Formal Planting

Question 1

What are the features of formal planting?

Answer 1

• straight lines, geometric shapes
• symmetry
• formal hedges
• hedges to restrict planted areas
• monochromatic or dichromatic
  planting schemes
• planting in even numbers
• formal ponds (with limited planting)

Question 2

How do hedges sit in gardens?

Answer 2

Neat, trimmed hedges can sit at multiple heights, adequately separating different spaces.

Statues and topiary at
Highgrove Garden

Question 3

Explain the symmetry of a formal garden.

Answer 3

• In symmetry there is a central axis with each side being a mirror image of the other
• The design is geometric with formal straight lines and a central axis
• The elements balance – trees, seats, arbours, pots are all repeated on each side of the axis

When you look at a similar
shape throughout, it gets you to move through it more effectively

Privy garden at Hampton Court Palace

Question 4

What are the 4 key features of a formal garden?

Answer 4

1. There needs to be clear structure.
2. Geometric shapes - rectangles, squares, ellipses, circles, but repeated within a design
   space.
3. Symmetry in the form of a central axis running maybe the entire length of a garden
   space, and everything either side of it mirrored completely

Within that shape, looking from above, you might find the planting tends to also take on
that similar pattern, there may be circular in form, thereby making for a very cohesive
design.
4. In terms of planting; a higher proportion of evergreen plants.
Finding appropriate plants, if we’re looking for a particular style, and in this case, we’re looking for formality

Question 5

Where can you find a knot garden?

Answer 5

Sudeley Castle, Glos.
Hever Castle

Question 6

What is a parterre?

Answer 6

a series of terraces where you progress through the garden, looking at the garden below as you move through, and then benefiting from that very intricate, but very geometric layout of beds and borders.

Became major part of Renaissance gardens.

Palace of Versailles.

Question 7

Explain features of a parterre

Answer 7

range of interlocking
parterres close to the living quarters.

look down on the parterre below and see a range of planting - minimal in terms of its range and colour palette, but in some areas, no planting at all within the gaps created by the low clipped hedging.
Usually the infill would
be gravel, or even coloured gravel.
The repetition of planting throughout the design also gives a sense of simplicity, but it
helps to link areas together as you move from one garden to another.

Still very formal in that plants would be either highly clipped and evergreen or within the
spaces between those hedges, a range of very simple planting but repeated through.

It’s about minimal planting, but for maximum impact.

Question 8

What a recommended plants for EG plantings?

Answer 8

plant has to be dense, evergreen, and tolerate clipping on a regular basis

Buxus sempervirens FINE TEXTURE (but health issues Box blight and Box tree caterpillar)

Ilex crenata (holly). glossy dark green leaf.

Euonymus fortunei (variegated, but maybe not for truly formal)

Lavender
Rosemary
These will remain vegetative, no flowers if trimmed and will do well in south face, fast draining soil (but not traditional formal)

Teucrium fruticans
glaucous blue foliage one side on the underside, it’s got a little white hint.

Question 9

What’s the difference between formal and informal planting?

Answer 9

Rigidness in the design, whereas informal planting schemes are much looser, and more naturalistic

Question 10

Explain what’s around ponds

Answer 10

long extended rectangular ponds flanked by paths. They in turn are flanked by wooded areas which have been clipped into the shape of the beds that they’re growing in.

Question 11

What trees do well for wooded areas in a formal garden

Answer 11

comprised of more native woody perennials, such as Carpinus
(the hornbeam), Fagus (the beech), or Acers, ( maples)

Question 12

what conifers could be used?

Answer 12

scale like or flattened leaves are best.

x Cuprocyparis leylandii (But as long as it’s maintained to only to 2 metres and never left to get away with itself. Can get unslightly and woody if cut back to much. Do it often to maintain shape.

Taxus baccata (yew) can be cut hard.

Thuja plicata (the western red cedar) and Chamaecyparis
lawsoniana (Lawson Cypress). Both have scale-like leaves very similar to Leylandii,
but they’re less cumbersome and less onerous when it comes to maintaining.

Question 13

What EG are good for Herb. border backdrops?

Answer 13

x Cuprocyparis leylandii

Thuja plicata

Taxus bacccata

Chamaecyparis lawsoniana

alternatives: Carpinus, the hornbeam, or Fagas, the beech as they retain leaves most of the year. When leaves do drop ,the dense twiggy structure for both of them still maintains a very rigid shape within the garden

Question 14

What and how to plant the herbaceous borders?

Answer 14

could be planted out in a very regimented way, or it could be
a bed that’s comprised of formal bedding schemes. Seasonal planting - spring and summer
displays set out in highly geometric shapes, following a convention of edging plants,
absolutely planted meticulously, so they’re equally spaced along the line. Within that you
have groundwork or infill plants as a bulk of colour.

