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Country garden design ideas uk


English country garden ideas | House & Garden

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From rural cottage to grand estate, country gardens should be tailored to the house and landscape they occupy. Clare Foster talks to three garden designers about the elements that give a garden that all-important sense of place

Vanessa Bowman

The cottage garden

Defined by a colourful mix of flowers, the humble cottage garden is enduringly popular and easy to achieve.

The classic English cottage garden is a much loved idiom, popularised by influential gardeners and writers such as Gertrude Jekyll and Vita Sackville-West, and epitomised by a delightful mix of colourful flowers from marigolds to hollyhocks. From medieval times, these gardens were productive as well as flower-filled, but in the Victorian era, the stylised cottage garden emerged, as depicted in the paintings of Helen Allingham. Today the cottage garden is having a major revival, reinvented for the 21st century to chime with our current penchant for naturalistic planting. The modern cottage garden comes in many forms: it might be a gravel garden where poppies and other colourful favourites are allowed to self seed, or a front-garden potager, with herbs, vegetables and fruit growing alongside flowers for cutting.

Garden designer Jo Thompson has seen a rise in demand for this style of garden in recent years. ‘People want a more relaxed feel and approach,’ she says. ‘A garden doesn’t have to be manicured or minimal à la Noughties, and the cottage garden style can be adapted to whatever space you have. An unkempt garden no longer signifies some kind of character defect – people judge less and look beyond the surface.’ She designs many country gardens with a mixture of joyous planting, especially roses. ‘The rose would have to be my key cottage garden plant, whether trained up and over into mounds to give a loose structure in a mass of surrounding perennials, or allowed to grow more loosely in a natural way. ’

But perhaps the most important element of the cottage garden is its biodiversity and its ability to support a wide range of wildlife, from birds to pollinating insects – and the knock-on effect this has on humans. Jo concludes: ‘To stand and watch a bee work its way through all the flowers on one plant, to see how a plant changes as it moves through its life cycle, is the most amazing thing. You’d be hard pressed to find a more mindful and healing activity.’

Key plants to create the look:

Vanessa Bowman

A formal arrangement

Clipped topiary, elegant parterres and a sense of tradition go hand in hand with a period country house
Large, historic country houses call for a garden with the same patina and sense of age as the building – even though the original garden may have to be remodelled if it has become rundown or neglected. Traditional topiary gardens or parterres bring a sense of symmetry and formality, and can be as simple or as elaborate as you like, from chess-board yew topiary to elaborate swirls of box hedging. Wide herbaceous borders and a good old-fashioned kitchen garden will also be the right fit. The surrounding landscape can be as important as the house itself, so consider opening up and framing views, perhaps with an avenue of trees, or creating focal points with statuary or a beautiful specimen tree.

The garden designer Xa Tollemache created at her former home, Helmingham Hall in Suffolk, is widely admired. Her advice for anyone making a traditional country garden is to get to grips with the topography, climate and possible limitations of a site before starting on a design. ‘On a first visit, I look at the features of the landscape, the house and surrounding buildings, and note things that jar. Often the removal of these elements clears the path for a good design.’

MAY WE SUGGEST: The magnificent terrace garden of a townhouse in Bruges

Hard landscaping should be sympathetic to the environment, using local or reclaimed stone or brick, and fencing unobtrusive and subtle, such as estate railings or traditional chestnut paling. Xa takes a tiered approach to planting: ‘I would start to plant trees as soon as possible, then look at structural plants such as clipped shrubs for architectural interest. Roses and climbing plants come next, followed by the fluff – beautiful perennials, lavender, grasses, bulbs and annuals to fill in the gaps.’ An old country house should have a garden that feels as though it has been there for years. The skill of a garden designer is to evoke this feeling, working with a light touch and creating subtle interventions, and then to tiptoe away and pretend they were never there.

Key plants to create the look:

Vanessa Bowman

Modern country

Carefully considered planting set against a geometric framework can add contemporary style to a tired space

A barn conversion or newbuild house is often left with a blank canvas of a garden, inviting the creation of a new contemporary-style plot. Modern planting schemes are ideally suited to this 21st-century approach, with bold drifts of perennials and grasses that link the garden to the landscape beyond. Often, designers juxtapose these modern meadows with a strong linear framework, comprising metal-edged beds, geometric infinity pools and square-cut yew or box. Surrounding topiary with ornamental grasses can instantly lift it into a more contemporary realm.

