French garden in Provence style. How to create a French garden in Provence style - ideas and recommendations. The place of the most beautiful flowers is right next to the house, in the front garden, and in the rest of the area, calm tones and decorative foliage are preferable.

Gardens in Provence are not just plots of land, but a way of life with its own philosophy and thousand-year history. The picturesque countryside of Provence is a famous example of the development of Mediterranean European culture, where productive and ornamental gardening, practicality and pleasure have never been separated.

Mediterranean gardening is the art of living in harmony with the conditions of the place: soil, materials, flora, everything that nature provides. Any plant in the garden of Provence has properties that can be used in everyday life. But each of them also gives its own beauty, heady aroma, refreshing shade, leisurely enjoyment of observing the seasons ... Gardeners and designers all over the world admire Provence as a source of inspiration for landscape art, in which you can find the perfect balance between earthy and sophisticated. A Provence-style garden is a place where a person can feel as free and peaceful as possible.

Recreation of Provence style in middle lane Russia, unfortunately, is not a very practical idea, since our climate simply does not correspond to the Mediterranean. However, to bring elements of the Provencal style to own garden new site is very possible. Should a Russian not know what simplicity and naturalness are in a country house! It remains only to add, remake and ennoble something to create a landscape in the spirit of a Provencal garden. You can choose how many elements you need for this.

PROVENCE STYLE ELEMENTS IN LANDSCAPE DESIGN

Gravel

winding gravel paths and a graveled dining area are the most traditional elements of a Provencal garden. The gravel mixture is poured over the insulating material and serves as an environmentally friendly coating for any selected areas.

Terracotta

Burnt terracotta clay is an indispensable element of everyday culture, because it is the oldest and most the most accessible material. And the paths or walls are laid out with terracotta tiles. The shape and method of laying are different, but without tiles Provencal garden won't be traditional.

Flower pots and vases

Not only pots, but tubs, boxes, hanging planters - in Provence, plants are grown in any container. This is an integral part of the atmosphere of the courtyard. The ideal option for planting plants that do not tolerate cold well, is a flowerpot. With the onset of winter, flowerpots can be moved indoors.

Masonry

Previously, natural stone was used to lay any building in Provence. Instead of a natural stone wall, large stones can be used as borders and planting backdrops. A great option is stonework around the flower garden.

An abundance of fragrant herbs

The aroma plays an important role in the atmosphere of the garden, and the colors of the herbs are very soft and muted, with many shades of silver, blue, yellow, lilac, purple. Number one is lavender. In addition to it, rosemary, savory, mint, marjoram, sage are popular. It is better to plant them in a place protected from the winds by a wall.

evergreens

Provencal trees are designed for well-drained soil and long, hot summers. Columnar cypresses are a luxurious and recognizable architectural element, they are also the perfect company for another must-have that characterizes the Provence style in landscape design - the olive tree. But cypresses and olives can be found more suitable for our climate analogues. Evergreens can also be grown in pots, keeping them warm for the winter.

Vertical gardening

Walls, pergolas and arches entwined with ivy or grapes are another element that is typical for Provence private houses. Yes, and fit it into your own garden is not at all difficult.

Garden furniture in vintage style

Even if the furniture is bought at IKEA, it can be stylishly "aged" to resemble a family piece. Another option is openwork wrought iron furniture in retro style. We can also rethink our dacha tradition: Do not throw away used room furniture. Old armchairs and even a sofa, after appropriate processing, will still serve in the patio. It is enough to place them inside the reinforcing cage, and place a waterproof coating on top.

Man-made household items

Tablecloths, seat covers and cushions, blankets, decorative elements- all this should look like it was made by craftswomen in the south of France or family members. No stiffness, but only comfort and eye-catching details that, in fact, remain in the memory of the house ...

The French garden has a unique charm and is always a relaxing garden in its attributes, it is very cozy, intimate. There is both romance and sophistication, but the main thing is impeccable taste.

french garden

French style is usually suitable for plots small size. It can be arranged even on one hundred square meters. This is a typical example of a relaxing garden - economic activity here is minimal.

french garden

As a rule, a lawn of a simple shape, for example, a square one, is decorated with ornamental plants around the perimeter. The place of the most beautiful and bright colors- right next to the house, and in the rest of the area, calm tones are preferable, plants are mostly decorative leaves. On the site it is quite acceptable to have several fruit or ornamental trees but only a few. The paving of the paths is stone or brick, preferably old, the fence is also preferably brick.

