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Designing a country garden


Designing a Cottage Garden

Creating a Look of Abandon While Staying in Control

By

Marie Iannotti

Marie Iannotti

Marie Iannotti is a life-long gardener and a veteran Master Gardener with nearly three decades of experience. She's also an author of three gardening books, a plant photographer, public speaker, and a former Cornell Cooperative Extension Horticulture Educator. Marie's garden writing has been featured in newspapers and magazines nationwide and she has been interviewed for Martha Stewart Radio, National Public Radio, and numerous articles.

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Updated on 03/04/21

The Spruce / Autumn Wood

When done well, cottage gardens seamlessly blend colors, textures, forms, and fragrance. There's no concern for spacing, no worry about planting in odd numbers, no graduations in height. A cottage garden's greatest appeal is that it seems to lack any conscious design. But even a cottage garden needs to be controlled. Some of the most successful cottage gardens start with a formal structure and soften the framework with the lavishness of cottage plants.

If there's a failing in cottage gardening, it's the idea that the garden can take care of itself. That is definitely not the case. In fact, a cottage garden can be high maintenance. Some flowers will become thugs, squeezing out others. Self-sowers can quickly get out of hand. Perennials will still need periodic dividing, or they will die out. With so many flowers, deadheading becomes time-consuming, but the alternative is a lot of past-prime flowers.

Advantages of a Cottage Garden

If you're still deciding whether or not you're ready to embrace the serendipity of a cottage-style garden, consider these advantages:

Cottage Garden Ideas and Tips

The appeal of a cottage garden is apparent: an abundance of flowers and fragrance welcomes you home and greets you every time you open your door. If you'd like to surround your home with a cottage feel, you can start simply by putting a small bed on either side of the path or drive to your house and continue to expand it over the years. From there you can add additional paths and seating areas and other personal touches.

Although the whole point of a cottage garden is that there are no rules or guidelines, these tips can help as you get started:

  1. Start small. An expansive cottage garden can look like an untended garden; you can always add more later if you decide to. Keep a bit of lawn to break things up and avoid straight lines in planning your garden plot.
  2. Use a good mix of plants, including a variety of fragrant flowers, and start by planting large clumps so it's not just a jumble. If you live in a hot, dry climate, don't be afraid to substitute Mediterranean plants or succulents.
  3. Repeat both plants and colors to create a sense of flow and harmony. Don't forget to add tall plants for visual interest. You don't need to worry about putting them in the back, as you might in a border, but you do want the eye to move up and around, rather than viewing one flat plane.
  4. Add some paths for access and weeding. Choose path material to complement your garden and home. Traditional materials include brick, stone, gravel, or dirt. Let plants spill over each other and onto the walkways.
  5. Add some structure with small trees, shrubs or obelisks covered in vines. Strong feature plants, like shrub roses, flowering trees, and shrubs will prevent the look from becoming blurred and gauzy. Evergreens give any garden a sense of structure.
  6. As a finishing touch, give the garden a backdrop and add decorative touches. Hedges, rustic fences or even a wall, will serve as a background that brings the garden into focus. Because of the informality of a cottage garden you can decorate with all kinds of found objects and garden accents, including trellising, vine-covered arbors, antiques, rockers, and birdbaths.

Finally, don't expect your cottage garden to look the same year after year. Allow the plants to be active partners in the creation of your garden.

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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. 

Designing a garden, a plot of a country house

Every happy owner of a country plot faces two main problems: building a house and landscaping the site. Many questions need to be resolved: how to properly position the house and other buildings on the site, how to link them with plantings and other elements of the future garden, so that later you do not experience painful feelings about your hindsight.

The solution of the above issues is greatly simplified if, from the very beginning, you try to independently complete the project of the site, at least as simplified as possible. Usually far-sighted people do just that. In practice, thoughts about the need to organize a garden often come to mind when the main buildings are already rising on the site. nine0007

Even if the house has already been built, the need for a site plan remains relevant, since only with its help it will be possible to competently combine all existing and imaginary elements of the garden into a single whole, to optimize its space. It is best to order a project in a landscape company, but you can try to do it yourself. In this case, the output is unlikely to be a masterpiece of landscape art, but with a bit of knowledge, imagination and, most importantly, common sense, you can make a completely reasonable garden project. nine0007

"Fix, do you have a plan?"

So where do you start? With an inventory of everything that is already on the site and around it. To do this, having measured all sides of the site and its diagonals with a tape measure, you should draw a detailed plan on a sheet of graph paper. The most appropriate scale for a medium-sized area is 1:100. The corners of the site, if they are not straight, can be transferred from the land allocation plan, the scheme obtained at the BTI, measured with a compass, or, in extreme cases, drawn by eye. nine0007

On the plan, the cardinal points are marked, the entry and exit points to the site are marked, all existing buildings are scaled, indicating the location of doors and windows, as well as other objects, such as reservoirs, wells, ventilation ducts, manholes, sewer and other communications. Be sure to mark the trees and shrubs that they want to save.

