Peasant garden: a wild paradise, an "English garden"
The mere mention of a traditional English garden immediately conjures up images of a meticulously manicured lawn with neatly trimmed edges. But the English or country garden proves that there are other ways to do things. Discover in the following article what characterizes a classic English garden, which plants are suitable, and whether every garden can be transformed into an English garden.
Summary
• What is an English garden?
• Is the English garden accessible to everyone?
• What plants are suitable for my English garden?
• The best plants for your English garden
• Designing and decorating an English garden: 4 ideas
• Products for your garden furniture
What is an English garden?
English gardens, sometimes called country gardens, have a long tradition across the Channel. These whimsical gardens likely originated in British country houses surrounded by vegetable gardens. Over time, they slowly evolved into a mix of useful and ornamental plants . While in some corners of the English garden, perennials mingle with berry-bearing shrubs, elsewhere the perennial borders are replaced by vegetable beds, interspersed with plants such as marigolds and tagetes.
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Enchanted gardens prioritize organic forms and fluid transitions, giving these little paradises their distinctive character. Formal gardens with straight borders and strictly manicured geometric flowerbeds are replaced by curved shapes, winding paths, and wild flowering plants. Lush flowerbeds, in a diverse array of colors and shapes, further enhance the enchanting romantic atmosphere. Numerous flowering plants grow in close proximity , obliterating any trace of the soil in which they thrive.
Bees, butterflies, insects, and other animals are frequent visitors to English gardens, whose natural layout and decoration are conducive to their well-being . In other words, the classic English garden represents a kind of " planned disorder " synonymous with comfort and freedom. This style of garden is therefore, unsurprisingly, increasingly popular in Europe.
The essentials at a glance
1. The English garden is a kind of "planned chaos"
2. Organic shapes & fluid transitions - no right angles!
3. Rounded and abundant flowerbeds mixing useful and ornamental plants
4. Large variety of plants with rampant and wild growth
5. Winding paths made of natural materials
6. Animal-friendly layout & decoration using natural materials
Are all gardens likely to become English gardens?
In principle, any patch of green space can become an English garden. It's simply important to consider its location , a crucial factor in choosing the right plants. Is it a garden that's mostly shady or sunny ? Does it face north or south ? The location determines the microclimate and therefore the conditions for your plants to thrive. It's also essential to consider the sun's path throughout the day.
If you're unsure whether a particular plant is suitable for a specific location, simply cultivate it in various spots and observe where it thrives best. It will naturally become dominant in those favorable areas, forming a distinct plant group . In this way, you not only create the garden yourself, but you also allow it to "express itself" and contribute to its design. This natural growth enhances the wild and romantic character of your English garden and highlights the beautiful combination of diverse plant species .
Creating a natural English garden doesn't happen overnight.
Be patient and allow your plants time to develop naturally and without constraint. The beauty and romance of an English garden are also found in its evolution.
What plants are suitable for my English garden?
English gardens give free rein to the unrestrained growth of vibrant, colorful plants. Here, self-seeding plants , vines , and abundant flowers thrive. Climbing plants are also great friends of the cottage garden. Whether on facades, walls, or arches, climbers like ivy or clematis add a touch of wildness and connect diverse structures. Bushy plants such as dahlias, asters, and hydrangeas beautifully fill pathway borders or empty spaces. They create attractive contrasts when combined with columnar plants like hollyhocks and foxgloves, which provide height and structure.
While plants like lilies, dwarf irises, and tall zinnias add volume and enhance plant groups with their large flower heads , more slender varieties such as poppies and cosmos create transparency and a sense of depth. Extensive ground covers , like forget-me-nots, thyme, or perennials such as phlox, complete this plant arrangement. They conceal bare patches and soften transitions by hiding harsh edges.
There are no limits to planting: play with the diversity of shapes and sizes , and dare to combine different colors . Delicate pastel shades like pink, cream, and lilac lend a romantic atmosphere to your English garden.
Tip: If you're unsure about color combinations, you can simply use a color wheel . On a color wheel, adjacent colors are generally always harmonious. Also, you can always incorporate white. A planting plan can be helpful for arranging your plants and avoiding any risks.
The best plants for your English garden
• Flowering shrubs like hydrangeas and rhododendrons thrive in partial shade and add depth to your English garden. Hydrangeas with their spreading blooms are particularly attractive to insects, drawing bees to your garden and helping them better withstand prolonged periods of rain. A special acid-loving potting mix has a low pH and provides plants with all the essential nutrients for up to eight weeks, ensuring vigorous root growth and vibrant flower and leaf color.
• Flowering perennials such as asters, geraniums and phlox make wonderful ground cover in flower beds and fill empty spaces with their small touches of color.