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The place of the most beautiful flowers is right next to the house, in the front garden, and in the rest of the area, calm tones and decorative foliage are preferable.

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Rest area - directly at the entrance to the house

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Supports with climbing plants around the perimeter of the site

Along the perimeter of the site, along the fence there can also be various supports with climbing plants

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The color scheme of the French garden. Blue, dark green, purple, yellow. Spots of red on a large field of "diverse" greenery.

Color solution French garden: blue, dark green, purple, yellow. Spots of red on a large field of "diverse" greenery

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Style accessories: plain wooden or wrought-iron benches, cast-iron gratings, simple-shaped terracotta pots, rocking chair, gnome garden figurines, animal prints

Style accessories: or , cast iron grates, simple shaped terracotta pots, rocking chair

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Indoor plants on the veranda in summer

Houseplants take out to the veranda in summer

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Low curbs are arranged along the edges of the paths. Of the water elements in the garden of this style, fountains are used. As a rule, such a plot is decorated with a decorative mini-garden on a raised "bed". This vegetable garden is only to provide itself with fresh salads, so there is no need for compost heap, numerous sheds, utility blocks. Instead of a garden, you can arrange

Endless lavender fields and vineyards, peace and quiet, mixed with sea air - this is Provence. Everyone has his own, but invariably simple atmosphere, fresh air, spices are an integral part of this picture. Landscaping in the Provence style can be created independently on your small or large plot of land.

The name of the region in southern France comes from a simple word"province", which she was given back in the days of the Roman era. Until the 13th century, Provence was part of the Roman Empire, and later became a province of the French Kingdom. From the south, Provence is caressed by the waves of the Mediterranean Sea; from the north, the winds are blocked by the Alps. A special climate has been created here, and the cozy atmosphere of provincial towns and villages is conducive to a leisurely rest.

Purple landscapes of Provence

Far from bustling Marseille and medieval Avignon, lavender fields are spread, which provide 80% of the world's volume of this fragrant raw material. The mild climate makes it possible to grow grapes in huge quantities in this area and make excellent wines from it.

Provence is the smell of lavender, roses, good wine and the sea. Everything is surrounded by centuries-old walls of village buildings and fruit trees.

Dream Formula

Landscaping in Provence style is easy to implement on your site. In this style, the main attribute is simplicity and naturalness.

The creation formula assumes the presence of:

fruit trees or a single tree;
spicy herbs;
plants of various shades of pink and blue;
walls painted in soothing pastel colors or just white;
fragrant roses;
garden furniture with traces of antiquity;
stonework around the flower garden;
paths paved with natural stone or gravel.

Fruit trees are planted under the protection of the wall and form a crown shape similar to a fan. In real Provence, it can also be peaches, but it is important not to blindly copy, but to create a landscape based on the real climate. If it is possible to protect trees in frost or plant zoned varieties of peaches, then pourquoi pas?

The presence of lavender is recognized as the main attribute of the "Provencal" corner. This plant is not capricious and may well grow in conditions much harsher than the French province, if there is a possibility of shelter for the winter. The landing site is chosen protected from the winds, which is facilitated by the wall. produced around the end of February.

Each gardener has his own vision of this corner. Perhaps, only wooden furniture with scuffs, old chairs or armchairs from the family pantry will seem appropriate to someone. Light openwork will look good metal furniture with a touch of antiquity, the main thing is that it be comfortable and not look like a stranger in a world of simplicity. To do this, you can use pillows that give comfort to the interior. In addition to furniture, earthenware jugs from the grandmother's inheritance, casually located among flowers and herbs, would be appropriate in a corner of the garden.

Lavender
Spices

Spicy herbs look great in jugs and pots. Such a garden can be arranged right on the summer veranda within walking distance from the kitchen.

Connecting link

landscape design in mediterranean style offers to arrange paths and paths with natural stone or wood. The combination will be harmonious wooden furniture and . With such pancakes, the path is paving. They are laid on a sand-gravel mixture, which, in turn, is poured onto the insulating material. Such a pillow is necessary to protect against weeds and tree shoots that destroy logs that are tightly adjacent to each other.

To garden furniture made of stone or metal, it would be logical to use a natural stone or fine gravel.

