broderies en buis

English translation: box embroidery / embroidery of box hedges

GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)
French term or phrase:broderies en buis
English translation:box embroidery / embroidery of box hedges
Entered by: Tony M

09:40 May 30, 2013
French to English translations [PRO]
Botany
French term or phrase: broderies en buis
"Sur ces miroirs d'eau, Le Nôtre démultiplie à l'infini l'espace rythmé par la géométrie des margelles, celle des parterres de gazon ou de broderies en buis (trop hautes, la plupart sont à replanter)."

From: http://www.lemonde.fr/culture/article/2013/01/10/400-ans-apr...

Can anyone explain the use of "broderie" here? Thanks in advance for any help...
Philip Taylor
Local time: 01:36
box embroidery
Explanation:
When you look at Le Nôtre's fabulous gardens, the thin lines of neatly-clipped box do indeed look like embroidery — or some kind of lace.

Just look at the image on this page:

http://www.hauts-de-seine.net/actualite/domaine-de-sceaux-de...

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Note added at 12 mins (2013-05-30 09:53:10 GMT)
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Sorry, that links is truncated, here it is again, properly:

http://www.hauts-de-seine.net/actualite/domaine-de-sceaux-de...

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Note added at 16 mins (2013-05-30 09:57:00 GMT)
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This is 'poetic' language, and beautifully describes the intricate shapes found; it's just like describing an agricultural landscape as 'a patchwork of different crops'

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Note added at 18 mins (2013-05-30 09:58:58 GMT)
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In EN, we use lots of textile metaphors like this, I think it's very appropriate: 'the silver ribbon of a river weaving its way through a patchwork of fields'

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Note added at 3 days4 hrs (2013-06-02 13:51:50 GMT) Post-grading
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Asker, do please note that this type of low decorative hedging is really created using box bushes; I wouldn't recommend using 'tree', since that conveys the idea of something taller, as used for topiary, for example. I think the idea of a 2ft high 'tree' would be a little odd...

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Note added at 3 days4 hrs (2013-06-02 13:53:00 GMT) Post-grading
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'box hedges' seems to be widely used.
Selected response from:

Tony M
France
Local time: 02:36
Grading comment
My main concern was whether on not to use the literal "embroidery" in English. This has been confrimed by Tony, so I'm awarding the points in his direction. The idea of using the word "patterns" is good too, though. I prefer boxtree to box in context, so I'll probably end up with something like "boxtree embroidery patterns". Sincere thanks to everyone who contributed.
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
4 +4boxwood embroidery patterns
Jane F
4 +3box embroidery
Tony M
3 +2box knot gardens
Claire Cox
4 -1could be patchwork of boxwood, rather than embroidery
Drmanu49
3fine boxwood topiaries
Catcressie
Summary of reference entries provided
Via Wiki:
kashew

  

Answers


2 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): -1
could be patchwork of boxwood, rather than embroidery


Explanation:
IMO

Drmanu49
France
Local time: 02:36
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish, Native in FrenchFrench
PRO pts in category: 50

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
disagree  Tony M: Box is used in lines as edging, so doesn't form a patchwork as such; it may be used to outline a patchwork of other plantations, but I think 'embroidery' or 'lace' is a much more appropriate image. / Not in EN, it doesn't; maybe in FR, then?
8 mins
  -> embroidery sounds quaint... for a garden.
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12 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
fine boxwood topiaries


Explanation:
-

Catcressie
Local time: 01:36
Native speaker of: Native in FrenchFrench

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
neutral  Tony M: 'topiary' is of course the technical term for pruning shrubs into specific shapes; but I can't help feeling it is less 'imagé' here.
2 mins
  -> yes, I agree, the poetic side is somewhat lacking...
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20 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): +2
box knot gardens


Explanation:
This is what they are usually called. Box planting or box ribbons in the first example below might also work if you want to be more creative!

Topiary / Royal Horticultural Society
www.rhs.org.uk › Gardening › Advice‎
Jan 27, 2011 – The knot garden was formed from different coloured box planted in crisscrossing patterns so that it appeared that the ribbons of hedges had ...
Knot garden - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knot_garden‎
Most knot gardens now have edges made from box (Buxus sempervirens), whose leaves have a sweet smell when bruised. The paths in between are usually ...


