What Is a Parterre? Formal Beds Laid Out in a Pattern
A parterre is a formal garden of flat beds set out in a pattern and edged by low clipped hedges. None of the sources defines the parterre by name, so the notes below cover the hedge plants plus pruning it relies on.
The short answer
A parterre uses low clipped hedges to outline beds in a pattern. Iowa State Extension lists boxwood, barberry, inkberry plus alpine currant for hedges under 5 feet. NC State notes boxwood can form a narrow hedge or topiary. Prune 2 to 4 times a season plus shape hedges narrower at the top.
Which shrubs suit a parterre?
| Shrub | Note | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Boxwood | Narrow hedge or topiary | NC State |
| Barberry | Small hedge under 5 feet | Iowa State |
| Inkberry | Small hedge under 5 feet | Iowa State |
| Japanese privet | Fast growing, pruning tolerant | NC State |
Source: Iowa State plus NC State.
How do you shape parterre hedges?
Iowa State notes a formal hedge should be narrower at the top than the bottom. This shape lets light reach lower leaves, giving a dense hedge. The Iowa State glossary defines topiary as pruning plants into formal shapes.
How to: step by step
- Draw the pattern on paper.
- Mark bed lines on the ground.
- Set small hedge shrubs along each line.
- Fill the beds with flowers, herbs or gravel.
- Shear hedges 2 to 4 times a season.
Troubleshooting
Bare lower limbs: top wider than base. Shape the hedge narrower at the top.
Hedge outgrows its lines: wrong shrub. Iowa State notes privet under 3 feet needs frequent pruning.
Leaf spots on boxwood: NC State notes boxwood blight plus leaf spot diseases.
Read planning an outdoor cannabis garden layout, garden microclimates for cannabis plus companion plants when growing marijuana. Kind Seed Co also stocks cannabis seeds.
Sources
- Buxus sempervirens (common boxwood), NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
- How to prune formal hedges, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach
- Glossary of garden terms, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach
- Ligustrum japonicum (Japanese privet), NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
FAQ
What shrub is used most in a parterre?
Boxwood is a common choice. NC State notes it can form a narrow hedge plus stay short through pruning.
When should I prune parterre hedges?
Iowa State notes early spring is the time to begin pruning evergreen hedges, with 2 to 4 prunings in the growing season.
Why should hedges be narrower at the top?
Iowa State notes the shape lets sunlight reach the lower branches for a full hedge. It also sheds snow.
How much sun does boxwood need?
The NC State plant page lists full sun, with good drainage, for common boxwood.
What is topiary?
The Iowa State glossary defines topiary as a method of pruning plants into formal shapes.