Care of any type of paths is needed almost all year round. The tree is covered with mold and must be cleaned with a scraper once a year and treated with special compounds. Stone slabs can also collapse depending on the structure of the stone and atmospheric conditions. Moisture that gets into the cracks later breaks the stone when it freezes and spoils the appearance of the coating.

peach wall

The name of another attribute landscape design in the Provence style, it does not mean a color, but a plant. Along the wall of the house, painted in light colors, peaches are planted. In order for the harvest to be plentiful and large, the trees are pruned and formed in the form of palmettes. In this form, they take less space each peach gets more sun and light. As a result, there is practically no shade under the trees and there is room for flowers or a vegetable garden, and it is better when everyone is together. After all, a zucchini with beautiful leaves can decorate any flower bed. Beauty and utility are close by.

In areas with a more severe climate, apple and pear trees can be chosen as participants. A decorative apple tree in spring will delight with beautiful unusual flowers, and in summer small but edible fruits will ripen on it. Professionals recommend having at least one such beauty on their site, because its fragrant flowers convene pollinators for the entire garden.

A zealous owner sees potential jam in an apple tree and a pear. If you cook syrup from fragrant Antonovka and hold small apples from an ornamental apple tree in it, then such a product is unlikely to survive until winter. Here, at the table in a cozy Provencal corner, tea with mint, which grows in a flower bed, mixed with jam from your own apples, will set the caring gardener and his family in a lyrical mood.

Build a tree for peach wall pretty simple. In May, a young seedling is pruned over the third bud from the ground. The central branch begins to develop from the upper kidney. She is given vertical position, the rest form as they grow.

Old grandmother's chest takes on a new life

Each item in the Provence style garden has traces of old age and wear, but not dilapidation. wooden bench in cozy corner for recreation does not sparkle with brand new planed boards, and ceramic pots with spices seem to pass from generation to generation.

Provence style

The old wooden wheel from the cart, left near the flower bed, must be useful to the owner, and in anticipation of its hour, it is already overgrown with flowers and fragrant herbs.

When creating landscape design in the Mediterranean style, the ability to dress old things in a new setting goes into the art section. An earthenware mug found in an old grandmother's house could make a great napkin holder or basil pot. And that old round one wooden table from the attic will fit very well into the outdoor dining area. It only needs to be washed and sanded to remove loose paint. And the fact that it is old and shabby is even cool and fashionable.

House in the village

The Provence style refers to the rural style of southeastern France. “Country” and “Provence” are one and the same, but each “country” has its own characteristics, which, in the case of France, have resulted in a separate style.

In Provence, only natural materials, handmade details.

Buildings in the garden can be wooden or stone, but painted in light and warm colors:

white;
lactic;
beige;
peach.

Good to have in this village garden wooden gazebo entwined with climbing fragrant roses. It will have a wooden table and rough stools or a cozy wooden sofa with scattered pillows. In the design of the Provence-style site, there should be slight negligence, but not abandonment. The refrain in this style is the idea of comfort and warmth of soul.

Natural and light, chalet style in design suburban areas unfairly uncommon. The main…

The color of the sky and the sea

The province of Provence is not only black and white cows and rosy-cheeked thrush. It is also a luxurious Cote d'Azur, endless fields of plants, the color of which is unforgettable. This color is called lavender after the name of the plant itself. The main colors of Provence are the color of the sky, the sea and lavender.

By adding greens and silver-gray colors to blue and blue, you can get a picture in the style of Claude Monet. Pink strokes will give the landscape cheerfulness.

Blue will be added:

hyssop;
catnip;
sage.

The silver-gray olives of Provence will be replaced by the usual silver sucker, growing along the banks of rivers and spreading the amazing aroma of their nondescript flowers in the spring. Wormwood in all its manifestations of gray with its panicles will emphasize the deep blue of hyssop.

Lavender color, except for lavender, is no longer in a single flower. In the climate north of Provence, she feels quite confident under the protection of walls or stone. If there are doubts about its winter hardiness, you can use the potted form of this plant.

Lavender can be replaced by:

blooming Sally;
mountain mint "Flaming Sunset".

Blooming Sally
Mountain Mint "Flaming Sunset"

The color of these plants is not lavender, but a variation on the theme of Provence allows deviations from the ideal.

Implementation

Provence style - a mixture of comfort, practicality and art. On one patch it is possible to place a flower garden, spices, vegetables and fruit trees. All this is located in exquisite negligence, and, at the same time, makes up a picture united by one idea.

The implementation of this plan is not an easy task, but the result will turn a piece of land into a place that you don’t want to leave. A photo of this corner will stand on the desktop, and remind the gardener of his luck.

In order to imagine the amount of work, you need to see the end result:

...against a wall painted in White color, the Giardina rose spread its lashes, as if descended in its pale pink boiling from an old canvas of the English master. For a more lush picture, the rose should be planted according to the David Austin method, that is, the bush should consist of three seedlings planted in one planting hole, but at a sufficient distance from each other. Nearby is located with pink flowers.

