Knot gardens gained popularity in England during the 16th and 17th centuries.

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1 Knot gardens gained popularity in England during the 16th and 17th centuries. A horticultural treat awaits you at the glorious Historic Gardens in Annapolis Royal, Nova Scotia. It is composed of various themed garden areas that reflect the history of the region, the first permanent European settlement in North America. The knot garden represents a fascinating type of formal garden that first became popular in Tudor England ( ). Depictions on Italian woodcuts from the late 15th century show that Italy was likely the influence for these early English gardens, which developed and flourished throughout the 16th and 17th centuries. The knot at the Historic Gardens features an intricate geometric woven design formed by carefully clipped lavender hedges and sections filled with colored materials, including stones, charcoal and crushed shells. The garden s horticulturist Karen Achenbach explained that knot gardens historically symbolized unity and strength, with the knot being the tie or bond. The orderly design set within a square supported the principle that a harmonious relationship should exist between the architecture of the house and that of the garden. Both building and garden required a geometric framework. Knot gardens were meant to be viewed and appreciated from elevated vantage points so that the overall pattern could be seen clearly. The designs were adapted from decorative interlocked motifs used in tapestries, carpets, ceramics, carved wooden panels and furnishings. The gardens varied in size. They could be completely enclosed by a square or rectangular hedge with compartments for colored materials that highlighted the hedge pattern or they could be open with pathways incorporated into the design and sections filled with aromatic or colorful low-growing plants. 1/4

2 Designing Your Own Knot Garden One of the many appealing things about a knot garden is how successfully it can be created in almost any space, from a small back yard to a large property. As you plan your knot, remember to consider the relationship of your garden to your house. Think about a closed or open knot. Do you want compartments that will be decorated with colored stones or filled with plants? If you want paths, what materials will you use? How will the knot garden be viewed? Sources for designs are numerous. The garden in Annapolis was based on a drawing from William Lawson s book, A Country Housewife s Garden, published in Another excellent source is Robin Whalley and Anne Jennings book, and Parterres, published in It shows a wide selection of attractive designs with woven effects. You may wish to adapt a design from an existing garden or take your inspiration from a favorite geometric pattern used in a quilt. Ms. Achenbach recommends keeping your first design simple, as overly intricate patterns are challenging to plant and maintain, particularly the hedge symmetry. Lovely lavender plants highlight the design in this knot garden. Plant Selection Historically, woody herbs such as lavender, rosemary, thyme and germander were used as the hedge material. These plants are easily clipped to make clean, vertical and horizontal surfaces with sharp edges that result in the crisp, underand-over woven effect required to form the knot-garden pattern. Compartments were often filled with rosemary, sage, marjoram, chamomile and hyssop. This selection provided a pleasantly fragrant knot. 2/4

3 Later, gardeners started to use boxwood as the hedge material. It clips well and maintains its appearance year-round. The sections were filled with bright, lowgrowing flowers such as violas, pinks and marigolds. An interesting variation found in modern knot gardens is to plant ornamental vegetables in the compartments, such as colored lettuces. Using annuals means you can add variety each year; however, it is easier to use perennials. The palette, texture and shape of plants that you choose are important parts of the overall design. Preparing Your Garden Area It is important to select a location that can be viewed from above and that is level, well-drained and well-cultivated. If the area is sloped, you will need to level or terrace it to form a flat plane. If using herbs, full sun is necessary for healthy growth. Knots hedged with boxwood can tolerate some shade. Plants used to fill sections should match the light and water requirements of the hedge material. Light soil will serve for herbs. Boxwood hedges require moderate use of organic compost. Heavily composted soil is not required unless your soil is exceptionally sandy or chalky. Non-plant material fills the compartments of this knot garden. Realizing Your Design The accurate transfer of the knot design to the ground ensures the pattern s symmetry is maintained. It is helpful to transfer your design to graph paper and then mark a full-sized grid on the area using stakes or pegs around the perimeter. 3/4

4 Tie string around the border and from each peg to the peg directly opposite it to form a complete grid. Refer to your graph paper and draw the design in each corresponding grid on the ground using colored chalk or sand. Remember to mark the design with the width of the final pattern. It is often easier to start at the center and work out to the perimeter to maintain precision and balance. If your design includes curves, make a full-sized template out of cardboard. Save the template and use it later as a trimming guide. Planting the Knot Plant herbs 6 apart to allow for growth. Boxwood should be planted 1 2 apart, depending on the type being used. Adequate watering is essential to help the plants become well rooted. Depending on growing conditions, anticipate one to two full growing seasons for the garden to become established. Accurately clipping the garden is key to its maintenance. Maintaining the Knot A well-planted knot garden needs little weeding, but annual clipping is required to keep the hedges sharply defined. Woody herb hedges should be cut back hard in late spring. Boxwood hedges should be cut back in late May or early June. Hand shears rather than electric shears are recommended. The first time you trim the hedges, you will have to find your design line again. To ensure accurate trimming, mark out the pattern once again with pegs and string or use the template you created previously. For easy clean-up, lay down a plastic sheet to collect the clippings. Clip along the vertical face and then clip the horizontal faces to achieve precise edges. Smaller shears can be used to give sharper detail that enhances the woven effect of the hedges. Light trimming may be required throughout the season to maintain a crisp design. 4/4

5 For information on the Annapolis Royal Historic Gardens visit com. Text and photos by Susan Cargill Susan Cargill has worked with a variety of national and provincial heritage organizations including Parks Canada. She has a keen interest in history, architecture and heritage preservation and regularly researches and writes on these topics. 5/5