European gardens are known around the world for their simplicity and charm. The desire to recreate a European-inspired garden is one we can understand, so we’ve crafted this handy guide to help you learn exactly what makes a European garden and how you can adapt your space to reflect the ideals of a European-inspired garden. 

Understanding European Garden Design

European gardens often seem quite minimalistic at first. However, if you look a little longer, you’ll often find a great deal of thought has gone into the development and design of each piece within the garden. 

Gardens are often arranged around a focal point, often at the centre of the space. This point may have a decorative item such as a sculpture, a water feature, or even a beautiful archway. From this point, the rest of the garden spirals out in symmetry, often using hedges and greenery to create patterns and pathways to the eye. 

European gardens were first designed to be viewed from above through windows. As such, it’s often difficult to discern the pattern in extensive gardens from the ground view, so a bird’s eye view is needed to appreciate the true beauty and depth of the garden. 

Regional influences are also involved. The area where the garden was built determines whether it has many pathways or expansive lawns. In colder climates, for example, large lawns encourage people out into the open spaces to warm up with activities. 

In warmer climates, the pathways often have large trees to provide shade, a veritable oasis providing relief from the harsh sunlight and heat. 

Selecting Plants and Materials

European gardens are often very green, so the focus is on cultivating shrubberies, like hedges and lawn-scapes, rather than flowers. Trees can also be grown, with evergreen trees being more common. Because colour is de-emphasized in a European garden, trees are often used only as a statement piece. 

Materials can be chosen to incorporate European landscapes. For example, choosing Tuscan toppings for your pathway material can invoke a Mediterranean flair to the garden and invite a sense of warmth to the garden space. 

You can choose to add pops of colour and personality with statement pieces throughout the garden. Even though the majority of European gardens are green, statement pieces like a fountain, statue, or decorative archway can add pretty neutral warm tones. 

Of course, the real colour and personality in European gardens come from symmetrical statement gardens. These are small sections devoted to bright flowers or carefully patterned red mulch that provide a visual break from all the greenery. 

Mulch and garden path materials can help to centre your garden in a specific region. For example, the use of both a red mulch in the garden bed and Tuscan toppings along the pathways will give a warm and inviting Mediterranean look to the garden space. 

Designing Symmetry and Structure

The absolute key to creating a European garden is having a symmetrical space. Some of the best tips for creating a space that looks symmetrical is simply planning it out in advance and making use of the natural flow of the space as it exists. 

What this means is finding the focal point of the garden and designing a symmetrical spread from around this point. For example, if you have a rectangular garden, choosing to create a centre focal point with four triangular corner garden beds with walkable pathways and some short hedges in between might bring you a European garden look. 

However, if you have an oddly shaped garden space, then you might need to put some more thought into exactly where and how you’ll place your focal point. Remember that the garden doesn’t absolutely need to have a central focal point and that open spaces are a key feature of European gardens. 

Creating Inviting Spaces

More important than the look of your garden is the utility of your garden. You might love how it looks, but if you never get the chance to actually sit and enjoy it, then there’s no point in having it. 

A big bonus to having a European garden is the opportunity to cultivate a large open lawn space for activities. You can also have a table and chairs as your focal point if you’re so interested in playing games on the lawn. 

If you decide to use your European-inspired garden, it will be a great space for you. Adding European charm to your garden takes a bit of planning and creativity, from adding pathways, wide open spaces,  symmetry and structure. 

If you love the look of a European garden, come talk to the experts at Gembrook Garden Supplies. They have all the necessary materials to transform your garden into the European-inspired style of your dreams. So why wait?! Get started on your garden transformation today.