Rose "Giardina"
Decorative apple tree "Ola"

On one side of them, a beautiful palmette of the ornamental apple tree "Ola" is formed, which begins the season with unbridled flowering, on the other, a dwarf pear form of your favorite variety with the same crown formation.

If desired, fruit trees can be replaced with a pyramidal yew, smooth contours and green color which is soothed by the riot of forms and colors of plants located in the lower and middle tiers.

Sage took root and grew at the feet of the rose, contrasting with the flowers of the rose with its blue panicles. After flowering, it leaves bushes of fragrant greenery.

Below the height of the carnation is a grayish-blue "Moulin Rouge" with gray-gray leaves and pink star flowers.

The foot of the apple tree is adorned with its silvery gray wormwood. And the pear sheltered a pink chist that covers the tree trunk.

Roses with lavender

For the sake of decorativeness and benefit, a zucchini with decorative leaves was planted on the edge of the flower garden, and further along this tier bushes of the famous lavender were located. Blue flowers and carved geranium leaves adorn the other edge and echo the blue of sage. Smear blue color add kale "Kai and Gerda" with corrugated leaves, comfortably located on the edge.

The flower garden itself is located on a hill and is supported by boulders, one of which plays the role of a bench surrounded by aromas.

On the paved area in front of the flower garden between the stones, lemon thyme and creeping thyme with fragrant leaves have taken root.

In the early morning, through the dew, bare feet revive the aroma of thyme, and in the evening, the rose is fragrant in all its glory. Paradise, and only!

Settle Provence in your soul and make your dream come true!

The article will discuss how to design a Provence-style garden, what conceptual techniques to use, what plants to choose, what decor can best emphasize the described thematic direction. Photo and video ready-made examples will clearly demonstrate the principles of implementing the concept of the romance of the French countryside.

History of creation

Landscaping in the style of "Provence" comes from the French province of the same name. She got it from the rice conquerors. Until the thirteenth century, Provence was part of the Roman Empire, then passed into the hands of the French Kingdom. The province has a unique geographical position: from the south it is washed by the waves of the Mediterranean Sea, from the north it is reliably protected from winds and colds by the Alps. Therefore, a special microclimate has formed inside Provence, which provides a large number of sunny days. It has very hot summers, mild winters, it rains only in April and October.

Provence has repeatedly changed its owners, so here you can simultaneously see the ancient Roman aqueducts and medieval castles, ancient monasteries and small estates, small villages and blue bays. piercingly clear sky, turquoise sea, lilac fields lavenders, golden sunflower plantations, cork oaks, olives, pyramidal poplars, globular eucalyptus trees, thickets of hard-leaved shrubs and drought-resistant herbs - all this is the nature of Provence.

Local landscapes are so picturesque that many artists took them as the basis of their work. The spirit of lavender, roses, the taste of good wine and the smell of sea air could also inspire landscape designers. The desire to create an atmosphere of French Provence on your site became the basis for the birth of a new style. Its main attribute is naturalness and simplicity. The formula for creating the described direction assumes the presence of eight main points.

Point 1 - the presence of open terraces

Much of Provence is located on hilly terrain. Local residents are forced to build stone supports to strengthen the slopes of the hills. They allow you to get the basis on which you can break the summer terrace. It is often planted with grapes or olive trees. The terrace can have a flat platform, it can consist of several steps: it all depends on the height and steepness of the slope. The reception of the organization of such a space is the fundamental principle of the formation and implementation of the described concept.

In Provence itself, there are retaining structures that were assembled in antiquity from stones that were stacked on top of each other without mortar. They are monuments of local architecture. The method of creating retaining walls is still used today, but today the walls need to be reinforced with mortar. This improves their strength. Creeping plants are planted on top of the walls, in this way the main symbol of landscape design is formed. Stones and plants in it are equal elements.

Point 2 - characteristic vegetation

A garden in the described style is easily recognizable by its trees, shrubs and herbs. Olives and cypresses, fragrant spicy herbs (lavender and rosemary), drought-resistant shrubs (laurel viburnum and cistus) are sure to grow here. The garden looks like an abandoned corner of nature, where you can, tired of walking, sit down and relax in the shade of branchy trees and enjoy the aroma of spicy plants.