Debbie Roberts and Ian Smith of Acres Wild have designed hundreds of country gardens, using a clever mix of plants and hard landscaping to create gardens that look modern and smart, yet rooted in their surroundings. ‘Bringing a more contemporary feel to a garden is all about the materials you choose, the way you use them and the way you plant,’ says Debbie. ‘Bigger, bolder planting generally feels more modern, and in country gardens, where the landscape is often part of the scene, the foreground planting needs to scale up to the larger canvas. Deep borders allow for some self seeders to blur the outlines, providing a sense of naturalism that we think is important in a country setting. ’

MAY WE SUGGEST: A modern garden inspired by the textural planting of New Zealand

Hard landscaping elements that convey a sense of modernity are key. ‘We use materials that complement the house and are often local and reclaimed,’ she adds. ‘They should weather well, enhancing their character over time. Locally sourced stone, brick and gravel are favourites, and we also use timber and mild steel that is allowed to rust.’ Whether a garden is traditional or contemporary, giving it a sense of place is vital to make it feel comfortable in its setting. ‘Every location is unique,’ says Debbie. ‘It’s important to reflect this in the garden design so that the house, the garden and the landscape all work together as a complete entity.’

Key plants to create the look:

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TopicsGarden ArchitectureCountry GardensGardens

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Country garden ideas: 31 ways with planting and landscaping

(Image credit: Garden Trading/Sadolin/East Hampton Gardens)

Classic country garden ideas have been replicated across the globe, with lovers of the look taking inspiration from both grand country houses and smaller plots that surround rustic homes with colorful blooms, heady scent and wayward wildflowers.

Country garden ideas can be replicated in urban plots, too, where the softer foliage and less formal planting takes the edge off the urban landscape.

Below, you can discover the secrets of country garden style, and we have more amazing garden ideas, whatever your style, in our dedicated feature.

Country garden ideas: a guide to rustic growing

Key to developing your country garden ideas is to create a strong connection between the well-tended garden and the wilder landscape around it.

'We tend to make a distinction between garden plants and "wildflowers" as though they were separate categories,' gardener Monty Don has said. 'Yet has any garden ever been as lovely as a bluebell-carpeted wood, a bank of cow parsley, honeysuckle, wild garlic and meadowsweet? I don't think so, and I try to incorporate the essence of the local countryside into my garden at Longmeadow.'

1. Create a focal point

(Image credit: East Hampton Gardens)

Using a feature flower bed ideas, adding a garden sculpture, water feature idea, or decorative element is a great country garden idea, as it creates a focal point that will draw you through the outdoor space – as seen here, in a beautiful circular border created by Michael Giannelli, owner of East Hamptons Gardens , a curated garden and home shop in East Hampton Village.

‘This is an example of an English-style garden that we gave a focal point by using a vintage English armillary to center your eye,’ Michael says. ‘The use of many perennials that are great for pollinators such as bees and butterflies gives the desired effect. A natural, colorful garden that performs all summer.

2. Add a greenhouse

(Image credit: Hartley Botanic)

Greenhouses can make an extremely effective focal point for a country garden and their presence as a solid, yet beautiful garden structure provides the perfect foil for soft, flowing plantings. 

'Victorian greenhouses work particularly well, with an aesthetic that evokes the sentiments of a bygone era and gardens of classic stately homes in centuries past,' suggests Tom Barry, CEO of Hartley Botanic . 'Choosing a heritage design can also add to a country look – providing a more traditional style.'

Alternatively, opt for the clean lines and concealed engineering of a contemporary glass house, which can provide a stunning visual contrast against informal, elegant plantings.

'Finally, don't forget the impact of color,' says Tom. 'For a country garden, customers choose subtle shades such as Olive Leaf, Forest Green and Verona Stone. These traditional, natural tones help to integrate their Greenhouses into a country garden.'

3. Upcycle a wooden crate

(Image credit: Pelargonium for Europe)

Raised planter box ideas offer more space than classic balcony boxes or tubs and are ideal for colorful seas of geraniums on balconies and terraces. 

For this rustic country garden idea from Pelargonium for Europe , a wooden crate was simply mounted onto an old chair base, painted to tone with the geraniums. Holes in the bottom of the wooden box will prevent waterlogging.

4. Include plants for foraging

(Image credit: Getty Images)

You don’t need to head to the fields and forests to forage for edible plants; grow them in your own backyard and you can turn your country garden into a natural feast.

‘Foraging in your own garden allows you to engage closely with nature. Plant species such as crab apple, rosehip, elderflower, wild garlic, mushroom, water mint and poppy seed,’ suggests Howard Miller, co-designer (with brother Hugh) of the H.Miller Bros Alder Hey Foraging Station garden at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2022.

Think beyond kitchen garden ideas, too.

‘If you are thinking of including foraging plants, herbs and flowers into a cottage garden planting scheme, you might also want to consider species with non-edible foraging uses, such as natural dyes and herbal remedies,’ suggests Howard. ‘Once you know which of your garden species are edible or usable, your garden will become a journey of discovery throughout the seasons.’

5. Style a porch with a country garden view

(Image credit: Industville)

Raised front porch ideas give you wonderful perspectives onto your country garden, allowing you to see the shapes of beds and the beauty of upturned flower heads. Style it with furniture and carefully chosen lighting to create a space you can enjoy day and night.

