Topic 1 - Garden Styles and Specialist Areas Flashcards
Formal Garden - Design Criteria
Symmetry and Balance
Axial layout
Geometric Shapes and Clear Lines
Formal bedding
Formal hedging
Trained plants
Neat lawns
Topiary
Circular pond
Formal Garden - Plant examples
Taxus baccata
Buxus sempervirens
Formal Garden - What is a Quincunx
A quincunx is a geometric pattern consisting of five points arranged in a cross, with four of the points forming a square or rectangle and the fifth point at its center. This arrangement is commonly seen on dice, where the number five is represented by a quincunx of dots.
Formal Garden - What is an avenue or allees
An approach marked either side of regularly planted trees.
Often used on a grand scale for Country Houses.
Pleached trees are used
Formal Garden - What is a Knot garden
A knot garden is a type of formal garden design that originated in England during the Tudor period.
It is characterized by its intricate and symmetrical patterns created with low, clipped hedges (Buxus sempervirens), often resembling the appearance of interwoven knots.
The design aims to mimic the elaborate patterns of embroidery or textile work.
Formal Garden - Parterres
Planted using Buxus sempervirens. Flat ornamental garden design adjacent to house to be viewed from above.
Formal Garden - Wilderness
A place of solitude and reflection rather than Wild. Often a distance from the house.
Formal Garden - Potager
French for kitchen garden for the “soup pot”. Highly decorative. Example is Villandry in France. Victorians had them as walled.
Formal Garden - Hard Landscape features
Straight paths with neat edging
Central features - Statues, sun dials, water features
Canals, circular or rectangular ponds with fountains
Formal Garden - advantages for Well Being
The symmetry, balance, and orderly design of formal gardens can provide a sense of calm and reduce stress. The predictable and organized nature of the garden helps in creating a tranquil environment.
Formal Garden - advantages for Biodiversity
Shelter and nesting sites. Corridor for wild areas. Water features.
Woodland Garden - Main design criteria
Naturalistic, informal in appearance. Occasional clearings. Layered planting. Ground planting deals with shade. Mid level mid size shrubs. Seasonal interest. Example plants include rhododendrons, camellias, and magnolias.
Woodland garden - Examples of plants
Digitalis purpurea
Silver birch - Betula pendula
Rhododendrons, camellias, and magnolias.
Woodland garden - advantages for well being. What is the name of Japanese Forest bathing
Enclosed, green and natural setting
Japanese forest bathing shinri yoku
Woodland Garden - advantages for Biodiversity
Largely unspoiled (decaying leaves etc). Large number of species
What is meant by Forest gardening
More food production and medicinal so it includes nuts, leaves, spices
Biologically sustainable
Low maintenance
Also known as Home Gardens
Uses deep rooting plants able to extract nutrients
Cottage Garden - Design criteria
Appear largely unplanned, no particular colour scheme, mix of plants, plants should be hardy, overall rustic appearance.
Cottage Garden - Hard landscaping materials
Picket fencing, chestnut paling, rough saw oak. Arches, seats, gates.
Cottage Garden - suitable plants
Lots - mainly roses and scented plants
Alchemilla mollis
Digitalis purpurea
Lonicera periclymenum
Crataegus monogyna
Cottage Garden - advantages for Biodiversity
Abundance of flowering plants wide range of insects and a habitat for different mammals and birds
Cottage Garden - advantages for Wellbeing
Uplifting abundance of colour and scent
Modernist Garden - Design criteria
Clean lines, geometric shapes.
Uncluttered and functional
Limited number of colours
Asymmetric balance
Strong links between house and garden
Modernist Garden - Hard landscaping
Concrete, steel, copper and ceramic tiles.
Seating = garden sofas and hanging metal chairs
Modernist Garden Design - Plant examples
Selected for foliage and texture.
Agapanthus spp - ‘Purple Cloud’
Evergreen shrubs - pittosporum tenuifolium
Nandina domestica
Clipped balls - Taxus baccatta
Modernist Garden design - Wellbeing and Bio Diversity
Less welcoming but if planted in a sympathetic way it can attract pollinators
Coastal Garden Design Criteria
Challenging - large amount of salt, plants that can cope with that are (Halophytes). Windbreaks required. Climate can be milder and reduced chance of frosts.