Another attribute of Provence gardens is planting peach trees along the wall of the outer fence. Trees are pruned as they grow and form palmettes with them. So they take up less space, give bountiful harvest. Each fruit receives a lot of sun and light. There is no shade from the peaches, so there is room for planting herbs and flowers. If you achieve simultaneous flowering of the garden and the vegetable garden, you will create a very picturesque corner. The combination of beauty and usefulness is another feature garden "Provence".

Where the climate is harsh, peaches grow poorly. They can be replaced with apple or pear trees. If ornamental varieties are chosen, they do not need to be planted in a row: one tree will be enough for it to decorate the site with its flowering in the spring and attract pollinators to it for the entire garden.

On our website you can find contacts of construction companies that provide. You can directly communicate with representatives by visiting the exhibition of houses "Low-Rise Country".

Item 3 - terracotta tiles

It is used to create tracks. This is a traditional material that is chosen for paving outdoor areas. The style is characterized by a combination of wide stone paths and narrow paths decorated with saw cut wood. With the help of large and small round logs, winding paths are formed. They are laid on a sand and gravel cushion, which reliably protects the paving from the germination of weeds.

Item 4 - pergolas, arched frames and trellises

The first are installed right in front of the house and are the decoration of the facade. They serve as a support for branching beautifully flowering plants, which, growing, create a shadow near the main entrance. Often garden furniture is displayed under the pergola. It is used for morning and evening tea parties.

Arches are installed along flat paths along which you can walk and enjoy nature. They help create a very picturesque vertical gardening, which also serves to create a shadow. In the summer season, the air temperature often warms up to +35 degrees, so there is a need to create large shady corners in which you can hide from the midday heat.

Tapestries also serve as the basis for shading paths and terraces, they are most often used to support vineyards. If plane trees are planted near the trellis, over time their crown will intertwine the base and form a very beautiful canopy from the sun.

Item 4 - fountains

Provence often experiences prolonged droughts, so any source of water is a precious resource. In every garden local residents Be sure to have a large or small fountain. They simultaneously supply water and cool the air during the hot season. Most often, fountains are built into stone supports. Such an element of decor always looks impressive.

On our website you can find contacts of construction companies that own and offer. You can directly communicate with representatives by visiting the exhibition of houses "Low-Rise Country".

Point 5 - pools and stone wells

Once upon a time, such water sources were necessary to meet the needs of local residents for water. Today, wells are rarely built: the main water supply has long been laid everywhere. But such a decor element will be able to tie together many disparate design objects. It will also highlight the charm of a romantic garden.

Item 6 - flower pots and flowerpots

They act as the main decoration of the garden. Made of clay or stone, flowerpots are found in every garden in Provence. But there they are used very sparingly. This is done in order not to overload the overall composition. Plants that do not tolerate winter are often planted in such containers. With the onset of cold weather, the pots are simply brought into a warm room. Provence-style flowerbed is small vegetable garden with herbs.

When choosing flowering plants, it is important to consider the combination of colors. There are no bright and catchy colors in Provence, color dominates here. clear sky and azure. You can create it with the help of carpet plantings of sage, hyssop and catnip.

Sky blue and azure goes well with silvery tints. You can create them by planting sucker and wormwood. You can't do without lavender. It does not grow well in cold climates. Ivan-tea or mountain mint, the variety of which is called "flaming sunset", is capable of replacing it there. Her color is not lavender, but rather a light purple. But the Provence style allows such deviations.

Point 7 - a trace of wear and age

Many villages in Provence have a shabby appearance. But it does not spoil the general charm of the natural landscape in any way, on the contrary, it gives it some charm. Therefore, when recreating the concept, it is imperative to use traces of antiquity. They can be recreated by choosing pieces of furniture or garden decor with a great history. So, for example, you can put an old cart wheel near flower pots. Let it be completely overgrown with herbs, then the wheel will turn into an original decorative object.

Anything that can be found in the attic will do: an old wooden table, worn out chairs different collections. And even a clay mug covered with cracks or chips will be appropriate as a stand for napkins. If all these items are thoroughly cleaned, the wood is sanded, the old items will turn into cool fashionable decor.

It is good to have an openwork gazebo in the garden, entwined with climbing roses. You can put a dining group in it or place a comfortable sofa with plenty of pillows. At the same time, slight negligence and neglect should be present in everything, but they should not violate the atmosphere of comfort and warmth.

It is clear that many designers are redesigning french style under national traditions. Therefore, a large number of proposals make it possible to choose one or another style direction.

