Formal gardens

Formal gardens have clear basic shapes. The simple and clearly structured gardens convey a sense of calm and impress with their neat and minimalist design. True to the motto "less is more", clear forms and discreet accents create a clearly laid out garden. The outdoor space is basically based on the architecture of the house, which is why the formal garden goes well with a modern building with clear lines.

As a rule, basic geometric shapes divide the garden into square or round areas. Instead of a mix of many different materials, the formal garden places great emphasis on a few elements. Green areas, straight garden paths, an accurately trimmed hedge and individual plants are at the heart of the design of a formal garden.

Clear structures with the planting

The type of planting tends to play a secondary role in the formal garden. It adapts to the clear structures of the garden and provides discreet accents here and there. The garden is structured or bordered with precisely trimmed, linear hedges. This gives the garden a tidy appearance. At the same time, evergreen hedges are a natural privacy screen.

The choice of plants is always based on the architecture of the garden. In a formal garden, plants in geometric shapes are preferred. With pruning-friendly shrubs that are shaped into spheres or squares, the play of shapes in the garden is taken up again. Geometric shapes are also used for flowering perennials: Ornamental leeks with their purple flower spheres, for example, create beautiful contrasts and yet still fit in with the formal garden's interplay of shapes.

These plants are typically found in a formal garden:

  • Pruned hedges (yew, beech)
  • Hydrangeas
  • Lavender
  • Roses

Formal garden with a touch of liveliness

As a rule, formal gardens appear very calm, discreet and well-tended. But with individual design elements, the garden becomes lively and playful.

A formal garden can be broken up with grasses and perennials. This brings the garden to life and makes the seasons easy to read.

The combination of trimmed hedges with airy grasses placed in front of them loosens up the border in a natural way. However, colorful flowering shrubs in matching containers also create an eye-catching effect. Shaped, evergreen shrubs provide liveliness and warmth. Other elements such as water features, deliberately placed benches, gazebos or arbors lend the formal garden an additional romantic atmosphere. Artistic sculptures are also popular: Cleverly placed, they create visual highlights and emphasize the modern character of the formal garden.

Maintenance of the formal garden

A formal garden certainly requires more maintenance to keep it looking attractive and clean all year round. Ideally, the hedges should be trimmed several times a year to keep them in shape and give the garden the desired structure at all times. A formal garden is also characterized by its neat appearance, which is why weeds and wilted plants should be removed regularly.

In order to keep the maintenance effort to a minimum, attention is consciously paid to low-maintenance planting. But in today's digital age, there are useful helpers that make gardening easier. An automatic lawn robot that regularly cuts and maintains the lawn is suitable for the lawn. Irrigation systems that supply the plants with the required amount of water fully automatically also take a lot of work off the garden owner's hands.

Our partner GardenTec GmbH is the specialist for technology in the garden. Find out more about the possibilities for your garden here .

Garden inspiration

Are you also considering redesigning your garden? We will be happy to advise you personally and without obligation. In the meantime, our reference gardens with their timeless design will provide you with inspiration.

[contact-form-7 id="5" title="Inquiry form"]

Current reference gardens for more inspiration

Here you will find the latest reference gardens. Be inspired and discover the possibilities in terrace and garden design.