Ashburton
It’s often thought that formal gardens are only for those who have a large area, but this is not the case.
Formal garden elements can work in spaces large or small, says Alan Trott
Many stunning formal gardens have been created in smaller sections which can be strictly controlled. One only has to look at the famous Sissinghurst Castle Garden and Hidcote Manor Garden – both were carefully planned from the beginning with a mix of formality and free form.
Vita Sackville-West is credited with Sissinghurst but it was her husband Harold Nicholson who actually designed the garden and he drew the plans when they had just moved in.
Drawing a plan from the beginning is a must – otherwise the garden becomes a happening. Formal design forms the structure of the garden which will always remain, but it’s the plantings – if carefully thought out – that give a garden that extra wow factor.
Plants that grow upright take the eye upwards, which creates structure as well.
Why not use Taxus baccata (yew) and keep it tightly clipped? It forms a great green statement. Berberis
thunbergii ‘Helmond Pillar’ is wonderful if you want red. It creates a real talking point. Both plants can frame a gateway or be planted in a group.
A mixed border with perennials looks classical and leaves an impression, and making it double-sided creates a huge impact. The border need not be long, but put a trompe-l’oeil at the end to give the illusion of depth, or use a sculpture. Making a path or grass lawn wider at the beginning of the vista and narrower at the end also gives that optical illusion.
Topiary is always a talking point and plants can be sculptured into almost any shape. Buxus has always been the classic choice but there are a variety of other shrubs which can be sculptured and would look equally good. Cones or balls have always been popular but if you want to be brave, why not try something different and think outside the square?
Water in a garden is always an interesting feature, be it large or small.
Why not make a rill or a narrow canal? Helen Dillon, the famous gardener from Dublin, took out her lawn and created an oblong canal which is used for reflections as well as a statement.
The most famous water garden is called Generalife, and is at Spain’s Alhambra Palace. Its arching water jets direct the water to splash back into the pool, which then makes the most amazing sound. Many gardens have replicated it with great success.
Structures can also be the main feature used as a focal point.
Why not make a summer house where one can sit and relax, and perhaps have a glass of wine on a summer‘s evening? The structure can be as simple or as elaborate as one wants, but it must have seating and perhaps a table. In fact sometimes, just a simple seat can make the statement with plantings on each side.
Obelisks always look great in any garden, where they can be just statements on their own or used to grow a climbing plant on. Group together and paint in a bold colour, say red or even a powder blue.
Pergolas are always rectangular and flat-topped, sometimes with elegant brick pillars with strong beam work, sometimes just simple posts that can then be covered with wire netting to grow climbers up and over them. Why not make a wisteria walk, and let the racemes hang from above? Grow one that is perfumed. Planting clematis is always challenging but once established they are always admired. I try to plant the large-flowered varieties that flower in spring and again in summer. Some, like the montana cultivars, become rampant and take more time to manage, and they only flower in spring.
Pillars used as an entrance always make a statement. If you have a smaller garden, make the pillars shorter rather than taller, then they won’t dominate the garden. They can have traditional balls on top or perhaps try making a flat top and use an attractive pot filled with spring bulbs and later in the season, try planting some annuals that cascade. If you have a large garden, make the pillars taller and wider, as tall, skinny pillars can often look out of place. Perhaps even try a gargoyle on top for something different. And for the winter, just use an attractive pot as a statement.
I still favour brick pillars as they are timeless after they age.
Gates can be made out of steel or wood, but one needs to be able to look through them to see what delight is ahead.
I once saw a gate made out of timber and in the centre there was a huge round hole, and it framed the border to perfection.
It’s attention to detail that truly makes a statement stand out.
Here’s hoping that one of these ideas makes your garden stand out from the crowd.