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Most garden designers recognize that the garden will be based on one or other of these styles.
However, it is of course possible to include elements of both styles with perhaps a formal layout closer to the main dwelling and a less formal layout further away.
We have summarized below the main features of both.
Formal
Formal gardens are precise and often arranged symmetrically around a central axis which divides the garden down the middle/ The central path may have paths crossing at it at right angles, dividing the garden into rectangles or squares.
A small garden may not have a central path but will just have a central feature and a path around it (see photo below).
A garden doesn’t have to be large to be laid out formally.
The positive symmetrical shapes of the garden must be kept very defined and clear and paths, walls and borders should be carefully detailed and precise.
Formal works well with small gardens and particularly on flat, square plots.
You will probably come across a formal garden as part of any stately home or major public building as shown in the example here.
An example of a formal garden at Hampton Court
Low hedges are often used to mark out patterns and emphasize the geometry and box hedges are ideal for this as they are slow growing and easier to maintain. Taller hedges can create divisions between different areas or mark out the perimeter.
Knot gardens are a good example of formal gardens. These were popular in Tudor times and developed into small, rectangular, intricate patterns.
Example of a knot garden at Harvington Hall in Kidderminster.
If you decide to base you garden design on a formal layout, it is a good idea to try and introduce some vertical elements to provide height and interest. This could be a sun-dial, fountain or tall bay tree in a pot.
Paving materials need to be carefully chosen so that they are in sympathy with nearby buildings and materials should be well defined. It is better to use fewer types of materials to create an overall sense of unity. Brick and stone are often used.
Water is often a part of a formal garden – a central pool in a geometric shape, perhaps with a fountain or water feature at the centre, will greatly enhance the overall impression. Water creates an atmosphere of tranquility and helps to add interest with it’s reflective properties.
Informal
Informal gardens are characterized by flowing curves, non-symmetrical arrangements of features and spaces and plants that are allowed to grow into their natural shapes.
Traditionally, gardens have always had their most formal areas near the house, gradually becoming more informal as they get further away and this is still a good philosophy today.
In the informal garden, the underlying framework is almost entirely disguised by planting and the garden should look as though it has grown up naturally.
Informal gardens are harder to design than formal ones as they are ruled by irregularity and natural looking planting. A site that isn’t a geometric shape can be a good basis for an informal garden.
Some structure needs to exist or everything will relapse into uncontrolled wilderness. Diagonal or curved paths work well and boundaries between the various areas of your garden are often formed using native mixed hedging.
Any shapes to paths should be generous – it is better to have on long large curve than two or three small ones.
Try and merge paths with borders so that they blend seamlessly together.
There should be plenty of space for slow movement around the garden and try to introduce seating at regular intervals.
In very narrow plots you can treat the whole garden as a walk with undulating borders on each side of a gently curving path leading you to a seat or other focal point at the end.
In general, planting in informal gardens will include tall shrubs and taller trees to add to the vertical dimension and these will often hide the edges of the plot to create a secluded country feeling.
The garden should revel in colour and should look as natural as possible.
If you would like to introduce water, natural looking ponds and pools are ideal features. Planting should include water plants as well as marginal and bog plants.
Materials for this style of garden can be much more varied – gravel and bark work well – the more natural looking, the better.