Take your cue from the base elements of a classic French garden, when designing yours – and then feel free to break the rules to suit your budget, garden size and personal style.

Goose-foot
A term given to the circular feature at the junction of several allées, which are splayed out like a web from that point.

Potager Garden
The potager garden is the French answer to combining form and function. Basically an ornamental veggie garden positioned close to the kitchen door. The plants are chosen for both their edible and ornamental natures, and put together in such a way that it looks pretty while still providing food for the household. Many different designs are used, some similar to knot gardens, some with repetitive patterns or symmetrical shapes, some simply following the traditional cottage garden design.

Water Features
Water features are intrinsic to French garden design, and can be brought into any garden, regardless of style or size. While wall-mounted stone fountains are typically French, a pond, pool or even elaborate birdbath can also do the trick.

Source: Home magazine