If the site is relatively flat, the lowest and most elevated places are marked, taking into account the exposure of the slopes, and if the terrain is rugged and complex, it is possible that a topographic survey will have to be ordered. Otherwise, there may be problems with drainage, placement of buildings, vertical layout of the site, the construction of retaining walls and terraces. nine0007

When making an inventory and drawing up a situational plan, you should not limit yourself to the boundaries of your land allotment. If there is such an opportunity, it is necessary to note which side of the site the most beautiful and which are the least attractive views, indicate the location of carriageways, tall trees, fences, houses and outbuildings in neighboring areas. All this will come in handy in the future, when thinking about the project and making important decisions: who or what should be fenced off, what landscapes to reveal, what to place in areas of the site that will be in the shade of neighboring trees, etc.

“I always have a plan!”

So, the site plan has been drawn up. The next stage is quite responsible. You have to concentrate and write an exhaustive list of requirements, wishes and preferences that you and your family members have regarding the future garden.

There are usually a great many wishes, and sometimes they turn out to be incompatible with each other. Often the size of the garden is simply not enough to accommodate an orchard and a vegetable garden, a gazebo and a swimming pool, a decorative pond and a slide, a playground and a tennis court, a bright flower garden and a collection of conifers. nine0007

At this point, it is especially important to address the main question: how much time can you devote to being in the garden and caring for it? The answer will depend on a number of reasons related to the chosen concept of the garden: the nature of the use of the site (vacation on weekends or permanent residence), gardening preferences, availability of forces and means.

Experience shows that, after some thought, most people agree that a garden should be a) beautiful, b) exceptional, i.e. not like everyone else, and c) practically maintenance-free. The last point usually forces one to critically rethink the compiled list and choose among the many elements necessary and sufficient. nine0007

Conducting a detailed analysis of the situation on the site, drawing up a plan and carefully taking into account all the requirements and wishes for the appearance and content of the future garden are the first stage in the creation of the project.

Style and comfort

Starting the next stage of creating a project, the first step is to decide on the style direction of the garden. By and large, the choice is small, since, as you know, there are only two main garden styles: regular and landscape, and the rest, to one degree or another, are their variants. The regular style is more official and solemn, it is the best suited for a solid country residence, however, our natural environment is more in line with a free, landscaped garden that organically fits into the wonderful Central Russian landscapes. nine0007

You can try to combine elements of both styles on one site, for example, by deciding the entrance area in the form of a regular, symmetrical parterre, and designing the private part of the site as a landscape garden. However, such a solution requires some skill.

Drawing up a site project usually begins with thinking through the issues of its improvement. No matter how we feel about the decorative design of the garden, it should not go against the convenience of using the site. The house is the main object on the site, therefore, if it has not yet been built, it is important to place it correctly. The most suitable place for building a homestead is the highest point on the northern side of the site. In this case, problems with the drainage of the house are easier to solve, in addition, the site will get more sunlight and heat. nine0007

Structuring the garden

Having decided on the location of the house, they begin to allocate structural and functional zones on the plan. Their list is quite large, but usually a rare site does without a solemn or simply beautiful entrance (parterre) zone, an economic zone, areas for recreation, children's games and sports, as well as a garden zone, which has recently been losing more and more utilitarian value and acquires the features of a decorative element. nine0007

Zones are placed in the most suitable places, guided by common sense and the rules for the convenience of using certain garden objects. So, they try to place the zone of the fruit garden-garden on the southern, sunny side of the site, and the recreation area - in the most picturesque and sheltered from the winds of its part. The economic zone is usually taken out to an inconspicuous place, masking it with small forms or decorative plantings, but providing a convenient approach to it.

Tracks

Having fixed the zones on the plan, they connect them with each other, with the house, other buildings, gates and the gate with a road and path network, also providing for paved areas, for example, in the patio, around the pool, in front of the garage, etc. At the same time for gardens conceived in a landscape style, rounded, smooth lines of paths are preferred. The width of the main paths should be sufficient for a walk together (at least 1 m), it is fashionable to make secondary paths narrower and not even solid, but from individual tiles laid randomly in the lawn. Various areas of the site connected by paths, if necessary, are isolated from each other by means of tree and shrub trellises and wings, trellises and pergolas entwined with lianas, or combined with the help of lawns and large-scale plantings of ground cover shrubs and perennials. nine0007

Plants

The road and path network, together with the boundary lines of the plot, is a convenient coordinate system for the subsequent binding of various functional and decorative elements of the garden to it. Tree and shrub plants that make up groups and modules, as well as single (solitary) plants, are applied to the plan in the form of circles. For inexperienced, novice gardeners, the basic rule when designing plantings is moderation. This applies to both the number of plants and the density of their planting. nine0007

It must be remembered that plants tend to grow and sometimes reach impressive sizes. Between large trees, when planting, they keep a distance of at least 5 m, large shrubs - 2 m. The exception is modules in which a denser planting and continuous hedges are practiced, decorating a fence or any zone.