Claire Cox
United Kingdom
Local time: 01:36
Works in field
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 39

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  GILOU
10 mins

agree  liz cencetti (X): yes, and the right term for the period too, though Le Nôtre was slightly later than Elizabeth!
16 mins

neutral  Tony M: But if you read that Wiki article, this only refers to one very specific type of garden that just happens to have box hedges (though it even says 'nowadays', implying it dodn't always). The example by Le Nôtre I cited at Sceaux is not a 'knot garden'
35 mins
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1 hr   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +4
boxwood embroidery patterns


Explanation:
From a description of the garden designed by Le Nôtre at Vaux le Vicomte :
"From the stepped terrace at the back of the house, the "frame" of the great Oriental rug-garden is delineated by white pathways punctuated with mercilessly pruned conical topiary and statues of lions and tigers, the Graces and various deities. Within those borders, low hedges weave embroidery patterns that echo the curves and angles of the house itself."



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Note added at 3 days4 hrs (2013-06-02 13:52:19 GMT) Post-grading
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The Asker's choice is almost identical to my suggestion. A good choice!


    Reference: http://www.nytimes.com/1991/10/20/magazine/palaces-and-pleas...
Jane F
France
Local time: 02:36
Native speaker of: English

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Tony M: As W/E says, the shrub is called 'box', 'boxwood' is the wood we get from it.
26 mins
  -> Thanks, I didn't know that!

agree  EirTranslations
32 mins
  -> thanks Aquamarine

agree  Alison Sabedoria (X): But I'd favour "box" rather than "boxwood" while it's still alive.
1 hr
  -> Thanks Wordeffect

agree  John Speese: I think this is on the right track; I've had the good fortune to see Le Notre (or Le Notre-style) gardens and that is indeed exactly what it looks like.
1 hr
  -> Thanks John

neutral  philgoddard: I don't see how this is different to Tony's answer.
2 hrs
  -> The difference is the addition of the word 'patterns' which is a feature typical Le Nôtre-style gardens
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11 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +3
broderies en buis
box embroidery


Explanation:
When you look at Le Nôtre's fabulous gardens, the thin lines of neatly-clipped box do indeed look like embroidery — or some kind of lace.

Just look at the image on this page:

http://www.hauts-de-seine.net/actualite/domaine-de-sceaux-de...

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 12 mins (2013-05-30 09:53:10 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

Sorry, that links is truncated, here it is again, properly:

http://www.hauts-de-seine.net/actualite/domaine-de-sceaux-de...

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 16 mins (2013-05-30 09:57:00 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

This is 'poetic' language, and beautifully describes the intricate shapes found; it's just like describing an agricultural landscape as 'a patchwork of different crops'

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 18 mins (2013-05-30 09:58:58 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

In EN, we use lots of textile metaphors like this, I think it's very appropriate: 'the silver ribbon of a river weaving its way through a patchwork of fields'

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 3 days4 hrs (2013-06-02 13:51:50 GMT) Post-grading
--------------------------------------------------

Asker, do please note that this type of low decorative hedging is really created using box bushes; I wouldn't recommend using 'tree', since that conveys the idea of something taller, as used for topiary, for example. I think the idea of a 2ft high 'tree' would be a little odd...

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 3 days4 hrs (2013-06-02 13:53:00 GMT) Post-grading
--------------------------------------------------

'box hedges' seems to be widely used.

Tony M
France
Local time: 02:36
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 12
Grading comment
My main concern was whether on not to use the literal "embroidery" in English. This has been confrimed by Tony, so I'm awarding the points in his direction. The idea of using the word "patterns" is good too, though. I prefer boxtree to box in context, so I'll probably end up with something like "boxtree embroidery patterns". Sincere thanks to everyone who contributed.

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
neutral  Drmanu49: I would agtree for the poetic language, but then parsing is wrong Tony. This is not botanics but art or poetry.
8 mins
  -> What parsing? / I haven't a clue what you're talking about, Manu?

agree  kashew: I've done my homework now - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parterre backs you up, mate.
43 mins
  -> Thanks, J!

agree  Alison Sabedoria (X)
2 hrs
  -> Thanks, W/E!

agree  philgoddard: This is horticulture rather than botany. I asked for this category to be added, but they said no
3 hrs
  -> Thanks, Phil!
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Reference comments


1 hr peer agreement (net): +2
Reference: Via Wiki:

Reference information:
Parterres are the low embellishments of gardens, which have great grace, especially when seen from an elevated position: they are made of borders of several shrubs and sub-shrubs of various colours, fashioned in different manners, as compartments, foliage, ***embroideries (passements)***, moresques, arabesques, grotesques, guilloches, rosettes, sunbursts (gloires), escutcheons, coats-of-arms, monograms and emblems (devises)
—Traité du iardinage selon les raisons de la nature et de l’art, pp 81–82 (quoted by Laird)



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Note added at 1 heure (2013-05-30 10:44:26 GMT)
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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parterre

kashew
France
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 8

Peer comments on this reference comment (and responses from the reference poster)
agree  Tony M: Precisely!
47 mins
agree  Alison Sabedoria (X)
1 hr
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