Formal Parterre Gardens: Timeless Elegance for Modern Yards

A kept-to-perfection garden adds undeniable charm and desirability to a home. The formal parterre garden, created by 16th-century French designer Claude Mollett, is a classic, gorgeous look for anyone with a green thumb (or full-time gardener). Its pathways, green borders, and vegetation are timeless and easily applicable to today's lifestyle.

Harold Leidner Landscape Architects: English gardens were designed for pedestrians; Mollett reimagined them for enjoyment from upper stories or balconies. This yard looks gorgeous from above or while lounging at ground level.

Deborah Cerbone Associates, Inc.: Pre-parterre English gardens used small herbs and flowering plants. Mollett chose boxwoods for borders so designs were prominent from above. Incorporating both boxwoods and small flowers/herbs into interiors works beautifully — sweet scents, lovely from feet away, and convenient for seasoning dinner.

Garrett Churchill Inc.: Today's parterres often combine boxwoods and hollies — boxwoods as excellent borders, hollies adding height. This combination often serves as a property divider when owners don't want a fence.

Lenkin Design Inc: Landscape and Garden Design: Tightly clipped shrubbery and gravel pathways were the first parterres' main requirements, but usage expanded to include flowers for beauty and sophistication.

Troy Rhone Garden Design: Louis XIII championed parterre gardens, peaking at Versailles under his reign. Head gardener Jacques Boyceau further defined creation "rules." Today, incorporating seating areas makes formal gardens more appealing.

Frank & Grossman Landscape Contractors, Inc.: Traditional parterres contained a focal point or central feature. This statue beautifully anchors the yard. Fountains or water features also work, and incorporating animal forms adds authenticity.

Cross River Design, Inc.: Compartments, pathways, and repeating geometric patterns (arabesques) are three elements making parterres beautiful from above and below.

AMS Landscape Design Studios, Inc.: Today's formal parterre can fit any design scheme. This example contains traditional elements but is comfortable for lounging with modern touches fitting the house's overall design.