Continue to flower and grow

The philosophies ingrained in Disney’s horticulture can be used in a variety of ways, not just to create natural boundaries and eye-catching vistas in the parks, but in our own homes as well. Today we’ll take a stroll through the Twinnings’ Tea Garden, from the 2008 International Flower & Garden Festival, while discussing a few of the fundamentals that go into creating an English-style country garden (courtesy of the Secrets of Disney’s Glorious Gardens by Kevin Markey).

Compactness – Most English gardens, especially within cities, are compact for the sheer reason of spatial limitations. Yet, the crowding of plants allows the garden to have a more natural, overgrown, and wild element to it. As well, with the plants packed in so tightly, the ability for weeds to grow is considerably less.




Containment – Fences, walls, or a row of hedges are all common devices used to contain a garden or to keep unwanted guests out of the garden. Placing some variety of border around a garden can also call attention to it as a focal point of the landscape.








Longevity – Plants vary on when they bloom. To keep a garden blooming all year, or through a single season, be sure to rotate plants with the season and use long-blooming plants that will continue to add color to your garden throughout its life.









Variety – The variety of plants in your garden should be in keeping with the wild theme of a country garden, and will also add dimension and palpability. Mix a variety of styles and types of plants, like herbs, perennials, annuals, shrubs, etc. until you reach your desired level of wild beauty.







Simple Plan – Give your country garden its own backdrop with a trellis, high fence, wall, shed, whatever structure you can find within your space. To complete the natural effect of the garden, do not plant the rows in a straight fashion, allow them to interweave with one another.






I hope you can find some time this evening to sit back with a nice cup of tea, admiring your own garden, as the sun begins to set. As for me, I think I hear the kettle whistling.