When considering yard size, many just measure the ground's area. However, true gardening experts know there's hidden potential in vertical space. Nicole Kidman's garden illustrates this brilliantly as we approach the 2026 gardening season.
In a recent Instagram post showcasing her Golden Globes gown, her stunning vertical garden backdrop caught everyone's attention. The third slide prominently displays a wooden fence completely covered in English ivy.
With trees and vines cascading above, this design offers a layered green canopy. Such landscaping maximizes plant density, boosts privacy, and creates the illusion of a more expansive yard—an inviting sight as spring unfolds in 2026.
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Nicoled's garden serves as a masterclass on establishing a vertical garden in your own space.
Master Gardener and writer Thom Rutter notes: 'Nicole Kidman shows how vital it is to fill fences and walls with climbing plants. Growing upwards creates a vertical garden that enhances the boundary of your plot, making the most of limited space, even in smaller yards.'
English Ivy
This classic ivy is a stunning choice for replicating the charm of Nicole Kidman's home. Its rich green hue and natural climbing nature make it perfect for adding height and character to vertical garden areas.
Highly-Rated
Felco Pruners
These Felco pruning shears come with durable blades for precise and effortless trimming, making challenging rose pruning feel manageable. Our Garden Content Editor swears by them for tough jobs, calling them the 'best pruners available.'
Low Maintenance Plant
Clematis
This low-maintenance perennial reliably returns each year, making it a fantastic addition to any garden. Its delicate flowers provide a subtle splash of color to vertical spaces.
Vibrant
Vining Hydrangea Plant
A favorite among climbers, vining hydrangea always impresses. Its fluffy blooms on sturdy vines create a rich, full appearance.
Sophisticated Style
Martha Stewart Leather Gardening Gloves
Who knew gardening gloves could be so stylish? Ideal for roses or shrubs, they protect hands during tasks. Flexible enough for delicate work, they facilitate reaching into thick foliage or handling prickly stems without hassle.
Fragrant Blooms
Clematis Virginiana - Fall Blooming Love Vine
A favorite of master gardeners, this climbing plant thrives in nearly all zones. It beautifully decorates mailboxes, trellises, and porches with cascading blooms that stand out in any garden.
To achieve this aesthetic, choose plants that naturally reach upward. Rutter advises: 'Climbing plants—like English ivy or evergreen clematis—are fantastic for attracting birds, bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. These species retain their foliage throughout the year, ensuring your garden remains vibrant no matter the season.'
This year-round greenery is particularly important during the winter months when most gardens appear bare.
For those keen on local ecology and native planting for the 2026 season, excellent alternatives exist. 'Consider growing Clematis virginiana; live plants can be ordered from Walmart,' Rutter suggests. 'This variety produces an abundance of lovely white blooms in summer, thriving best in sunny areas with ample moisture.'
Whether you have a spacious estate or a small urban patio, growing upwards is the best way to broaden your gardening possibilities. Just take inspiration from Nicole Kidman's elevated green sanctuary.
