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English garden ideas designs


30 Elegant English Garden Designs and Ideas

By

Lisa Hallett Taylor

Lisa Hallett Taylor

Lisa Hallett Taylor is an expert in architecture and landscape design who has written more than 1,000 articles about pool, patio, garden, and home improvement over 12 years. She has a bachelor's degree in Environmental Design and is certified in fine and decorative arts appraisal.

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Updated on 12/16/22

Peg Aloi

With its temperate climate and verdant landscapes, the "green and pleasant land" of England has long been associated with beautiful gardens. From the formal gardens on the grounds of castles and grand estates, to the humble cottage gardens in villages, to the allotments popular in many urban areas, England is a nation of gardeners. There are specific styles and methods of gardening associated with England, including the widespread popularity of the herbaceous border, which is full of flowers through three seasons and usually has plenty of winter interest. It's not hard to achieve an English garden look, though some knowledge of horticulture and design is helpful, to help select plants suitable for your region and climate.

What defines the "look" of an English garden? There are a number of visual themes one sees again and again: large drifts of colorful perennials, color themes, and a full look with a wide variety of textures are all common sights. Authors such as William Robertson (The English Flower Garden) helped bring knowledge and techniques for creating herbaceous borders to the public in the 1800s, marking a modern trend away from the formalism of more classical European gardens. The legendary garden designer and author Gertrude Jekyll was celebrated for her bold approach to color, including single-color-themed gardens and the geometric diagonal shapes creating the recognizable drifts of plants in borders.

Fortunately, with a bit of preparation and inspiration, the English garden look is not too difficult to achieve, no matter where you live. We offer a variety of ideas here for you to create your own.

The English garden style is one of the most recognizable and well-loved in the world. Using a few basic design and horticulture principles, you can create many different English garden looks, appropriate for a variety of landscapes and climates.

15 Best English Garden Ideas

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Here's how to create the English-style garden of your dreams.

By Rebekah Lowin

If you love the look and feel of an English garden, you're not alone. The combo of neatly trimmed hedges, intimate little paths, and lush flower beds can make a space look and feel like a hidden little nook of luxury. If you're looking for fresh landscaping ideas for your space, it's worth taking a page or two from this iconic style to make your yard into the English garden of your dreams.

Of course, if you're planning on changing things up in your yard, you might be wondering: What is an English garden, anyway? Here's what you should know: The term isn't easily defined, but it generally refers to a romantic, sweeping landscape design in which the land overflows with plants and lush flowers in an organic-looking sort of way. First developed in 18th-century England, it is thought that the English garden was initially intended to go against the "architectural gardens" of the time, which were far more rigid in structure, pattern, and shaping.

The trick to recreating the style at home: Combine tradition and elegance with a sense of whimsy. Opt for meandering paths, meadow-like florals, twisting ivy, friendly iron gates, and other fairytale-inspired features you'd expect to see in an old-fashioned house in the British countryside. Here are more than a dozen tips and tricks for getting the ideal effect. Looking for more? Check out our big backyard ideas, our small backyard ideas, and some recommended types of flowers all to help your garden grow. Let's get planting!

1

Aim for plenty of variety.

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Tall plants, short plants, pink flowers, white flowers—all of these things can be placed next to one another in an English garden. Of course, you'll have to make some adjustments to ensure that all of your plants have access to sunlight and aren't too crowded, but in general, it's best not to overthink a garden like this one and instead to opt for a free-flowing plan.

SHOP GARDEN STAKES

2

Meandering paths are a lovely touch.

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At first glance, a garden path might seem like too much work. But actually, it couldn't be simpler to source and lay the right one for your garden—and the payoff is big. Not only will you give yourself an easy route in and out of the space, but you'll also be afforded the luxury of watering your plants without having to step into tall grasses or get your shoes muddy. It's a win-win!

SHOP GARDEN PATHS & LIGHTING

3

Add a gate.

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There are few things more magical in an English garden than a simple gateway. They're easy enough to purchase and install, and the visual impact is huge. Don't have a wall into which to install your new structure? You can also buy stand-alone designs that can be surrounded by simple bushes and vines.

SHOP GARDEN GATES

4

Think vertically too.

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It's not just about what's on the ground! Be sure to think about the "y-axis" of your space as well. Consider adding a trellis or simply twisting ivy, draping wisteria, and high-flying vines around a shed or other already-existing structure.

SHOP TRELLISES

5

Incorporate seating.

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English gardens are meant to be enjoyed and savored, which is why they often include benches. What better way to sit and take in all the beauty around you? Wooden, stone, and metal structures all work beautifully in these spaces.

