USING PLANTS FOR FORM IN THE GARDEN

ENSURING THAT YOU INCLUDE PLANTS IN YOUR GARDEN THAT HAVE A VERY STRONG FORM IS AN ESSENTIAL DESIGN PRINCIPLE. WITHOUT FORM A GARDEN CAN LACK INTEREST. ESPECIALLY DURING THE WINTER – BUT ALSO UNITY AND COHESION AS THERE IS LITTLE TO TIE EVERYTHING TOGETHER OR CREATE A BACKDROP OR CONTRAST FOR MORE EPHEMERAL PLANTS.

FORMAL GARDENS TEND TO RELY ON STRUCTURE TO CREATE STRONG PATTERNS, REPETITION AND TO LEAD THE EYE THROUGH THE GARDEN. THIS IS OFTEN ACHIEVED IN A MINIMALISTIC WAY USING A LIMITED RANGE OF PLANT SPECIES. USUALLY YEW OR BOX AND MINIMAL COLOUR. TOPIARY IS AN OBVIOUS CHOICE AND CAN BE TRAINED INTO ANY NUMBER OF SHAPES. IT IS NEAT AND CRISP, AND LENDS ITSELF TO FORMALITY. HOWEVER, THIS DOES NOT MEAN TO SAY THAT MORE INFORMAL GARDENS DO NOT NEED PLANTS WITH A STRONG FORM. EVEN TOPIARY CAN BE USED TO CREATE CONTRAST BETWEEN THE STRONG, CLEAN LINES AND THE SOFTER PLANTING OF HERBACEOUS PLANTS AND ORNAMENTAL GRASSES.

Harmony can also be achieved by repeating form but using different plants. Spikey and linear leaves for example Phormium, day lilies and ornamental grasses. Contrast and interest can be achieved by the juxtaposition of plants with different forms such as fastigiated conifers rising out of a low spreading (prostrate plant) or neighbouring softer rounded forms.