Released On 22nd Aug 2025

Modern Meets Classic – The Humble Knot Garden

There’s something timeless about a garden that blends artistry with nature. For centuries, knot gardens have woven together beauty, fragrance, and function—once the pride of grand English estates, they’re now finding a new life in contemporary homes. These intricate, geometric plantings may look like they belong to the pages of history, but in truth, they’re just as relevant today. With their balance of tradition and modern practicality, knot gardens offer a chance to transform an outdoor space into a living work of art—one that delights the senses, provides year-round structure, and even serves up fresh herbs for the kitchen.

What is a Knot Garden?

Knot gardens were first popular in 16th Century England, filling garden estates with richly patterned, formal designed crafted from aromatic herbs and low hedges. To get this look, residents would lay our square frames in interwoven patterns to plant in. The patterns often resemble embroidery or Celtic knotwork. Originally, fragrant herbs like rosemary, thyme, lavender, germander, chamomile and mallow would be clipped into the knot outlines, while the spaces in between were filled with sand, gravel, low hedging or more flowing herbs. By the late 17th Century, boxwood had become the preferred edging plant for knot gardens, thanks to its evergreen nature and how easy it is to maintain.

Early knot gardens were both decorative and practical. They served as outdoor pantries. A way to organise culinary and medicinal hers in an accessible, compact layout that kept them as fresh as possible. In fact, many knot gardens still serve this purpose, providing fresh herbs for meals every day.

Why Knot Gardens Work for Contemporary Homes

We believe that knot gardens don’t just belong in the grounds of historical manor houses. Their beauty can become a living, breathing focal point that fits effortlessly into more modern domestic landscapes. Combining precise geometry with rich textures, scents and easy maintenance, if you love tradition and creativity, they’re the perfect option for you.

Imagine stepping into your garden and being greeted by a living tapestry, with each clipped line and scented leaf drawing you in. A knot garden can be surprisingly versatile, providing:

Visual drama: The intricate woven design creates a stunning display that’s different from all angles, including porches, patios, balconies and upstairs windows.

Sensory delights: Clipped herb like lavender and safe give off gorgeous scents all year round, and are great for garden wildlife.

Year-round structure: With evergreen shrubs like boxwood giving it form, your knot garden keeps its elegance even during the harsh winters.

Fresh food: If you’re handy in the kitchen, a knot garden is the perfect way to grow culinary herbs in an aesthetically pleasing way. Blend beauty with function, and never pay for dried up herbs from the supermarket again!

Designing Your Knot Garden With Us

If you’re not sure how a knot garden would work in your setup, of if you want to see how the process would work, here’s a rough example of how we create knot gardens:

Step 1: Vision and Pattern. We’ll work with you to develop a distinctive knot pattern. Whether it’s the classic interlaced squares, a Celtic-inspired design or something completely unique, we’ll sketch you up something special.

Step 2: Materials and Edging. Choose from traditional boxwood for structure, or opt for herbs like germander, lavender or santolina for a softer, scented outline.

Step 3: Infilling. Whether you prefer gravel, seasonal annuals or flowering herbs, we select minerals that complement both the shape and your taste.

Step 4: Plant Palette. We’ll tailor the plant mix for your garden’s light and soil, as well as your maintenance needs. Fine textures, colourful contrasts and fragrant foliage will form the core of your design.

Step 5: Hard and Soft Landscaping. Precision is our hallmark. From drawing plans and laying edging to planting and maintenance, we deliver a finished design we know you’ll love.

Ready to Knot Up Your Garden?

If you're intrigued by the idea of a knot garden—whether as a heritage feature, sensory corner, or clever culinary design—CMA Garden Design is here to bring it to life. With over 20 years' experience in crafting bespoke spaces that captivate and inspire, we welcome your visions and transform them into something beautiful and timeless.