4.1, 4.2 Characteristics of Accepted Garden Design Styles Flashcards
Formal Garden characteristics
Symmetrical balance
Central Axis
Often straight lines, but not necessarily
Geometric shapes
Greatest formality close to the house
Simple structural planting pallet - Taxus baccata, Buxus sempervirens
Seasonal (bedding) design and palate may be complex
Very high maintenance for polished look
Clipped hedges, mowed lawns and sharp edges
Repeated decorative stonework features (urns, statuary)
Raked Gravel paths, defined edges
Repeated vertical elements, topiary, stonework, sculpture
Elements found in Formal Gardens
Topiary Knot Gardens Raked Gravel Paths Raised pond, regular/geometric shape Rills often connecting ponds (water features usual free of plant life, though may contain a few Nymphea species) Clipped hedges Parterres Terracing Highly maintained grass/lawns Dressed stone walls and vertical elements
Informal Garden Characteristics
Balanced Asymmetrically No central Axis elements less ordered, with free flowing forms mixed and often complex plantings plants allowed to attain natural form appears looser and less maintained/polished suits irregular topography meandering lines curved and flowing
Elements found in Informal Gardens
Wildlife ponds and streams, irregular shape
Meadows, long grass
informal hedging
Copses and woodland areas
Wild or Native hedging, Crataegus spp.
rustic fencing, natural materials used, wood stepping stones
Knot Gardens
Traditionally square garden spaces, mimicking typical C16th Elizabethan embroidery, decoration and architectural detail
Might reflect patterns from the interior of the house, or window glass.
Composed of low evergreen hedges or shrubbery clipped into complex patterns. Buxus spp. Myrtle spp.
Often enclosed to provide privacy and contemplation
Knot Gardens cont.
Formally structured, symmetrical gardens with aromatic pants, shrubs and flowers
Walkways allow easy access aroid the knots
Gravel, crushed brick, sand used in place of infill plants
Buxus sempervirens, (low, evergreen, tolerant of close clipping)
Cottage Gardens
Informal style
tightly planted borders, with no spare space
plants allowed to grow naturally, spill over edges
wide and vibrant plantings
little to no lawn
mixture of ornamentals and edible plants
easy perennials
unfinished natural materials for hard landscaping
high maintenance
Alcea rosea, Campanula medium, Salvia spp, Lupinus spp, Digitalis spp.
Landscape Gardens
Informal style
C18th style, reflecting paintings of the wealthy from Grand Tours in Europe and Africa
Attempt to create painterly compositions
Classical statuary Focal points, such as temples and follies, to create movement through the garden Serpentine lakes Haha walls to hide boundaries Borrowed views of wider landscape Paladian bridges grass/extensive lawns reaching up to the house Copse, woodland areas Limited palette mostly native planting Attempt to look 'natural'