‘Exterior lighting can accentuate the architecture, colors and textures of your property for an outdoor living space to be proud of,’ suggests Marketa Rypacek, Managing Director at Industville . ‘Make sure you experiment with different positions before you decide on a final placement. You can use a large torch in varying angles to see where it is likely to provide light. For glow without glare, opt for downward facing wall-mounted lights that create a relaxing atmosphere to be enjoyed by all.’

6. Bring the ‘cluttercore’ trend to your country garden

(Image credit: Pippa Blenkinsop / Kasia Fiszer)

The cluttercore trend – that is, an encouragement and embracing of organized chaos – is seeping its way into our gardens, too. ‘Outdoor cluttercore allows our gardens to grow naturally to create a country-like atmosphere, explains  gardening expert, Harry Bodell, from Price Your Job . 

‘As many of us are spending less time at home, especially with many of us returning to the office, we are not able to spend as much time on our gardens as we could have during the pandemic. Therefore, the cluttercore look is low maintenance, yet high impact,’ Harry explains.

‘Overgrown wildflowers not only look beautiful and picturesque, but they help to encourage wildlife which helps boost our ecosystem. Wildflowers attract pollinators, such as bees, as well as a wide diversity of birds and butterflies.’

7. Decorate an al fresco table with garden blooms

(Image credit: Pelargonium for Europe)

Associated with country and Mediterranean gardens, versatile geraniums are always a favorite.

Countless varieties and colors offer something to suit every taste. Once planted, they effortlessly transform sunny to semi-shady balconies and terraces into magnificent seas of flowers from spring to fall. Their scent is also said to repel flies, which makes them the perfect kitchen window plant.

For a fresh and pretty tablescape in a country garden, cut geranium blooms and display the sprigs in posy vases. Intersperse taller blooms and elegant candles to add height to your display.

8. Add interest with painted surfaces

(Image credit: Sadolin)

It’s not just flowers and plants that can add color and pattern to your garden. Painting plain surfaces with repeat motifs is a fun garden decorating idea – and a characterful way to add interest, especially where you have large areas of wall or porch.

Choose paint shades that complement your planting, but don’t be afraid to add an exotic touch to your country garden ideas. ‘A Mediterranean themed space with warm, earthy tones such as reds, browns, oranges, as well as blues, makes for a stunning environment,’ says Matthew Brown, Sadolin and Sandtex Technical Consultant.

‘Alternatively, a Caribbean-inspired garden using plenty of vibrant tones using blues, greens and yellows can be just as effective.’

9. Sit in a sunny spot

(Image credit: Garden Trading)

More than just a boundary, a stone wall can act as a ‘radiator’ in your garden, absorbing heat in the day and gently releasing it as the air cools around it. Just one of many garden wall ideas, this heat-giving bonus makes it the perfect backdrop for a garden bench.

‘Turn a simple seat into a destination by setting it under a pretty metal arch, with roses trained to grow over it,’ says Andréa Childs, Editor of Country Homes & Interiors magazine.

10. Put up a pergola

(Image credit: Lights4Fun)

If you don't have a porch or patio, or simply want to create another seating and entertaining space, then a pergola is the ideal addition to your country garden ideas. Choosing an area of your garden screened by hedges or planting will give this space the feel of an outdoor room – especially if you decorate it with garland lights and paper lanterns for color.

Pergola ideas like this are also a great way to add height and structure to your backyard.

11. Fill borders with colorful blooms

(Image credit: Annaick Guitteny/Future)

Take inspiration from the cut flower garden trend for your country garden ideas and make your borders work even harder by filling them with colorful blooms that you can enjoy outdoors or cut and bring into your home.

'Depending on the size of your outside space, flowers for cutting can be grown in tubs, large pots, raised beds, or empty spots in the border,' says Selina Lake, author of Garden Style . 

'When it comes to planting, choose cut-and-come-again plant varieties with long stems, as the more you pick, the more you will get.'

12. Create country garden 'rooms'

(Image credit: Mark Bolton/Future)

Hedging, fences, trellises, trees and other structures can be used as dividers within your design to create 'rooms'. Within a country garden, you might use this idea to zone specific areas for sitting, dining or play; to create distinct planting themes, such as a tropical garden, or a room of white flowers; or to give your garden an element of surprise and mystery.

The classic English country garden at Sissinghurst Castle Garden in the county of Kent, created by famed garden designer Vita Sackville-West, popularized the concept of garden rooms. But you don't need the grounds of a huge country house to create your own version. In fact, dividing a small garden into separate spaces can actually make the plot seem larger, as you don't see the whole area at once.

