Choosing the Right Plants for Your Parterre Garden
Choosing the right plants is crucial for achieving the iconic look of a Parterre garden. The plants you select will determine the garden's aesthetic appeal, maintenance requirements, and overall health. Here's a guide to help you choose the best plants for your Parterre garden, tailored to your climate, design preferences, and gardening goals.
Structural Plants: The Backbone of Your Parterre
The defining characteristic of a Parterre garden is its geometric patterns, usually outlined by low hedges. These hedges are created using dense, evergreen plants that can be easily shaped and maintained.
Boxwood (Buxus sempervirens): The classic choice for Parterre gardens, boxwood is known for its small, dense leaves and ability to be clipped into precise shapes. It's evergreen, provides structure year-round, and is relatively low-maintenance but requires regular trimming to maintain its form.
Yew (Taxus baccata): Another traditional option, yew has darker foliage and is often used in more formal, historic gardens. It's highly adaptable, shade-tolerant, and long-lived. However, it grows slower than boxwood, making it a good choice for intricate designs.
Lavender (Lavandula spp.): For a fragrant, flowering alternative, lavender offers a softer, more informal look while still providing the necessary structure. It's well-suited to Mediterranean climates and requires less water, making it a sustainable choice for dry regions.
Thyme (Thymus spp.): For a low-growing alternative, thyme can be used in smaller Parterres or as an edging plant. It's aromatic and hardy, adding a different texture and color to the garden.
Infill Plants: Adding Color and Texture
The spaces within the geometric outlines—the infills—are where you can get creative with color, texture, and seasonal variation. These plants should complement the structure while adding visual interest.
Flowering Annuals: To introduce seasonal color, consider using annuals like begonias, petunias, or marigolds. These plants are typically massed together to create bold blocks of color that can be changed yearly.
Perennials: For a more permanent solution, choose low-growing perennials such as sedum, dianthus, or geraniums. These plants provide consistent color and texture year after year, with minimal replanting required.
Herbs: Herbs like sage, rosemary, and thyme can be used in infill areas to add fragrance and utility to the garden. Many herbs are also evergreen, helping maintain the garden's structure year-round.
Grasses: Ornamental grasses, such as blue fescue (Festuca glauca) or carex, can add texture and movement to your Parterre garden. They work particularly well in modern interpretations of Parterre designs.
Seasonal Considerations: Ensuring Year-Round Appeal
A well-designed Parterre garden should offer visual interest throughout the year, not just when flowers bloom. This requires careful planning and plant selection.
Spring: Early-blooming bulbs like tulips, daffodils, and hyacinths can be planted within the infills to provide a burst of color after winter.
Summer: Focus on plants that thrive in the heat and provide long-lasting color. Annuals like impatiens or perennials like daylilies are excellent choices.
Autumn: In the fall, ornamental cabbages, chrysanthemums, or asters can add a rich palette of colors to your garden. Additionally, many herbs and grasses take on a more golden hue as the weather cools.
Winter: Evergreen shrubs like boxwood or yew ensure that your Parterre garden retains its structure in winter. Add winter-blooming plants like hellebores or snowdrops to add a touch of life during the colder months.
Climate Considerations: Adapting to Your Environment
Your local climate plays a significant role in plant selection for a Parterre garden. The key is choosing plants well-suited to your specific growing conditions.
Temperate Climates: Plants can thrive in regions with mild winters and warm summers. Traditional choices like boxwood, lavender, and roses, as well as various annuals and perennials, are ideal for infills.
Mediterranean Climates: For areas with hot, dry summers and mild winters, drought-tolerant plants like rosemary, lavender, and santolina are excellent choices. Use gravel or stone in the infills to reduce water needs and maintenance.
Cold Climates: In regions with harsh winters, focus on hardy evergreens like yew or dwarf spruce for the structure. Perennials such as hostas or heucheras can provide seasonal color. At the same time, plants like holly or red-twig dogwood can maintain winter interest.
Tropical Climates: In warmer, more humid regions, plants like hibiscus, plumbago, or dwarf ixora can bring vibrant color to your Parterre garden. However, high humidity may require frequent pruning and care to maintain the garden's formal shape.
Sustainable Choices: Eco-Friendly Parterre Gardens
As sustainability becomes increasingly important, consider incorporating eco-friendly practices into your Parterre garden design.
Native Plants: Choose plants native to your region, as they are better adapted to the local climate and require less water and maintenance. Native plants also support local wildlife and pollinators.
Organic Gardening: Use organic fertilizers and compost to nourish your plants naturally, reducing the need for chemical inputs. Mulching with organic materials can help retain moisture and suppress weeds.
Water-Wise Gardening: Implement water-saving techniques such as drip irrigation or soaker hoses to minimize water use. Drought-tolerant plants and xeriscaping techniques can also reduce your garden's water footprint.
Conclusion
Selecting the right plants for your Parterre garden combines art and science. By considering factors such as plant structure, seasonal interest, climate adaptability, and sustainability, you can create a beautiful garden tailored to your needs and environment.
Whether aiming for a traditional, formal look or a more contemporary, eco-friendly design, the right plant choices will ensure your Parterre garden is a stunning success year-round. With careful planning and attention to detail, your Parterre garden will be a timeless addition to your landscape, offering elegance and charm for years.
Further Reading on Parterre Gardens
The Anatomy of a Parterre Garden: Explore the key design elements and structure of a Parterre garden, from geometric patterns to focal points that create a timeless landscape.
Step-by-Step Guide to Creating a Parterre Garden: Follow our comprehensive guide to design, build, and maintain your own Parterre garden, from the planning phase to the finished masterpiece.
Adapting Parterre Gardens for Modern Living: Discover how to adapt the classic Parterre garden style to small spaces, urban settings, and eco-friendly landscapes with modern design elements.
Maintaining the Elegance: Care and Upkeep of Parterre Gardens: Master the art of maintaining your Parterre garden with expert tips on pruning, watering, and seasonal care to keep it looking stunning year-round.
Parterre Gardens Around the World: Take a visual tour of Parterre gardens across the globe, exploring how different cultures have adapted this elegant garden style to their local environments.
When selecting plants for your Parterre garden, it's essential to consider the aesthetic appeal and the practical aspects such as climate adaptability, maintenance requirements, and seasonal interest. The following table provides an exhaustive list of plants categorized by their role in a Parterre garden, from evergreen hedges that form the garden's structural backbone to flowering plants that add color and texture. Whether you're looking for drought-tolerant options, seasonal bloomers, or low-maintenance perennials, this guide will help you make informed decisions to create a beautiful and sustainable garden year-round.