Coastal Garden Design - plant examples
Quercus ilex (wind break)
Shrubs - Euonymus japonica
Coastal Garden Design - Hard landscaping
Relates to coast - shingle, drift wood
Coastal Garden - Well being
Close to water
Coastal Garden - Bio diversity
Can grow some exotics
Prairie Garden Design criteria
Based on large scale grasses and herbaceous perennials. Naturalist style with swathes blocks and drifts. Piet Oudolf refers to matrix planting.
Prairie Garden design plant examples
Grasses - Stipa tenuisssima Miscanthus sinensis
Daisies - Echinacea purpurea
Spires - Actea simplex
Prairie Garden Design - Hardscaping
There is none.
Prairie Garden - Well being
Naturalistic plant bring people in tune with nature.
Prairie Garden - Bio diversity
Encourage wildlife
Ecological garden design criteria
Sustainability is uppermost (Store carbon and biodiversity hot spots). The right plant in the right place. No bare soil. Seed local provenance.
Dead wood and decaying is aloud.
Associated with Beth Chatto - right plant, right place
Ecological garden design - Hard landscaping
Sustainable, locally sourced. Bark chippings on path for example.
Alpine and Rock Garden Design Criteria
Low growing bright plants. Naturalistic and informal. Often part of a larger garden. Work in a rocky landscape. Rocks should mimic a natural rocky outcrop.
Suitable plants for an alpine and rock garden
Sempervivium ‘Banyan’
Saxifraga ‘Kath Dryden’
Hard landscaping for an alpine and rock garden
Local stone if possible.
Raised beds
Troughs and containers
Can use Sandstone, Hyper Tufa - bit more acceptable for sustainability
Water Garden - Design Criteria
They come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Large and ornamental with a large fountain, or a small pond in a bog garden. Serpentine lakes in Country Gardens, gentle streams in Chinese and Japanese gardens.
Water Garden - Plant examples
Gunnera manicata
Lobelia cardinalis
Water Gardens - Hard landscaping
Permeable materials for paths - H&S
Natural stone or reconstituted
Ponds - Fibreglass butyl rubber liners
Display Glass House - What are the examples of different styles
Belfast and Kew large ornate Victorian - good for large plants and ferns.
National Botanic Garden Wales - Modern style
Small displays of alpines - RHS Wisley
What are the sustainability issues with Hard landscaping choices
Always best to repurpose instead of buying new. Try to avoid ripping out and replacing. If possible reuse materials.
Benefits of recycled/repurposed materials
Environmental, sustainability, could be in keeping with garden (weathered), supports local economy, reduced disposal costs
Limitations of recycled/repurposed materials
Variable quality, limitations on supply, can be worn, could be hidden costs for installation
What factors should affect procurement decisions
Durability, functionality, sustainability, costs, building regulations, supply chain availability, ethical sourcing, cultural sensitivities
How factors need to be specified for hard landscaping material
Material, Dimensions, Surface finish, colour, manufacturer/brand
Suitable hard landscaping material or feature for a wall in a formal garden
Limestone
Suitable hard landscaping material or feature for a pergola in a formal garden
Wrought Iron
Suitable hard landscaping material or feature for a statue in a formal garden
Marble
Suitable hard landscaping material or feature for a path in a woodland garden
Gravel
Suitable hard landscaping material or feature for a plant support for a cottage garden
Wicker
Suitable hard landscaping material or feature for an arch in a cottage garden
Cedar (because it doesn’t rot) tends to be used for garden furniture
Suitable hard landscaping material or feature for a patio for a modernist garden
Natural stone - slate
Suitable hard landscaping material or feature for a seat for a modernist garden
Wood - Teak
Suitable hard landscaping material or feature for a sculpture for a coastal garden
Driftwood
Suitable hard landscaping material or feature for a fence for an ecological garden
Living fence - Willow
Suitable hard landscaping material or feature for a crevice garden
Sandstone (Limestone is protected)
Suitable hard landscaping material or feature for a path to surround a wildlife pond
Gravel
Suitable hard landscaping material or feature for a bridge for a Japanese water garden
Wood
Suitable hard landscaping material for staging for a display glasshouse
Pressure treated wood
Two example trees in a formal publicly accessible garden
Linden Tree (Tilia cordata)
Cupressus sempervirens ‘Pyramidalis’
What is the practical and aesthetic role of the Linden Tree in a formal publicly accessible garden
Dense foliage provides ample shade, creating comfortable, cool areas for visitors to sit and relax.
