Restoration of the Bosquets
What is a Bosquet?
A bosquet is a group of trees and shrubs planted in a line or geometric shape.
They are surrounded by hedges and paths of gravel.
In the early 18th century this French gardening style was very fashionable in England.
In the early 18th century this French gardening style was very fashionable in England.
What are we doing?
Studley Royal Water Garden is one of the few formal landscape gardens from the
early 18th century to survive in its original design. One of the features of this
designed landscape is the striking shaped embankments and yew hedges which surround
the ponds, canals and follies.
Aislabie created views and drives which were cleverly framed and enclosed by the definitive lines of the Bosquets. Over the years, these clear lines have become overgrown and disappeared almost completely.
We want to recreate these important elements of Aislabie’s garden. Over the next
three to four years we will be surveying the garden and producing detailed plans
which will help us decide which trees will stay, where we need to replant and
which trees will need to be removed.
The first stage of work will begin this winter on the section of garden next
to the canal near the Rustic Bridge. We'll be digging out the old trees and preparing
the ground for the new planting.
We would like to keep as many of the original trees as possible. The replacement yew trees are being grown at a local nursery until they are approximately 2m in height and ready to be planted in the garden in spring 2013.
We hope that the work we are doing today will survive in the garden for the next
300 years.
If you would like to find out more about the project, email us.
