If you’re creating an English country garden, there are a few things to consider. For instance, these gardens often feature neat hedges, open beds with lots of lush green lawn.
Another essential element of this style is creating ‘rooms’ in your garden by creating pathways and enclosing them with walls of hedges.
1. Create a Focal Point
When designing a country garden, focal points can be an effective way to draw attention to certain areas. These could range from benches and sculptures, to specimen plants.
A focal point in a garden should be something that draws the eye and invites viewers to visit. This could be anything from an eye-catching sculpture or birdhouse to a fountain.
Focal points can also be employed to draw attention to certain architectural features of your house or surrounding landscape. They create an atmosphere of serenity while showcasing your individual taste.
2. Use Hedges
Hedges are an essential feature of a country garden, whether used for privacy or security. Not only do they add texture and interest to the landscape, but they can also help blend angled property boundaries by softening sharp corners.
Hedging can provide habitat for wildlife, with many species providing food sources and protection from the elements. Katy Fielding, Hedgerow Heritage project manager for the Surrey Wildlife Trust, emphasizes this point:
Hedges can be constructed from a variety of plants, but they usually need to be maintained regularly. When choosing your hedge, consider what will work best in your location and climate as well as one that gives off the desired look and feel.
3. Create a Walkway
English country gardens often feature walkways to connect rooms. These are often constructed using brick or stone pavers, spaced flagstones, gravel or other natural materials which allow water to seep into the soil rather than running off.
They are typically wide enough for two people to comfortably walk side-by-side along the path. Additionally, creating a meandering path instead of a straight line is another great choice.
Create a walkway as part of the English country garden design to add interest to your lawn and make it easier to explore. Stick with one hue of earth tones that matches the construction of your home for best results.
4. Create a Border
If you’re creating a country garden, make sure the borders are wide enough for expansive flower beds. These should be at least two metres deep and filled with plenty of perennials.
For the English countryside, opt for perennials with a long flowering season and attractive structure. Doing this will give your garden an eye-catching aesthetic even when the sun isn’t shining!
Plant a range of flowers close together and use them as the foundation for shrubs and ornamental grasses. This gives your garden an expansive appearance, while making weed control much simpler.
5. Create a Seating Area
English gardens are renowned for their neat hedges, borders filled with vibrant and fragrant flowers, and lush expanses of lawn. These pastoral-style landscapes have an unmistakably gentle charm that draws many gardeners.
Country garden design ideas are easy to incorporate into a yard. They involve creating multiple garden sections connected by paths and seating spaces, allowing you to use various landscaping elements within each section.
Seating areas can range from formal, such as ornate stone benches, to more casual options like a tucked-under dining table set that can be pulled out when there’s a large group of people in the garden. No matter which option you opt for, make sure everyone has enough room to move around without bumping into anything.
6. Create a Pergola
Are you searching for an effortless way to add some shade and flair to your garden? A pergola is a great solution. These outdoor structures can either stand alone or be attached to a building.
Constructing a pergola can be an exciting and rewarding project, depending on your preferences and the size and design of your garden. They come in various materials like wood, metal, aluminum or vinyl for more modern looks.
Create a romantic atmosphere by covering your pergola with fast-growing flowering vines and evergreen climbers, such as wisteria. This robust plant produces sweet-scented blooms in hues of white, purple or blue that will last throughout the years.
7. Create a Water Feature
Add a water feature to your garden for an oasis of serenity. Whether you choose a small fountain, waterfall or pond, they offer decorative interest, soothing sound and habitats for wildlife.
Create a water feature as an affordable, practical way to add beauty and serenity to your landscape. Consider how the space will be utilized, then decide which kind of feature best suits it.
Country gardens often feature ponds or fountains, but for something truly stunning, create an undulating stream like this one to guide visitors through your space.
8. Create a Fence
Fences are an essential feature in many gardens, serving to demarcate boundaries, define specific use areas, provide privacy or simply for aesthetic purposes. Fences come in a variety of materials such as wood, stone and metal which can be used to construct them.
When building a fence, whether traditional or contemporary, it’s essential that the material matches your garden aesthetic. Cheaper materials may appear unfitting and need fixing or replacing multiple times during their lifespan; thus, investing in quality fencing with an extended guarantee is highly recommended.
Traditional post and rail fences are an effective solution for most settings. Not only is it simple to construct, but it’s also cost-effective and low maintenance when enclosing a small garden.
9. Create a Path
A path is an excellent way to connect different areas of your garden, providing direction and making it simpler to explore. A narrow winding walkway may also give your flowerbeds more prominence in the landscape, allowing you to appreciate them from all sides while making maintenance much simpler.
Create a stylish pathway using any material, from bricks and mortar to decking boards and pebbles or gravel. The key to successful design lies in the material chosen; mixing edge-on tiles, brick, and larger stone slabs gives more grip and stability for pedestrians.
10. Create a Garden Seat
English country gardens are renowned for their beauty and charm. No matter if you live here or not, you can bring this look to your own garden by including these tips in your design plan.
Plants are an integral element of English country garden designs. A combination of roses, perennials and edibles creates a cottage-inspired landscape with plenty of character.
Create the look of an English cottage garden with plants such as Getrude Jekyll roses, delphiniums and lavender. Mix up colors for added interest by pairing blues with oranges or purples with yellows.
Create a country garden atmosphere by featuring a garden seat or bench as the focal point. Place it beneath an arbor of wisteria or against a wall for an idyllic spot to sit and take in all of your gardens beauty.
