Reflective of man’s influence on nature, formal gardens are often characterized by well-defined structure and geometry. Organized around a central axis or pathway, formal garden designs focus on symmetry and easily recognizable ground patterns. Often, this axis features a sculpture or decorative ornament for effect and a focal point. The materials palette is generally kept to a minimum, with gravel and regular paving stones. The main planting features consist of lawns and hedges, the latter being used to define space, edge borders or create parterres. Adding height, pleached trees may be introduced to create ordered avenues while decorative borders may be planted to soften the garden’s rigorous geometry.

Formal Garden Guides

Garden Ideas, Border ideas, Perennial Planting, Perennial combination, Spring Borders, Summer Borders, Fall Borders, Shade gardens, Bxwood, Buxus, Hydrangea Annabelle, Astilbe, Hosta

A Charming Plant Combination for Shady Gardens: Hydrangea, Japanese Maple and Boxwood

Easy on the eyes, this simple and elegant plant combination is a pleasure to live with. Perfect for the shade garden, its refreshing plant palette of green and white plants provides a cooling and pleasing effect. An easy and remarkable scenery to enjoy from spring to fall. Most plants are rabbit resistant and have been granted the prestigious Award of Garden Merit by the Royal Horticultural Society for their outstanding qualities. Enjoy!

Garden Ideas, Landscaping Ideas, Drought Tolerant plants, Full sun plants, Lavender, Ornamental Grasses, Terracota pots, Contemporary Courtyard, lavandula Thumbelina Leigh, Miscanthus Gracillimus, lavandula Angustifolia Thumbelina Leigh, lavender Thumbeli

A Contemporary Provencal Courtyard

Two thumbs up for this extremely appealing courtyard where the clean and geometric lines of the lavender beds are softly echoed by the silver-gray stone path.

Spring Combination Ideas, Bulb Combinations, Plant Combinations, Flowerbeds Ideas, Spring Borders, Tulip Prinses Irene, Daffodil Geranium, Tulipa Prinses Irene, Narcissus Geranium, Fragrant border

A Fragrant and Long-Lasting Border Idea for Your Mid-Late Spring Garden

Extremely easy to re-create in no time. You have to try it! Both plants have won the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society for their outstanding merits

Garden retreat, garden bench with roses, English Roses, Rose Tess of The d'Urbervilles, David Austin Roses, shrub roses, fragrant roses, Favorite roses

A Fragrant Garden Retreat With Roses

Dreaming of a resting spot where you could surround yourself with fragrance, color and beauty?

Fragrant path ideas, Path ideas, Nepeta racemosa, Persian Catmint, English Roses, low maintenance path ideas, Golden Rose Walk, National Trust

A Fragrant Path

Providing months of fragrance and color, while being trouble-free and moderately low maintenance, this beautiful path could be yours.

Spring Combination Ideas, Bulb Combinations, Plant Combinations, Flowerbeds Ideas, Spring Borders, Fritillaria Persica, Tulip Couleur Cardinal,Tulip Gavota, Tulip Queen of Night, Persian lily, Tulipa Couleur Cardinal,Tulipa Gavota, Tulipa Queen of Night

A Lovely Border Idea for the Mid-Late Spring Garden

If your heart is set on a multicolored effect rather than a harmonious border in a single color, you could consider this combination, where flowering is spread over a longer period

Garden Ideas, Landscaping ideas, pathway, walkway, Lavender path, lavandula Hidcote, Lavender Hidcote, Lavender types, polesden lacey,

A Lovely Fragrant Path

Adorned with lavender in full bloom on either side, this path leads to a lovely focal point, an angel statue, which brings interest and a tempting destination.

Garden Ideas, Landscaping ideas, pathway, walkway, Lavender path, lavandula Hidcote, Lavender Hidcote, Lavender types, Prunus lusitanica, Portugal Laurel, mediterranean path

A Lovely Mediterranean Path

Adorned with lavender in full bloom on either side, this ravishing gravel path features superb Portugal Laurel trees (Prunus lusitanica) clipped into neat mushroom shapes. Two evergreen companions that offer multi-season interest, beauty, fragrance and enable gardeners from cool winter areas to enjoy the true Mediterranean look in their garden.