Cultivate Your Own 'Secret Garden' Inspired Oasis With These 12 Helpful Tips From Joanna Gaines

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Joanna Gaines seems to be a source of endless inspiration for homeowners who want to embrace chic beauty and timeless charm in their day-to-day lives. While many people have modeled their interior home decor and design on the trends inspired by the Gaines' brand, Magnolia, this famous designer also has true talent when it comes to creating a one-of-a-kind garden. Whether you're an experienced or amateur gardener, Gaines can help you dream big and create a garden that elicits a specific vibe. While her gardens in past years have strived to achieve specific styles, her goals are always evolving. Her goal for her 2026 garden: To create a "Secret Garden-style" space on her property. 

Gaines' garden will bring together a number of features, all aimed at adding a "wild and whimsical" feel to her current landscaping, which goes to show that you don't always have to do a complete overhaul of your property. Tying in little decorative elements — a vine-covered fence, a covered tunnel, a romantic walkway, and brightly colored flowers — can truly take your garden to the next level, as you plan your oasis with these tips from Gaines.

A whimsical garden is certainly the vibe that you want to lead with if you are hoping to follow in the footsteps of Joanna Gaines. While a whimsical garden can have its own order to it, you also want to ensure that your space has a unique charm. Embrace trailing flowers and vines, bring in little features like birdhouses and figurines to promote the feeling of whimsy, and keep things from becoming too sterile. You can also play around with colors and shapes of flowers, choosing a variety of different types.

Beauty can be many things, and one of the leading characteristics that Gaines uses to describe her upcoming 2026 garden is "wild." What this means can differ person-to-person, but similar to a whimsical garden, a wild garden should evoke charm that is a little rough around the edges. That means you have permission to sow wildflower seeds that may pop up in a number of places. You also can feel no shame if your garden beds' edges aren't perfectly maintained — it all adds to the aesthetic of a wild and secret garden.

Gaines said that she has planned out a garden with a pasture-like feel, the kind you can get lost in, not because of excess space, but because everything is closing in around you. In order to give your garden boundaries, utilize fencing, walls, or other physical barriers to create an area that is set apart. If you already have barriers around the perimeter of your yard, you can use those to your advantage; hedges or small picket fences can have an appealing effect, too.

A vine-covered fence is the quintessential secret garden feature, as it basically camouflages the barrier into the natural setting (which plays nicely into the wild theme Gaines aims for). You can choose a green vine, like a classic ivy, to grow on your fence or brick wall, or you can embrace a more flowery alternative like a wisteria or clematis. Whatever you choose, remember to keep it trimmed back periodically so that it doesn't put too much strain on the fence itself.

Gaines' current garden features an arbor tunnel, which has an intrinsically intimate feel that it can lend to any space. If you currently have a garden with a space that can accommodate it, installing your own tunneled walkway can help you pull off a secret garden look. Consider growing climbing roses over the tunnel, as they were one of the flowers found in 'The Secret Garden". Allowing sunlight to dapple through the walkway is a sure way to rock this garden feature successfully.

A winding walkway can add dimension and depth to any garden, especially a secret one. Gaines' garden has a gravel walkway that provides a clear direction to the flow of her space. You can incorporate your own walkway with the use of pavers, bricks, gravel, or any combination of these elements. If you need to keep your budget on the low end, initially, using mulch for your walkway is a suitable alternative (though it will require refreshing periodically). Need a little more inspiration? Here are 20 whimsical stepping stone ideas that will transform your garden.

Just because the sun has set doesn't mean you have to say goodnight to your secret garden. Some outdoor walkway lighting can add ambience to your space, even if it's not daylight hours. Position a few lights on each side of your walkway to create a soft and understated lighting effect. For a timeless and quaint look, choose lights that have a lantern design. These solar-powered walkway lights by GIGALUMI ($22.78/6-pack on Amazon) have a delightful aesthetic and are easy to install in your garden.

Remember to implement seating in your secret garden, as this will provide a space for rest, relaxation, and reprieve. You can bring seating into your garden in a number of ways, each with its own benefits, so be sure to explore and consider the pros and cons. A stone bench can be a perfect choice for a historic feel, or a wooden bench, which can be a bit more comfortable and affordable. If you enjoy sipping tea or reading a book in your secret garden, consider a small cafe table with chairs. 

One of Gaines' springtime flower choices is zinnias, which are ideal for creating a secret garden that is as cheerful as it is charming. Plant zinnias throughout your garden beds or create borders for your garden with the tall and brightly blooming flowers. They have the additional benefit of being a delight to harvest and bring inside for your indoor floral arrangements. While they are pretty easy to maintain (and even easier to enjoy), it's good to familiarize yourself with how to grow and care for zinnias.

Gaines' garden has rows of strawflowers (Xerochrysum bracteatum) sprinkled into its design, which helps to bring more texture and color to the space. Since they are a self-seeding flower, they'll keep your garden bursting with color into fall. Strawflowers and zinnias have a similar shape but are unique enough that they'll complement one another in your secret garden.

Whether you've read "The Secret Garden" or not, chances are that any thought of a garden that's hidden brings a romantic door to your mind. In fact, a doorway is one of the DIY features that can turn your backyard into a secret garden oasis. While adding a functional door to your garden might not be practical, if you can work in a gate or doorway of some kind, it can go a long way towards creating that perfect secret garden you're longing for.

While it's not explicitly mentioned as a feature of "The Secret Garden", a water feature could be a great choice. Not only will it add to the romantic vibe of the space, but it will also help create a soundscape that helps you relax and feel like you are in a fantasy world of some kind. Your garden's water feature can be a koi pond, a fountain, or even a small waterfall. Consider adding water lilies (Nymphaea) to it since lilies were found in the garden in the book.