13. Add a garden gate

(Image credit: Camilla Reynolds/Future)

Figure a gate into your plot planning and country garden ideas – there's nothing like pushing it open to create a sense of expectation about the garden beyond.

Gates aren't just for entrances. They are a useful framing and dividing device within a larger garden, helping to create defined zones – or keep your pooch from trampling your prized plants!

14. Cover garden structures with climbers

(Image credit: Future / Mark Bolton)

'Nothing speaks of an English country garden like a beautiful wisteria or climbing rose, framing your windows and doorways, and adding character to your home,' says TV gardener David Domoney .

Natural climbers, such as ivy and Virginia creeper, will cling to walls but will leave marks on brickwork. Honeysuckle, roses and clematis will need to be supported with trellis or wire, but will clamber rampantly across these to decorate the exterior of your home.

Wide eaves may restrict the amount of water reaching the plants, while the aspect of the wall will dictate the best plants to position in the spot.

15. Plant a country kitchen garden

(Image credit: Future/Leigh Clapp)

A desire for more outdoor space is often a driver for a move to the countryside – and that means more ground in which to expand your horticultural horizons.

Traditionally, every country home – large and small – would have a dedicated area in the garden for growing crops to eat. In small spaces, that might mean a few herbs and salad leaves, while grander country piles would have beautiful kitchen gardens that would stock the kitchens with fresh produce.

The kitchen garden trend is seeing a resurgence, as we seek a greater connection with nature and want to be certain of the provenance of our food. If you're new to tending a veg plot, or planning your homegrown larder, take a look at our kitchen garden ideas for easy ways to get started.

16. Provide shaded areas to relax in

(Image credit: Clive Nichols/Room in the Garden)

For an ornate garden shade idea that doubles as a decorative garden focal point, consider a gazebo. These open-sided garden structures require little groundwork beyond laying a flat base.

'Our handcrafted rusted iron design can be left as an open structure for climbing plants or fitted with roof liners,' says Jan Howard, owner of Room in the Garden . She sited the gazebo in a walled garden, where it provides a destination at the center of the space.

17. Mow a meadow path

(Image credit: Annaick Guitteny/Future)

If you're looking for an alternative idea to the traditional sward of grass in your country garden, there is a greener solution than paving. 

'A meadow is much more interesting than a regimented square of lawn – as well as being much more ecologically sustainable,' says gardener Monty Don. 'However, it's not enough to let the lawn grow. '

Don suggests adding plug plants to your lawn, such as fritillaries, narcissi, meadow sweet, cowslips and scabious. 'These should all cope with the competition from the grasses,' he explains.

You'll need to find the best time of year to plant grass seed. Meadows should be cut once or twice a year, with all the cuttings removed and composted. So that you can cross easily through the long grasses in the meantime, mow a wide path – it will create a romantic walkway that leads you on into the garden.

18. Attract butterflies and bees

(Image credit: Annaick Guitteny/Future)

Making our garden more attractive to bees, insects and other creatures is a superb way to connect with nature. Not only will it increase the health of our plot by increasing its biodiversity, this gentle, green-fingered approach is better for the planet, too.

'Making your garden more biodiverse means creating an environment that is not just about you and the plants you grow but encouraging all the world’s species into it,' says gardener and TV presenter Frances Tophill. 'That includes fungus, bacteria, insects, birds, even foxes.'

Ideas for your country garden include growing pollen-rich flowers, such as sunflowers or lavender, for insects to feed on. 'Once you have insects in your garden, then all the other wildlife will follow,' Tophill explains.

'Make sure you have flowers for as much of the year as possible and choose varieties that produce fruits and berries. Include white, scented flowers that are at their best at night as that’s when pollinators like bats and moths are most active,' Tophill suggests in her 'Get Green Fingers' campaign with Weleda.

19. Break up bowling-green lawns

(Image credit: Polly Eltes/Future)

However green and well kept your lawn is, it can tend to look a bit flat and lacking in interest. All that grass also creates a monoculture – a lack of plant diversity that will diminish the wildlife and natural wellbeing of your plot, both fundamentals of a country garden.

To keep the greenery but to give it some additional gardening 'oomph', break up your lawn by digging out beds, planting shrubs and trees, or simply adding a path or a trail of stepping stones across the sod.

20. Repair rustic walls

(Image credit: Andrea Jones/Future)

Just as the architecture of your home will inform your decor decisions, looking to existing structures within your plot can help when planning your country garden ideas.

Rustic stone and flint walls are likely to have been made from local materials, so will echo the surrounding landscape. Preserve these where you can, calling in specialist stonemasons if necessary, and use these as the backbone of your rustic plot.

Natural weathering, as well as moss, lichen and self-seeded wildflowers, will soften the look of these hardy borders, bringing a beautiful patina and depth to your country garden.

21. Plant up pots and containers

(Image credit: Polly Eltes/Future)

Whatever the size of your country garden, from tiny courtyard to expansive acres, groupings of pots filled with seasonal blooms will add extra depth and dimension.

