Have you ever thought of creating a formal landscape design using tropical plants? Formal garden design is a classic style of landscape architecture that uses geometric shapes, clean lines, and symmetrical plantings to create a sense of order and a visual appeal.
Whether it’s a classic garden design or trends towards a modern style, formal gardens are a great way to create a sense of elegance in outdoor spaces. Tropical plants complement formal landscape garden designs with their exotic beauty and grace. In this article you’ll learn how to choose and plant tropical plants for a stunning formal landscape design that is both calming and aesthetically pleasing.
In this article you’ll learn how to choose and plant tropical plants for a stunning formal landscape design that is both calming and aesthetically pleasing. Plus we’ve got lots of pictures so that you can start collecting formal garden design ideas.
Principles of formal landscape design
One of the key elements of formal garden design is the use of geometric shapes and patterns. Straight lines and right angles are often used to create a sense of order and symmetry. Geometric patterns and shapes, straight lines, and right angles help to create a clear structure that makes the garden feel organized and well thought out.
Another important aspect of formal garden design is the use of a central axis. This is where the symmetrical shapes and lines come into play. The main axis path in the garden should lead to a focal point such as a water feature, seating area, or works of art.
A formal front garden can have a central axis that is the entrance path or the driveway, or both. In this case the focal point is the front door (entrance path) or the house or garage (driveway). A focal point can be placed in the center of a formal garden, in which case paths will all lead to that point. Alternatively, focal points can be at the end of a garden with the main path (central axis) leading to it. Smaller paths can run parallel to, or intersect, the central path. Symmetrical plantings, often low boxwood hedges, on either side of the path can help create a sense of balance and order.
You can use curved lines in formal style gardens, however they work best in designs with a central focal point. This is because the lines (paths) that meet at the central point can act as radial lines in a circular design.
Features used in formal landscape design
A formal garden area is usually an enclosed or defined space, so it will need a border, dense hedge or fence surrounding it. The border can be tall to provide privacy, or mid-height to provide a physical barrier. A low border is less common as it doesn’t have as much visual impact as taller borders. Large gardens can be divided into smaller garden rooms, each with it’s own theme or style.
For a classic formal garden style, stick to a simple greenery palette with a few accent colors. This will help create a cohesive and elegant design that will stand the test of time.
Consider planting low hedges in geometric patterns or using tall hedges to create privacy and structure. Use stone walls, natural stone, or concrete finials to create clean lines and geometric shapes.
In modern formal garden designs, landscape architects and garden designers often incorporate modern sculptures, expansive views, and different plant forms. This creates a unique and refreshing take on the traditional formal garden style.
Water features can be incorporated to create a focal point and provide visual interest, while natural stone can be used to add a touch of elegance to the overall design.
Native plants and shade gardens are also becoming more popular in formal garden landscape design. This is because they can help create restorative environments and natural spaces within the formal setting.
These principles are centered around the appearance of a formal garden. Keeping these in mind, use other design principles to guide how your garden will function and integrate into your setting.
Applying the principles of interaction, physical space and integration to formal landscape design
The design principles of interaction, physical space, and integration govern the way that different elements of a formal garden interact with each other and the overall design’s physical space. Understanding how these principles apply to formal landscape design can help you to create stunning gardens that are not only visually pleasing, but also functional.
Interaction refers to the relationship between different elements in the garden and visitors to the garden. Think about the experience that you are aiming to create for garden users.
For example, position a seating area at the end of a path or in a garden room to provide a place to relax and take in the expansive views.
Or, you might choose to incorporate water features, such as a fountain, pool or pond to create a sense of tranquility.
Physical space is another important principle in formal landscape design. This principle governs how the different elements of the garden occupy physical space. In a formal garden you could use straight lines, symmetrical patterns, and geometric shapes to create a sense of order and structure. You might also use tall hedges to create vertical interest and provide privacy.
Integration is the third principle of formal landscape design. This principle refers to how the garden integrates with the surrounding environment. In a formal garden, you could use natural stone walls, for example, to blend the garden seamlessly with the surrounding landscape. The idea is to create a garden where everything works together to form a cohesive whole.
Tropical plants for formal gardens
One of the key rules when it comes to selecting plants for a formal garden is to choose those that are easy to maintain and have a tidy look. Formal gardens have a minimalist color scheme with lots of green, and one or two accent colors. With this in mind, use evergreen plants as much as possible as they keep the garden looking consistent year round.
