Are you fascinated by the beauty and charm of French gardens? Then you’re in luck! In this blog, we’re going to reveal the secrets behind creating a captivating French garden. We’ll explore 6 principles and key elements that define this elegant style. Get ready to discover the world of symmetry, balance, and refined beauty that French formal gardens are famous for.
Don’t worry if you have a larger garden or a small courtyard. These principles can be adjusted to fit any size or budget. Prepare to be inspired by the enchanting allure of French country gardens and learn how to design your own using principles from French garden designers. Let’s begin our journey into the realm of beauty, grace, and the art of gardening as we delve into the principles of creating a classic French-style garden.
1. Create a romantic French garden ambiance with iron and marble furniture
Marble coffee table with iron chairs in the center of a lush French garden
Image By: Chez Pluie Provence
Do you dream of having a French garden design that captures the romance of France? Picture yourself in a Parisian café or the peaceful landscapes of Aix-en-Provence. If you want to create that ambiance, consider choosing iron and marble furniture.
- Durable Design: French garden furniture is known for its long-lasting quality and timeless style. With marble or alabaster tops and cast-iron bases, you’ll have furniture that combines elegance and durability.
- Withstands Strong Winds: Don’t let the wind ruin your stunning garden setup. These pieces are portable yet heavy enough to stay put, even in strong winds. You can relax knowing your furniture will stay in place and look stylish.
- Encourages Moss Growth: The rough surface of these faux bois (imitation wood) furnishings promotes the growth of moss. This natural touch adds to the beauty of your outdoor space, creating a vibrant setting that reflects the charm of the French countryside.
- Best in One Place: Although you can move these pieces, they are meant to stay in one spot. Choose a shady area or a spot on pea gravel to create the perfect setting. Let your furniture become a permanent fixture in your outdoor space.
Choose iron and marble furniture for an outdoor area that captures the romance of France. It’s classic, long-lasting, and incredibly beautiful. Each time you look out into your fancy garden, you’ll be transported into a daydream.
2. Enhance your flower garden’s thought-provoking elements with sculptures
Beautiful white French marble statue of a woman surrounded by yellow flowers
Image By: Rebecca Anne
Do you want your flower garden to be more than just plants? Do you want it to have a story to tell and make people think? It’s time to add some sculptures.
- Garden Sculpture and Statuary: French-style gardens are known for their hidden surprises. You can place sculptures and statues in cozy corners or near seating areas to add wonder and give your outdoor space a unique character. They break the monotony and create an interesting visual story.
- Display on Pedestals or Among Flowers: Even smaller sculptures deserve attention. Put them on stone pedestals or among colorful flowers to show off their beauty. This not only makes them stand out but also adds depth to your garden’s design.
- Animal Sculptures: What better way to bring your garden to life than with animal sculptures? Whether it’s a moss-covered antique swan or a playful rabbit, these pieces add a fun and whimsical touch to your garden.
- Figurative Sculptures with Classical Style: Sculptures like the one of a woman holding a child bring a formal and classical feel to your garden. They tell stories, evoke emotions, and add a touch of sophistication, turning your garden into an outdoor art gallery.
By adding sculptures to your garden, you can create a space that is not just filled with plants but also has character, surprises, and a beauty that engages everyone who visits. Let your garden make a sculptural statement!
3. Achieve elegant, geometric shapes with the application of geometry
Small garden with straight lines and clean hedges
Image By: Garden Patch
Do you ever admire the famous gardens of French castles or the organized streets of French cities and wish your botanical garden could have the same elegant and geometric shapes? Well, here’s a secret—it’s possible, even in a small space! Let’s explore the world of geometry.
- Pathways Framed with Neat Hedges: Straight lines, clean edges, and clear shapes—that’s what you get when you frame your pathways with neatly trimmed hedges. This simple idea can turn your garden into a stunning masterpiece, avoiding the messiness of disorganized layouts.
- Hedges Planted in Rows, Trimmed in Different Ways: Add variety and depth to your garden by planting hedges in rows and trimming them in different heights and shapes. This clever technique gives your garden a 3D look and works especially well under large shady trees where other plants might struggle.
- Topiary Plants in Pots: Even if you have a small space, you can still create a geometrical effect. The art of topiary, shaping plants into specific forms, allows you to sculpt and shape your green space. By using different pot sizes and plant shapes, you can create a captivating and artistic scene in your compact garden.
Remember, you’re the artist and your entire garden is the canvas. By incorporating geometry, you can bring order, beauty, and a touch of French elegance to your garden, no matter its size. So let your creativity flow and transform your green space into a work of art!
4. Bring to life a beautiful French garden filled with timeless beauty with classic French flowers
Beautiful different colored French roses climbing on an arbor
Image By: Style Me Pretty
Are you dreaming of a beautiful French garden that is filled with timeless beauty and natural charm? Let’s explore how planting classic French flowers and using shrubs and climbers in your planters can help you bring that dream to life.