• Self-seeding plants lend an English garden its characteristic natural wildness, playfulness, and relaxed atmosphere. Columbines, poppies, snapdragons , and cosmos are among them.
• Roses are a must-have in English gardens , where they beautifully adorn arches and facades. Generally, they require a sunny location, although some varieties also thrive in partial shade.
• In spring, bulbs such as daffodils, tulips and crocuses bring the first touches of color to your country garden.
• Aromatic plants , such as lavender and thyme , are not only aesthetically pleasing, but also release aromatic fragrances into the air and bring diversity to cooking.
• Whether it be tomatoes, cauliflowers or chard , the vegetable plants that grow freely between the ornamental plants in the flowerbeds and along the edges of the paths break the structures of the classic peasant garden and give the English garden a playful aspect.
• Weeping panicles are ideal for providing shade in your English garden. With their long, drooping panicles, shrubs such as American wisteria create romantic shelters in your English garden.
• Annual plants like zinnias and bulbs , like dahlias , are also perfect in an English garden, which they enhance with touches of color.
• When it gets really hot in summer, trees and large shrubs provide much-needed shade. Fruit trees such as cherry or apple trees, as well as shrubs like snowball bushes and spindle trees , are ideal for this purpose . Discover in our article " Shade-loving plants for your outdoor space " how to easily create comfortable shady spots in your garden.
Tip : Many plants can also be grown in containers. Perennials, such as dahlias, benefit greatly from being planted in containers to overwinter. To prevent waterlogging in pots, simply place a layer of Hydro COMPO Bio Granuplant granules at the bottom . These structurally stable pumice granules ensure good drainage and effectively prevent waterlogging and root rot. When mixed with the soil, Granuplant loosens it and ensures excellent soil aeration.
The right plants at a glance
• Flowering shrubs and perennials
• Plants that self-seed
• Different varieties of roses
• Bulbous plants and tubers
• Fragrant aromatic herbs
• Vegetable plants
• Drooping panicles
• Fruit trees & shrubs
In a single application, COMPO Bio long-lasting universal sheep's wool fertilizer provides your plants with all the essential nutrients for up to five months.
Designing and decorating an English garden: 4 ideas
Creating an English garden means saying a complete goodbye to rigid lines and right angles. Nature is this type of garden's best friend: thus, as with planting, the layout and decoration of a wild, rustic garden rely primarily on soft lines and organic shapes in harmony with nature. Feeling a little uninspired? Here are a few ideas for creating a natural English garden :
1. Incorporate soft lines and natural shapes
To create a harmonious image, replace angles and straight lines with soft, dynamic organic shapes. In practice, create an enchanting romantic atmosphere with arches covered in climbing plants such as clematis and climbing roses. Organically shaped flowerbeds , brimming with flowering plants, vegetables, and herbs, also have a natural effect and soften harsh edges. To support larger plants, easily create a natural trellis or inexpensive plant support from thin branches ; it will blend beautifully into your flowerbeds. Natural materials are also perfect for creating borders around flowerbeds.
2. Create pathways in the English garden
Nature is also paramount when creating pathways – concrete has no place here. Opt for natural materials such as gravel, stone, or oak chips . A grass path is also a good choice. Natural, winding paths run alongside colorful and diverse flowerbeds and lush blooms. These meandering paths visually break up the perspectives and contribute to the enchanting aspect of the English garden.
3. Cozy corners in an English garden
Cozy seating areas nestled under the shade of trees and shrubs offer the perfect opportunity to relax and enjoy the garden's coolness. Typically hidden and surrounded by a multitude of plants , they tend to be rounded , organic, and natural , much like the rest of an English garden. Lawn, gravel, or mulch will provide a suitable base for your outdoor furniture. Mulch not only decorates seating areas and pathways but also suppresses weed growth. Chairs and tables in the relaxation area are also made of natural materials. Teak furniture , for example, is a good choice. A gazebo covered in climbing roses, clematis, or ivy will also provide shade and add a touch of romance.
4. Complete the English garden with decorative elements
Give your English garden the finishing touch by decorating it appropriately. This decoration will be respectful of animals and insects , in keeping with a natural aesthetic. For example, chestnut stakes topped with inverted terracotta pots can serve as shelter for insects. The pots will be even more attractive if they are wrapped in straw or wood wool. Insect hotels offer shelter to bees and other insects in winter and during the breeding season. The English garden thus contributes to the preservation of the habitat of wild bees, bumblebees, and other insects. Wooden nesting boxes are perfect for birds seeking protection. And stone birdbaths will also look great in the garden of nature lovers. To help both animals and your plants, you can make or buy trellises or plant pyramids from natural materials such as sticks or willow.
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