To break up the monotony (at set spacings) it may well be topiary, maybe cones that have
been developed, or it could be a standard Fuschia repeated several times. Or it can be any
other plant, if it’s repeated a few times, to lend itself to becoming a formal style. Everything
offset by the evergreen backdrop of the hedge.

Question 15

What is a stilt hedge?

Answer 15

Hedges whose bases are the tree trunks. The tops are cut into hedge shapes. Allowing visibility below.

Carpinus betulus (hornbeam)

Hidcote

Question 16

What is a key feature of planting woody in a formal style

Answer 16

When it comes to uniformity and creating that symmetry, plants are evenly spaced out. Spacing is
key to creating that illusion of regimented lines so you can ensure balance and symmetry
are maintained.

Question 17

What is often key to the flowering borders?

Answer 17

Monotone colours or tints of same colour. Uniformity is gained this way.

Sissinghurst Castle - white room

Question 18

How are formal ponds planted?

Answer 18

on the whole be rectangular, such Within it, nothing but water lilies abound, it’s minimal planting, and if anything in a formal pool area, it may be no plants at all.

Wisley

Question 19

Where can you find a rill?

Answer 19

Hestercombe House in Somerset

Question 20

Explain a rill

Answer 20

Lutyens had been there is he would use a millstone in certain areas of the
garden. But he would also create amongst a number of structures, narrow, shallow rills,
with water gently moving through, and then either entering a more open pool or being
recirculated.
At set points down the rill, in little concaved alcoves, where, amongst other things,
Zantedeschia aethiopica or an upright Iris sibirica would be used, but it will be repeated all
the way down that rill. That was the extent of the planting, it’s very minimal in terms of
water features when it comes to planting.

Question 21

Maintenance of formal gardens

Answer 21

Hedging needs trimming thru growing season. but timing matters BIRD NESTING; s. Dense low hedging such as box or the holly Ilex crenata is a perfect site for the wrens

key to cut a little harder in August but definitely stop before October for the frosts

Winter pruning of deciduous - dormant so best or do just before budding at latest.

When replacing box, remove in dormant winter; reinvigorate soil and plant new plant…not box.

Question 22

Maintenance of formal garden

Answer 22

Leave stacks of debris hidden, use for pollinators or habitat. If diseased, burn.

Question 23

Alternatives to Box

Answer 23

Taxus baccata ‘Repandens’
* Pittosporum ‘Collaig Silver’
* Lonicera nitida ‘Maigrun’
* Berberis darwinii ‘Compacta’
* Corokia x virgata ‘Frosted
Chocolate’
* Sarcococca confusa
* Euonymus ‘Green Spire

Make sure new plant will blend in with old if replacements. Use 1-3 yr old plants during dormant season.

Question 24

Best equipment for hedging

Answer 24

hedging shears are good as a manual piece of equipment, you may want to go for a hedge trimmer with reciprocating blades.

Try to use battery operated for the carbon footprint, noise and fumes. Always use ear defenders and goggles.

Question 25

Formal seasonal bedding

Answer 25

able to redesign twice during the year, creating some exciting and
intricately designed borders, using the convention of strict geometric shapes, straight
edges, and the key range of plants to create a frame a groundwork, and something for
height, for interest.

If it’s a bed that’s walked around use tall plants in the middle, short plants towards the
edge

Question 26

Size of plants

Answer 26

Be aware of size of garden and whether the mature size of plant fits.

Possible to trim or perhaps redesign garden to fit new size.

Question 27

Lawns in formal gardens

Answer 27

1. massive expanse, it might be instrumental in guiding you from one area to the other, it really might help offset those mirror image borders.
2. a mono crop area, there is very little diversity
3. requires a huge amount of maintenance from scarifying,
   aerating, top dressing in the autumn to get it through the winter period. It’s also about
   applying the correct feed at the right time of the year, greening agents for the growing season. winter hardiness agents for the winter period. There’s the meticulous monitoring
   for any pest disease or disorder, that’s before we even look at weeds.
4. might have an over-reliance on a number of inorganic
   fertilizers and practices that aren’t really that sustainable

Question 28

How to maintain the crisp lawn

Answer 28

1. Possibly mowing 3 x per week
2. maintain those strong, geometric sharp edges.
3. Reseeding with same grass.
4. Repairs from damage (especially edges).

DEMANDING MAINTENANCE - perhaps less formal can be more sweeping lawns, less detailed work.

Question 29

Biodiversity in formal gardens

Answer 29

LIMITED
Evergreens
Lawn
Tender biennials or annual - often not enough pollen or nectary.

how you’re going to water, feed and manage the garden.

modern gardens where power and dominance will be seen in the way we use materials
within our beds and borders, larger planting, which was very dominant, but still set in a
geometric pattern.

Question 30

What were reasons of renaissance gardens?

Answer 30

public displays of power and dominance over nature.

Garden supported by
wooded areas, which were highly clipped, quite high sided, separated by geometrically
long pathways.

Question 31

Describe FOUR key features of a formal garden?

