Bring Downton Abbey’s Garden Home

February 5, 2014 | By webadmin

Do you watch Downton Abbey? Are you in love with the green gardens, manicured lawns, and gentle blooms that look so effortless? The popular show is filmed at Highclere Castle in the English countryside. The 1,000 acre property boasts both natural plantings and formal gardens. You can bring this classic English garden home with a few plant and design tips.

• Keep the design controlled, but soft. Edge gardens with trimmed boxwoods or allow lower perennials and annuals be your border.
   

  

• Large lawn areas were a key part of estates such as the one featured in Downton Abbey…but just make sure you have a full sun location if you plan on having a lawn large enough for croquet!
   
• Keep the color scheme simple or create cool or warm color combinations: Hot colors can be used, but blue, lavender, pinks and white were classic choices.
   
• These estates commonly featured large linear perennial borders with repeating colors and patterns. Highclere Castle features a large monochromatic perennial border planted with all white-blooming plants.
   
• Create natural pathways with crushed granite or small stones. Imagine yourself strolling through your gardens, not just around them.
   

  

• Plant bulbs! Summer snowflakes (Leucojum aestivum), hyacinth, allium and daffodils would all fit in splendidly.
   
• Fragrance! Lavender comes in a variety of fragrances, shapes and shades of purple. Don’t limit yourself to just one. Climbing roses were popular during the era of the show, so be sure to frame garden paths or entrances with your favorite climbing beauty.
   
• Seating areas. Don’t forget to give yourself a cozy place to sit. A vintage café table with matching chairs and cushions will give you a place to relax for tea.
   
• Create a secret garden by enclosing a space in your landscape with an iron fence or high shrubs. An antique gate would be a perfect welcome. Fill your secret garden with a monochromatic plant theme so as not to overwhelm the smaller space.
   
• Don’t you love the giant Lebanon Cedars featured on the “Downton Abbey” estate? While we can’t grow that species, we create a similar look with evergreen statement trees such as Montezuma Bald Cypress.

• Fruit trees were popular on estates such as these, so add peaches, plums and pears to your landscape.

The ultimate goal to achieve in your Downton Abbey style landscape is elegance, relaxation, romantic and easy-maintenance.

Ready to create your own dream landscape in full English country-style? Give us a call to get your garden started. In the meantime, take a look at our Downton Abbey Board on Pinterest.