Cultivating a French Garden

Check out our feature in the National Association of Landscape Professionals Digital Magazine! We couldn’t be prouder of our outstanding maintenance team for their dedication and expertise in managing this incredible site. Click the link to read the full article and see their hard work in action!

Written By:
Matt Olson
Matt Olson is a freelancer for NALP

https://blog.landscapeprofessionals.org/landscapes-of-the-month-cultivating-a-french-garden/

For over a decade, this French-style home in Raleigh, North Carolina, has been complimented by elegant gardens. In the front yard, a parterre garden sets a formal look that continues around the home and reflects the owners’ unique desires. Myatt Landscaping and Construction, based in Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina, has grown and enhanced this landscape since 2011, earning them a 2024 Gold Award of Excellence.

“My team and I are very honored to have won,” says Edwin Nichols, account manager with Myatt. “We take pride in our work, and it’s amazing to be part of a team that knows what it takes to win a Gold Award of Excellence. Misael, Jorge, and Jason are due the credit. They ensure this site stays pruned and have the eye for detail to maintain such a formal landscape.”

The main feature of this property is the boxwood hedges, which are pruned on a four-week rotation during the summer. A weekly visit to the property includes a 3-person maintenance crew.

“Misael, our crew leader at this site, has been with us for 15 years and does an incredible job managing this site,” Nichols says. “Our floriculture team also visits periodically to help with annual maintenance.”

As boxwood blight continues to spread, the team closely monitors these hedges.

“We have partnered with Bartlett Tree Experts, who evaluate this boxwood-heavy site three times per year,” Nichols says. “They treat as needed with soil drenches to keep boxwood blight and other boxwood issues at bay. We have seen root rot issues on a few boxwoods, so we’ve replaced those with hollies.”

In summer, the owner holds many events on the property, requiring the landscape to always be at peak condition. This means frequent schedule adjustments to ensure the property is ready before the party begins. Another challenge is the summer weather, which often interrupts the weekly schedule. With the frequent changes, the team has a strategic approach to communicating with the owner.

“We text often, at least once per week,” Nichols adds. “We also have a standing monthly meeting to walk the property and discuss maintenance and possible enhancements. This allows us to discuss planned events so we can adjust the schedule to accommodate the client.”

In addition to maintenance, the Myatt team has played a major role in expanding and improving the French-style gardens.

“We’ve recently improved the drainage system and continue to add annual beds and planters,” Nichols says. “Each year, we work closely with her to budget for future projects to keep her property looking top-notch.”

While the planting style remains consistent, the owner enjoys having seasonal plants and year-round structure. Tropical plants provide a summer accent, while drifts of annuals add pops of color to the greenery. With so many boxwoods, hollies, and ivy, there’s plenty of green in winter.

This project has stood out for Edwin and his team for many years.

“This homeowner is very involved and is particular about her home, along with its improvements and maintenance,” Nichols says. “She is always complimentary of the crew, and we certainly appreciate that.”

Maintaining Formal French Gardens in the Triangle

Formal French gardens demand precision, consistency, and an exceptional level of horticultural detail. Structured parterres, clipped boxwood hedges, symmetrical layouts, and seasonal color rotations require disciplined maintenance and proactive plant health monitoring - especially in North Carolina’s humid climate.

In the Triangle, maintaining formal landscapes means addressing drainage, monitoring for boxwood blight and root issues, adjusting pruning cycles during peak growing season, and coordinating seasonal enhancements. Communication and scheduling flexibility are just as important as technical skill when properties host frequent events.

Our maintenance and horticulture teams support high-detail properties throughout Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, and surrounding communities - preserving structure, seasonal beauty, and long-term plant health.

If you own a formal or estate-style property and require meticulous maintenance, a consultation can help establish a proactive management plan tailored to your landscape.

👉 Schedule a Maintenance Consultation

Frequently Asked Questions

What defines a French-style garden?

French gardens emphasize symmetry, structured hedging, parterre layouts, clipped shrubs, and formal design elements with strong year-round structure.

How often do boxwoods need pruning in formal landscapes?

During peak growing season, boxwoods in formal settings may require pruning on a regular rotation to maintain crisp lines and defined shapes.

Is boxwood blight a concern in North Carolina?

Yes. Humid conditions can increase disease pressure, making monitoring and preventative treatment essential for boxwood-heavy properties.

Can formal gardens incorporate seasonal color?

Absolutely. Structured evergreen backdrops are often enhanced with seasonal annuals and tropical accents to provide dynamic interest throughout the year.

Why is drainage important in formal landscapes?

Improper drainage can lead to root rot and plant decline, especially in dense hedge plantings. Drainage improvements protect long-term plant health.

How important is communication in estate-level maintenance?

Clear communication and regular property reviews allow for proactive scheduling, event preparation, and continuous enhancement planning.