When you have finished arranging the plant circles, you can give them names. In other words, it's time to start compiling an assortment list, i. e. list of species and varieties of plants. Considering the high prices for planting material and the proposed assortment, which is not always suitable for northern latitudes, this important event should be approached very carefully, if possible, consult with experts. nine0007

Ordering a site project from a specialized company involves preparing a whole package of documents, including a master plan, dendroplan, layout and landing drawings, sketches, estimates, often additional diagrams, drawings and lists. In the case of independent work, the only document will be on hand - the site project drawn up by you personally. It may not be perfect, but the garden built according to this design will be much more convenient and perfect compared to many spontaneously formed gardens in the neighborhood. In addition, you will feel like a real specialist in landscape design. nine0007

Andrey Lysikov,
Candidate of Biological Sciences
According to the magazine "Stylish Garden", No. 12/1, 2004/2005)

Landscaping of the plot and garden

Gone are the days when only garden plots were considered as a place to grow fruits and vegetables. Today, owners want the area near their home to be beautiful and as comfortable as possible. Site landscaping is an art that makes this wish come true. nine0007

Contrary to popular belief, it's not easy at all. Creating an aesthetic landscape design requires a specialist, in addition to special knowledge and solid experience, also excellent taste. He must be able to create a project that harmoniously takes into account the needs of the owners, the characteristics of the territory, plus the optimal use of the allocated resources - temporary, material, monetary. His work, even on the smallest area, is always complex and consists of many stages. nine0007

Landscaping Basics

Don't think that landscaping a garden is just a planting plan. First, the designer collects a lot of initial data that he will need when working on the project. You can create in general and then detail the future design in detail only if you have:

Separate landscape elements in designing

To make the territory near the house functional and comfortable, it must be zoned, that is, divided into separate zones. This is done based on the wishes of customers, but taking into account the total area.

Main functional areas:

The dimensions of the functional areas in landscape design are selected depending on the lifestyle of the owners. If they often receive guests, a large area for general relaxation will be required. If you are going to grow fruits, vegetables, flowers, you can allocate up to 80% of the usable area for them. nine0007

The landscape project includes elements of landscaping and gardening that maximize the dignity and beauty of each of the functional areas of the site:

Stages of landscape design

Without exception, all site improvement work begins with landscape design. The whole process is divided into many interrelated stages:

  • assessment of the relief and features of the site, if necessary - topographic and geodetic survey,
  • sketching and rendering,
  • master planning,
  • layout drawing,
  • development of a dendroplan and landing drawing,
  • creation of landscape and general lighting scheme,
  • calculation of the automatic watering system for green spaces,
  • production of working drawings, on the basis of which landscape design work is carried out.

On average, landscape design of a plot or garden takes at least a month. nine0007

What plants are used

A wide variety of plants can be used for landscaping the site. In landscape design, they are usually divided into large (shrubs and trees) and small (herbs and flowers). An important feature for large plants is the ability to tolerate regular shearing. Also, when choosing them, take into account the crown, the shade of the leaves, the beauty and time of flowering, the color of the bark.

Flowers are used both annuals and perennials, from creeping forms to climbing forms, which are used to create vertical gardening. With the help of colors, it is easiest to form a style direction. All this must be taken into account in landscape design. nine0007

The main styles of landscape design

All the numerous styles of landscape design are usually classified into one of two main styles - landscape or regular.

The regular direction assumes a fairly clear geometry of space and is based on the division into functional zones. The main principles of this direction were formed in France in the 17th century:

  • symmetrical accents - plants, sculptures, fountains,
    • nine0087 straight paths paved with natural stone or gravel,
  • symmetrical axial layout,
  • the relief of the site is better even.

In contrast to the regular landscape style, smooth lines and asymmetry are characteristic. Functional areas are not clearly defined and may overlap slightly. For example, medicinal herbs and berries can grow on the front lawn, and spices and vegetables among fruit trees, but there is no separate area for a vegetable garden (ideal for small plots!). The British are considered to be the founders of this direction, but many other styles belong to it, including the Japanese garden. nine0007

Of course, any owner of the site is fully aware of how exactly he wants to see his site. And he is able to plan on his own where the garden will be, and where - the recreation area. But it’s no longer possible to understand the intricacies of drainage and irrigation, groundwater, soil composition and other features of the area on your own. And the result of inattention or ignorance of details is stunted vegetation, paths covered with salt and no beauty.

Landscaping is a very complex and time-consuming task. The specialist who develops the project must have deep knowledge in crop production, construction, architecture and many other areas, as well as creative thinking, vivid imagination and extensive practical experience. You will find the combination of all these and other qualities necessary for a landscape designer at the staff of AG Garden Design. nine0007

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