God Almighty first created a garden, and it remains the purest of all human pleasures. A garden refreshes the spirit like nothing else, and without one, even the grandest buildings or palaces feel incomplete and artificial. As history shows, when societies become more civilised and refined, they prioritise constructing impressive buildings before creating beautiful gardens, as if gardening represents a higher level of achievement.
I believe that a truly great garden should offer beauty all year round. Each month should bring its own display of plants and flowers in season. For winter—December, January, and late November—you should grow evergreens like holly, ivy, bay, juniper, cypress, and yew. Add in pine trees, fir trees, rosemary, lavender, and periwinkle (in white, purple, and blue). You can also include germander, irises, and, if kept warm, orange trees, lemon trees, myrtle, and sweet marjoram.
As January turns into February, you’ll find blossoms on the Daphne mezereon shrub, crocuses (both yellow and grey), primroses, anemones, early tulips, and hyacinths. In March, violets, especially the early blue ones, daffodils, daisies, and almond blossoms make their appearance. You’ll also see peach trees, cornelian cherries, and sweetbrier flowering.
April brings a richer display: double white violets, wallflowers, stock gillyflowers, cowslips, irises, lilies of all kinds, tulips, and peonies. Blossoming trees include cherries, plums, and lilacs.
May and June are when pinks, roses (except musk roses, which bloom later), and honeysuckles take centre stage. Add strawberries, marigolds, lavender, and apple blossoms. Cherry trees bear fruit during this time, and the sweet fragrance of flowering vines fills the air.
In July, you’ll enjoy gillyflowers, musk roses, and linden blossoms, along with the first pears and plums. August follows with a variety of fruits like apricots, melons, and pears. As September arrives, you’ll harvest grapes, apples, peaches, nectarines, and quinces. October and early November give you medlars, late roses, and hollyhocks.
Although this list is based on the climate of London, the key idea is to design your garden to always have something in bloom or in fruit—creating an eternal spring as best as your location allows.
Flowers are most delightful when their scent lingers in the air rather than when held in hand, much like music that drifts and enchants. Some flowers, like damask and red roses, are beautiful but surprisingly faint in fragrance when growing. The most fragrant flowers include violets (especially the white double variety that blooms twice a year), musk roses, and the dying leaves of strawberries, which have a comforting, almost medicinal scent.
For large, princely gardens, at least thirty acres should be set aside. Divide the space into three sections: a green lawn near the entrance, a wilderness or “heath” at the far end, and the main garden in the centre, with shaded paths on both sides. The green lawn should be finely cut, offering both visual delight and a stately pathway leading to the garden’s grand hedge. To avoid walking in the hot sun, shaded walkways should be planted on either side of the green.
The main garden should ideally be square, surrounded by an elegant hedge with arches resting on wooden pillars. Above the hedge, smaller decorative turrets or ornaments can add charm, while slopes planted with flowers enhance the view. Within the garden, keep designs simple—avoid overly elaborate shapes or sculptures, which feel more suited to children. Small pyramids of hedges or neat columns work better.
In the centre, a circular mound with three levels should rise, offering a spot for walking or a small, elegant structure like a pavilion.
Fountains add beauty and a cooling effect to a garden. However, stagnant pools can ruin the atmosphere, attracting flies and becoming unclean. Fountains should have flowing water, either as sprouting streams or as decorative pools that remain clean through continuous movement. Avoid letting the water sit still or discolour, and maintain the fountain regularly.
The wilderness, or heath, should feel as natural as possible, with wildflowers like violets, primroses, and strawberries scattered across the ground. Small mounds can be planted with thyme, pinks, or daisies, creating a charming, untamed look. Bushes like juniper, holly, or sweetbrier can add structure but should be trimmed to avoid becoming overgrown.
Side areas of the garden can include shaded paths, sheltered from the wind, with fruit trees planted along the borders. These alleys should be gravelled for ease of walking and kept free from grass to avoid dampness. At the ends of these paths, consider adding small raised platforms to enjoy views of the surrounding countryside.
In the main garden, avoid overcrowding it with too many trees or structures. Keep it open and airy, reserving the shaded paths for hotter parts of the day.
Lastly, aviaries can be charming if large enough to include turf, plants, and bushes, allowing birds to live naturally and avoid a sense of confinement. However, they should be spacious to avoid creating an unpleasant mess.
This outline provides a vision for a princely garden, balancing cost, practicality, and beauty. While many focus on grandeur, true pleasure lies in designing a garden that delights the senses and nourishes the soul.
Bacon Blueprint 