Video description

For example, in this video, the architects proposed a gazebo in the Provence a la Russe style:

Point 8 - design of the facade of the house

Properly arrange the exterior of a residential building - the most difficult task. It must comply with the concept of landscape design. For many owners, this is the most painful moment. If nothing is done, all the work of gardening the garden will be meaningless. The house will turn into an alien object, which will be very different from the general landscape. This will definitely spoil the overall impression of the site. Therefore, you need to try to remove such dissonance.

The house should not give the impression of modern housing. Its decoration should not contain artificial finishing materials(plastic, for example, or artificial stone). It is good if the building is built of brick or wood.

If there is no desire to stylize the facade of the building under the chosen concept, it just needs to be covered with green climbing plants. Before entrance doors arrange pots with herbs, build in front of the house outdoor terrace and decorate it hanging planters with flowers.

Video description

The video shows a house decorated in the Provence style:

How to put it all into practice

A characteristic feature of the Provence style is a combination of practicality, art and comfort. Recreating a beautiful picture is difficult. But if you follow certain rules, everything will turn out very successfully.

You need to start by painting the fence. It is important to paint it white, plant a large fruit tree (decorative apple tree) near it, form a palmette from it. Plant a pear tree nearby with the same crown formation. If there is no desire to see fruit trees on your site, they can be replaced with a pyramidal yew.

At the feet of the trees, experts advise planting roses that bloom profusely with pale pink inflorescences. To make it beautiful, you need to plant bushes according to a special method: immerse seedlings at a great distance from each other in one planting hole.

At the feet of a rose, it is better to plant an overgrown sage. With its small flowers, it will successfully contrast with the lush buds of the princess. After flowering, bushes of spicy grass will remain.

Below the growth of sage, a gray-blue carnation with bluish leaves is planted. Open spaces and the foot of the apple tree should be covered with plantings of wormwood, the foot of the pear tree can be covered with pink cleaner. Growing, it will completely cover the lower part of the tree trunk.

The presented scheme of the Provence-style flower bed, you can add a zucchini, which has beautiful decorative leaves (they are appropriate for decorating the edge of the flower garden). The other edge of the zucchini can be filled with bushes of the famous lavender. Geranium with its carved leaves echoes well with it. The last finishing touch will allow you to put kale, the variety of which has the unusual name "Kai and Gerda". It is better to plant it on the very edge. A paved path should lead to such a flower bed.

The compositions of the described style are characterized by natural compositions, on which there is an imprint of landscape. A relatively regular layout is used. It assumes the presence of open sunny spaces. Pergolas and arches are decorated with decorative varieties of wine grapes, clematis varieties and climbing roses. It is important to remember that the gardens of Provence are not just Nice picture but also the smell of herbs. Therefore, among the plantings, there must be basil, anise and mint, thyme and oregano, as well as green arugula.

Video description

The video will tell you what other techniques can be used to form a garden with a beautiful appearance of the French province:

Generalization on the topic

A garden in the style of French Provence is created using certain elements. It must contain fruit trees or cypresses of a pyramidal shape, spicy herbs, flowering plants, whose inflorescences represent all shades of pink and blue. It is necessary to plant fragrant roses, lay stone paths, paint the walls in soothing pastel colors. As garden furniture, it is better to use items on which the imprint of antiquity is easily read.

When I first purchased country cottage area, then the first thing I wanted to do was to plant it to the last piece of land with everything “useful and edible”, so that, as they say, the good would not be wasted. Of course, it was my mistake, or maybe, to some extent, a manifestation of greed, because planting is half the battle, but try to manage all this farming. But the point is not even in the cost of labor, but in the fact that my dacha has turned into a solid garden, which was also a recreation area.Priorities country life today have changed dramatically, people have become interested in growing not only potatoes, but also various ornamental plants for beauty and visual enjoyment. Every self-respecting summer resident at least once a season should give his neighbors a tour of his site, boasting of "exclusive landings." “Yes, I even grow yuccas, here, as many as 10 pieces,” my neighbor in the country proudly declared, pointing to a grove of exotic plants behind the barn. And they grow there not because it is intended to be so, everything is much more banal - there is no free space left on the site. The recreation area in this case is limited to a bench near the entrance to the house, because all six acres resemble a botanical garden of a thousand and one plants.

hydrangea tree - an integral part of the Provence garden

potted garden

But a modern dacha is, first of all, that place, a secluded corner where you should rest and relax. At the same time, no one forbids gardening and gardening, you can just bring everything to one style. It didn't take long to puzzle over the idea of a future style for my garden. We live in an amazing time when it is possible to travel without leaving your home, just connect the Internet or buy a magazine with bright pictures - and that's it, then it's up to our imagination. Once, while traveling in this way, I got acquainted with the Provence style and decided to definitely recreate something similar in my country house. Cozy and without clutter, leaving space and "air" for relaxation. Provence - rustic country style, originally from a province in the south of France, is the best suited for a recreation area. Of course, we do not have such a climate that is inherent in the Mediterranean coast, but you can try to create “a la Provence” in your dacha.

