Garden style: The French garden

A popular garden style in the Netherlands is the French garden. The French garden contains beautiful elements with a Baroque atmosphere. In a French garden you will find a lot of green in the form of plants and flowers. To give the garden a calm image, people limit themselves in the use of too many different types and colours. For example, we often see roses, boxwood hedges and symmetrical patterns in a French garden.

The origin of the French garden

The French garden came into being when André le Nôtre created a garden at the castle of Vaux-le-Vicomte. Le Nôtre provided symmetry, trimmed hedges in very straight lines, large lawns with parterres and boxwood hedges to be incorporated into a whole and harmonious landscape. After his garden style had acquired international fame, we saw the French garden style appear in other European countries. For example, Amsterdam has had a French garden in Artis since 1863. Unfortunately, the style became less popular just before the French Revolution and the English garden emerged.

The layout of a French garden

An important part of a French garden is the layout. Not only is a symmetrical pattern often used, but we also see many straight lines. There is space between the pattern of hedges to grow plants and flowers. But grass strips, paths and plant areas also appear in a French garden. The spatial effect in a garden from France is very striking thanks to these patterns.

Natural elements in a French garden

In addition to all the greenery, water is also used in the French garden. A pond, for example, is part of the garden. Elongated shapes that match the shape of the garden. Thanks to the symmetry, the pond is often in the middle between all the geometric shapes and patterns.

Plants in a French garden

Lawns and hedges are, besides the green trees and green shrubs, the largest part of the French garden. A French garden should be green in every season of the year. Because of this, you will find fewer flowering plants in these gardens. For example, one species that flowers in 1 season but not too many flowering plants. Think of a rose species or lavender. In addition, we often see the boxwood, but also the yew, oak, beech and lime trees are popular in the French garden.

In addition, plants that can be pruned into a shape are very popular. Always place the plants in symmetry in a French garden. Garden decorations are often placed in pairs or groups.

The maintenance

Do you want the French garden to look neat and tidy? Then it certainly needs to be well maintained. Most maintenance involves pruning hedges and plants. But weeding is also important.

Garden furniture for a French garden

The French style is also often associated with a romantic style. Here we immediately think of graceful shapes, which we often see in the symmetry of the garden. The round garden table Classic is a beautiful example for a French garden, but the monastery table for outside also fits perfectly on a terrace in the French garden. The Beaufort benches and garden chairs are very nice to put in a corner in the garden as an extra set.