Traditional Classical Landscape Design

You are truly a classic at heart

Our Southlands Landscape Design

Characterized by its formal, symmetrical layout in strong linear lines, use of brick and stone and features like clipped hedges, manicured lawns, parterres, statues and fountains, a classical landscape is as traditional as you can get. Echoing 16th century France, this style of gardening depends upon repetition and symmetry

Traditional classic gardens utilize green hedging plants to tie the landscape to the home. The home is typically the focal point of the garden, with paths that run perpendicular to the structure, often with the home at the centre of an axis

Like classical architecture, formal garden design prefers simple geometry of Greek and Roman architecture and emphasizes perfect proportions that are pleasing to the eye

Mathematical principles such as the Golden Ratio and the Fibonacci series (0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13 …) have been used in the past, and are still relevant today as a way to bring beauty and balance to designs

exquisite modern classical landscaping

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THE VIBE

Much classical landscape design tend to emphasize recognizable shapes and patterns of straight lines, right angles and circles. A traditional landscape should utilize formal and orderly plantings to define spaces in the garden

To get the look at home, include straight paths that reveal long views, line path with symmetrical evergreen shrubs, and add focal points, such as a fountain, statue or even an urn filled with a climbing rose at path ends

Where it works: a great style match for houses with European roots and traditional brick facades. Lay the foundation of your classical landscape with plenty of green, using flowers as accents and an occasional focal point

as classic as classic gets

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FEATURES

Materials: Like all landscape designs, but in particularly with traditional clbalance is key so incorporate some stone surfaces to offset the pastel blossoms and verdant green

Gravel, flagstone, brick or stonework in a basket weave or herringbone pattern and edged with a strong border not only defines the walking paths, guiding visitors to special areas around the garden but they also provide much-needed drainage during a rainy season and help keep weeds at bay

Planting: Abundant, high-density planting beds full of blooming ground covers, perennials such as peonies and lavender, and flowering shrubs and roses serve to reinforce the traditional landscape aesthetic. for controlled, seasonal impact

Consistency in flowering shrub type and uniform plant heights creates a sense of order. Having tall, structural evergreen hedges helps to create separation

Follow a simple and cool colour palette, focussing on shades of white and adjacent pastel colours of soft buttercream, pinks, lilac-blue and lavenders

Elements: More polished looking. More ornamentation. Arbors, trellises, obelisks, and fencing in black wrought iron add timeless elegance. Include freestanding concrete fountains or statues as focal points in beds and on patios. Create symmetrical feature areas around entryways, and line walkways and patios with evergreen plants

Containers: Decorative features such as urns and stone planters add texture and a vertical element to your garden. Use elegant, timeless concrete urns to highlight seasonal plantings

classically traditional front door entry with a modern feel

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SUMMARY

Precise, symmetrical lines are vital to a French-style classical garden. Incorporating boxwoods as border elements into the design gives it a traditional look and enables you to create and maintain the clean, geometric lines that are essential to the design

Be sure to trim boxwoods often to maintain their geometric shape. In addition to neatly trimmed hedges, garden beds and planters should be kept neat, symmetrical, and free of debris. Feel free to experiment with other geometric shapes like diamonds, semicircles, or triangles in your design

gorgeous mixed french country traditional cottage style

Aim for a more subdued, romantic aesthetic, and stay away from a naturalistic, more highly-diverse, wilder look that suits either the chaotic charm of the bohemian cottage look or offsets the sleek lines of a masculine modern home

However, by bringing in habitat-friendly elements such as a pondless fountain or a fountain water bowl as a water-source for wildlife, and enough cover among the plantings to provide shelter and hopefully nesting sites for song birds, you can bring the older definition of a traditional garden up-to-date with a more sustainable lifestyle

lovely traditional classical seating area

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For more of our Traditional Classic Landscape Style suggestions, download our fully-detailed and specific Design Guide