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There’s a quiet secret tucked into many classic New England yards that can instantly lift a simple plot into a polished, storybook garden. It’s not just the white picket fence or the hydrangeas—this old-world layout gives small spaces an elegant, ordered charm. Read on to learn how to bring that timeless New England look to your own backyard.
What is the parterre and why it suits New England gardens
Parterre design began in late-16th-century France and traveled to England the following century. Colonists later adapted its formal patterns in America. At its heart, parterre is about symmetry and clear geometry. Paths divide beds. Low hedges or edging create crisp shapes. Gravel or decomposed granite defines those walkways, giving a neat contrast to plant textures.
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In New England, the parterre idea is softened for a cozier aesthetic. Beds might be edged with wooden boards instead of clipped boxwood. The layout still signals order, but the palette and scale suit historic homes and cottage plots. Look to places like Salem for local examples of this restrained, colonial-era influence.
Landscape principles parterre delivers for modern yards
Parterre brings six core design principles into one package. Use them to create balance and visual calm in your plot.
- Balance — mirror beds across a central line.
- Focalization — place a statue, birdbath, or topiary at the center.
- Simplicity — repeat shapes and plants to reduce visual noise.
- Rhythm and line — paths guide the eye through the garden.
- Proportion — scale beds and paths to match your house and lawn.
- Unity — use materials that tie the composition together.
These ideas make parterre flexible. It works in large estates and tiny urban backyards alike. The result reads as both historic and fresh.
Garden plants and hardscape that thrive in New England
Traditional parterre uses clipped hedges. In New England, choose varieties that resist cold and disease.
- Winter Gem boxwood (Buxus microphylla var. japonica) — hardy and less prone to blight.
- Dwarf hollies or yews — good for clipped outlines where boxwood struggles.
- Lavender, thyme, and rosemary — aromatic low borders for sunlit beds.
- Native perennials — coneflowers, sedum, and asters for pollinators and seasonal color.
- Hydrangeas — for that classic New England bloom near fences and walls.
- Climbing roses or clematis — trained over an arbor to mark an entrance.
Hardscape choices are equally important. Consider gravel paths, reclaimed brick, or narrow bluestone for walkways. Use low wood or metal edging to keep soil and mulch tidy.
Step-by-step: Building a parterre for your backyard
- Measure the space and sketch a simple grid or mirrored layout.
- Choose a central anchor: a circle, statue, or raised planter.
- Mark paths with string and temporarily lay down pavers or mulch to test flow.
- Install edging to define beds and protect roots.
- Prepare soil, add compost, and set plants in repeating patterns.
- Lay a durable path surface such as gravel or compacted decomposed granite.
- Add finishes: a small arbor, bench, or lantern to enhance the New England feel.
Small gardens benefit from scaled-down parterre motifs. Even one mirrored bed with a stepping path delivers the effect.
Year-round care tips to preserve the classic look
- Prune hedges lightly in late spring and again in early fall.
- Rotate flower varieties to keep beds full and pest-resistant.
- Mulch paths and beds to suppress weeds and protect roots.
- Monitor for boxwood blight and replace vulnerable varieties with hardier options.
- Water deeply but infrequently to encourage robust root systems.
- Protect tender plants with burlap or mulch during severe winters.
With modest maintenance, a parterre keeps its tidy lines and seasonal interest for years. The payoff is a backyard that feels distinctly New England—elegant, historic, and welcoming.
