Formal Informal Convention – All Garden Design Types
The people of each country and period have wished their gardens to express different degrees of formality, which we call “type.” At one extreme we have formal gardens and at the other naturalistic ones. People do not like formality at all times; also, in small places dominated by buildings and rectangular boundaries it is almost impossible to imitate nature closely. Therefore, we have had to develop intermediate types of varying degrees, which we call informal and conventional.
Formal – Formality in gardens of any country or period is characterized by (1) level areas with any differences in grade separated by set retaining walls and steps; (2) symmetrical arrangement and geometric shapes of parts: (3) strong colors in contrasting arrangement; (4) a general fineness of texture, finish and architectural detail; and (5) individual beds kept well below eye level, so that the symmetry of the design is not disturbed and the beds are purely for the purpose of ground decoration.
Our eye in such a garden is carried to the focal point on the axis by the convergence of straight lines, the repetition of similar forms, or the rhythm of alternating forms at regular intervals.
Formal gardens are often most pleasing on first acquaintance. Their beauty over a long period is usually not so satisfying, as most of us find glamor rather trying.
Naturalistic – The truly naturalistic garden can be carried out on large properties, where space allows it to be far enough away from the house or other artificial features that they do not dominate it. It is characterized by large, open lawns with trees and shrubs grouped loosely around the margins, in much the same manner as scrub growth and trees outline a pasture field that has been cleared from the bush. Or it may take the form of natural brooks and ponds, outcrops of rocks from a hillside, wild flowers beneath forest trees, or any other imitation of nature.
Informal – A modification of the naturalistic garden is all we can hope to obtain on a small property. In the informal garden the lawn is left open in the center, the planting being grouped along the boundaries. There is a balance of interest rather than symmetry on either side of lines of view and the boundary planting is in sweeping curves with a varied skyline.
An axis exists only as an imaginary line ending in a particular point of interest. The effect is created by balancing interest on either side of the line and having the focal point as the most interesting feature in the picture we see. A large, rounded mass of foliage on one side may be balanced by a much smaller tree of definite shape or color on the other.
The focal point may be a place for outdoor meals, a scat, a garden figure or an inviting opening to an attractive view beyond. It should be the most attractive unit in the picture we see from one point. Unless other parts of the picture lead our eyes to it there is a confusion of interests, like a two-ring circus.
In older gardens the sweeping curves of boundary planting lead our eye to this point by logical progression from one group of plants such as bamboo plants like the lucky bamboo to another. This is now accomplished by the bold, angular lines of massed planting or louvered screens.
Conventional – Obviously, we cannot imitate nature on a small lot surrounded by the angular forms of buildings. Consequently a type of garden has developed that suits most neatly kept city lots. An open lawn for play is surrounded by a hedge, in front of which some flowers are planted for color. There may be a patio for outdoor meals, from which the main line of view leads to some attractive feature in the far corner.
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