THE RENAISSANCE GARDEN
DESIGN PACK
Bradstone has joined forces with award winning garden
designer, Paul Hervey-Brookes to offer you the tools,
inspiration and ideas that you need to create your own
dream garden. This pack contains site plans, planting plans,
paving and planting options, hints and tips and much, much,
more to help you create the garden of your dreams.
Need help creating your perfect Renaissance garden? Visit www.bradstone.com/assured
02
CONCEPT
RENAISSANCE GARDEN
IN CREATING THE RENAISSANCE GARDEN, PAUL REVISITED THE RENAISSANCE
PERIOD, A STYLE INSPIRED BY CLASSICAL IDEALS OF ORDER AND BEAUTY.
Classical and elegant – this garden is intended for the pleasure of viewing of the garden and the landscape
beyond. In this design pack, Paul shows you how to create your own Renaissance inspired garden.
Inspired by Paul’s Main Avenue
Chelsea Flower Show 2014 Garden,
this garden draws on the rich heritage
and beauty of the Renaissance
gardens of the Italian Riviera.
These gardens use a wealth of clipped
hedging, rich floral borders and elegantly
detailed paving and stone to create
gardens which are the ultimate luxury
entertaining space.
Need help creating your perfect Renaissance garden? Visit www.bradstone.com/assured
03
DESIGN INSPIRATION
RENAISSANCE GARDEN
ELEGANT AND LUXURIOUS
WILD BEAUTY
The contrasting yet wild beauty
of soft silverly foliage and rich
drifts of flowers makes the
Renaissance garden seem
effortlessly easy to achieve.
Relaxed and elegant outdoor
living which makes you want to
spend more time outdoors.
Water is a vital element
in the Renaissance
garden, from its early
origin as a sheet of still
water to the later High
Renaissance use of
water for elaborate jokes
and in grottoes it gives a
valuable extra dimension
increasing the sense of
space and airiness.
STRONG VISUAL ELEMENTS
Strong visual elements such as vistas
provide structure to the naturalistic
planting. Soft terracotta and buttery
colours in the hard landscaping add
to the general feeling of warmth.
WATER FEATURES
Classical sculpture
makes a rich visual
link to the Imperial
Renaissance period
which inspired large
elements in the Chelsea
Flower Show Garden
CLASSICAL SCULPTURE
SMOOTH SANDSTONE DETAILING
Smooth sandstone detailing creates a sense of
opulence in the Renaissance garden particularly
when coupled with swathes of bold green and
grey foliage.
Follow the colour guides and add your own individuality to your garden:
www.nationaltrust.org.uk and www.ngs.org.uk
Need help creating your perfect Renaissance garden? Visit www.bradstone.com/assured
04
PLANNING YOUR DESIGN
RENAISSANCE GARDEN
THE MOST IMPORTANT PART OF A GARDEN DESIGN IS MAKING THE PLAN WORK FOR YOUR SPACE
Not only the layout and size of the garden but how plants and furniture will fit the garden too. In this design for the
Renaissance Garden, there are two paved areas and bands of planting for you to consider.
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THE MAIN PATIO
For relaxing and entertaining.
2
CONNECTING PATHS
Join the design elements together.
3
THE PLANTING
Trees to give shape and depth.
4
THE WALLS
Create shape at the rear of the garden.
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The size of your garden is not crucial, but measuring the space
available is a good way to ensure you know what will fit in your design.
The designs that Paul has drawn up here are all based on a 5m x
7m garden but on the next page you can find tips on how to adapt
this to fit your garden.
DECIDE HOW YOU WANT YOUR DESIGN TO WORK
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If you want this look but don’t want to do it yourself visit:
www.bradstone.com/assured
This garden is based on an open terrace near the house with a
second open space further into the garden. Just like the gardens
which have inspired it, a focal point is crucial so Paul has designed
a long path which runs through the garden and terminates in a pool.
This can be still or have movement depending on your preference.
Decide which of the two paved areas you will position your garden
furniture and design around the space it needs. The secondary space
is enclosed by surrounding planted borders. To give the garden a
slightly contemporary twist Paul has only partially enclosed these with
clipped hedging relying on the strong visual nature of Bradstone linear
Smooth Natural Sandstone to give structure to the space.
