Knot garden
A formal garden pattern of interlaced low hedges in a square frame
A knot garden is a formal garden design made with clipped herbs or low hedges arranged in intricate, interwoven patterns inside a square border. Originating in 16th-century England, it was often placed near manor houses so the layout could be admired from above.
- First appeared in England in the early 1500s
- Designed to be viewed from upper-story windows
- Originally made with scented herbs, not boxwood
- Patterns copied from embroidery design books
- Featured in Shakespeare's Love's Labour's Lost
What is Knot garden?
A knot garden features tightly clipped low-growing plants arranged in geometric, interlacing bands within a square outline. The gaps between the lines are filled with gravel, stone, sand, or flowering plants. Some designs appear to weave over and under, called 'closed' knots, while others use separate bands known as 'open' knots.
Where does Knot garden come from?
The idea emerged in England during the Tudor period, influenced by Italian Renaissance gardens and medieval decorative arts like embroidery and metalwork. Early references appear in a 1499 Italian book, and knot motifs may reflect Christian symbolism, with the square frame representing heaven on earth.
How Knot garden is made
Originally planted with fragrant herbs like thyme and rosemary, knot gardens were shaped by frequent clipping. By the late 1600s, boxwood replaced many herbs for its dense, evergreen form. Designs were often copied from pattern books and laid out close to buildings for viewing from upper windows.
When and where Knot garden is used
These gardens were status symbols in elite English estates, especially near manor houses. They served both ornamental and practical purposes, supplying culinary and aromatic herbs. Today, restored examples appear in historic gardens and public sites across temperate regions worldwide.
Forms of Knot garden
Early versions used only herbs and avoided boxwood, which became common only in the 17th century. 'Closed' knots mimicked woven bands, while 'open' styles left space for colorful blooms. Over time, French parterre styles blended with traditional knots until the distinction faded.
What Knot garden means
Knot gardens reflect Renaissance ideals of order and symmetry. Their patterns echo medieval Christian art and Tudor embroidery. Though the term once overlapped with 'parterre', it now specifically denotes interlaced English-style layouts. Shakespeare even mentioned one in 'Love’s Labour’s Lost'.
The flowers of Knot garden
Questions people ask about Knot garden
Where did knot gardens originate?
They originated in 16th-century England, influenced by Italian Renaissance garden styles and medieval decorative knot motifs.
What plants were traditionally used?
Traditional plants included aromatic herbs like thyme, rosemary, marjoram, and hyssop; boxwood was not used until the 17th century.
Why were they placed near houses?
They were sited close to manor houses so residents and guests could view the intricate patterns from upper-floor windows.
What’s the difference between open and closed knots?
Closed knots have bands that appear interwoven; open knots use separate bands that do not seem to cross over each other.
Are knot gardens still made today?
Yes, modern restorations exist in formal gardens worldwide, including in England, New Zealand, and the United States.
Good reading and sources
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Knot garden", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). Phool rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.
It may contain mistakes. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-03.
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