Everyone knows that nothing worth having ever comes easy, but what can you achieve in ten years? In Martha Stewart’s case, she created an ornate formal garden that’s, unsurprisingly, one of the most stunning spaces you will see this season.
When searching for formal garden ideas with an enduring appeal, Martha’s project offers the perfect blueprint.
She’s combined contrasting evergreen shrubs (boxwood and golden barberry) alongside antique fountains and timeless outdoor furniture (designed by herself, naturally), to create a beautiful garden that’s visually beautiful, but primed for cooler weather. As one might expect, however, a garden of this splendor doesn’t come easily.
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‘It takes time to develop formal gardens. When planning, one must consider the type of plants, their size at the time of planting and at maturity, the level of care, the environment, and local weather conditions,’ Martha says. ‘It can take up to 10 years for a formal garden to be fully established.’
On her blog, Martha shared further details of the design process, and it doesn’t get any easier. However, as she remarks, it’s worth the time and effort. There’s no better time to start than now.
‘For the upper parterres, I selected contrasting evergreen shrubs – boxwood, and golden barberry. To provide interest, these shrubs are sheared to different heights, creating a step effect. In the lower parterres, carefully designed and manicured boxwood hedges surround two hand-cast antique fountains,’ she says.
‘On one side, a low hedge shaped with an inverted V pattern, or chevron. Maintaining all these plantings requires extra maintenance and regular grooming, but I think it’s well worth the effort.’
However, not all elements of her garden need to come with a decade of patience. Her outdoor furniture, from her collection with Polywood (available via the retailer), brings elements of her formal garden to your own yard, and getting her look doesn’t involve a decade’s wait.
‘Have you seen my all-weather furniture by Polywood? These chairs and table are part of my Chinoiserie Collection. These pieces stay out all season long and are designed to withstand storms and strong winds. They are so durable and look perfect year after year,’ Martha says. You can shop the pieces from her garden below.
Time-honored designs
Chinoiserie 9-Piece Dining Set With Trestle Legs
Blending timeless design with everyday functionality, this set brings classic chair silhouettes together with a spacious table that seats up to eight people. When not in use, the chairs slide neatly beneath the table for a clean, streamlined look that’s perfect for any garden, whether it’s as formal as Martha’s or not.
Weather-resistant
Chinoiserie Accent Table – Slate Grey
‘My Chinoiserie Accent Tables are great for displaying some of my potted plants. This outdoor furniture comes in a variety of colors, including my signature Bedford gray,’ Martha says. Designed with a nod to tradition, this piece brings classic elegance to outdoor spaces while offering practical details that upgrade the everyday.
Low maintenance
Chinoiserie 60″ Garden Bench – Slate Grey
Thoughtfully crafted with supportive arms and a contoured backrest, this Martha-approved bench invites you to relax in style while promising lasting resilience. Built to withstand storms and strong winds, it requires little upkeep, staying beautiful season after season.
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