'Pot gardening is quick and satisfying because the whole job of planting and replanting is done very quickly – a sharp look for a whole season can be prepared within an afternoon,' says gardener Arthur Parkinson, author of The Flower Yard .  

'You can also treat a container garden like a profoundly changing stage, with the pots as props that can be moved around as you see fit.'

22. Make space for a pond

(Image credit: Alun Callender/Future)

'Water reflects all the changes and characteristics of the surrounding landscape and brings an enchanting quality to the garden,' says award-winning gardener, Chris Beardshaw . 

Unless you are lucky enough to have a stream running through your garden, or an existing pond, you'll need to dig out a hole to be lined and filled with water.

'Introduce oxygenating plants that will create a vibrant, evolving pond ecosystem and stop the water stagnating,' recommends Beardshaw. He suggests a mix of free-floating, submerged and rooted marginal plants, including water starwort, flowering rush and water forget-me-not. 

23. Put a mirror in a shady corner

(Image credit: Dunelm)

Increasing a sense of space and bouncing light in shady corners, a mirror can add a new dimension to a country garden.

'Pop it on a potting table or hang it on a wall,' suggests Homes & Garden content editor, Tara King. 'Just make sure it won't reflect direct sun, as this could cause a hot spot that might cause flowers to scorch and burn, or else shine into your eyes as you enjoy your garden.' 

Don't worry if the glass becomes mottled over time; it adds a rustic feel.

24. Let chickens roam

(Image credit: Polly Eltes/Future)

Keeping chickens is a wonderful addition to a country garden. 

'Hens love to have a lawn to peck on – grass is what makes for a rich egg yolk, along with calendula petals,' says gardener Arthur Parkinson . 

'Given the liberty of the garden, they will bring it wonderfully alive. My hens are on bug patrol and weed in between the brick pavers in the yard. Bantams are lovely and better for a small garden as they are gentler with the plants.'

25. Set up a sheltered seating area

(Image credit: Polly Eltes/Future)

Stone walls will absorb the heat of the sun during the day and radiate it in the evening, making a sheltered corner the perfect place to set up an outdoor living room in your country garden. Add cushions and throws for extra comfort.

26. Introduce woodland plants

(Image credit: Mark Bolton/Future)

'You can echo woodland planting in a relatively small space, with just a single tree underplanted with a vibrant mixture of small shrubs and bulbs,' says Chris Beardshaw, winner of numerous Gold Medals at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show.

Foxgloves, primroses, bluebells, snowdrops and sweet violets are quintessential country garden plants that will bring colour to dappled borders. The first two are also bee-friendly and will attract bees to your garden.

27. Potter in a potting shed

(Image credit: Emma Lee/Future)

'Pottering about in the shed is one of life's greatest pleasures,' says stylist Selina Lake.

'If you're a keen gardener but have only enough space for one structure in your country garden, it has to be a potting shed. It will prove an invaluable garden headquarters – somewhere to store essentials, pot on seedlings and take shelter from the rain. '

If you don't have room for a shed, Lake suggests squeezing a potting bench into a corner of the garden.

'All you need is a sturdy and fairly weatherproof table to work on,' she says. 'For something more permanent, position the table against a wall and add a shelf or two above and large crates underneath for storage.'

28. Celebrate historic features

(Image credit: Polly Eltes/Future)

If your country garden has a feature such as an old well, keeping it will add to the narrative of your home and provide a focal point in your outdoor space.

Make sure the structure is secure, repairing any brick or metalwork, and make it safe – here, a grid seals the opening of an old well, while revealing its depths.

29. Grow vegetables and flowers together

(Image credit: Mark Bolton/Future)

Companion planting is a staple of country gardening – and a great idea if you want to maximise your crop and make your beds look prettier.

Planting flowers and vegetables side by side can help keep bugs and pests away from your prize produce. 'Nasturtiums helps to deter aphids, while the scent of marigolds confuses pests,' says Emma O'Neill, head gardener at the charity Garden Organic .

For more brilliant plant and produce pairings, take a look at our complete guide to companion planting.

30. Use characterful planters

(Image credit: Polly Eltes/Future)

Barn sales, rural reclamation yards and country antiques markets are great places to pick up interesting rustic pieces to use in the garden. Trolleys, trailers, grain bins and reclaimed timber can all be used as characterful planters that reflect your rustic setting.

Ensure there is drainage at the bottom of the container so that the flowers or vegetables you plant don't become waterlogged.

31. Accessorize a deck with pretty cushions

(Image credit: Max Attenborough/Future)

When layering soft furnishings, try taking the inside out,’ advises Sue Jones, Co-founder and Creative Director at OKA . 

