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Free Advice - Classical Elegance

The art of classical elegance

Fashions come and go. Styles and fashions within garden design are no exception and every year there are new trends that stand out as ‘must haves’, whether it’s the latest in lighting technology or materials such as stainless steel and contemporary decking.

However, there’s one look which always has the power to impress and surprisingly it can work with both old and new properties. The classical elegance of a traditionally geometrical garden, with long avenues and individual ‘rooms’ is one which can be seen in hundreds of period properties throughout the country.

This classical look not only has a sense of timeless character but also reflects the inner layout of the house, as the spaces within such a garden often pay careful attention to proportions and a sense of scale.

The use of geometrical sight lines are a key aspect and can include formal ponds with a centrally placed fountain and wide, formal steps with equal planting on both sides, emphasising the use of symmetry. The very essence of the classical look is one of control over nature. It’s this control which impresses the eye and brings a sense of calm elegance to the garden. Thus hedges become tightly clipped, avenues of trees are given strict pruning to train their growth and lawns are cared for until they adopt the nature of high quality carpet.

Some of the most beautiful things in nature are also the simplest and the classical look exemplifies this idea. Of course, it’s not only the design of a classical garden which can be beautifully simple. The art of looking after it also has a timeless appeal, as the gardening skills (now so often forgotten or unappreciated) are the result of an intimate knowledge of what a garden needs and how it will respond if given a caring hand and an expert eye. A garden of this high calibre is a combination of design and gardening knowledge, something often lacking in contemporary gardens which often fall into the trap of relying on gimmickry to impress, rather than the pure sophistication of timeless beauty.

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