Answer 31

a. Mostly evergreen
b. Symmetry
c. Geometric shapes
d. Clear structure

MODEL
a. Mostly evergreen ✔ worth adding that colour palette is heavily reduced.
b. Symmetry✔ tell me more
c. Geometric shapes✔
d. Clear structure explain what you mean.

Question 32

Name TWO plants you might include as evergreens in a formal garden and the advantages and disadvantages of each.

Answer 32

a. Buxus sempervirens
i. ADVANTAGE: Glossy green compact leaves that maintain a compact shape. Easy to trim. Evergreen. Fine texture.
ii. DISADVANTAGE: Box blight and Box tree caterpillar that is killing the plants.
b. Lavandula angustifolia
i. ADVANTAGE: Good for fast draining and south facing locations as it grows well in that environment.
ii. DISADVANTAGE: Will remain in vegetative state with no flowers as it’s being trimmed. May not provide the dark green foliage necessary for a formal garden.
c. Ilex crenata
i. ADVANTAGE: Glossy dark green leaf that maintains the formal look.
ii. DISADVANTAGE: Will have some sharper edges as leaves mature.

MODEL:
a. Buxus sempervirens✔
i. ADVANTAGE: Glossy green compact leaves that maintain a compact shape✔. Easy to trim. Evergreen. Fine texture. ✔ and responds well to hard pruning
ii. DISADVANTAGE: Box blight and Box tree caterpillar that is killing the plants. ✔
b. Lavandula angustifolia✔
i. ADVANTAGE: Good for fast draining and south facing locations as it grows well in that environment. ✔
ii. DISADVANTAGE: Will remain in vegetative state with no flowers as it’s being trimmed. ✔ this could be seen as an advantage. May not provide the dark green foliage necessary for a formal garden. Foliage doesn’t have to be dark green to be used in a formal garden. A key disadvantage would be that you mustn’t prune hard into old word as it often does not respond well.
c. Ilex crenata✔
i. ADVANTAGE: Glossy dark green leaf that maintains the formal look. ✔
ii. DISADVANTAGE: Will have some sharper edges as leaves mature. Cost would be quite key with this plant as it’s slow growing.

Question 33

Describe TWO ways you might use hedges in formal garden design.

Answer 33

a. Building rooms
b. Hedging to create a foil behind the herbaceous border to show off the colourful flowers.
c. Guiding visitors through the pathways
d. Topiary

MODEL:
a. Building rooms✔ do you know any formal gardens that’s do this?
b. Hedging to create a foil behind the herbaceous border to show off the colourful flowers.✔ yes, a classic example where a single variety hedge, often evergreen, acts as a great foil for a range of plants used in front of it. An herbaceous border in front of a hedge of Taxus baccata would be very effective.
c. Guiding visitors through the pathways Tell me more
d. Topiary✔ good, give some examples

Question 34

What features would you look for when choosing a new evergreen plant for a formal garden style?

Answer 34

a. Linear leaves with fine texture
b. Evergreen
c. Dense foliage
d. Can be cut back without destroying plant
e. Sustainable
f. Disease resistant

MODEL:
a. Linear leaves with fine texture✔ such as?
b. Evergreen✔
c. Dense foliage✔
d. Can be cut back without destroying plant✔
e. Sustainable✔ tell me more
f. Disease resistant✔ and potentially pest resistant as well.

Question 35

Describe how colour could be used in formal garden planting.

Answer 35

a. Formal gardens tend to be monochromatic or contain hues of the same colour.
b. Evergreen is the predominant plant but using one colour as in the White room of Sissinghurst Castle would be preferred.
c. Any colour used must be repeated symmetrically to draw the eye down the row.

MODEL:
a. Formal gardens tend to be monochromatic or contain hues of the same colour. ✔
b. Evergreen is the predominant plant but using one colour as in the White room of Sissinghurst Castle would be preferred. ✔
c. Any colour used must be repeated symmetrically to draw the eye down the row. ✔

Question 36

How could you increase biodiversity in formal planting design?

Answer 36

a. Choose plants that provide more pollen/nectar.
b. Keep the trimmings from the hedges in a pile (hidden from view) so pollinators and birds have the opportunity to build nests and new habitats.
c. Choose evergreens that provide berries in the winter for food.
d. Mow a little less?
e. Provide organic fertilizers only as needed and keep at a minimum
f. Grow grasses that are more resilient

MODEL:
a. Choose plants that provide more pollen/nectar. ✔ such as?
b. Keep the trimmings from the hedges in a pile (hidden from view) so pollinators and birds have the opportunity to build nests and new habitats. ✔
c. Choose evergreens that provide berries in the winter for food. ✔ to encourage wildlife not just for food but potentially for nesting sites or overwintering areas
d. Mow a little less? ✔ this would need to be carefully managed in a formal display
e. Provide organic fertilizers only as needed and keep at a minimum explain how this links to biodiversity
f. Grow grasses that are more resilient again link this to biodiversity with a suitable comment.