How to Plant a 17th Century English Garden

Manicured hedges were common in 17th century gardens.

English gardens of the 17th century were marked by formality, balance and precision. From a bird's eye view, English gardens of this time looked almost mandala-like. Inspired by French gardens of the time, 17th century gardens across Europe romanticized nature through a highly manicured aesthetic. Create your own 17th century oasis in your back yard by planning an overall geometric layout and by choosing a variety of plants that lend themselves to formal design.

Things You'll Need

• Measuring tape
• Pruning shears
• Garden ornaments
• Cobblestone or pebbles
• Water feature (optional)

Instructions

1. Measure the dimensions of your garden area and draw a scaled-down outline on a piece of paper.

2. Create a horizontal axis down either the vertical-center or horizontal-center of the drawn garden area. Preferably the ends of the axis will face an entrance and an exit. Mark this area as a main throughway.

3. Develop a symmetrical, geometric garden design, using the axis as the center. Everything on opposite sides of the axis should mirror each other. Include flowers, trees, bushes, hedges and secondary paths. Make areas highly differentiated, with strong shapes and lines. Think about the way openings can frame other elements and how pathways and lines of vegetation can lead a person around. Bodies of water are optional, but were important in 17th century gardens to create reflection and a sense of even larger space.

4. Choose a variety of plants that are appropriate for the climate. Choose a mix of plants that grow organically, such as flowering shrubs, and plants that are pruned to have precise shapes, such as box hedges. Choose plants that grow tall, such as ornamental trees, as well as plants that remain short, such as flowers.

5. Choose locations for the plants where organic growers are juxtaposed with plants that are formally pruned. The combination of sharp and soft outlines will create visual interest. Plant plants of the same type together, not mixed with other plants. Plant bushes and trees in straight lines. Take advantage of different plant heights to create tiered levels. Consider planters, arbors, raised gardens and pond gardens, making sure that for every item placed on one side of the axis, another item needs to placed on the other side to balance the first.

6. Line pathways using cobblestones or pebbles.

7. Embellish the garden with garden ornaments that have classical or mythological themes.

References

• Garden Visit: Garden making in gardens in the British Isles
• Mount Holyoke College: 17th Century French Gardens