Ideally hedge and topiary plants are evergreen, have small leaves and can handle regular pruning. Boxwood shrubs (Buxus) are the traditional hedge plant for formal gardens. As an alternative, consider cocoplum, hibiscus, gardenia or bamboo for your tropical hedge plant.
Large expanses of lawn are typical in formal gardens but not absolutely necessary. Many climates experience dry summers and lawns take a lot of water (and fertilizing) to keep them looking their best. If water consumption and/or lawn maintenance is a concern for you, consider synthetic lawn, pavers or gravel.
Lastly, avoid mass planting bulbs as they leave a gap when they are dormant. If you really want to include them try layering them between other plants that will hide the gap and also hide their leaves as they are dying off. Otherwise choose an evergreen alternatives, such as crinum lilies.
Tropical plants for perennial borders
Colorful plants like croton and cordyline make vibrant border plantings in a formal garden. If you are after something more subtle consider liriope or Mondo grass. The most important rule for borders in formal gardens is to stick to rows of just one variety, and use layered rows if you want to add more plant types.
Climbing plants for formal gardens
Climbing plants can be grown over a frame to form an entry arch to your formal garden. They are also ideal for growing over a pergola to provide shade for a seating area.
Bougainvillea, jasmine and clematis are all ideal climbing plants for formal gardens. Jasmine’s small leaves and tiny white flowers suit a traditional style garden. Bright colorful flowers on Bougainvillea and clematis make a statement and work well as a focal point in an otherwise very green garden.
Climbing plants can also be used as a vertical element in your garden, climbing walls or frames. If you need a fast and narrow wall for your formal garden you can’t go past tropical vines as for their vigorous growth and screening properties.
Choose a climbing plant with fragrant flowers so that you are greeted with their sweet scent every time you enter your garden.
Tropical feature plants
Palms are a go-to as feature plants in tropical gardens. The best palms to use include:
- Lipstick palm for its contrasting red trunk
- Bismarck palm for it’s statuesque and scuptural qualities
- Phoenix palms for their classic and symmetrical shape.
Elegant trees such as the different varieties of magnolia are ideal for traditional formal gardens in tropical and subtropical climates. There are varieties that are hardy down to USDA Zone 9.
Colorful flowering trees are also suitable. Choose a fragrant variety, such as plumeria, so that you’ll enjoy your garden space even more. Alternatively, sculptural or architectural trees, like the Dragon tree can give your formal garden a contemporary feel. Choose a feature tree that can tolerate full sun, as it will be positioned in a way that leaves it exposed.
Large urns with flowering plants work well as feature plants, especially in smaller gardens. Using bright and colorful plants such as cordyline provides variety and a modern accent in formal garden styles.
How to choose tropical plants for formal gardens
One of the key rules when it comes to selecting plants for a formal garden is to choose those that are easy to maintain and have a tidy look. Start with choosing evergreen shrubs that require minimal pruning and provide year-round greenery. They can be used to create hedges or parterres that serve as the backbone of the design.
When selecting tropical plants for a formal garden think about size and upkeep. It’s important to choose those that don’t outgrow their allotted space or become too much work to maintain. Taller plants like ficus and magnolia trees are great choices for creating a backdrop in the garden. Cluster evergreen shrubs or classics like hydrangea to create low maintenance hedges. A low maintenance border such as crinum lilies will add texture and color. Careful planning and plant selection will keep your formal garden looking stunning all year long!
Care and maintenance for tropical formal gardens
Formal gardens are high maintenance if they have lots of hedges and topiaries. If you love the formal look but need a low maintenance solution consider using informal hedges. These are plants that are grown in lines and spaced closely to create a hedge effect. The key is that they are allowed to grow in their natural shape and size, with minimal, if any, trimming.
Don’t fertilize plants in formal gardens too often, especially hedge plants. The more they grow, the more maintenance they need. Only fertilize them as needed to keep all those glossy dark green leaves healthy. Regular watering however is crucial to keep your garden looking its best, especially in temperate climates.
Summary
Formal garden landscape design is a timeless style for classic gardens. Whether you’re designing a garden for a country home, historic estate, or modern landscape, you can use the basic principles of formal landscape design in your garden.
Elegant designs emerge through the use of geometric shapes, symmetrical lines, and a sense of order. With the right plant selection and attention to detail, the overall effect is a visually appealing garden that provides a sense of peace and relaxation and will bring joy for years to come.
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