‘Incorporating cushions and throws from your sitting room into your garden makes the space more inviting, but it also continues the color scheme and enhances the feeling of having an extra room. If you’re planning on sitting out past sunset then throws are essential for cozying up but also for creating a welcoming aesthetic.’

What plants should I grow in a country garden?

'For a country garden, you want a mix of plants, roses, perennials, edibles such as herbs, annuals and a few shrubs such as hydrangeas,' says Sarah Raven , who runs a gardening and cookery school at Perch Hill in East Sussex. 

Raven recommends five classic plants when you're planning your country garden ideas.

'The first is a lovely, scented pink rose such as the Getrude Jekyll, which will bring a delightful pop of color with its large, rosette flowers. It also produces the most quintessential rose scent, which is perfect for an English country garden,' Raven shares. 

'I also recommend lupins. The amethyst purple is irresistible and with its architectural flower spikes, it will add an interesting texture.

'Scented climbers such as honeysuckles or akebia quinate are a must for a country garden. These are perfect for a garden arch or pergola or to clad external walls.

'Annual, self-seeding flowers such as nigella are a staple classic for country gardens too.

'I would also plant some architectural edible such as artichokes in a country garden.'

'You want to use sympathetic materials with a strong sense of place in a country garden, continuing the textures and tones from the house into the garden,' suggests Sarah Raven. 

'So, if you’re in flint country, go for a lovely natural grey flint path and terrace or patio. If the house is built in brick, then stick with lots of bricks or stone. 

'By doing this, you’ll build a connection between the home and the garden, which is very important when working with a country plot.'

Andrea has been immersed in the world of homes, interiors and lifestyle since her first job in journalism, on Ideal Home. She went from women's magazine Options to Frank. From there it was on to the launch of Red magazine, where she stayed for 10 years and became Assistant Editor. She then shifted into freelancing, and spent 14 years writing for everyone from The Telegraph to The Sunday Times, Livingetc, Stylist and Woman & Home. She was then offered the job as Editor on Country Homes & Interiors, and now combines that role with writing for sister title homesandgardens.com. 

English style landscaping

English garden landscaping is needed to create a natural, quiet and cozy place. Its key feature is naturalness, it prompts reflection and invites you to relax. English style in landscape design can be realized. But you need to carefully approach the selection of colors, materials, decorative elements, plants and other things.

Decorating a summer cottage in the English style

English garden decor

English style garden landscaping

Contents

Tradition and modernity: English style in landscape design

English style in landscape design is now very common. It has another name - landscape. He fell in love with designers due to the combination of simplicity and elegance. It has already been noted that an important distinguishing feature of landscape design in the English style is neat lines and the naturalness of the elements used. When choosing this image for your own garden, you should take into account many details. After all, English landscape design involves the use of classic plants for this style, which are suitable only for a certain climate and soil. nine0003

Another important feature is the use of deliberate asymmetry when planting plants and fruit crops. The main thing is to make the transitions smoothly.

English-style summer cottage

Beautiful English style landscaping

Decorating a summer cottage in the English style

English style landscaping brings you back to the era of old England. Your garden can become a place where creative people can find inspiration. Quiet and cozy island away from the city noise. The garden literally envelops with harmony and immerses in tranquility. nine0003

English style is old-fashioned and antiquity. Such a garden will be able to erase all the boundaries between wildlife and modernity. This combination is what makes this image popular.

English garden decor

English style garden landscaping

English-style summer cottage

See alsoCreating a flower garden is a form of creative expression

Details needed to create the right atmosphere

There are some details that are a must if you want your garden to look English. The elements are as follows.

See alsoHow to design a summer cottage 6 acres

This will create the visual effect of a maze, creating a sense of mystery each time you move forward through the garden. Do not use very lush borders.

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Presence of several types of greens in the base

In the English style, when creating a garden, it is not allowed to plant whatever you want. It is recommended to limit yourself to a maximum of three types. For variety, choose them in different tones. The result will be an abundance of colors, not species.

Beautiful English style landscaping

Decorating a summer cottage in the English style

English garden decor

See also DIY garden decor

The use of the same elements when decorating the house and everything that surrounds it

This will help unite him and the garden, making them one. The emphasis in this case is recommended to be done on a combination of textures, which should be correctly selected. The garden should become an integral part of the house, and it, in turn, should look like an extension of the external environment.

See alsoHow to use roses in landscaping

Strong annual blooms

nine0002 They can bloom within 5 months. Therefore, they should be planted in the garden, preferably in the central part of the flower bed, along its edges, not far from the paths. An important feature of the English-style garden is the presence of bright, juicy spots and a basic calm background.

English style garden landscaping

English-style summer cottage

Beautiful English style landscaping

See alsoDesign features and choice of materials. What else to consider when choosing a porch design? nine0003

What kind of plants will decorate English landscape design?