SHOP GARDEN BENCHES

6

Create lush and full garden beds for a cottage look.

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Plant of variety of flowers—roses, lavender, delphinium, and other colorful options—close together to replicate garden you'd find in the countryside. A dense and rich garden with plenty of character is what you're after.

SHOP ENGLISH GARDEN BOOKS

7

Keep hedges well trimmed.

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Large, well-trimmed bushes work well for dividing spaces, creating paths, acting as walls, and even for separating various parts of the garden. This will give you even more areas to fill with plants to enjoy. If you like, you can even create separate areas for entertaining friends and family.

SHOP HEDGE TRIMMERS

8

Use unique shapes and clean lines.

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English gardens aren't just floral masterpieces, they're incredibly architectural, as well. Map out your garden with plenty of squares and circles to create a sense of busy space.

OUR FAVORITE EDGING

9

Add roses everywhere.

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When it comes to gardening, nothing's more English than a fragrant rose bush.

SHOP ROSE PRUNING GLOVES

10

Make a bold statement by planting in profusion.

Lisa Hubbard

Avoid the temptation to snap up every variety that catches your eye. You can achieve a lavish look like this with just two types of climbing rose: 'William Baffin' and 'New Dawn.' The bottom line: You only need to plant a few kinds of things, but do it in big sweeps.

SHOP CLIMBING ROSES

11

Embrace high-contrast combos.

Lisa Hubbard

While citrus-hued daylilies are already pretty splashy on their own, buck conventional wisdom by pairing them with alliums in equally assertive but seemingly contradictory shades of purple—to brilliant result. Color is particularly important where you don't have structure.

SHOP GARDEN GLOVES

12

Define a garden with horticulture and structure.

Lisa Hubbard

The couple who own the garden pictured initially installed one of these quaint shelters to attract bluebirds, only to see it occupied by swallows. So they tried another...and another...and wound up with an unintended benefit: The line of roosts provides the suggestion of a garden wall.

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13

Furniture doesn't have to blend into the background.

Lisa Hubbard

Instead of the usual grays, greens, and blacks, choose hot, bold hues for outdoor chairs. The result: a stunning focal point that draws attention to the view beyond.

SHOP ADIRONDACK CHAIRS

14

Don't forget the view from inside.

Lisa Hubbard

Does your bedroom overlook an arbor? Try planting a trumpet vine at each of an arbor structure's six posts. It will look like the vines are floating in the air from a second-story window, plus they bloom from July to the first frost.

SHOP BAMBOO STAKES

15

Sun and shade can get along just fine.

Lissa Hubbard

Embrace an area with a collision of light and shadows to create a cozy dining area. Hydrangea petiolaris thrives in the shade provided by a north-facing potting shed wall, while desert agaves soak up the bright daytime light.

SHOP GARDENING HATS

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how to create an English garden with your own hands.

Photo of an English garden.

The English Garden is designed to make everything seem natural, so that there is room for reflection. English style appreciates naturalness. The landscape of the English style counts on maintaining a balance between the ceremony of the English, and wildlife, adding elements of romanticism and mystery to the landscape.

Making an English garden is real, even if you haven't been to England. The right use of color, materials, decorative elements, fittings and plants will turn any garden into a well-groomed, stylish and impeccable place. nine0003

England's park and garden heritage

Our ancestors perceived nature as an unfriendly place. It was England that changed our attitude to our environment. They began to appreciate the world beyond the threshold of their home, realized the importance not only practically, but also aesthetically.

The English-style garden has added many details that seem banal to us.

Previously, the English estate included:

Pond - should have been in every English garden, however small and with winding outlines. nine0003

Hedge - such a fence was used to prevent animals from getting close to the house, and also not obstructing the entire view of the area.

Hilly Lawns - English landscape design is characterized by alternating plains and embankments. The hills reflect the natural landscape better than a flat field that looks dull.

Groves of trees - planted near the house. The trees looked great with the lawns on the hills.

English style features

An English garden is all about old-fashionedness, naturalness of colors and materials, romanticism and attraction to antiquity. The English style landscape blurs the line between nature and modern progress. This is the success of the style, and its constant popularity.

First of all, the English garden is based on geometry that is not conspicuous. Seen from above, the paths meet at the same center, and the rectangular shapes and circles are combined to give the landscape a sense of order, completeness. nine0003

Elements that make a garden truly English:

  1. Hedges and flower walls.

Avoid wild, overly lush borders.

The English landscape is represented by geometric figures like a circle, an oval, a square and a rectangle.