Don’t worry if you need to design your garden slightly different to
how Paul has designed his. By adding rectangular or square paved
areas that follow the Renaissance theme of ‘order’ and adding
planting to soften the look, you will be able to create your perfect
Renaissance garden.
Need help creating your perfect Renaissance garden? Visit www.bradstone.com/assured
05
PAVING
RENAISSANCE GARDEN
FOR THIS GARDEN WE HAVE USED A RANGE OF BRADSTONE PRODUCTS
These include, walling and decorative natural stone which are richly textural and when combined
together create a classical and elegant feel which creates that stylish Renaissance experience.
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Smooth Natural Sandstone paving
2
Smooth Natural Sandstone feature
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Rumbled Sandstone walling
4
Decorative aggregates
See the page 06 for more information on each product
Need help creating your perfect Renaissance garden? Visit www.bradstone.com/assured
06
PAVING
RENAISSANCE GARDEN
FOR THIS GARDEN WE HAVE USED A RANGE OF BRADSTONE PRODUCTS
These include, walling and decorative natural stone which are richly textural and when combined
together create a classical and elegant feel which creates that stylish Renaissance experience.
1
2
3
4
Smooth Natural Sandstone paving
Smooth and subtle, this paving looks good in both a contemporary
and classic setting. In this garden it has been used for the main
paved areas.
Smooth Natural Sandstone feature
Paul has used Bradstone’s Smooth Natural Sandstone as a
feature to really add ‘designer detail’ to the garden by edging
paving bands and contained gravel areas.
Rumbled Sandstone walling
Only required if you choose to create a still pool at the end of the
garden. This walling can be used to line the sides and the base of
the pool just as Paul did at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show.
Harvest Gold decorative aggregates
The use of decorative stone can fundamentally transform the
appearance of your garden. Use Harvest Gold decorative
aggregates to create a garden which is the ultimate luxury
entertaining space.
QUANTITIES – BASED ON A GARDEN APPROXIMATELY 5M WIDE AND 7M LONG
Smooth Natural Sandstone in Dune 600 x 600mm (1 pack)
Smooth Natural Sandstone in Dune 900 x 150mm linear paving (1 pack)
Decorative Aggregates – Harvest Gold 20mm (16 handy bags)
For a full list of Bradstone products and stockists, visit:
www.bradstone.com
Need help creating your perfect Renaissance garden? Visit www.bradstone.com/assured
07
PAVING
RENAISSANCE GARDEN
PROFESSIONAL FINISH...
EASY OPTION...
To achieve the 45 degree cuts you will need a professional with
a circular saw to install. This little detail will add a designer feel and
shows real attention to detail just like the Renaissance originals.
Instead of making joining cuts on the linear paving at 45 degree
angles, simply adjoin the paving at 90 degree angles instead.
By following this option you will eliminate the need for cutting the paving
and any specialist cutting equipment.
DIFFERENT SIZED GARDENS...
Don’t worry if your garden does not exactly match our size of 7m x 5m. This garden like all of the Bradstone Design gardens is easy to adapt.The
main feature of this garden is the central entertaining terrace. This needs to be sited off set but roughly in the centre of the garden area. If your
garden is wide and thin you may need to create wider planting borders or consider turning the design around the other way and creating a strong
vista from your garden’s longest aspects.
A smaller terrace by the house is also important, remember these two terraces must be different sizes with the terrace nearest the house being smaller
than the other. As long as you keep this in mind feel free to play with the size ratios to suit your own garden. If your garden is an irregular shape follow
the advice above and think carefully about creating visual illusions using the ribbon walls to trick the eye into losing the shape of the garden.
Remember trees and planting will also help!
If you want this look but don’t want to do it yourself visit:
www.bradstone.com/assured
Need help creating your perfect Renaissance garden? Visit www.bradstone.com/assured
08
PLANTING ESSENTIALS
RENAISSANCE GARDEN
HERE WE HAVE SUGGESTED THE PLANTS WHICH ARE ESSENTIAL TO CREATE
THE RENAISSANCE LOOK. SEE PAGE 09 FOR MORE PLANTING SUGGESTIONS.
