We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Gardening

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What is a Bosquet?

By Angie Bates
Updated: May 16, 2024
Views: 8,787
Share

A bosquet is a type of ornamental French garden that consists entirely of evenly spaced trees. Bosquets were popular in formal gardens during the French Renaissance and were not well known in America until approximately 1970. They are said to symbolize order and harmony. The word "bosquet" comes from the Italian word bosco, meaning wood.

The first instance of the term "bosquet" referring to a garden was recorded in 1572 in a document discussing the creation of a garden at a famous manor house, or chateau. Consisting of identical species, bosquets must have at least five trees. The trees are arranged in straight lines, usually creating a square. Often pairs of bosquets would flank a walking path, the overhead branches blending together to provide a canopy-like shade.

In French Baroque gardens, bosquets were considered a necessary element. These gardens were normally seen around palaces and other expensive structures. The palace in Versailles, France has one of the most famous bosquet gardens on its grounds.

The branches of a bosquet's trees are removed from the lower parts of the trunks in order to accentuate the uniformity of the trees. Using native trees was an important consideration in traditional bosquets, so linden, hazel trees, and hornbeam were popular choices in France. The gardens were originally paved with gravel, but once the lawn mower was invented, bosquets began to simply have grass underneath the trees.

A simple bosquet may consist only of a small stand of trees, but the more elaborate gardens had complicated designs or large groves with enclosed areas, or cabinets, to allow guests privacy. These areas usually have a curved path as an access point with trellis-framed entrances. Cabinets also might contain decorative elements. A single tree or a statue might be placed in the center of the cabinet, or the area may be lined with flowers.

Checkerboard patterns were also an option for larger gardens. Cabinets containing artwork would alternate with squares of trees. Paths through the garden would border these sections. Smaller trees were also sometimes planted around the bosquet to encourage birds to nest and give the garden a more natural element.

Though bosquets fell out of style in Europe the 19th century, they made a comeback in the 20th. Around 1970, bosquets were introduced to the United States and were planted in front of the Metropolitan Museum in New York City. Paris also still maintains some of its bosquets, many set in gravel.

Share
HomeQuestionsAnswered is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Discussion Comments
Share
https://www.homequestionsanswered.com/what-is-a-bosquet.htm
Copy this link
HomeQuestionsAnswered, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

HomeQuestionsAnswered, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.