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You may be wondering what makes a garden ‘English’ and how it’s different from other landscapes. Like Greek gardens, the English garden holds its own history.
Developed in the 18th-century, it’s presented as an idealised view of nature. The structure is typically relaxed, whimsical and meandering.
When designing your own, think about clipped hedges, defined edges, and lush lawn. Focus on natural-looking landscapes and paths that connect a series of areas.
To give you more design inspiration, look at our list of English garden ideas and set up your yard in a regal way.
1. Invest in a quality alfresco dining set
English gardens are meant to be savoured with scrumptious food. Enter alfresco dining. But an open-air feast wouldn’t be complete without the perfect dining set, such as the Minerva.
Giving off a rustic charm, the set will look majestic in a romantic, sweeping landscape design.
2. Introduce a variety of blooms
Short or tall, bright or dark colour flowers – place a variety of plants next to one another. A dense mix-and-match greenery display is key to achieving an opulent, magnificent manor.
3. Cover your garden building in foliage
When it comes to the garden rooms exterior, foliage and blooms can give your cabin a ‘straight out of a fairy tale’ look. All in all, you want your garden to have a whimsical touch, and this approach is a natural way to do it!
4. Brimming window boxes for front yards
Bring a little English charm to your front yard by potting up bursting window boxes. Grow colourful and quaint blossoms and have a thriller, fillers and spillers.
Container garden ideas have been an effective planting method for limited plots.
5. Leave space for meandering paths
Garden paths, no matter the courtyard scheme, always add a lovely touch. To break up your assortment of greenery, lay a path somewhere in the middle.
Not only you’ll be afforded an easy route in and out of the space, but it also creates zones in different parts. Even better, with outdoor lighting ideas!
6. Welcome the guests with a gate
A gateway offers a huge visual impact on outdoor spaces. If you don’t have a wall to attach to your entrance structure, opt for standalone designs.
Surround the gate with bushes and vines for a lush opening. Check our garden gate ideas for more design inspiration.
7. Keep the hedges well-trimmed
Large, well-trimmed garden hedge ideas are great for diving spaces. Also, for creating paths and walls and separating various parts of your yard.
Well-manicured hedges will give you more areas to fill with plants or space for entertainment.
8. Use unique shapes and clean lines
English gardens are known not only for their floral displays but also for their architectural designs. Apply more unique shapes, such as squares and circles, to create a sense of lively space.
A clean edging also defines spaces and keeps lawns from creeping out, improving the curb appeal.
9. Rosebush
A stunning rose bush is a beautiful pop of colour and will look perfect against a white exterior. It can double as a fence that provides privacy and magical touch.
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10. Teapot pot alternatives
A few quirky containers for your flowers, like teapots, can make your garden feel more British. I mean, you can’t get much more British than tea!
Vintage kettles also work wonders, and some little teacups for miniature gardening.
11. Secluded seating area
A private seating scene will be perfect if you have a courtyard. But you can also take some ideas to utilise on a smaller scale.
For one, a bench surrounded by trees and bushes. A perfect place to relax with a good book for a simple picnic.
12. Green and lush
Achieve a tidy garden by lining the area with hedges and adding a hedge arrangement in the centre. Maintain the greens and water them often for bright green colours.
13. Think vertically and add climbing vines
Make your patio or shed quintessentially English with a cottage-like feel. Grow climbing vines up the side of the building, such as wisting ivy or draping wisteria. Or consider adding a trellis around the existing structure.
14. A fountain focal point
Add a statement or a centrepiece to your garden with a fountain or any water feature ideas. If you have the space for it, an extravagant fountain is just what you need for your English garden.
Fit for royalty, the area will surely give off extravagance and opulence.
15. Decorative topiaries
Topiaries are a horticultural art form that you commonly see in many English and royal gardens. As living sculptures, they’re great as decorative elements, either in planters or beds.
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Creating English cottage garden ideas doesn’t have to be complicated. Arrange plants in drifts to mimic nature and position them in colour blocks.
Set a breathtaking pond as a focal point, edged with deciduous trees. Display neatly trimmed hedges or topiaries, and build a gazebo or pergola for your garden.
Seating areas, such as ornate stone benches, throughout your yard, also add up to the look. The key here is to have each area beautifully maintained and, in short, a garden that The Queen approves of.
What do you think ?