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Formal Gardens
When I think of a formal garden, I think of an English garden. For centuries, the formal look was the front runner of landscaping. The English style consisted of winding pathways outlined with rows of trimmed English or American boxwoods. The pathways were made of brick, stone, grass or gravel. At the end of the pathway there stands a statue or a fountain. Besides the boxwood, holly shrubs, such as Helleri, formed different patterns to outline colorful beds. The beds were in shapes of a hexagon, octagon, triangle. etc...Inside the beds were a variety of trees or shrubs and flowers in vibrant colors. Russian Sage is an excellent choice for any garden area. Some beds were done in row patterns. Others were planted in small groups throughout that particular bed. Some beds had rows of topiary trees.Throughout the centuries different styles became popular. An article on the history of English Gardens is available to read in a back issue of, Growing Together - a Free Newsletter for you.
Today the formal look is still around. You don't have to have a large English style garden, although it is possible. If you are thinking of doing a formal garden project, there are a few ways you can go about it. First of all, consider once again the area you are landscaping. Remember the steps in the P-P-P-method. The task at hand is to have a complete pattern. Start with a pathway. This walkway will guide you through your entire garden. Landscape areas are nature. Imagine it is a trail taking you through a forest.
Natural landscape hiking trails
provide you with a look at different nature trails. Each step of the way you can stop and admire the scenery. Your pathway in your garden can do the same. Create beds along the pathway. Below are a few suggestions... | | Formal Garden |
- Line your pathway with a trimmed boxwood, holly or favorite evergreen shrub.
- Bed of Roses - hundreds to choose from...Grandifloria, Carpet and English roses are nice.
- Create a bed with a combination of different size and color shrubs. Add perennial flowers around the shrubs.
Photos of Perennial Flowers for Formal or Any Style Garden.
You can match the color scheme of your flowers with your shrubs.
- In an empty space, put in topiary trees or bushes. If this sounds too hard, plant a regular shrub, that has the potential to be a topiary one day.
- Install a fountain. Back in the old English style gardens, there were not very many fountains to choose from. Today we are fortunate to have a variety.
- Trees can be planted throughout you beds. Remember, the trees shouldn't block your view of any other plants. Trees are usually planted in the back part of your bed. Tallest tree first, and then work your way down in size. Usually flowers are in the front or borders the bed.
- In your entrance to a bed, put a tall upright shrub on either side. Ex..Steeds Holly, Curley Leaf Ligustrum, or Holmstrup Arborvitae.
- Build your garden with beds that have the same type of plants per bed. Do a bed of herbs in a sunny area.One bed could be of your favorite flowers. Another bed could be different size shrubs. (both evergreen and deciduous)
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In the
gallery of plants section
there are photos, descriptions, and climate zones of other species you can use in this style garden. There are more plant specimens in the
variety of plant section.
These are just a few tips on creating your own formal garden. There are so many other possibilities. Interested in designing your own, contact me and I can give you further guidance. Another garden project is an Informal Garden.
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