- Heirloom Roses: Picture a stunning display of roses blooming from spring to summer. By planting heirloom roses like Pierre de Ronsard, Cecile Brunner, Buff Beauty, Jacques Cartier, Souvenir de Mme Auguste Charles, and New Dawn in your garden, you can create a breathtaking scene. Not only will your garden look amazing, but you’ll also have plenty of flowers to decorate your home and share with friends.
- Terracotta Pots with Boxwood Topiaries: Fill your planters with boxwood topiaries, and you’ll make a lasting impression in your courtyard or on your terrace. You can even enjoy these planters from inside your home by placing them on windowsills. Even during the coldest months, you’ll have a piece of your green haven to admire.
- French Climbers: Take your garden to new heights by adding grapevines, bougainvillea, star jasmine, and ivy. These climbers can be trained to grow on wires and trellises, covering walls and providing a vibrant green display, even in limited spaces.
- French Shrubs: Add a touch of charming French cottage style to your garden by planting lavender, hydrangeas, rosemary, and seaside daisies. These plants will bring life and beauty to your garden, creating a lovely retreat.
- Boxwood Plants in Pots: Even if your outdoor space is small, strategically placing potted boxwood plants can bring order and frame the area beautifully. The planning and care you put into them will be rewarded with a stunning and lush display.
Fill your garden with classic French flowers and create a space that exudes life, charm, and timeless elegance. Let your garden become a place of beauty and tranquility.
5. Add more character to your garden with traditional planters
Outdoor seating area surrounded by old traditional planters
Image By: Hello Lovely
Are you searching for ways to add more character to your garden? Traditional planters might be just what you need. Here’s how they can make a difference:
- Versatile Pots and Planters: French gardens are famous for their beautiful planters. You can choose from different styles, sizes, and materials to bring a touch of French elegance and versatility to your ornamental garden.
- Classic Cast Iron Medici Urns: Nothing says timeless elegance like a classic cast iron Medici urn. Its exquisite craftsmanship will add an old-world charm to your garden.
- Antique Planters: Antique planters have unique characteristics and beautiful patinas that reflect the region they come from. They are a wonderful way to add a special touch to your garden while celebrating history and culture.
- Anduze Urns with orange trees: Anduze urns, handmade since the 18th century, were traditionally used to house citrus trees. Planting lemons, limes, oranges, or kumquats in these urns can bring a vibrant and aromatic feature to your garden. Just make sure these fruits can thrive in your climate or be prepared to protect them in a greenhouse during winter.
- Framing Architectural Features: Use antique and vintage pots with greenery to frame architectural features like doorways or garden gates. This technique can enhance the beauty of your garden structures, creating a striking visual impact.
- Unglazed Garden Planters: Lastly, consider unglazed garden planters. Over time, they develop their own unique patina due to exposure to the elements. This adds a natural beauty and authenticity to your garden.
It’s time to showcase these decorative elements that are both timeless and uniquely yours. Let these planters tell a story and transform your amazing gardens into places of beauty and charm.
6. Incorporate French flair into your garden with architectural features
Classic French garden with stone basin, garden beds, and coffee table.
Image By: Clive Nichols
Do you want to give your garden a French flair with architectural features? Here’s how you can do it:
- Architectural Features: French gardens often have stone walls, fountains, or swimming pools. These features make your garden look more beautiful and interesting.
- Swimming Pool: In the South, many people have swimming pools in their gardens. They can be a stunning centerpiece and create beautiful reflections with the stone walls and plants. You can choose a small plunge pool for a small garden or a larger one paved with natural stone for a seamless look.
- Stone Fountains and Brass Faucets: The sound of running water from a stone fountain or brass faucet adds a peaceful feeling to your garden. It makes the atmosphere more relaxing and enjoyable.
- Stone Basins & Troughs: You can use antique French stone basins & troughs to create smaller water features. They add intricate details to your garden design.
- Thoughtful Garden Bed Design: How you shape and plant your garden beds affects how people move around your garden. A well-designed layout allows space for admiring sculptures, enjoying views, or finding a quiet spot.
- Outdoor Rooms: By using vertical planting, you can create outdoor rooms or ‘bosquets’ that define different spaces. This gives your garden a sense of order and sophistication.
- Antique French Lanterns: Consider using antique French lanterns to add a touch of French charm to your garden at night. They not only provide light but also bring a vintage elegance to your garden.
Add these architectural elements to your beautiful garden and turn it into a peaceful French landscape.
Bring French beauty to your doorstep
To sum up, you can create a classic French garden style by using the 6 principles and key elements we’ve talked about. It’s all about bringing the timeless beauty and elegance of France to your own outdoor space. From the symmetrical layout and careful selection of plants to the charming features, a classic garden looks sophisticated and graceful.
Remember to focus on balance, harmony, and attention to detail as you create your peaceful oasis. Enjoy the lovely scents of flowers, the calming sounds of fountains, and the beautifully shaped hedges. By following these principles, you can design a classic French design that will make you feel like you’re in a world of beauty and tranquility, right in your own backyard.
