VIDEO: A Formal Garden Tour with Summer Rayne Oakes

In this garden tour, Summer Rayne Oakes takes us somewhere unexpected. Tucked down a quiet dirt road at the edge of forest and estuary is a formal garden designed by Serge Brunner, a third-generation member of the Espoma Organic family. Inspired by the grandeur and symmetry of Longwood Gardens, Serge reimagined an overgrown landscape into a thoughtfully designed retreat filled with clipped hedges, native statuary, water features, and moments of surprise. While the style leans formal, the philosophy is rooted in patience, soil health, and letting the garden evolve naturally over time. Maintaining long-term plant health in a garden like this relies on building strong soil with organic inputs such as Espoma Organic plant foods and soil amendments.

Garden Design & Maintenance Takeaways from Serge’s Garden

1. Reimagine Overgrown Landscapes Instead of Letting Them Hide Your Home

One of the most common landscaping mistakes Serge sees is ignoring foundation plantings for decades. When shrubs and hedges outgrow their space, it’s an opportunity to step back and reimagine rather than simply trim. Renovation can restore balance and highlight your home again.

2. Symmetry Creates Calm and Intention

This garden relies on mirror images, straight lines, and repeated plantings to create structure. Formal gardens may look precise, but they require consistency and healthy plants to maintain that crisp look. Feeding hedges and shrubs with an organic plant food like Espoma Organic Plant-tone helps support steady, manageable growth without harsh flushes.

3. Feed the Soil for Long-Term Success

A garden that’s evolved over 35 years depends on healthy soil biology. Organic fertilizers improve soil structure over time, helping plants develop stronger root systems and better resilience. This is especially important for clipped boxwood, holly hedges, and ornamental trees.

4. Choose Native and Deer-Resistant Plants

With a resident deer population, every plant in this garden was chosen carefully. Serge relies on deer-resistant plants such as hollies, boxwood, and lantana to maintain color and structure. Feeding acid-loving plants with Espoma Organic Holly-tone helps keep foliage healthy and supports long-term performance.

5. Embrace Art and Serendipity

Sculptures, statuary, and even a reclaimed tree turned into a wildlife totem add personality throughout the space. Gardens don’t need to be rigid. A mix of planning and happy accidents often leads to the most memorable results.

6. Remember That a Garden Is Never Finished

Perhaps the most important takeaway: gardens are always evolving. As plants mature, light changes, and new needs arise, adjustments are part of the process. Organic gardening supports this slow, natural progression, feeding plants as they need it rather than forcing quick results.

A Garden Built on Time, Patience, and Healthy Soil

This formal garden may look polished today, but it’s the result of decades of observation, thoughtful plant choices, and soil-first gardening practices. Whether your style is formal or naturalistic, building healthy soil with Espoma Organic plant foods sets the foundation for a garden that grows better with time.

Ready to start your own long-term garden transformation? Watch the full video for inspiration, explore Espoma Organic plant foods, and let’s get growing naturally. 🌱