12 Gardens That Are Pure Visual Delights
Lovely to look at, delightful to behold, these gardens are designed with the sole purpose of being a treat for the eyes
Frank Organ
August 17, 2012
Houzz Contributor. I have been involved all my working life with design, garden design, horticulture and garden retailing. Having worked as a buyer for a large garden centre in the south west of England for the last 8 years I have recently moved to Kent. My passion for small garden design and the lifestyle it brings has lead me to write about it on my blog, www.yardz.typepad.co.uk for the last thirteen years.
Houzz Contributor. I have been involved all my working life with design, garden design,... More
Today we are encouraged to make the most of our gardens and outside spaces no matter how small they are. They need to serve a purpose and become an extension of our living space. The uses of this space can be endless — dining, relaxing, playing, growing food and even working — but it hasn't always been so.
The English landscape garden of the 18th century, with its leading designers William Kent and Lancelot "Capability" Brown, were evidence of a real change in how gardens were used. The English informal garden of the 18th century was a picture, an idealized re-creation of the natural landscape, to be viewed and not used — other than as a place to keep your deer, sheep and decorative highland cattle. Claude Lorrain and Nicolas Poussin, 17th-century French painters working in Italy, are often quoted as providing the inspiration for these idealized landscapes that gave wealthy landowners their own living masterpieces outside their doorstep.
There are, I believe, several ways that our gardens have followed the example of using the garden for other than "practical" uses. As well as creating an outdoor picture, they are used as simple extensions of the design of the houses, as backgrounds for sculpture and in some cases works of art, painted with flowers.
The English landscape garden of the 18th century, with its leading designers William Kent and Lancelot "Capability" Brown, were evidence of a real change in how gardens were used. The English informal garden of the 18th century was a picture, an idealized re-creation of the natural landscape, to be viewed and not used — other than as a place to keep your deer, sheep and decorative highland cattle. Claude Lorrain and Nicolas Poussin, 17th-century French painters working in Italy, are often quoted as providing the inspiration for these idealized landscapes that gave wealthy landowners their own living masterpieces outside their doorstep.
There are, I believe, several ways that our gardens have followed the example of using the garden for other than "practical" uses. As well as creating an outdoor picture, they are used as simple extensions of the design of the houses, as backgrounds for sculpture and in some cases works of art, painted with flowers.
This formal grass terrace with a central pool leads the eye through to a natural landscape reminiscent of the English landscapes of the 18th century.
The garden blends seamlessly with the more natural land beyond — a trick the English landscapers employed using a sunken ditch known as a "ha-ha," beautifully executed here.
The garden blends seamlessly with the more natural land beyond — a trick the English landscapers employed using a sunken ditch known as a "ha-ha," beautifully executed here.
The simplicity of this landscape performs the main task of setting the house in the landscape. It doesn't compete with the architecture or stand out in its own right, but the two together make a complete picture.
The design creates a vista back toward the house at the end of the stepped path as well as creates pastoral views out from the main house.
The design creates a vista back toward the house at the end of the stepped path as well as creates pastoral views out from the main house.
This contemporary landscape design links perfectly to the house it adjoins. The paving, planting and grassy area give the impression of a Mondrian-style painting in complete balance.
Is it a viewing garden, you may ask, or has it a purpose other than its visual benefit? It is without doubt a garden designed to sit in. A bench is provided for that purpose, but I feel the overall design is meant to be viewed from the house.
Is it a viewing garden, you may ask, or has it a purpose other than its visual benefit? It is without doubt a garden designed to sit in. A bench is provided for that purpose, but I feel the overall design is meant to be viewed from the house.
A minimalist garden space can become a picture in its own right. Plants don't always need to be the main contributors of the garden picture. The combination of textures and restricted color range used in this patio give an almost Zen garden contemplative view — which is completed by the dancing flames of the fire pit.
From garden to art installation. Sculpture gardens have become very popular in public spaces and private grounds. They provide the perfect exterior viewing theater.
This combination of stone-shaped seating over meandering artificial grass is a real art installation and could be found at any modern art gallery. Surely this must be one of the most maintenance-free gardens you could design, but it still has such great visual appeal.
This combination of stone-shaped seating over meandering artificial grass is a real art installation and could be found at any modern art gallery. Surely this must be one of the most maintenance-free gardens you could design, but it still has such great visual appeal.
Set amongst the formality of the allée of standard deciduous trees, rusty ball sculptures bring this viewing garden to life. The minimalist buildings behind, including the sculptor's studio, create the perfect background and setting for this nearly plant-free garden.
