Everyone has their own idea of how an Italian garden is- or should be, based around formal, geometric lines (hedges) and romantic avenues of flowering plants. This of course is a fair image but to create an Italian garden one doesn't necessarily have to create an elaborate Boboli garden, Florence or a La Bagnaia garden, Rome.

An Italiante garden can easily be created using a small formal area adjacent to the house that uses formal hedges (for plant types see below) to follow and compliment the architectural lines of the house. Within this formal area one can exentuate the formality by using topiary (plants trimmed into shapes) such as spheres or elegant cones that underline an entrance, the corners or any other strategic point within that formal area.

The best, and most symbolic plants for this purpose and hedge making are Buxus sempervirens, Taxus baccata or Rosmarinus officinalis. The addition of Cupressus sempervirens (cypress tree) will pick up on strong, Tuscan nuances and will instantly suggest an Italian feel. Large terracotta vases planted with Hydrangeas, Iris or the classic red geranium will compliment the Italian nature of the garden and, again, these should be placed formally within the garden- at entrances or other important axis-points. Care should be taken when choosing materials for walls or pavements and old, re-claimed bricks are ideal for walls and simple yet clean, beige gravel is a great solution for any pathways. Flowering plants such as Gardenia jasminoides or Rhynchospernum jasminoides will fill the air with their heady scents and whisk any one who enters the garden straight off to Italy. Climbing plants such as Wisteria sinensis can be grown over pergolas or even unsightly buildings and when combined with other flowering climbers, such as roses or honeysuckle the effect can be nothing short of an Italian!

If you have space for a water feature then this again should be of a formal design and should contain flowering water lillies and Zantedeschia aethopica 'Crowsborough hill' and the sound of any running water will set the perfect Italian scene.

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