Planting all the greenery in layers can add a bit of casualness. Such a landing consists in placing the highest views from the back, after them they come in medium size and only then small ones. It is important to choose the right color scheme. You can not combine cold and warm shades. It is recommended to use only one group.

The English style is famous for its use of romantic, old-fashioned colors. And if your site will be in a dry climate, you need to make sure that they have enough water in sufficient quantities. The English style includes the use of roses, mallow, peonies, foxglove, daylily. nine0003

Lavender, hosta and catnip are perfect for the intermediate level. They have a soft color, which will create a contrast between rich annuals and perennials.

In addition to flowers, it is customary in English landscape design to plant trees. Yew and hornbeam are considered the most suitable, it is also worth choosing eastern thuja. Topiary figures are created from them, they lend themselves perfectly to molding and are convenient to cut.

Decorating a summer cottage in the English style

English garden decor

English style garden landscaping

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Furnishings and decorations

The English garden needs special decoration. It has several important features that must be present when creating such an image. Required elements include wrought iron grilles, dark wood panels and located on the walls. The most preferred English style design details are presented in the table. nine0003

English-style summer cottage

Beautiful English style landscaping

Decorating a summer cottage in the English style

Furnishings and decor with an English touch

Material used

Decorative elements

Shades

Brick, limestone. You can use straw and cobblestones. nine0003

Benches, wicker fences, round baskets resembling a swarm of bees, old cars.

Gray in delicate tones, soft pink, olive, any tones of green, pale cream.

English garden decor

English style garden landscaping

It has already been noted that it is important to create a site that would be a complete reflection of nature. Therefore, it is recommended to use natural materials in the decor. If you plan to place a fence, then make it no more than 1 meter high and build it from willow branches. Baskets that look like bee hives will add a bit of rustic flavor to the site. They are quite practical and roomy. nine0003

The British do not like to get rid of old things. They often restore them and find a new purpose for them, actively using them for design and decoration. An old grandmother's wheelbarrow will fit perfectly into the English style. You can take large tin cans and restore them by adding antiques. They are used instead of pots, planting plants in them and placing them around the perimeter.

English-style summer cottage

Beautiful English style landscaping

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How to create an English-style garden with your own hands

To embody the English style on your site, you need to follow a few simple steps.

  1. Plant no more than 3 types of plants. It was noted above that it is not worth planting all the flowers in a row. It is better to choose some varieties and add volume to the perimeter due to their number, and not the variety of species.
  2. Combine contrasting shades. For English landscape design, it is important to correctly combine and use color schemes. Combine red peonies with pink foxgloves. Daylilies of yellow and lemon hues go well with purple and violet alliums. nine0014
  3. Set boundaries. It is worth adding bird feeders placed along the perimeter and houses for pigeons to the installation of a green hedge and the construction of paths. They will make the composition complete and fit perfectly into the overall design of the site. To divide it into separate parts, use forged gratings that will not cover the entire view, but at the same time will cope with the task.
  4. Select furniture. To create an English style on the site, it is proposed to abandon the use of the usual green and gray shades. It is better to repaint all the furniture in bright colors. This will give the garden a positive and joyful look even during the period when the plants will not bloom. It is important that the furniture on the site is decorated antique. The older it looks, the better. nine0014
  5. Particular attention is paid to the interior. If there are pillars and columns on the site, climbing plants must be wrapped around them. So you can achieve the effect, as if the structures are floating above the ground. Landscape design in this image involves the use of statues and stylized ruins. It is required to place them throughout the site.
  6. Combination of sun and shade. A plot stylized in this way is able to combine hydrangea, which is thermophilic, which is why it should be planted near the northern wall and succulents that love sunlight. So you can create a cozy area for snacks and relaxing rest on the site. nine0014

features of creating landscape design in the English style, photos of interesting ideas

An English garden is a place for relaxation and recreation. This style is associated with naturalness, naturalness. It combines the traditional stiffness of the British and the naturalness of nature. It is a place of mystery and romance.

Country house is not only nature, fresh air. This is the flight of desires. It is possible to create landscape design in the English style, even if you have not visited this country. It is only necessary to use plants, colors, decor elements, materials and accessories correctly. So you can turn your garden into a cozy, well-groomed and stylish place. nine0003

The history of England is the basis of style

All our ancestors perceived nature as something dangerous. The inhabitants of England changed this judgment radically. The environment began to be valued not only from a practical point of view, but also from an aesthetic one.

English Gardens is a combination of various fields of art and science. Geometry, history, philosophy - this is the basis of this style. Horticulture has completely changed the holistic and innovative approach to landscape design. Its feature is the exclusion of all boundaries between the outer and inner space of the house. nine0003

It was the English style in landscape design that gave a lot of familiar details in the design of the backyard territory.