A detailed planting plan is available on page 09
HERBACEOUS AND SHRUBS
1
PITTOSPORUM TOBIRA
3
LAVANDULA ‘PURPLE EMPEROR’
5
SANGUISORBA MINOR
7
ACHILLEA MILLEFOLIUM
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SALVIA PRATENSIS
An evergreen shrub with leathery glossy
foliage and white highly fragrant flowers
in spring and early summer.
A popular woody shrub with deeply aromatic
foliage. Covered in masses of lilac blue flowering
in early summer. Hardy in full sun and on dry
soils. Reaches up to 1.5m.
Traditionally grown for its cucumber taste
like foliage, which can be used, in soups
and salads. In early summer small burgundy
flowers are produced and much loved
by bees and butterflies.
A useful herbaceous perennial reaching up to
60cm with flat topped plate like discs of flowers
through early summer into autumn. Colours
range from white to pink and lilac.
A richly coloured herbaceous perennial carrying
spires of deep lilac flowers from early summer.
2
ROSA GLAUCA
4
CYNARA CARDUNCULUS
6
SESLERIA AUTUMNALIS
8
FOENICULUM VULGARE
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An unusual upright to lax growing shrub
rose. Brilliant pink flowers cover the plant
in summer but it is really grown for is deep
burgundy foliage.
This tall growing perennial is part of
Mediterranean life. Reaching over 2m in height
it prefers sun and rich soils. Edible globes
from mid-summer onwards. Stems can be
blanched and eaten.
A tuft-forming perennial grass with short
golden flowers in late summer.
A tall-growing perennial herb. Fine feathery
foliage clothes bamboo like stems, which
are topped in late summer with open golden
umbels. Stems, foliage and seeds are all edible.
DIGITALIS PURPUREA VAR. ALBIFLORA
A short-lived perennial with deep pink to
white flowering stems appearing from the
second year. Prefers semi-shade to sun on
rich soils. Reaches up to 2m.
Need help creating your perfect Renaissance garden? Visit www.bradstone.com/assured
09
SUGGESTED PLAN
RENAISSANCE GARDEN
THIS GARDEN IS DESIGNED TO BE A FORMAL RETREAT, IDEAL TO
ENTERTAIN FRIENDS OR JUST RELAX WITH A GOOD BOOK
The low clipped hedges keep the garden looking good year round and a wealth of
flowering plants really creates that summer haven. Be sure to be almost carefree about
your planting to evoke the naturalistic feel which will contrast the elegant paving so well.
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Both of the trees used in the garden
are the Alnus cordata (Italian alder).
With its large glossy leaves, this makes
a wonderful statement tree.
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NEED MORE PLANTING OPTIONS?
At certain times throughout the year, Paul will be online via our
Facebook and Twitter pages to answer general questions
and offer advice on his garden designs. There will also be
seasonal advice on Paul’s blog at www.bradstone.com – so
follow and like us on Facebook and Twitter to keep up to date.
bradstoneuk
@bradstoneuk
TREES (NOT NUMBERED)
The multi-stem trees have been
selected to create movement and
character in the garden. They have
interesting coloured bark and good
autumn colour giving more than one
season of interest.
With the trees Paul has also used
a large shrub or small growing tree,
Ficus, in a sunny position. This Italian
favourite should reward you with
delicious figs throughout late summer.
CLIPPED HEDGING
The Renaissance Garden uses a low
clipped hedge to define the planting
borders. Paul suggests clipping it at
20cm width and 40cm height. Buxus
sempervirens, common box, is the
best plant to use for this but if you live
in an area plagued with box blight try
an alternative such as Ilex crenata.
BORDER PLANTS
Paul has used a mixture of evergreen
flowering shrubs for year round interest
and herbaceous perennials which
whilst reliable and hardy in the UK are
all native to Italy giving the garden a
truly Mediterranean feel.
HERBACEOUS AND SHRUBS
The shrubs used in this garden
range from hard working evergreen
spring flowering Pittosporum to dark
leaved roses.
1 Pittosporum tobira
2 Rosa glauca
3 Lavendula ‘Purple Emperor’
And by using a wealth of
Mediterranean perennials it gives
the garden a long season of interest.
Plants like fennel and globe artichoke
can be used in cookery, giving the
planting an extra dimension.
4 Cynara cardunculus
5 Sanguisorba minor
6 Sesleria autumnalis
7 Achillea millefolium
8 Foeniculum vulgare
9 Salvia pratensis
10 Geranium pheaum
11 Digitalis purpurea, sow this
plant randomly for a natural
effect.
