Unlike French gardens with their geometric lines, the English style relies on a subtle organization that imitates nature. These gardens, where plants appear to grow freely, nonetheless demand particular expertise. Let’s explore how to design such a garden for your home!
The Fundamental Principles of the English Garden
The English garden is based on a very specific philosophy: that of magnified but never constrained nature. It is a clever blend of wild appearance and thoughtful design. Contrary to popular belief, this style requires meticulous planning to create these living tableaux where each plant seems to have naturally found its place.
Asymmetry is the golden rule, with winding paths that invite exploration. Changing perspectives are essential, creating different atmospheres throughout the stroll. It is a garden that gradually reveals itself, offering surprises and intimate nooks.
Typical Plants of the English Garden
Plant profusion is the signature of the English garden. Generous beds skillfully blend perennials, shrubs, and climbers in a composition that evokes naturalness while being perfectly orchestrated. Favor old roses with fragrant flowers, majestic delphiniums, slender foxgloves, and colorful lupins.
Climbing plants like honeysuckle or clematis adorn pergolas and facades. Do not forget the essential mixed borders, these wide flowerbeds where plants of different heights coexist, creating a plant tableau with staggered blooms throughout the year.
How to Structure Your Garden?
A successful English garden relies on a solid structure that serves as the framework for the abundant vegetation. Consider:
- Creating informal hedges of boxwood, yew, or hornbeam to delineate different spaces
- Installing architectural elements such as a rustic pergola or a small bridge spanning a stream
- Designing winding paths in gravel or irregular stone slabs
- Strategically placing isolated trees as focal points
These structural elements offer a reassuring framework that harmoniously contrasts with the exuberance of the plantings.
Water, an Essential Element of the English Garden
Water in all its forms is inseparable from the English garden. A small pond with irregular contours, a stream winding through the beds, or a simple antique basin are enough to bring this characteristic soothing dimension.
Surround your water feature with waterside plants such as water irises, astilbes, or ferns to enhance the natural effect. If you have enough space, do not hesitate to create a true naturalistic pond that will quickly become a self-contained ecosystem, attracting dragonflies and small wildlife.
Creating Intimate Spaces and Resting Areas
The English garden invites contemplation and daydreaming. Arrange hidden resting spots at the turn of a path or in the heart of a flowerbed. A patinated bench under a rose-covered pergola, a shaded swing, or a few chairs around a rustic table will suffice to create these small havens of peace.
And to enjoy your English garden in complete privacy, consider privacy screens! Available in several formats and colors, you will find a wide range of privacy screens:
- Aluminum privacy screen
- Fabric privacy screen
- Wooden privacy screen
- Artificial hedge
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