Once established, Linden trees are hardy and require minimal maintenance, making them a practical choice for public gardens where maintenance resources may be limited.
Aesthetic - The Linden Tree’s symmetrical, pyramidal to rounded crown enhances the structured, geometric design typical of formal gardens.
Often pleached to provide avenues.
What is the practical and aesthetic role of Cupressus sempervirens ‘Pyramidalis’ in a formal publicly accessible garden
t has a strong vertical form, often described as an exclamation mark. It
can be pruned if needed as well to provide a more regular shape. This could make a single
focal point or several can be used to line a formal pool. As they are so narrow, they cast
little shade, so are valuable in smaller gardens as well.
Two example trees in a Woodland publicly accessible garden.
General function.
Oak Tree (Quercus robur)
Silver Birch (Betula pendula)
They provide the canopy layer.
They create the environment for all the other plant species to grow, and the biodiversity in the garden.
What is the practical and aesthetic role of an Oak tree in a woodland publicly accessible garden
The majestic form, rugged bark, and seasonal changes in foliage make it a visually stunning focal point in a woodland setting. Generally low maintenance but may need occasional pruning to remove dead or diseased branches.
What is the practical and aesthetic role of a Silver Birch tree in a woodland publicly accessible garden
The white bark provides winter interest, while the delicate leaves and catkins add texture and movement in spring and summer
Two example trees in a Cottage Garden publicly accessible garden
Malus spp. (Crabapple)
Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna)
What is the practical and aesthetic role of a Malus tree in a Cottage garden publicly accessible garden
The Crabapple brings ornamental flowers and fruit, supporting pollinators and providing seasonal interest
Two example trees in a Coastal garden publicly accessible garden
Scots Pine (Pinus sylvestris)
Cupressus sempervirens ‘Pyramidalis’
What is the practical and aesthetic role of a Hawthorne tree in a Cottage garden publicly accessible garden
Historically used in traditional medicine, the tree adds cultural and historical depth to the garden, wildlife habitat, and versatile uses as a tree or hedge.
What is the practical and aesthetic role of a Scots Pine tree in a Coastal garden publicly accessible garden
Scots Pine provides structural height, wind protection, and evergreen beauty. Fits well into the naturalistic style often desired in coastal gardens.
What is the practical and aesthetic role of a Cupressus sempervirens ‘Pyramidalis’ tree in a Coastal garden publicly accessible garden
Italian Cypress is well-suited to withstand strong coastal winds. When planted in rows or clusters, these trees can act as effective windbreaks, protecting more delicate plants and creating sheltered microclimates within the garden.
Erosion Control: Their strong root systems can help stabilize soil, reducing erosion, which is particularly beneficial in sandy or loose coastal soils. Aesthetically, it offers architectural structure, year-round interest, and versatility in design
Two example trees in an Ecological planting in a publicly accessible garden
English Oak (Quercus robur)
Silver Birch (Betula pendula)
What is the practical and aesthetic role of an English Oak tree in an Ecological planting publicly accessible garden
Supports over 1,300 species of wildlife, including insects, birds, and fungi. It’s particularly important for various moth and butterfly caterpillars.
Food Source: Acorns, food source for many birds and mammals, such as jays, squirrels, and deer.
Habitat Provision: The tree provides habitat and nesting sites for numerous bird species. Its rough bark offers a home for lichens and mosses, and the decaying wood supports fungi and invertebrates.
Carbon Sequestration: Oaks are efficient at sequestering carbon dioxide, contributing to climate change mitigation.
What is the practical and aesthetic role of a Silver Birch tree in an Ecological planting publicly accessible garden
Pioneer Species: Silver Birch is a pioneer species, meaning it is often one of the first trees to colonize disturbed lands, improving soil quality for other plants.
Pollinator Support: The catkins provide early pollen for bees and other pollinators in spring.
Biodiversity Support: Supports a variety of insects, including aphids, which in turn attract birds and other predators. The leaves are a food source for caterpillars of several moth species.
Soil Improvement: The fallen leaves decompose quickly, enriching the soil with nutrients.