Provence - rustic country style, originally from a province in the south of France, is the best fit for a recreation area

What is characteristic of the Provence garden?

A lot has been written about this style, but I don’t want to repeat myself using the usual set of characteristics from the category: “lavender, olives, rosemary, etc.”, especially when there is an opportunity to hear the opinion of an authoritative specialist. Landscape architect, creator huge amount Gardens shares his vision of Provence.

lavender can be replaced with catnip and sage

A. Sapelin - landscape architect

Commentary by landscape architect A. Sapelin: Provence. Of course, I have my own associative array, some agree with it, some do not. This is understandable, everyone has their own “pictures”, but still there is something in common, probably, for everyone. "My Provence" is a slightly foggy air, filled with the aromas of lavender, roses and good wine at the same time. There are a lot of silvery plants here, which means that when choosing an assortment for the “a-la Provence” garden, I will definitely take them, especially if their foliage is thin, lanceolate, pointed, and not lop-sided. And it doesn't matter to me whether these species grow there or not. I will certainly find a replacement for lavender (hyssops, catnip, sage), cypresses (varieties of virginian juniper), wine grapes (Amur grapes, fox) and even olives (narrow-leaved sucker).

I will certainly find a replacement for lavender (hyssops, catnip, sage), cypresses (varieties of virginian juniper), wine grapes (Amur grapes, fox) and even olives (narrow-leaved sucker)

This will help me here, in a completely different climate, to revive my very picture. I envy Ukrainian gardeners - they do not need to look for these replacements, the climate of your country is more favorable to most of the listed plants.

I envy Ukrainian gardeners - they don’t need to look for these replacements, the climate of your country is more favorable to most of the listed plants

There is nowhere for me to escape in this garden from roses, and, surprisingly, they will grow here interspersed with vegetables. When I saw this for the first time, I was shocked and did not immediately understand the delights of this approach. Time has passed, now I can easily imagine zucchini zucchini against the background of ornamental shrubs, otherwise understanding the phrase about “bread and circuses”.

garden in Provence style

pumpkin as an additional decor

Indispensable terracotta pots, in which in summer there is a riot of flower colors, and in November - a harvest of orange-colored pumpkins. They will serve as an ornament to my garden for some time, after which they will turn into a "potage" (French vegetable soup) and will be eaten. Only white tuff stone will remain (natural tuff stone has beige color and a very uneven porous surface), which is already slightly yellowed and populated with a variety of especially drought-resistant "green little things". Arrows of cypresses will not long rise alone above the tuff stone walls. When spring comes, they will be eclipsed by white foam blossoming apple trees and pears, which, in turn, will produce generous fruits, and after that, it is likely to turn into calvados (apple or pear French brandy). But this is not scary, because there are those who will be here until the fall, and then they will come again. And so year after year.

rest zone

roses and lavender are the perfect combination

And how pleasant it is to lie serenely in a hammock under an olive tree, which just yesterday turned 200 years old, slowly contemplate all this beauty... grapes and a glass of rosé Provence… but I’m not talking about gardens anymore.”

From words to deeds!

For example, I want to offer you a detailed dendrological plan, where there is a list of plants that harmoniously combine with each other in terms of external and biological characteristics. It is possible that something will be able to recreate on your site, some plants, maintaining the style, will be replaced by others. The main thing is to capture the essence and understand the very principle of selecting plants that are characteristic of the Provencal style.

The main thing is to capture the essence and understand the very principle of selecting plants that are specific to the Provencal style.

dendrological plan-scheme of the site

1. Clematis Salute

Abundantly flowering variety, which is adapted to our growing conditions. Blooms from late July to late September. The flowers are wide open, beautifully colored, purple-violet - 8-10 cm in diameter. Suitable for growing near pergolas, arches, nets and other garden supports. Perfectly decorates gazebos, terraces, balconies or walls of houses. Can climb trees and shrubs. Unpretentious and strong liana reaches a height of 4-5 m.

2. Delphinium Blue Cloud

Perennial plant of the buttercup family, up to 50 cm high, with blue flowers collected in small brushes. Blooms in June-July re-bloom- in August-September.

