And fighting out of the blue corner…!
Last month we published a piece on contemporary garden design, so it’s the traditionalist’s chance to defend its title. Here we’re talking farmhouse or cottage garden design, one you’d associate with Cotswold villages and babbling brooks. But we’re kidding about the fight really, we love both styles and just want everybody to be happy. Is that so much to ask?
Here again, we’ve compiled some of our team’s top tips with those of our favourite designers; on traditional garden design:
LESS IS MORE
Traditional gardens are known for being beautifully unruly (picture a wildflower meadow). Whilst this is definitely part of the charm and something to be celebrated, it works best in small doses. It can be overwhelming and overpowering if the garden has been designed without proportion in mind. Bear in mind that these types of gardens are likely to change with every year, as plants spread and move, and wildlife leaves its mark. So you need to be vigilant in leaving open spaces to prevent too much spread.
HEIGHT AND LINES
There are no straight lines in nature (where have we heard that before?) And a traditional garden is one that very much evokes nature, meaning that your hedges, paths and lawns should feel somewhat haphazard and (dare we say it) natural. The same goes for tall plants. Resist the urge to keep them all at the back and the borders, because that’s not how the world works. Bring them into your beds and central areas. We know we know, but trust us on this one…
FOCUS
If you think all of the above simply sounds like mess, you’re kind of right. Firstly because nature is messy, but secondly because we haven’t given you the next piece of advice yet. Focal points are what bring a sense of order to a traditional garden, preventing it from feeling blurred and jumbled. Think feature plants that stand out, like shrubs and flowering trees and evergreens – these bring the minimal level of structure that we need to achieve the effect.
FURNITURE AND ORNAMENTS
Traditional gardens are made to be used, not admired. And we don’t mean just by humans. So by all means add those lovely rustic touches like picket fences, window boxes, antique furniture and hammocks. But don’t forget the wildlife and insects that make cottage gardens so special: introduce vine covered arbors, baths and feeders, bug hotels, log piles etc.
Eden Restored is a team of passionate garden designers working throughout London, Kent and Surrey.
We deliver value-for-money on projects of any size, from inner-city courtyards to countryside cottages.
To discuss your ideas and how we can help throughout the entire process, get in touch.