That is very interesting, mariannese. I've never seen a formal arrangement like that in real life except in a large public garden. I like it. How much upkeep do the hedges require? I imagine they must be trimmed often to keep that neat look. Which floribundas are planted there?

Thanks for sharing.

Kate

Must have taken a "few" years to achieve such a perfect box hedge.

The hedges are 15 years old and took 10 years to grow to this height. It's a dwarf variety of box and won't get much taller. My husband clips them only once a year at the end of June. The roses have been a much greater problem, I hardly remember all the varieties I have tried and some quadrants are still not as full as I could wish because of replant disease. My idea was for this bed to look like a fruit tart from the upstairs balcony. The whites are Iceberg and Irene of Denmark, the pinks are Mevrouw Nathalie Nypels, the pale yellows are Jan Spek and the ambers are Amber Queen and Bernstein Rose. There is a sprinkling of odd pink roses among the Nathalies, survivals from previous plantings like Gruss an Aachen, Radiance, Lambert Closse and a few nameless roses. The only underplanting is bulbs in early spring. The best rose by far has been the McGredy floribunda Jan Spek.

Marianne, this is a very lovely formal garden bed! I can just admire the beautiful box wood hedge. It goes so well with the roses. Thanks for sharing!

Christina

That's really lovely, Marianne!

I like formal planting more and more as I get older. I feel a natural style blends in with the landcape more and that's what I have, but something about a formal garden is elegant and restful. I have a few little tiny Japanese themed areas that approach formality. I love your pretty jewel in the lawn.

Just beautiful. And the more natural plantings behind the formal garden make a lovely backdrop. Diane