
• Choose less vigorous cultivars

Problem: Weeds breaking through

• Solution: Increase plant density
• Add aggressive matrix plants
• Hand-weed consistently first year

Problem: Looking too messy

• Solution: Add structure with emergents
• Create defined edges
• Choose tidier cultivars

Seasonal Interest Planning

Spring Sequence

• Bulbs through matrix
• Fresh foliage emergence
• Early bloomers
• Textural contrasts

Summer Peak

• Full coverage achieved
• Veil plants flowering
• Beneficial insects abundant
• Minimal bare soil

Fall Transition

• Seed heads forming
• Color changes
• Grasses at peak
• Winter structure developing

Winter Architecture

• Persistent seed heads
• Structural grasses
• Evergreen matrix plants
• Snow-catching forms

Converting Existing Beds

The Gradual Approach

Year 1:

• Identify keeper plants
• Add matrix layer between
• Increase density
• Stop mulching

Year 2:

• Add veil plants
• Remove strugglers
• Fill gaps
• Reduce maintenance

Year 3:

• Full matrix achieved
• Minimal care needed
• System self-sustaining
• Celebrate success

Your Matrix Garden Action Plan

Week 1: Research

1. Study existing matrix gardens
2. Identify your conditions
3. List suitable plants
4. Find plant sources
5. Calculate quantities

Week 2: Design

1. Map your space
2. Choose plant palette
3. Create planting plan
4. Order plants
5. Prepare site

Week 3-4: Installation

1. Remove weeds completely
2. Arrange plants first
3. Plant densely
4. Water thoroughly
5. Monitor establishment

Year 1: Patience

• Water as needed
• Weed diligently
• Replace failures
• Document growth
• Trust the process

The Freedom of Less

Matrix planting isn’t just a technique—it’s liberation from garden slavery. While neighbors spend weekends weeding, staking, and mulching, matrix gardeners spend that time enjoying their gardens. The plants do the work, creating ever-changing tapestries that improve each year.

Design your matrix planting plan with Gardenly’s density calculator → 

This September, as traditional gardens demand fall cleanup, consider the matrix alternative. Plant once, densely, with purpose—then step back and let nature’s own maintenance crew take over.