The development of landscape design as a separate direction in the design of personal plots has generated many new modern styles. However, despite this, classical landscapes are becoming increasingly popular, which allow you to get a park view that is as close as possible to the natural landscape with an artistic combination of local flora. One of such prominent representatives is the landscape (or English) style.
History and varieties of style
English landscape style (can also be called natural) was widespread in England in the XVIII century. and was the exact opposite of the regular style that reigned in France at that time. The latter was characterized by strict straight lines and a careful cutting of all plants, and therefore the new trend of the English landscape had a striking difference.
It imitated the natural appearance of nature, and the main idea was general harmony. Since that time, landscape style has become popular first in Europe, and then around the world, slightly changing depending on climatic and environmental conditions, as well as personal preferences and tastes.
Today, there are several main varieties of the natural style in landscape design:
- English - focuses on the natural appearance of all plants and structures, as well as their aristocracy;
- forest - The best option for areas with a large number of large trees, gives the park a look that is both natural and well-groomed;
- romantic - characterized by a large number of secluded places, benches, sculptures and quiet ponds, casting memories of love and harmony to its visitors;
- Natur Garden (definition: natural garden) - a relatively modern direction created by the Dutch designer Pete Wadolf (has the title of the best gardener of our time), who decided to introduce a slight negligence and a seeming mess into the natural forms of the fauna.
Despite some of their differences, they are all united by one landscape layout - the absence of strict lines, clear geometric shapes and even planes.
Features and characteristics
In order to fully convey the atmosphere of the English style, the area of the site or park should be at least 13 acres. Otherwise, a harmonious picture will be absent, and all works on landscape design will look like a fragment. Despite all the naturalness, both in plants and their arrangement, there is no disorder and lack of cleanliness - all elements are strictly ordered (paths, ponds, pavilions, etc.). Any terrain is allowed - both hilly and plains, but the selection of optimal plants will depend on this factor.
Despite this, the main brief principles and design features remain unchanged:
- Smoothness of lines - It is they who do not allow any straight lines, sharp angles and symmetry on the site. The paths are characterized by asymmetry and tortuosity, and the banks of water bodies are not ideal.
- Decoration with natural materials - mainly stone and wood, however, clay (for example, for statues) or forged metal (for lamps or furniture) is also acceptable. Plastic figures will definitely not fit in and become part of natural design.
- Refusal of exotic plants - All flora should be characteristic of the area.
- Color scheme in soothing colors - the beauty of the natural landscape does not need artificial decoration with colorful flowers or flashy colors. The best option is the predominance of white, green, purple, pale pink colors.
- Lack of curly modeling - all plants on the site, of course, are sheared and thinned, grass is also systematically mowed, however, all work is aimed at the free growth of bushes and flowers.
Important! Often used material is artificially aged by applying plaster in uneven layers.
Elements for creating a landscape design
Creating a landscape on the plots of a country house in a natural style implies a huge amount of work, which is aimed at choosing and placing each element in the garden. These include not only the plants themselves, but also various architecture, suitable furniture and lamps. They also pay special attention to paths and ponds.
Water
In almost every style of landscape design, there is a main detail, and in English it is a reservoir. It is he, and not the house (which is often hidden among the greenery and practically not visible) that becomes the main decoration of the site. Moreover, it is almost impossible to distinguish it from a natural reservoir - the coastlines have smooth and natural bends, and the bottom is covered with stone or brick.
In addition to the central reservoir, the parks decorated in the English style have many different canals and streams, artificially dug and lined with reeds. You can often find picturesque bridges, as well as small arbors or pavilions. Benches are also located in the most picturesque places throughout the territory, and barrels or wooden drinking bowls for birds can act as additional decor.
Lawn
An important aspect of the natural style in landscape design is the natural relief, which is characterized by bends and irregularities (they are specially beaten and emphasized in every possible way). Moreover, if the site is located on a flat area, they even resort to its artificial creation. It is this detail in the design that is emphasized by a correctly selected lawn. The best option is to plant grasses of several species at once, mixed with seeds of wild plants characteristic of the selected area.
Did you know? The most famous garden decorated in the English style is Englischer Garten in Munich, which was founded at the end of the 13th century by the architect Friedrich Skel. The length of the walking paths in it is more than 66 km.
A good option may be to opt for a Moorish lawn, the mixture for which contains seeds of various colors (poppies, field cornflowers, chamomile, coneflower, nemesia, flax) and perennial ornamental cereal crops (aromatic bison, wheatgrass, lagurus and others). Also on the lawn you can find many early flowering bulbous plants (crocuses, prolisks, tulips and others).
The wide popularity of lawns is quite justified - this approach allows you to significantly expand the site visually, as well as to obtain the predominance of calm green tones. Alternatively, you can consider filling with natural stone, gravel, cones or tree bark, which is laid on a special geotextile (the material passes water well and prevents the germination of plants) or planting ground cover crops (gerbils, hernias, cauldrons, stonecrops).