Two example trees in an alpine and rock garden in a publicly accessible garden
Scots Pine (Pinus sylvestris)
Mountain Ash / Rowan (Sorbus aucuparia)
What is the practical and aesthetic role of a Scots Pine tree in an Alpine planting publicly accessible garden
Can thrive in well-drained, rocky soils and cooler climates. Tall, narrow growth habit makes it suitable for providing vertical interest and a backdrop to lower-growing alpine plants
What is the practical and aesthetic role of a Mountain Ash tree in an Alpine planting publicly accessible garden
The Rowan’s adaptability to different soil types, including rocky and well-drained soils, makes it ideal for this setting. Slender trunk and an open, airy canopy.
What are the general benefits for having trees in any style of garden
- They provide a canopy layer
- provision of shade to people, plantings, and buildings
- privacy and screening
- improved aesthetic value to garden area from colour texture and form
- provision of focal points
- framing views, creating a sense of place
- reduction in windspeed and increase in relative humidity
- provision of a backdrop for other plantings
- provision of a sense of containment of space
Name some trees that would go into a Modernist garden
Birches, such as the paperbark birch - Betula papyrifera make a strong statement in a
modernist style with their bright white trunks.
Ginkgo biloba has a strong architectural form with the distinctive fan shaped, bilobed
leaves.
NEEDS EXPANDING
Factors that apply for all types of pruning
Prune at the correct time for the species
* Use the correct tools for the size of the branch to be pruned
* Always use clean and sharp tools to prevent snagging and transferring diseases
* Prune in the correct place – always above the branch collar
* Prune in stages for larger branches
* Assess whether the work should be carried out by a professional arboriculturist
* Certification is required for the professional use of chainsaws in the UK.
What is Crown raising
Lower branches are removed to leave a clear trunk and allow light and air through for plants underneath.
It could also allow room to walk under a tree and provide valuable
shade for a seat underneath.
Views can be opened to other parts of the garden.
Legislation referring to trees
Tree Preservation orders (TPO)
The Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981 makes it an offence to destroy bat roosts and the nest of any wild bird while it is in use or being built.
Occupiers Liability Act - for visitors and trespassers not in danger
Different styles of plantings in Glass house
Will depend on the location Natural Plantings reflecting a wider landscape (Wales)
Clean lines and minimalist - Modernist style
What are some of the different materials used for the framework and cladding of a glass house
Framework - Cast iron, brick work, aluminum, steel.
Cladding - Horticultural glass, safety glass, polycarbonate
What are some of the materials suitable for staging inside a glass house
Wood, aluminum or historically wrought iron
Health and Safety issues inside a glasshouse
Pathways could be damp, branches, high humidity
Opportunities and Limitations of a site for a Glass house
Need adequate light
Watch for other buildings and over hanging trees
Enough space for maintenance around it
Avoid cold areas otherwise have to pay for heating for tender plants
How is hedging used in a formal garden
Closely and regularly clipped. Geometric shapes and lines. Small ones to provide edging to beds, larger ones to create rooms.
What is a claire- voie or clear view
Openwork gate or fence or just an opening out to a wilder part of the garden
Examples of plants used for a maze
Thymus spp., Taxus baccata, C Betulas. Modern versions include maize and sunflowers
Describe formal bedding
Typical Victorian gardens and used in public parks. Spring bullbs followed summer plantings.
Can be edging plants as well.
Dot plants such as Cordyline australis
F1’s good for uniformity
What is carpet bedding and how does it differ from formal bedding
Distinct type of formal bedding. Foliage plants and much flatter. Close together to give appearance of woven carpet. Can be used to write name or advertising.
What is meant by coppicing and how would it be used in a woodland garden
Coppicing is a traditional woodland management technique where trees or shrubs are cut down to ground level to encourage new shoots to grow from the stump or root system. This practice takes advantage of the tree’s natural ability to regenerate, and the new growth, or “coppice,” can be harvested on a regular cycle (typically every 7 to 20 years, depending on the species).
In a woodland garden, coppicing can be used for various purposes:
- Sustainable Harvesting
Timber and fuel: Coppicing provides a sustainable source of wood for firewood, poles, stakes, and even furniture making. The regular cutting of trees ensures a renewable supply of these materials.