Standard trees, this time pear trees, are again used in a modern parterre-style entry courtyard.
The indirect route along the pathway to the front entrance gives a wonderful vista through to the wall of golden conifers.
The indirect route along the pathway to the front entrance gives a wonderful vista through to the wall of golden conifers.
Even the most utilitarian of spaces can transform from a simple transit space into a vista in its own right.
This carefully thought-out design elevates ordinary steps into a visual joy of texture and color contrast set off by a simple sphere.
This carefully thought-out design elevates ordinary steps into a visual joy of texture and color contrast set off by a simple sphere.
Creating a pleasurable vista does not always mean intricate planting or wide, manicured lawns. Sometimes it can be much simpler.
This urn water feature set amongst wayward grasses changes a simple planted area into a view reminiscent of the British artist Andy Goldsworthy, who uses nature to create amazing artwork.
This urn water feature set amongst wayward grasses changes a simple planted area into a view reminiscent of the British artist Andy Goldsworthy, who uses nature to create amazing artwork.
I suppose you could say all gardens are, in the end, to look at and enjoy. But I do feel that some surpass that and are designed for the sheer visual pleasure they provide.
From the roots of the herbaceous borders of the beginning of the last century, the mixed borders we now enjoy planted with shrubs and perennials create a feast for the eye, without perhaps providing any further practical use other than ground cover.
From the roots of the herbaceous borders of the beginning of the last century, the mixed borders we now enjoy planted with shrubs and perennials create a feast for the eye, without perhaps providing any further practical use other than ground cover.
The French impressionist painters didn't paint the landscape, but painted an impression of the landscape as they saw it — just think of Monet's paintings of poppy fields.
We can see how in this wonderful swath of pastel flowers, including lupins, the same effect has been created — a living impressionist painting — to just delight the eye.
We can see how in this wonderful swath of pastel flowers, including lupins, the same effect has been created — a living impressionist painting — to just delight the eye.
This most modern of gardens must be the epitome of viewing gardens. Both the design and the planting scheme create a combined picture that can be seen on many levels.
The patterns cut in the lawn serve no purpose other than the visual impact they make and the interest and pleasure they give the viewer.
More:
Old-School Design: Frame Your Garden View
The patterns cut in the lawn serve no purpose other than the visual impact they make and the interest and pleasure they give the viewer.
More:
Old-School Design: Frame Your Garden View
We are a top ranked remodeling company in North Columbus and Delaware, OH. We specialize in basements, bathrooms,... Read More
Related Products
Dave Fox is a design/build remodeling firm with a customer focused process, an incredible staff and a close knit... Read More
Related Stories
Landscape Design
What Will We Want in Our Landscapes in 2024?
Discover seven trends that landscape designers predict homeowners will be bringing into their outdoor spaces this year
Full Story
Spring Gardening
8 Tips to Get Your Early-Spring Garden Ready for the Season
Find out how to salvage plants, when to cut back damaged branches, when to mulch and more
Full Story
Winter Gardening
How to Prune Your Fruit Trees in Winter
Garden chores may slow down this season, but pruning your fruit trees now means healthier plants that will produce more
Full Story
Winter Gardening
Get a Head Start on Planning Your Garden Even if It’s Snowing
Reviewing what you grew last year now will pay off when it’s time to head outside
Full Story
Landscape Design
Pros Share Their Top Plant Picks for a Low-Maintenance Yard
Landscape pros weigh in on the plants they’d use — and ones they’d avoid — to create an easy-care garden
Full Story
Landscape Design
10 Tips for Planting a Beautiful, Low-Maintenance Landscape
Landscape pros share their advice for planning a garden that’s easy to care for
Full Story
Gardening Guides
12 Gardening Ideas You Can Count as Resolutions
See how to set up your outdoor areas for more enjoyment next year and make them a bit more earth-friendly in the process
Full Story
Holidays
Last-Minute Ideas for Attractive Winter Container Designs
Create a welcoming holiday entryway with ideas from these 9 looks
Full Story
Winter Gardening
8 Tips for Keeping Your Houseplants Healthy in Winter
Reduce watering, stop fertilizing, move them into the light and more
Full Story
Fall Gardening
7 Reasons Not to Clean Up Your Fall Garden
Before you pluck and rake, consider wildlife, the health of your plants and your own right to relax
Full Story
Great work God bless you all.
I enjoy looking at this email.
Rekha