Paths and grounds
Both paths and areas in parks with a landscape style are laid in those places that are most convenient for these purposes. Moreover, this direction of landscape design necessarily provides for a walking route with stops at viewing platforms, which allows you to show all the landscapes in a favorable light, and it is laid throughout the site. The main material used to create paths and hedges is natural stone, wood or gravel.
In addition, in the natural landscape you can often find bersos - along the garden paths a covered gallery is installed, which is a curved support with crossbars. The climbing plants planted next to the structure are attached to the frame, so that after they grow, a live tunnel is formed. It acts as a natural protection against heat and sunlight.
Architecture and furniture
In landscape style gardens, you can often find various decorative architectural objects in the form of small antique sculptures, ceramic figures or multi-colored lamps, which in the evening focus on all accessories. At the same time, each element should fit into the overall picture as organically as possible, not get out of it and not violate harmony.
The same applies to furniture - it is characterized by elegant restraint and is usually made by weaving or using wrought iron. An interesting detail in the parks can be a sundial, which can be built independently of stone or brick.
Fence and hedge
As a fence in the English garden, low fences made of natural stone are used, the appearance of which carries people taking a walk to the time of ancient castles. Also, this design detail is great as a frame of bright greenery. The stone fence can be replaced by a fence made of wood or forged openwork metal. A hedge will also be a decoration of the park. In this case, the plants are selected so that in the future they do not require frequent haircuts. Whatever the choice, the main thing that is unacceptable is blind hedges.
Suitable plants
When choosing plants, the main criterion is their nobility and recognition. Homely little-known cultures do not use landscape design in this style. In addition to shrubs and trees, perennial and bulbous plants will also be required to form flower beds.
Important! When choosing plants and, accordingly, the overall color gamut, it should be taken into account that green should become the dominant shade.
Shrubs
An integral part of the landscape style are shrubs of classic English roses, which have a strong aroma. These plants are planted without fail near the entrance of the house, as well as along picturesque paths. Another option is juniper bushes, which have a columnar shape, achieved through tight-fitting shoots. A characteristic feature is the scaly needles of warm silver-blue and even blue shades.
The height of such a bush will not exceed 50-60 cm, and the possibility of growing it in tubs will allow you to set the bush in different parts of the site, thereby highlighting the necessary decor elements. Also, group planting of trees is often accompanied by decoration with lush hydrangea, barberry, Japanese egg, lilac, jasmine and action.
Trees
The English landscape is characterized by a large number of ornamental deciduous and flowering, as well as conifers (depending on the climatic conditions of the area), planted both in groups and individually. Moreover, in the first case, each composition will have a different landing density. For example, willows are the best option for landing near a reservoir - their long branches bent over the water will be a wonderful complement to the landscape, bringing peace and tranquility. Also on the site maples, spruce and larch will organically fit in.
Creepers
Near most of the walls of the house, farm buildings, gazebos and fences, climbing plants are planted, which, artificially aging them, give the appearance of a medieval one. The most popular are ivy, girl's grapes or hops. Thanks to the overgrown branches, such creepers are capable of zoning the space well and creating cozy and secluded corners for relaxation.
Perennial flowers
Since originally English gardens were often used for growing garden crops, and there was little time for flower care, flower beds were often planted with medicinal herbs or even wild flowers. In any case, preference was always given to unpretentious and persistent species. Today, perennial plants, such as dahlias, lilies, delphiniums, gladioli, irises, daisies, peonies, phlox, cornflowers or decorative tobacco, can often be found in landscape-style flower compositions.
The most popular in English gardens are multi-tiered flower beds, varieties of flowers in which are planted in such a way that flowering continues almost continuously. The location of the plants in the flower beds, despite the apparent negligence, is systematized depending on the height (starting from stunted along the edges and ending with tall).
Bulbous plants
As onion plants are best suited: muscari, crocuses, bulbous irises, onions, wild garlic, daffodils, tulips. In this case, wild species will be the best option, since it is they who are able to give the flower beds a natural appearance.
Did you know? The famous English-style garden is located in Peterhof (St. Petersburg). It was founded by Catherine II, and was designed under the direction of Italian-born architect Giacomo Quarenghi.
Schemes and plans of the English style
The layout of the garden in the English style can have many variations depending on the location of the site and its total area.
However, there is a general plan:
- laying of tracks is aimed at connecting the house with other objects, as well as to bypass all view points;
- the main space of the site remains as free as possible;
- trees are planted in groups on small elevations to cover recreation areas;
- the site provides easy access to any corner of the garden.
English landscape style is still very popular among homeowners. Its main value lies in the fact that, despite its aristocracy, it is suitable both for framing luxurious cottages and simple summer houses. The main nuance that allows you to achieve the desired appearance is the following of the general concept: minimal interference and harmony with the environment.
