Updated on May 2, 2024.
Simple and classic, the formal garden never goes out of style. Here are a few formal garden design tips to help you get that clean look in your garden. If you are a fan of the geometric shapes and clean lines then this style is perfect for you.
A formal garden is characterized by clear, geometric shapes. The individual elements fit harmoniously into the concept. The successful combination of hedges, garden paths and paved patio areas creates a clear outdoor area where everything has its place.
The first step in designing a formal garden is toGet to know the basics. There are several elements that cannot be missing under any circumstances and several that can be incorporated if desired.
1. The low, precisely cut onesevergreen hedgesare an integral part of the classic English garden. They fulfill an important function - divide the outdoor area into several zones and create space for planting shrubs, flowers and perennials.
2.Shrubs and perennials: Roses and hydrangeas bring variety and color to the garden.
3.Grasses and ground coverloosen up the strict garden image and make the outdoor area appear natural and inviting.
4.Garden paths and patio areas made of natural stonegive the garden a touch of luxury. The materials are durable and look great.
5.Water features and fountainrelax the senses and attract birds, squirrels and butterflies.
1. The basic principles in design: order
Order ensures visual calm. Straight garden paths that lead to cleverly hidden seating areas, artistic sculptures that adorn the garden entrance and pots that frame the house entrance.
2. Decorate with classic accents
Small accents, like this simple planter, can make a big impact on the garden. The key here is simplicity – the green and white combination fits in with the rest of the garden. Simple stone urns have been chosen for plant containers in formal gardens for centuries.
3. Create connections & balance
Repeat certain shapes and colors for an organized look in your garden. Here, the stone vases, used as decorative accents, repeat the shape and color of theAnnabelle hydrangea. And the low boxwood hedge mimics the shape of the brick path around the lawn.
4. Provide good year-round structure
This means the structure of the garden that you can see all year round, such as the box hedges, the classic fence and the trees. If you choose the right types of plants for the structure, you would have a formal garden that looks good all year round.
5. Limit your choice of flowers
Although this might be difficult for you, choosing and sticking to a particular type of plant will help bring the feeling of simplicity to your formal garden. Just choose a few different plants and combine them. White is the traditional color for formal gardens and is also a trick for shade gardens. It helps to make dark, shady places appear lighter and brighter.
6. Enjoy the beautiful views without restrictions
One of the benefits of using lots of straight lines in the garden is that they draw the eye and provide beautiful views. They are ideal for creating highlights when placing your main accent at the end of a walkway or series of lines.
7. Your budget keep an eye on
Many gardeners associate formal gardens with large, expensive structures. But you can create this style in the garden without spending a fortune. Here, simple furniture painted in green blends with the color scheme of the garden, creating a comfortable place to rest or entertain outdoors.
8. Decorate with flower pots
Your patio is an extension of the garden, so don't let it look bare and use lots of planters and pots to add drama and elegance. Here is an old terracotta pot with cut boxwood, Dichondra 'Silver Falls' and purple Vinca flowers.
9. Little surprises
With all their repetition and symmetry, formal gardens can sometimes be boring. So don't be afraid to add a little excitement with little surprises. Here the sky blue morning glory is the perfect accent for all green and white tones.
10. Low maintenance formal garden
One of the advantages of formal style in the garden is that it is easy to maintain. This garden is almost maintenance free. It only requires a bit of weeding, mowing, watering and fertilizing. The plants look beautiful with just one cut per year.
11. Choose plant classics
Plants like this Sky Blue Morning Glory add a timeless charm to the garden and would feel right at home among the other classic features.