Craft materials: The shoots from coppiced trees, such as willow and hazel, are often used for weaving, basketry, and fencing (e.g., wattle hurdles). - Wildlife Habitat
Coppicing creates a diverse range of habitats in the woodland garden. The cycle of cutting and regrowth leads to a mosaic of light and shade, encouraging a variety of plant species to flourish. This in turn attracts different insects, birds, and mammals, enriching the biodiversity of the garden. - Light Management
By periodically cutting back certain trees or shrubs, more light can reach the forest floor. This allows smaller plants, like woodland flowers or herbs, to thrive. Coppicing can thus help manage light levels and create a layered, diverse garden structure. - Ornamental Use
Some trees, like hazel, willow, or dogwood, are coppiced to maintain an attractive structure and vibrant new shoots. Regular coppicing keeps shrubs more compact, bushy, and visually interesting. - Controlling Growth
Coppicing can also be used to control the size of trees or shrubs that might otherwise outgrow the space, helping to maintain an open and managed woodland feel.
Examples of ground layer plants in a coppiced wood
Hyacinthoides non-scripta
Anemone nemorosa
Prmula vulgaris
Galanthus nivalis
What is meant by an Woodland edge
Woodland edge gardens are designed to create a layered effect, with taller trees in the back, followed by medium-sized shrubs, and lower-growing perennials in the foreground.
This approach provides visual interest, biodiversity, and a more natural look, often attracting wildlife such as birds, pollinators, and beneficial insects. It can be a great way to introduce a feeling of woodland serenity into a garden while offering more variety in plant selection.
What is meant by a Woodland Edge
Can work in a small garden. Key things is it is made up of various layers.
How would you go about creating a woodland edge garden
Start with trees add shrubs, once established climbers. Herbaceous plants must work with dappled shade. Homes for wild life
Don’t be too tidy - allow decay and dead wood.
Use mulch
Example plants for a Woodland edge
Crab Apple Malus slyvestris
Oak (Canopy)
Foxgloves
Holly - Ilex aquilfolium (Middle)
Maintenance of a woodland garden
Pruning to prevent over growing
Crown lifting to allow plants to grow
Paths and furniture in keeping and maintained (bark chipping on paths for example)
Example of a woodland garden also a Prairie one
Wakehurst (part of Kew Gardens)
What is Piet Oudolf’s matrix style of planting
Species planted in large numbers that acts as a background.
Pulls everything together
Amongst the drifts are strong or primary flowering plants
They are main interest in colour
Then scatter or secondary plants
What is scree
Loose particles of rock that are found naturally on mountain sides They provide good protection and good drainage
Opportunities and Limitations of a Water Garden
It attracts wild life and if you have the resources can be very ornate.
Shade of trees and falling leaves.
What is permeable paving
It allows gaps or voids to allow water to seep away. Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS).
What is meant by Crown thinning
Removal of smaller branches, to produce uniform density of foliage. It doesn’t change the the overall size and shape of the tree. It allows more light through
What is meant by Crown reduction
A reduction in the height and spread of a tree
Recent examples of tree diseaese
Dutch elm
Ash dieback
Box blight and box tree caterpillar
What is the impact of garden planting styles on visitors ?
Do they appreciate ecological plantings, is formal attractive or daunting. Are woodland just for walking.
What is the impact of garden or planting styles on garden management plans
Woodland - long term 20 years, prairie might need renewal over 5 years, different for modernist.
What is the impact on various garden and planting styles for the biodiversity of the overall garden
Compromises for formal, hardscaping in woodland to assist visitors
How could climate change affect the selection of hard landscaping materials
Sun make metail benches too hot, plastic more brittle. Increased rainfall and flooding. Better parking areas.
What is the impact of different garden or planting styles on diversity or equality
Heritage garden has links to slavery, a Victorian Millionaires home is not relevant.
How to answer a question that says “discuss”
Define key terms: Briefly define any important terms in the question.
Provide context: Give a brief overview of the issue or topic.
State your aim: Explain what you will discuss and mention the aspects you’ll cover.
Then a balanced and detailed exploration of the subject.
Present multiple perspectives, analyze the arguments, and provide evidence or examples to support your points.
Link back to the question.
How to answer a question that says “review”
Assess, evaluate, or critique a particular subject
Define terms
Discuss the strengths and positive aspects of the topic.
Then, evaluate its weaknesses, limitations, or challenges.
Support your points with examples, evidence, or logical reasoning.
