This example of "ribbons" of annuals required the ability to propagate plants in large quantities. Hyde Park, London. — This example of "ribbons" of annuals required the ability to propagate plants in large quantities. Hyde Park, London.

The gardenesque garden celebrates the individual plant. Gardenesque became popular in the 1830's fueled by the introduction of exotic plants into England, by increasing knowledge about propagation, and by the availability of large scale green houses to raise quantities of exotic annuals. Look for an individual plant specimen placed where it will reach its full potential and tender annuals in showy colorful displays.

This style was advanced by John Claudius Loudon's Landscape Gardening and Landscape Architecture of the late Humphrey Repton, Esq. Written in 1840, he explained, “the aim of the gardenesque is to add to the acknowledged charms of the [picturesque], all those which the sciences of gardening and botany, in their present advanced state, are capable of producing…. According to the gardenesque school, … all trees and shrubs planted are arranged… as may best display the natural form and habit of each…”

Gardenesque gardens sometimes show off types of plants within a picturesque setting. That is, with curving paths and naturalistic lakes. Examples include the Singapore Botanic Garden and Keukenhof. Other times, the specimen plants are placed in a formal setting, like the rectangular "order" borders of the Chelsea Physic Garden or Kew.

Check out the posts below for other examples of gardens inspired by the gardenesque style.

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