Shape UP
Landscape designer Franchesca Watson recommends keeping it sleek and simple when creating a neoclassical outdoor space
ilove a bit of order – it means serenity. In a garden, the imposition of some symmetry and simplicity can create marvellous effects both visually and mentally. One can use geometric arrangements of paths, lawns, water, planting and focal points to create a simple, logical and useful garden space to complement most kinds of architecture.
There are some key features and methods. Geometric paths as opposed to winding ones, symmetrical water bodies rather than organic shapes. Even levels i.e. flat or perfectly angled slopes, controlled views and a symmetrical arrangement of the garden components often centred on a façade of the house.
To do this with a fresh, modern take, one needs to strip out any frilly ornamentation such as fussy garden furniture, grand architectural details, scrolled ironwork, spiral and curvy shapes and other baroque or romantic details. Just good strong lines, perfect levels reinforced with simple planting, carefully chosen, and detailing such as walls, steps and edgings in modern materials. Things do, however, need to be properly done and finished well otherwise the effect will fall flat.
The essential components are absolutely level horizontal surfaces such as lawns, gravel, paving and paths. Team these with vertical elements such as perfectly-shaped small and tall hedges for the definition of the garden, avenues of trees (often called allées) providing repetition and a sense of cover, and shrubberies or beds of planting which add texture to the garden. Water bodies will add magic and movement and can act as a focal point or often form the heart of the garden arrangement. It’s actually that simple.
Materials that you could consider are gravel, either edged or patterned with stone or concrete slabs, and metal such as Corten or stainless steel for edgings, step risers or even walls and water features, and shuttered concrete instead of plastered brickwork. Think sleek, bold, streamlined and simple. nothing rustic and nothing ‘pretty’.
For the planting, choose waterwise and indigenous if you are being sensible. Most evergreen shrubs can be trimmed into hedges: try Anastrabe integerrima and Portulacaria afra. Lots of indigenous trees can be trained to create great allées: olive, Apodytes dimidiata and Celtis spring to mind. For your shrubberies, you can try an indigenous parterre (pattern of low hedges) laid out like a carpet and easy once you have mastered the trimming: Carissa, Searsia sp. and Plumbago all make easy candidates for this idea. alternatively, fill your beds with glorious grasses such as Melinis or Pennisetum sp. for a really up-to-the-moment take on this look. Franchesca Watson
082 808 1287 franchescawatson.com