In 19th-century France, parterre gardens provided plenty of design interest without requiring numerous varieties of plants. In parterre (meaning "low to the ground") designs, the beds and paths form a pattern (figure A). Doug Hearne, gardening specialist at Disney, creates the very same effect in a dish. The patterns may be stars, square, curves -- or whatever your imagination can fathom! Make sure you keep everything in scale. Use plant varieties that are either dwarf or slow-growing, so your design remains visually appealing and your plants don't outgrow the container. And start with small plants -- if you can't find plugs, break four-inch plants apart. Alyssum, candytuft and bacopa work well in miniature parterre gardens. For woody plants, stick with compact varieties such as littleleaf boxwood (Buxus microphylla ) or a dwarf yaupon holly (Ilex vomitoria 'Schillings'). Use any standard potting soil that includes vermiculite, perlite and sphagnum peat moss. You can also try a soilless potting mix. After the planting is complete, you may want to top the soil's surface with different types of gravel. (To add extra punch to your display, try adding gravel of several different colors.) If, as your plants grow, they start disturbing your design, just trim with scissors.
RESOURCES :
Traditional Gardening
posted by the Internet edition of Traditional Gardening.
Web site: www.traditionalgardening.com/Spring97/knot.htm
Knot Gardens and Parterres: A History of the Knot Garden and How to Make One Today
Model: 1899531041
Author: Robin Whalley
Barn Elms, 1998
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