In Memory of Stonehenge: Designing an English Style Backyard

English-style gardens can range from virtually hands-free to very high maintenance. It all depends on your plant choices.

Choose perennials that grow well in your climate. Don’t worry about whether the plants look “English” enough. English-style yards are eclectic by nature, this makes them inclusive and forgiving of exotic and unique plants. Many cottage gardens even incorporate African and Mediterranean plants for an outlandish touch.

Do some research when choosing your plants. Invest in foliage that is resilient in extreme weather conditions. This is particularly important when choosing the trees that will accent your garden space.

Stick to solid, long-lasting hardwoods if you are looking for a simple way to increase your garden’s variety and appeal. If you opt for fruit trees or other high-maintenance options, be sure to have them inspected for common ailments such as black knot fungus. Tree care companies, like Arborcare Tree Service Ltd., can help you keep these trees strong and beautiful.

When choosing your plants, think about how you’d like your garden to look. Are you hoping for a quaint, overgrown look? Make sure you include climbing plants in your plans and look into getting some decorative planters. These design elements will let your hanging and climbing plants really shine.

Are you sold on the idea of artful disorder, but not so sure about plants covering paths or climbing on the house? Design some raised beds of varying heights. Stick to shorter, non-climbing plants with colors that really pop. It will be easier to maintain a semblance of order with these plants.

No matter the look you are going for, choose plants of varying heights in a wide range of colors. Remember, it’s the “unplanned” look that makes cottage gardens unique. A diverse range of flora is necessary to get this kind of multilayered, sprawling look.

English gardens are so striking in part because they grow vertically as well as horizontally, and with very little regard for convention. Design your space a little before you get started. Here are some elements you may want to consider to break up the dense foliage and organize your space.

• Paths. Cottage gardens are designed to make you want to wander and ramble. Provide a path or two for just that purpose. Adding a bench by a water feature or under an overhang is a great touch. Pave your path with traditional cobblestones. For a more economical solution, pave with crushed stone, river rock, or concrete. If you’re set on the look of a stone walkway, concrete can be stained or stamped to look like natural stone pavers (at a fraction of the cost).

• Open spaces. Larger English-style gardens often incorporate corridors of closely mown, edged grass. Even if you’re working with a smaller yard, these miniature lawns can provide a place for play or relaxation. Patches of grass are an easy-to-maintain addition that divides your yard.

• Trees. Trees add a vertical element to your cottage garden. The kind of tree you’ll want to add to your garden space depends on where you live. Common choices include: oak trees, willow trees, and blossoming fruit trees.

• Trellises. Adding a trellis or an arbor is another great way to enhance the vertical appeal of your English-style garden. Plant climbers like grape vines or honeysuckle on the trellis to create a functional shady spot that adds dimension to your yard by acting as a gateway.

• Fences. White picket fences are a traditional part of any English-style garden space, though plenty of cottage gardens include bamboo, drift wood, or willow fences. Lattices and gates are also common.

These open spaces and simple accents allow the color inherent in this style of gardening to really pop.

Remember, there is no “right” way to create an English-style yard. Don’t be afraid to experiment. Work with your home and climate to create a piece of paradise straight from an English fairytale.