The origin of the "English garden"
When we talk about English gardens, the name William Kent comes first. This painter of the early eighteenth century depicted gardens that were both poetic and picturesque, where nature expressed all its splendour. At the same time, the English landscape architect Lancelot Brown materialized the conceptby thinking of his gardens as a miniature landscape, integrating groves laden with flowers but also bodies of water.
In the nineteenth century, another landscape designer, Humphry Repton, adopted the same approach and drew multiple garden layouts in a book, like real walks for nature lovers. Since then, the style of the English garden has continued to seduce. It evolves while preserving its unchanging natural and relaxed beauty.
The characteristics of an English garden
An English garden is designed to be enjoyed from different vantage points. Copyright (c) 2014 Yolanta/Shutterstock. No use without permission.
If we move away from the French gardens, perfectly organised, trimmed, millimetre and symmetrical, the English garden is far from being a wild wasteland! On the contrary, plants and living spaces are cleverly organized to create the perfect harmony between man and nature.
A natural and relaxing garden
One of the most striking features of an English garden is its natural appearance. We try to imitate the accidental beauty of nature. Small paths, wildflower beds and shady areas create a sense of freedom and relaxation.
Make way for asymmetry!
Asymmetry is another component of this style of garden. The elements are not arranged symmetrically. Instead, plants, trees, paths, and decorative elements are arranged in such a way that they appear random, as if they had grown spontaneously there!
Beautiful from every angle...
An English garden is designed to be enjoyed from different vantage points. The space is designed as if for a visitor, creating picturesque spaces and romantic corners. Benches, arches, and gazebos are often used to encourage contemplation and meditation.
The Importance of Water
Bodies of water, such as ponds, lakes, and streams, are common in English gardens. They add a calming dimension to the landscape and attract wildlife, contributing to the biodiversity of the garden.
Perennials and shrubs
Perennials and various shrubs play a central role in an English garden. These plants are mixed in beds in such a way as to create a sensory array throughout the year.
How do you create an English garden?
The walkways invite visitors to explore the English Garden while creating a sense of mystery Copyright (c) 2020 Yolanta/Shutterstock. No use without permission.
Creating an English garden requires careful planning and thoughtful execution. If you want to get started, we strongly advise you to follow these general steps:
Project yourself in your future English garden!
Consider the size of your space, local growing conditions, and personal preference. Draw a rough plan of the garden layout, incorporating natural elements such as existing trees. Want some ideas? Take a look at the website of the Royal Horticultural Society, you will find some maps!
Create Winding Paths
No English garden without paths! They invite visitors to explore the garden while creating a sense of mystery. Use materials such as gravel, stone slabs, or wooden planks to create this pathway.
Select the right plants carefully
Choose plants that are adapted to your climate, exposure, soil type, etc. Opt for a mix of perennials, shrubs, and annual flowers to ensure gradual blooming month after month.
The idea is to mix colours, smells, textures but also plant sizes to create a space full of perspective. Don't neglect the lawn which is also a focal point of the English garden! It is immaculate, short, green and perfectly delineated, contrasting with the flower beds.
Imagine remarkable little corners
Incorporate benches, arches, a statue, a table to drink tea... to create a garden that is aesthetically pleasing and practical to live in. Place them as decorative elements strategically to encourage the gradual discovery of the garden. The layouts will judiciously invite you to a little Zen break at the bend of a grove...
Set up water points
If possible, add a body of water, such as a small pond, a (more modest) pond, or a stream, to add a touch of tranquility to your garden. Aquatic plants and fish can also find their place. For smaller spaces, a simple fountain sets the mood by bringing that pleasant slight trickling sound.
Maintain regularly!
The English garden requires regular maintenance to maintain its natural appearance. Prune shrubs, weed flower beds, and make sure paths remain passable. You don't want to stroll and sing in a rainforest, do you?
The ideal plants for an English garden
The plants selected for your English garden will have a significant impact on its appearance and atmosphere.
Roses are emblematic of English gardens. Their mesmerizing fragrance and beautiful flowers create a romantic atmosphere. The rose bush can be used in all these varieties, climbing or everbearing, and worked in different ways. You'll bring even more cachet with heirloom roses!
A multitude of plants are available to you, this list will bring you some ideas, it is of course not exhaustive:
- Lavender adds a pop of color and a soothing Provençal scent. They are also popular with bees and butterflies
- The pretty hydrangea flowers, voluminous and colourful, brighten up and delimit the shaded areas of the garden.
- With their tall flower stalks, foxgloves add verticality and relief
- Peonies bloom spectacularly in spring and smell terribly good.
- Daffodils and hyacinths beautify the English garden as soon as winter is over.
- The echinaceas with a thousand and one colors seem to shape a real flower field!
- Hostas occupy the shady areas while aubrieta carpets the ground and sunny rockeries.
What would an English garden be without its flowery arch, adorned with climbing plants? Ivy, Virginia creeper, the magnificent wisteria, clematis or the subtle scent of jasmine... will climb tirelessly, inviting you to raise your head to the sky and those few birds that pass by...
Finally, don't forget the trees and shrubs that contribute to the overall aesthetics, constituting separating hedges and/or appreciable shade. Here we can consider the albizia, the lilac, the clerodendron, the dogwood, the magnolia, the various spindles, the cotoneaster or the abelias...