How to Plant a Victorian Garden

Victorian-style gardens evoke a sense of elegance and timelessness that can elevate any backyard. Popular from 1837 to 1901, these gardens were commonly known for their symmetry, formal layouts, and lush plants. In this guide, we’ll explore how to design and plant a Victorian garden that complements your home. Follow along as landscape designer Jenn Nawada demonstrates in the video above.

Planning Your Victorian Garden

Victorian gardens are characterized by their structured design and attention to detail in both layout and plant choice, so you’ll need to plan carefully before getting started.

Choosing a Layout

Victorian gardens typically feature symmetrical designs with formal paths, geometric shapes, and defined borders. When planning your layout, consider your home’s architecture and existing outdoor features. Additionally, check that any paths or walkways are wide enough for easy access and maintenance.

Selecting Plants

Victorian gardens have diverse plant selections. Some popular choices include azaleas, boxwoods, hydrangeas, lilacs, perennials, roses, and viburnums. For this project, Nawada used green mountain boxwoods, green velvet boxwoods, limelight hydrangeas, viburnums, rose of sharons, and azaleas.

You should pick plants that can grow in your climate and soil conditions, though mixing evergreen shrubs with flowering plants will help give your garden year-round color.

Adding Decorative Elements

To fill your garden with Victorian-style pieces, you can also add arbors and trellises, birdbaths, cast iron or wooden benches, or urns and flower pots.

Preparing the Garden Bed for Your Victorian Garden

Once you have a plan, it’s time to prepare the garden bed. This step sets the foundation for a healthy garden, Victorian-style or otherwise.

Marking the Garden Boundaries

Use a garden hose or rope to outline the shape of your garden bed. Nawada recommends playing off features of your house and allowing the garden to extend away from the foundation for added depth. Once you’re satisfied with the shape, use spray paint to mark the lines.

Removing Grass and Weeds

With the boundaries marked, you can start to clear the area. Use a grub hoe to remove grass and weeds within the marked area. For clean edges, use an edging shovel to cut along the marked lines. Remove all vegetation and roots to create a clean space for planting.

Improving Soil Quality

Before planting, test your soil to determine its pH and nutrient levels. Add organic matter, such as compost, to enrich the soil. If necessary, adjust the soil pH using lime or sulfur. Loosen the soil to a depth of at least a foot to help the roots grow easier.

Planting Your Victorian Garden

Now, you’re ready to start planting. Follow these steps for healthy plant growth.

Arranging Plants

Before digging any holes, arrange your plants in their pots according to your design plan. This allows you to visualize the final layout and make any necessary adjustments. Alternating plant heights and colors creates symmetry and balance in the garden design.

Planting Techniques

Make sure to space your plants adequately to give them room to grow while maintaining good structure. When you’re ready to plant:

1. Dig holes twice as wide and about as deep as each plant’s root ball.
2. Gently remove plants from their containers and loosen the roots.
3. Place the plant in the hole, checking that it’s at the same depth as it was in the pot.
4. Backfill with a mixture of existing soil and compost.
5. Water thoroughly to help settle the soil around the roots.

Adding Finishing Touches

To complete your Victorian garden, take these steps:

1. Apply 2–3 inches of mulch around plants to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
2. Install edging materials, such as stone or metal, to define the boundaries of your garden.
3. Add decorative elements like trellises, arbors, or statuary.
4. Add lighting to your pathways and focal points to illuminate your garden in the evening.

Maintaining Your Victorian Garden

It’s important to maintain your garden to keep the plants healthy and taken care of. Here are some guidelines.

Pruning and Shaping

Regular pruning helps to maintain the formal structure of a Victorian garden. Regularly deadhead flowers to encourage continuous blooming and trim hedges and topiaries to keep their shape. Prune shrubs and trees to control size and promote healthy growth.

Watering and Fertilizing

Proper watering and fertilization will keep your garden lush and vibrant. Water deeply and less frequently for deeper root growth and adjust watering schedules based on rainfall and seasonal needs. Use a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in spring and fall so your plants can meet all their nutrient requirements.

Seasonal Care

Victorian gardens require attention throughout the year. In the spring, clean up winter debris, prune, and plant any annuals you want in your garden. In summer, deadhead flowers, water regularly to prevent drying out, and control pests as you notice them.

In fall, plant bulbs, clean up leaves, and prepare for winter, which includes protecting sensitive plants. Adding seasonal annuals and bulbs will help your garden to have vibrant colors throughout the entire year.

Pests and Diseases

Regularly inspect your plants for signs of pests or diseases as early detection can prevent widespread issues. Use organic or chemical treatments as needed, and keep your plants spaced properly for better airflow to reduce the risk of fungal diseases.

Soil Health

Add organic matter and mulch regularly to maintain soil health. Healthy soil promotes quicker plant growth and reduces the likelihood of disease.

Incorporating Victorian Garden Features

Victorian gardens include a variety of features that can add functionality and enjoyment to your new garden space.

Garden Paths and Walkways

Develop formal garden paths using materials such as brick, gravel, or stone. These paths provide structure to the garden layout and guide you through the space. Walkways can be straight, reflecting the garden’s symmetry, or gently winding for a more unique route.

Focal Points and Ornaments

Incorporate focal points to draw the eye and add interest, such as fountains, gazebos, or sundials. Placing a few of these elements throughout your garden brings the overall design together and provides breaks between the plants to give them space to grow.

Seating Areas in Your Garden

Create inviting seating areas where you can relax and enjoy your garden. Consider cast iron benches, wooden garden seats, or wicker chairs. We suggest positioning these seating areas under trellises or pergolas for added shade and comfort.

Garden Water Features

Water features add tranquility to your garden. Options include birdbaths, ponds, or small waterfalls. These features can attract wildlife and provide a peaceful environment in your garden.

Garden Lighting

Incorporate garden lighting to highlight pathways, focal points, and seating areas. Solar-powered lights are an eco-friendly option that can illuminate your garden in the evenings.

Container Gardening

Container gardening is another way to add color and interest. You can use decorative pots, hanging baskets, or window boxes to hold seasonal flowers. They’re also easy to move to change your garden’s look on a whim.

Climbing Plants

Use trellises and arbors to support climbing plants such as clematis, ivy, and wisteria. These plants grow vertically and create lush, green walls that align with Victorian-style gardens while also providing a shaded area.