english garden

An English garden is a style of garden in the form of an idealized landscape. Its plan is asymmetrical and naturalistic, often with flowing lines, undulating lawns, ponds, and irregular groves of trees. English gardens are often contrasted with the formality of Renaissance and Baroque gardens.

The apparent naturalness is deliberately arranged. Flowing lines, changes of level, and irregular tree groups can form a planned landscape rather than an untouched natural area.

A formal garden instead emphasizes geometric organization. The contrast concerns the plan and visual arrangement, rather than whether either garden is maintained.