Follow the colour guides and add your own individuality to your garden:
www.rhs.org.uk/plants and www.bbc.co.uk/gardening
Need help creating your perfect Renaissance garden? Visit www.bradstone.com/assured
10
THE DESIGNER FEEL
RENAISSANCE GARDEN
TO CREATE A GARDEN THAT REALLY PORTRAYS YOUR PERSONALITY
WHILST FOLLOWING THE STYLE OF THE RENAISSANCE PERIOD
Use a wealth of ornaments, statues and brightly coloured features all of which
recall the grandeur of Ancient Rome.
ROMANTIC RENAISSANCE
Existing
boundary walls
painted rich
dusky pinks
will add a real
Mediterranean
flavour to the
whole scheme.
ITALIAN GRANDEUR
Adding classical elements
such as sculpture will give
a sense of Italian grandeur
to the whole garden.
ROMANTIC RENAISSANCE
MIX AND MATCH
Hanging lanterns and wall
sconces add a sense of
romantic Renaissance
opulence to terraced areas.
If space allows,
incorporate potted
plants and nursery
stands to one of the
paved areas to create
seasonal interest.
In summer fill with
geraniums and then
replace with winter
pansies for a splash
of colour.
A SPLASH OF COLOUR
THE UNEXPECTED
Mix and match odd tables
and chairs to give an informal
feel which nods its head at
the idea of layered history.
Creating visual interest with
a mix and match approach
will make a feature out of
garden furniture.
Touches such as these mirrored
stools provide a sense of the
unexpected and bring a sense
of humour to the garden. The
Renaissance garden was about
fun, entertaining and showing
off your good taste, so go for
something a little unusual here
and there.
If you want this look but don’t want to do it yourself visit:
www.bradstone.com/assured
Need help creating your perfect Renaissance garden? Visit www.bradstone.com/assured
11
HOW TO...
RENAISSANCE GARDEN
THE GARDEN THAT PAUL HAS DESIGNED, AND ALL THE CONTENT PRESENTED
IN THIS PACK, IS BASED ON A GARDEN APPROXIMATELY 5M WIDE AND 7M LONG.
The quantities below fit this garden size, and are relative to the paving option on page 07, so please remember
that you will need to increase your product and plant quantities if your garden is larger than 5m x 7m.
EQUIPMENT YOU WILL NEED
Cement mixer
*
Tape measure
*
Shovel
*
Gloves
*
Pointing trowel
*
Wheelbarrow
*
Turf
*
Brush
*
String line
*
Compost
*
Compactor
*
Rubber mallet
*
Spirit level
*
PAVING LIST
Smooth Natural Sandstone paving (Dune) 600 x 600 – 1 pack
*
Smooth Natural Sandstone paving (Dune) – 1 pack
*
Decorative Aggregates – Harvest Gold 20mm
*
Cement
*
Building sand
*
Sharp sand
*
All in one ballast
*
Plasticiser
*
ESSENTIAL PLANTING LIST
Pittosporum tobira
*
Rosa glauca
*
Lavendula ‘Purple Emperor’
*
Cynara cardunculus
*
Sanguisorba minor
*
Sesleria autumnalis
*
NEED MORE PLANTING OPTIONS?
At certain times throughout the year, Paul will be online via our Facebook and Twitter pages to answer
general questions and offer advice on his garden designs. There will also be seasonal advice on Paul’s
blog at www.bradstone.com – so follow and like us on Facebook and Twitter to keep up to date.
Achillea millefolium
*
Foeniculum vulgare
*
Salvia pratensis
*
Geranium pheaum
*
Digitalis purpurea
*
bradstoneuk
@bradstoneuk
Need help creating your perfect Renaissance garden? Visit www.bradstone.com/assured
12
HOW TO...
RENAISSANCE GARDEN
WE KNOW THAT ALL GARDENS AREN’T 5M X 7M, SO USE THIS HANDY GRID
TO PLAN YOUR OWN GARDEN.
Recreate all the measurements of your garden over the top of Paul’s design and use this
as the guide to how paving and other elements fit the space you have to work with.
1 square = 1 metre
Need help creating your perfect Renaissance garden? Visit www.bradstone.com/assured