3. Lavender angustifolia

It can be easily grown in any corner of our country, if it is covered with dry leaves for the winter. The most famous fragrant plant forms a dense bush of almost spherical shape, up to 50 cm high and up to 70 cm in diameter. Violet-lilac flowers on long inflorescences appear in late July and persist until mid-August. But even before flowering, lavender is very attractive with its gray-green shoots with small bluish leaves.

lavender angustifolia

hybrid tea rose cappuccino

4. Hybrid tea rose Cappucino

This rose combines a wonderful classic flower shape with numerous double petals. The color of the petals is warm, yellow-cream, with a slight coffee tint and an orange center. The flower is large - 10-12 cm in diameter, slowly opens from beautiful buds and stays on the stem for a long time. Flowering in waves, abundant and long.

5. Japanese anemone

Pleases us with its bright flowering in autumn period. Delicate bright pink flowers up to 5 cm in diameter bloom in August. Beautifully combined with dark green, dissected leaves, they bloom for quite a long time, almost the whole of September. Winters well in Ukraine. Grows best in partial shade.

6. Aconite bicolor

A very beautiful perennial with white flowers bordered with a purple-blue edge. The plant is unpretentious to growing conditions, grows well both in semi-shady areas and in the open sun, frost resistance is high.

apple tree James Grieve

peony paul white

7. Peony Paul weight

Large fragrant dark red double flowers, the plant is covered with glossy foliage from late spring to early summer. Bush height 80 cm, flower size 18 cm.

8. Dahlia Bishop Landaf

Perennial plant with bronze green leaves and dark red flowers. Blooms continuously all summer and autumn.

9. Apple Tree James Grieve

The ripeness of apples comes in late August - early September. Crispy, juicy apples of sweet and sour taste, round-conical shape, greenish-yellow with an orange-pink blush on most of the fruit.

10. Sweet Pea

An annual fast growing tendril climber. Very fragrant flowers, often used for cutting during summer and early autumn.

Weigela Bristol Snowflake

stonecrop autumn joy

mock orange snowfall

11. Sedum Autumn joy

Succulent perennials, attractive to butterflies and bees. Salmon-pink umbrella, stand until frost.

12. Mock orange snowfall

Tall shrub up to 2.5 m high and up to 2 m wide with falling branches. The leaves are small, pointed (3.5–5.5 cm long), dark green. It blooms in late June - early July with white double fragrant flowers up to 5 cm in diameter.

13. Weigela Bristol Snowflake

A beautiful flowering shrub capable of remontant flowering. Blooms in late May - early June. Against the background of bright green foliage, its white bell-shaped flowers look spectacular.

forsythia Malach

14. Forsythia Malach

beautiful blooming ornamental shrub. It grows up to 0.8–1 m in height and up to 1 m in width. It blooms very early, when nothing but primroses still blooms - in April, with long tubular flowers of a beautiful yellow color.

15. Boxwood

Evergreen shrub with dark green glossy leaves. Boxwood is perfectly sheared, and various geometric and other topiary shapes can be cut from its dense bushes.

hydrangea

17. Chives

A decorative bow that can not only be admired, but also eaten. A dense curtain of bright green stems with decorative lilac inflorescences.

18. Poppy self-seed

Vigorous annual plant with large dark red flowers appearing in early summer. Prefers full sun and moist but well-drained soils.

19. Hydrangea tree

Low (1–1.2 m) shrub. Flowering begins in mid-July and continues in August, when the bush is covered with large, spherical white inflorescences, which turn green at the end of flowering.

20. Shaggy willow

The foliage is original, silvery, covered with fluffy hairs. The surface of the branches is also pubescent. Earrings yellow, retractable in early spring, stand upright, giving the shrub a decorative effect.

the garden of Provence should be filled with the scents of roses and lavender

Provence style attributes - antiquity

And, of course, what is Provence without the decor of aged things! But more on that in future articles. Yes, by the way, every example is contagious, so my neighbor in the country, looking at my innovations in the design of the site, decided to enter into a competitive struggle. True, he chose the Japanese style for himself, which inspired him - I don’t know, but he plans to create a rock garden right on the spot where yuccas used to grow. I promised to help. The main thing is that he does not go too far with stones and other paraphernalia, but I'll see. Neighbors, after all! And I wish you inspiration, and remember that life is short to spend it only on cultivating a garden.

Remember that life is short to spend it only on cultivating a garden.

Take care of yourself and get plenty of rest, enjoying nature. Therefore, I say goodbye to you, your ever-experimenting Ivan Yarovoy.