Although there is no true definition of a ‘Classical’ or ‘Traditional’ garden there are some common features of design that are often used. Flower beds and borders, hedges and lawns are all common features in a traditional garden design. Planting is often far more diverse than in contemporary or modern garden design.
Traditional gardens can be subdivided into many categories such as romantic, formal, cottage, French or Mediterranean.
Some traditional gardens are formal in style and use strong symmetry in the layout of paths, borders and beds. Other traditional or classical styles such at Cottage gardens, have more informality and often use very little symmetry in the layout.
It is not easy to set out standard characteristics of a traditional style of garden as this is really an umbrella phrase that covers everything from formal English, French or Italian styles, to relaxed cottage, woodland or wild gardens. However some of the common characteristics might be:
The design of a traditional garden is often dictated by the style of the property to which it is attached, city or town house, rural cottage or grand country property.
If a property is in a conservation area the garden design may need to comply with local planning regulations and need planning permission. Often the garden design will need to use materials and finishes which are in keeping with the period of the property.
One of the considerations you may want to make when deciding on the design of your garden will be the pros and cons of certain specific styles.
Although very adaptable, traditional garden designs can have some drawbacks.
However, in reality, a well-planned traditional garden will take into account all of your needs and restrictions and be a wonderful space to relax and enjoy.
I am writing this is my study overlooking my wonderful new garden. From the first meeting to the final work, I could not have been happier. Sarah created a garden for us that 18 months on looks brilliant, even at this time of year. The end result is that we have a garden and new patio that we can enjoy and one that our grandchildren can also play in. Thank you Sarah.
Sarah has given me the most beautiful garden. She listened to my ideas and stretched them even further. I could never have got here without her. Her landscaping was inspired and her planting has provided me with a year round delight. I would thoroughly recommend her.
Sarah of Hampstead Garden Design was a delight to work with, she designed a wonderful patio, front driveway and garden planting scheme for us. Sarah understood our brief completely and we are delighted with the finished results. We consider our garden to be another room in our house and are deriving so much pleasure from it. We would definitely recommend Hampstead Garden Design.
We moved in 2014 to a house with smaller and very unattractive gardens, front and back. We didn’t want to wait for years of our own trial and error improving them. A friend recommended Sarah and using her to design and plant our new gardens has been a real pleasure. She listened to our wants and dislikes, surveyed the new gardens carefully to take account of changes of level, supplied plans we could understand, noted our responses to her proposals, adapted them to what we wanted and oversaw the complete and imaginative redesign and planting of the new gardens.
The whole planting scheme was attractive and interesting and within our budget. Even in the first summer (2015) the result was just what we wanted and we’re confident it will get better and better as the gardens mature. We thought her fees were reasonable and she stuck to the figure she had quoted – no hidden surprises. Her communications with us were first rate.
Thank you Sarah!
We were recommended to Sarah by our architect and found her excellent in every way. It was great to have the garden designed so beautifully and it has greatly enhanced our home. All went very smoothly and it was a pleasure to deal with her.
From the outset, Sarah was a great listener and transferred my vision to a set of plans that my builders found easy to follow. She worked hard to source products that matched my requirements and always went the extra mile to deliver an excellent and cost effective service. Sarah was a pleasure to work with and I am happy to recommend her work.
Sarah understood exactly how I wanted to transform my garden and the result is beautiful and easy to maintain. She is very efficient and extremely pleasant to work with.
We had a number of meetings with Sarah to discuss ideas and she interpreted what we wanted beautifully. The companies she recommended to carry out the actual building work according to her plans were excellent. Then began the job of choosing the plant layout which, again, Sarah interpreted beautifully. Everything was planted in September 2016 and now, summer 2017, we are reaping the rewards of a mature, easy to maintain, lovely garden, both back and front. Highly recommended.