What is a Knot garden? Design & planting tips for a formal garden

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Knot gardens are the primadonnas of all garden design. Sharp, sophisticated, demanding and show-stopping. They can also work incredibly well in small garden spaces if you have the time and the diligence to pander to their every want. This guide will give you the low down on formal knot gardens to decide if they are for you!

For the most part knots in life are a pain. They may be causing drama tying your shoelaces, snagging up your weave or preventing you from rearranging your garden climbers due to tightly tied twine. One place where a knot is welcomed is in the formal garden design style of knot gardens. Knots here are celebrated and a key part of the design architecture. So let's take a closer look at what a knot garden is and whether it is a suitable garden design for your green space.

What is a knot garden?
What is a parterre garden?
Features of a Knot garden
Brief History of Knot Gardens
Plants used in knot gardens
Benefits of Knot Gardens
Drawbacks of Knot Gardens

What is a knot garden?

Knot gardens are symmetrical formal garden layouts based on the style of a knotted rope, often using herbs or aromatic plants to infill them. They are usually based on square patterns to create pure symmetry. These patterns of garden flower beds are often filled with herbs, culinary plants and clipped topiary. Repetition, control and exacting symmetry are essential. You can fold these gardens on either axis, with them lining up perfectly.

Knot gardens were first established here in England during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I during the 16th Century.

Garden Ninja in a topiary maze looking at Plant specimens

What is a parterre garden?

Knot gardens often get mistaken or confused with parterre garden designs. For most garden designers’ formal, knot and parterre gardens go hand in hand. I like to split them out for new gardeners to help them fully understand them. Parterres are similar to knots but form more intricate design patterns using evergreen plants to edge the beds and come from medieval times. Parterres tend to keep hedges at the same level; sometimes knots undulate to follow the rise and fall of rope.

Garden Ninja paints a knot garden — My interpretation of a knot garden - using rectangles instead of squares - for a client with a long thin garden

Did you know that you can take my course and learn how to become a Garden Ninja yourself? Click here for details

Knot Garden Features

Below are some of the key features of knot gardens. If you feel enthused when reading the below criteria, then maybe a knot garden is for you. If they fill you with dread, then maybe a more informal garden design is for you.

Symmetrical
Sensory and aromatic with low-growing herbaceous perennials or herbs
High maintenance
Order and control using clipped topiary, gravel and neat matching boundaries
They use square layouts or frames for their designs
Must be kept neat for full effect

Brief History of Knot Gardens

Knot gardens have a rich history that dates back centuries, with origins rooted in the medieval gardens of Europe usually alongside dynasties, power and control of uber-rich families! Initially conceived as functional and ornamental spaces within monastic and castle gardens, knot gardens gained popularity during the Renaissance period, particularly in England and Italy.

During the Middle Ages, knot gardens served practical purposes, such as providing herbs for culinary and medicinal use. The intricate patterns formed by low-growing plants or hedges were designed to resemble woven knots or interlocking geometric shapes, symbolizing unity, order, and infinity.

In Renaissance Europe, knot gardens evolved into elaborate displays of horticultural artistry, becoming symbols of wealth and status among the aristocracy. They were meticulously planned and laid out, often featuring complex geometric patterns inspired by Islamic and Moorish designs, as well as motifs from tapestries and embroidery.

English knot gardens reached the height of their popularity during the Tudor period (late 15th to early 17th centuries), when they became integral elements of grand estate gardens and formal parterres. Influential garden designers such as Gertrude Jekyll and Edwin Lutyens revived interest in knot gardens during the Arts and Crafts movement of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, blending traditional knot garden designs with modern landscape principles.

Today, knot gardens continue to be cherished for their timeless elegance and architectural beauty. While they may no longer serve the same functional purposes as their medieval counterparts, they remain beloved features in formal gardens, historic estates, and public landscapes, preserving the artistry and craftsmanship of centuries past.

Plants used in Knot Gardens

Usually, aromatic plants are used in knot gardens to create scents as visitors brush past them, adding a true sensory element to them. Plants are used that encourage guests to run their hands through them and slow down their journey throughout the garden. Given most of these plants are found in warmer climates, most knot gardens and parterres are found in south facing gardens or full sun positions to accommodate them.

Classic knot garden plants may include:

Germander
Marjoram
Thyme
Artemisia
Lemon balm
Hyssop
Tanacetum (Costmary)
Acanthus
Mallow
Chamomile
Rosemary
Calendula
Viola
Santolina

There are plenty more plants you can use with a knot garden or any garden style. The above is the more traditional list, but why not investigate other herbs and aromatic plants that may work for you and your knot garden?

What are the benefits of a knot garden?

A knot garden, with its intricate design of low hedges or plants arranged in geometric patterns, offers both benefits and drawbacks:

Aesthetic Appeal: Knot gardens are visually striking and add a sense of formality and elegance to outdoor spaces.
Low Maintenance: Once established, knot gardens typically require minimal maintenance, especially if planted with slow-growing, low-maintenance plants. That is except for pruning of hedges which is high maintenance.
Versatility: They can be designed in various sizes and shapes, making them suitable for both large and small gardens.
Seasonal Interest: With careful plant selection, knot gardens can provide year-round interest, showcasing different colours and textures throughout the seasons.
Historical Significance: Knot gardens have a rich history dating back to medieval times, adding a sense of tradition and heritage to the landscape.

What are the Drawbacks of a knot garden?

Initial Establishment: Designing and planting a knot garden can be labour-intensive and time-consuming, requiring careful planning and precise execution.
Pruning Requirements: Maintaining the intricate shapes of a knot garden necessitates regular pruning to keep the hedges or plants neatly trimmed, which can be time-consuming.
Limited Plant Selection: The geometric design of a knot garden may limit the variety of plants that can be used, as they need to be able to withstand frequent pruning and maintain a compact shape.
High Water Use: Depending on the plant selection and climate, knot gardens may require more water than other garden styles, especially during hot and dry periods.
Risk of Pests and Diseases: Dense planting in a knot garden can create favourable conditions for pests and diseases, requiring vigilant monitoring and management to prevent issues.

Summary

Knot gardens are a true form of beauty for a smaller garden space. Whilst they require a lot of hard work in design and maintenance, their symmetry can create arresting garden spaces. If you have the time and the green fingers then maybe a knot or parterre garden is the design style for you?

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