  1. Several types of plants.

Monoconcept when choosing plants for a flower bed is the main feature of the English style. Don't plant everything, focus on 2-3 species, and use different shades of them. You should have a contrast between the variety of colors and the tranquility of the place around you. nine0003

  1. The same elements in the decoration of the surrounding space and the house.

Repeating materials like brick or stone in columns, garden walls, fountains and pools will help bring garden and home together.

  1. Lush flowering of annuals.

They bloom for 4 months, something that a perennial plant or shrub cannot boast of. Use annuals in paths, along the edges, or in the center of the flower bed.

Tracks

It is hard to imagine an English garden without garden paths. The material for the tracks is simple and can be found in any household: tiles, bricks, gravel. The paths can be parallel to each other or single, then the ridges and lawns planted between them will be harmonious.

The general rule is to narrow the path if it leads to a secluded and cozy place, and make it wider if the path comes to an open place where people gather.

Gravel path

The English style design is the gravel garden path, which is the easiest and easiest to build. A limestone or stone border will give the path a finished look and allow it to fit into an English garden.

The English garden is characterized by paths made of stone and paving slabs. These materials are durable and do not require special care. The shape must be rectangular or square.

Paving slabs are decorative and will be a great addition to an English garden. It will last for several decades. nine0003

Reservoirs

An English garden cannot be imagined without water. In the gardens of England you can see a pond in the very depths of the garden, with benches around. The pond should not be deep, and a hedge or tall shrubs and perennials should be planted near it.

The classic English garden is a place for relaxation, so noisy waterfalls and fast streams of water are not suitable for it.

Perennial flowers, trees and shrubs in an English garden

In order to create the casualness of an English-style landscape, plants should be planted in layers. The tallest ones should be planted at the back, the lower ones should be in the middle, and the small ones on the edge. Follow the color scheme. Choose either only cold shades (purple, white, blue, cool pink), or warm ones (orange, yellow, red). So you design a single concept of the English garden.

English people love romantic, old-fashioned flowers. An English garden cannot be imagined without roses (very popular varieties of David Austin), daylily, delphinium, mallow, peonies, foxglove, snapdragon. nine0003

An English park cannot be imagined without trees. Yew, hornbeam, oriental thuja, boxwood, magnolia are suitable for hedges. They perfectly tolerate shaping and shearing, suitable for the formation of topiary figures. Will close the fence evergreen spruces, junipers, pines.

Create an English garden with your own hands

With the help of 6 simple steps you can create an English style in any summer cottage.

  1. Plant several types of plants, only in large numbers. nine0038

For example, New Dawn and William Baffin rose varieties, which, due to their volume, can decorate large areas of the garden.

  1. Create combinations of contrasting shades.

An English garden needs the right use of color. Lemon and yellow daylilies are in perfect harmony with purple and violet alliums.

  1. Set the boundary.

These can be hedges, paths, bird feeders. They fit perfectly into the space, creating the entire integrity of the composition. Fences and wrought iron bars will separate one piece of the garden from another without blocking the entire view. nine0003

  1. Make your garden furniture stand out.

In the landscape of the English style, instead of the usual colors - green, gray, brown, bold, bright shades that attract their attention prevail. A red table and an orange bench will not let you get bored, even when nothing blooms on the site.

And do not forget about the old days - the older things look, the better they are.

The metal swing will add a romantic touch to the garden. It is best to place them in a shady corner of the garden. nine0003

  1. Concentrate on the inside view.

Secure climbing plants around columns and posts. It will look very impressive, as if they will soar in the air. Stylized ruins and statues can be placed in an English garden.

  1. Sun and partial shade go well together.

The English style landscape features shade-loving hydrangeas planted near the north wall and succulents that love bright sunshine. nine0003

English style landscaping

English garden landscaping is essential to create a natural, quiet and cozy space. 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 also Coniferous in the landscape design of a summer cottage

Details that are necessary to create the right atmosphere

nine0002 There are some details that are a must if you want your garden to look English. The elements are as follows.

See alsoCountry design with own hands from improvised materials

Flower walls and low hedges

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.

See alsoDesign of the courtyard of a private house. Choosing a stylistic direction

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 alsoModern landscape design. Top trends

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 alsoWhat you need for a landscaping project

Strong flowering of annuals

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 ideas for decorating a terrace

What plants will decorate the 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

See alsoCreating a cozy and beautiful garden plot with your own hands

Design and decor

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

nine0002 See alsoDesign of a plot of 12 acres with a house and a sauna

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. nine0038
  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.

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