What does a classic English country house look like? Its main components were:

Hedges protected the area from animals entering the area. In addition, they did not completely obscure the view of the area. Almost every garden had a pond. It could be small in size, but have a natural, sinuous outline. nine0003

Groves of trees were always planted near the house. They looked attractive with hilly lawns. The hallmark of English landscapes was the alternation of plains and embankments. A flat field looks boring, and the hills can better convey the natural landscape.

Grottoes are another part of the English landscape. These romantic hiding places were built specifically to give the appearance of dark natural caves. They were safe, shallow.

Open parks - a place of rest for people who came to the garden to talk, admire the flower beds. nine0003

Style features

English private garden - natural materials, old-fashionedness, craving for antiquity and romanticism. Properly selected contrasts allow you to achieve the feeling that there is no plan and a clear structure of the environment at all. But he is! The plan of the English garden was created in such a way as to blur the line between modern progress and wild nature. This is the popularity of this style.

Boxwood hedges, neatly trimmed, perfectly coexist with bright and lush flower beds. Straw, limestone go well with brick. This visually combines smoothness and a clear structure. nine0003

Geometry is the basis of the English park. But she doesn't catch the eye. But, looking from above, you can make sure that all the paths converge to the center. Rectangular shapes and circles combine to create order and simplicity.

Basic elements of an English garden

There are some elements that you can use to create a real English garden.

Decor and decoration

There are several distinctive features in the design of English gardens - the presence of lattices and wrought iron gates, a high chimney, wooden panels on the walls. So, what are the main elements of creating a strict but romantic style in our conditions?

When creating an English style on a country plot, it is necessary to pay attention to the following details:

English landscapes are the construction of everything natural. Simple natural materials are used as decor. Hedges woven from turf and branches should be up to 1 m high. And straw baskets resembling the shape of a beehive will add a rustic flavor to the garden. nine0003

The English are pedantic, practical people. They don't like to throw away old things. They find their use as interesting design items, after a little restoration. Therefore, large antique-styled tin cans, a grandmother's wheelbarrow, etc. will perfectly fit into this style. Flowers planted in such restored things will also look original.

Structures

Everyone knows that England is the center of the world fashion in landscape design. In this country, it was proposed for the first time to combine greenery and stones. Huge statues, brick arches, ancient vases on a pedestal against the backdrop of a perfectly mowed lawn are a memory of the past. nine0003

The entrance to the garden begins from the threshold, so arches entwined with roses and creepers are often placed here. Such an entrance becomes the visiting card of the owners, gives aesthetic pleasure.

The British honor the memory of their ancestors. For this reason, symbolic fortresses, columns, castles are often found in their gardens. The main thing in arranging such a garden is to combine the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe site with the number and size of all design ideas.

Many consider the grotto a relic of the Romantic era. The gardens of England showed for the first time that it was possible to create an artificial grotto on a limited plot of land. A small area, internal voids and excellent facilities make this place special. It is nice to retire here, contemplate the landscapes and remember important moments in your life. These places are especially attractive in hot weather. It's not only cozy, but also cool. nine0003

But remember, building a grotto requires careful planning. Its construction is best entrusted to specialists who will think through all the technical details and guarantee the safety of all visitors.

Paths

A photo of an English garden cannot be imagined without paths that run through the entire garden. To create them, use tiles, gravel, bricks, cobblestones. These materials are easy to find in any household. Tracks can be either single or parallel. Remember, if the path leads to a secluded place, it must be gradually narrowed. Conversely, if it goes to open space, it must be expanded. nine0003

It is customary in English gardens to create gravel paths. It is economical, natural, convenient. The correct and finished look is able to create curbs made of limestone or stone. Metal fencing is allowed.

When choosing gravel, pay attention to the fact that small stones are more comfortable to walk on. But even heavy rain will not be able to wash out a large fraction.

Having decided to create a landscape English garden, it is worth remembering that it requires constant care. Paths must be periodically leveled, weeds removed. Gravel should be renewed every 2-3 years, adding material in the required amount. nine0003

The British also have a positive attitude towards paths made of paving slabs or stone. These are durable materials compared to gravel. For the design of tracks, they prefer to use a rectangular or square shape. The stones are laid out right next to each other. If they are located at a distance, then ground cover plants can be planted between them.

It is imperative to plant a lot of greenery on the sides of the paths made of artificial material. The English style is arches of vines and climbing roses, bushes, mixborders along the length of the paths. nine0003

Reservoirs

It is hard to imagine an English garden without a reservoir. Moscow is a city where you can create all the conditions for decorating this style. Ponds don't have to be big. They can have natural, smooth outlines. Often there are benches, a hedge or a row of tall perennials around. This is a place of solitude and peace.

Green spaces

The characteristic of the English style is the effect of ease. It can be achieved by planting plants in layers. Tall plants should be placed at the back, medium plants should be in the center, and low plants should be located at the edge.

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