Based on the ancient Chinese doctrine of "less is gain,more is confusion",and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe’s architectural concept "less is more",connotations of "less is more" in the conservation-minded gardens were analyzed from the perspective of design and culture.Taking Tanghe Park in Qinhuangdao City,Landschaftspark Duisburg-Nord,Lingering Garden in Suzhou and Jiangyangpan Eco-park for example,this study stressed the creation of maximum urbanization effects and the most vivid urban landscapes via the least materials,investment,design and human interventions,and analyzed the application of "less is more" in conservationminded garden design.