Planting with Perception: Using the Preference Matrix to Design Beautiful and Engaging Gardens

Online event

When Tuesday 16 December 2025, 6.00pm – 7.00pm

Duration 1 hour

Location Online (live)

Book now

Overview

Planting with Perception: Using the Preference Matrix to Design Beautiful and Engaging GardensAre your plantings missing that spark between beauty, function, and emotional pull?

In this dynamic presentation with Jared Barnes, Ph.D., you’ll be introduced to the Kaplan Preference Matrix, a powerful model for understanding how people perceive and connect with landscapes.
You will learn about the four key factors coherence, complexity, legibility, and mystery and how they shape how we feel in outdoor spaces. With practical strategies grounded in naturalistic planting, you’ll discover how to design landscapes that are ecologically rich, visually compelling, and deeply intuitive to explore.

https://meristemhorticulture.com/