Geometry Roots Great Garden Design

Geometry may have been dull at school, but it significantly influenced garden design through ages. Use of geometry as a design tool journeys from ancient Persian gardens to Renaissance European parterres to contemporary gardens.

Shapes in our garden greatly influence how we view and experience it. Circles, squares, rectangles, triangles—divided and connected—mesh into formal design. Geometric shapes delineate boundaries, create spaces, channel views.

Here's a selection showing clear use of geometrics, from simple linear gardens to knot gardens, two-dimensional to contemporary three-dimensional landscapes.

Just as rooms need a focus (fireplace, window), gardens with simple geometric designs need a point for the eye to rest. This traditional design with central axis dividing area has an archway to another garden as main focus.

Using a central path with distant viewpoint makes a short garden seem longer.

Perfect symmetry of simple geometric designs allows decorating flat planes. Renaissance Europe saw parterres and knot gardens with simple—later complicated—shapes delineated by low-growing evergreens. First, colored gravel laid between evergreen "lines."

See more about parterre gardens

Later these two-dimensional designs were "embroidered" with plants, creating richly colored patterns. This contemporary knot garden uses simple mixture of whites and grays to re-create ordered style around basic geometric shapes: squares and triangles.

Small knot gardens practical and decorative for culinary herbs.

Perhaps simplest use of geometry and basic shapes: contemporary take on French parterre. Overall square boundary bordered with clipped conifers echoing central squares of evergreen "box" plants. "Viewpoint" in placement of simple, classically designed bench.

Very modern courtyard garden has roots in past with formally planted low beds—this time using grasses—in symmetrical design.

Simplest two-dimensional design can be most satisfying. 1930s Dutch designer Mein Ruys used interesting ideas: laid Mondrian-style grid on ground to divide space. Planted some areas, left others bare.

Modern version: identical squares of grass, paving, pebbles—almost maintenance-free, perfect for front garden.

Two-dimensional design still important. Shape and line here, even without plants, create interest and movement in satisfying design based on classical scale and proportion.

Evolution of modern three-dimensional design began mid-20th century when visual arts development spread through architecture, influencing garden design. Raised planted beds and positioning/height of chaises show move from pattern making to usable space.

Three-dimensional design of this front garden almost has roots in Mondrian paintings. Strong geometric raised beds of differing heights reinforced by width of retaining walls. Softened by beautifully executed, understated plantings.

Modern formal gardens use geometry to define private outdoor spaces; smaller gardens need clean lines and minimal features for multifunctional uses. Geometrics aid this. Strong rectangular table and bench reinforce clean lines.

Geometry transforms space into cutting-edge landscape. Epitome of geometric garden design: combination of lines, right angles, simple shapes works well, creating clean, calm, uncluttered look.

Ultimate display of geometrics: checkerboard design by architect Ron Herman. Inspiration from moss and stone Zen temple gardens in Kyoto. Grid layout of cubes surfaced with smooth river pebbles and Helxine (Soleirolia soleirolii), vertical accent by slim bamboo.

More:
Keep Your Gardens in Lines
Give Your Small Garden Some Room
More Ideas for Stylish Outdoor Living