5 - Garden Styles

Question 1

What are the characteristics of formal gardens?

Answer 1

• Often symmetrical
• Feature within the garden usually have straight lines and are in geometric shapes
• Planting is often simple and frequently contains a limited range of species. Colours may be in strong blocks of one colour.
• Features such as hedges and lawns are trimmed frequently to give a manicured appearance
• Usually found near the house so that it mirrors straight lines of the building.

Question 2

What are the characteristics of informal gardens?

Answer 2

• They are not symmetrical
• The features within the garden are less ordered than in formal gardens, and in flowing shapes
• The planting is often mixed and less regulated with a wide range of species and colours
• Features within the garden appear less highly maintained and controlled, plants are given more freedom to attain their natural form
• May have woodland, meadows, informal hedges, naturalistic borders.

Question 3

Describe the characteristics of a cottage garden.

Answer 3

• Informal
• Functional, using ornamental and edible plants which are often intermingled
• Little or no lawn
• Wide range of plant species - fragrant and colourful
• Many old-fashioned plants, e.g. roses, Digitalis, Lavandula
• Borders are closely planted as there’s minimal space
• Natural, often locally-sourced, materials used. e.g. stone, brick, hazel poles
• Usually enclosed with visible walls or fences
• Look interesting during summer but provide little interest in the autumn and winter
• High maintenance requirement.

Question 4

Describe the characteristics of Landscape Gardens.

Answer 4

• Sweeps of open, rolling grassland running up to the house
• Boundaries or fences are not seen but hidden with woodland or hills
• Fewer plant species are used. Those used are native or naturalised, such as groves of trees to frame views
• A haha is used as a boundary to the gardens around the house to replace walls and fences
• Classical or Gothic temples are set in trees as large focal points in big scale landscapes
• Palladian bridges are used, spanning large, irregular, serpentine lakes
• Rides and paths through woods suddenly emerge to provide open countryside, creating the element of surprise
• It alters but works with the existing natural landscape.

Question 5

Describe the characteristics of a knot garden.

Answer 5

• A garden which carefully structures aromatic herbs, shrubs and flowers to create a detailed and symmetrical design of knot work
• Have meandering walkways to allow people to enjoy the sights and smells of the garden
• Are sometimes meant to be viewed from raised walkways and terraces
• May be very detailed with knots of bright colour and gravel, brick or wooden paths
• Traditionally enclosed with tightly-clipped low hedges of Buxus sempervirens
• May have a central feature like a fountain or statue
• Has a very formal overall look and feel as the platns are carefully trimmed
• Usually aligned with the cardinal directions.

Question 6

Describe the characteristics of a contemporary garden.

Answer 6

• Formal
• Simple lines, lots of hard landscaping features like patios and pergolas
• Can have informal planting, but formal surroundings
• Reduced colour scheme
• Geometric or simple shapes
• High maintenance, pristine appearance
• Can have modern materials, like aluminium
• Lots of wood, concrete, high quality materials
• Lighting.