How to Have the Italian Villa Look in Your Backyard

Geometry

• Hedging defines the garden's structure, framing both the inner garden and the vista beyond. Think of clean lines and geometric forms -- squares, rectangles, right angles -- to bring balance and formality of structure. Hedges work as living walls to define boundaries and pathways with distinct form. Choose plants that shear well, and maintain your hedge's refined, geometric shape. Hardy boxwood varieties such as Northern Charm boxwood (Buxus "Wilson" Northern Charm), hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) plant hardiness zones 4b through 8, are options for a formal, villa-style hedge.

Symmetry

• A central axis of symmetry defines and divides the garden space. A broad, neatly edged pathway echoes the promenades of Italy and their essential contribution to villa design. Make the pathway wide and roomy, drawing visitors into the garden yet encouraging pauses along the way. This central path should divide the garden into perfectly matching, symmetrical sides. Pea gravel was and still is the preferred material for this path. Keep the lines clean and straight to fool the eye and make the space seem larger than it truly is. Create a destination at the head of the axis. For example, a stone garden bench for privacy and contemplation contributes both balance and peace.

Vertical Elements

• Vertical interest further defines and refines the villa look. Use stone finials or living topiary sculptures to mark walkways and accent corners. Spiraling topiaries of green columnar juniper (Juniperus chinensis "Hetzii Columnaris"), hardy in USDA zones 4 thorough 9, further enhance formal garden lines. Define outer borders with columnar trees such as Tiny Tower Italian cypress (Cupressus sempervirens "Monshel" Tiny Tower), hardy in USDA zones 7 through 10, or "Skyrocket" juniper (Juniperus scopulorum "Skyrocket"), hardy in USDA zones 4 through 9. Flank the head of the path with touches of color from a Meyer's lemon tree (Citrus x meyeri "Meyer"), hardy in USDA zones 9 through 11. Use classic containers of aged stone or antiqued terracotta, and take the lemon tree inside if your winter climate demands.

Water

• Water provides a focal point in a villa garden through both placement and sound, adding to the rhythm of villa garden design. Central fountains, either inside the hedged rooms or at the garden's center, provide focus and bring movement to the surrounding formality. Quiet fish pools at their base or hidden in a far corner as a lovely surprise add to this vital element by bringing order to nature and expanding the sensory experience of a villa garden.

Flowers

• Lush, refined greens and grays dominate villa gardens. Yet within the established framework, some freedoms with flowers and color exist. Repetition and order are essential. Limit the number of different kinds of plants, and use them minimally for the best effect, always mirroring one side of the garden with the other side. Plants such as lavender (Lavandula angustifolia), perennial in USDA zones 5 through 8, German iris or common flag (Iris germanica), hardy in USDA zones 3 through 10, and miniature shrub roses such as Scentsational (Rosa "Savamor" Scentsational), hardy in USDA zones 5 through 9, add classic touches within the hedge-lined rooms. Bring softness to formality by underplanting topiary with trailing annuals to spill over its planter's rim, and enjoy the harmonious balance of order and beauty in the spirit of Italian villa gardens.