List of garden types for every style and budget

If you're looking to create a garden that suits your style and budget, there are many options to consider. A Japanese garden, for example, can be a serene and peaceful oasis, as seen in the article section on "Traditional Japanese Gardens".

For a more modern look, a contemporary garden with clean lines and minimal ornamentation might be the way to go. This style can be achieved with a minimalist approach, as mentioned in the section on "Modern Garden Design".

Whether you're a seasoned gardener or just starting out, there's a garden type to suit your needs. Consider a kitchen garden, which can provide a bounty of fresh produce right in your own backyard, as discussed in the section on "Edible Gardens".

A different take: Indoor Japanese Rock Garden

Traditional gardens are structured and divided into 'garden rooms' with hedges, walls or trellis, each with its own style or function.

They often feature a lawn, herbaceous borders, and trees, shrubs, paths, terraces, and a focal point such as a sculpture or sundial.

Colour schemes and plant combinations are carefully planned, with plants planted in threes, fives, and sevens, or in swathes.

Traditional gardens typically have a separate area for veg growing, out of sight of the house, and may include a greenhouse or shed.

I particularly liked the traditional garden at the Bath Priory Hotel when I visited in the autumn, with its formal parterre near the house and open lawn at the back.

You could argue that 'traditional garden' isn't a garden style, because it overlaps with 'formal garden' and 'English country garden'.

Traditional gardens are often filled with perennials and annuals, and may have a carefully planned layout with empty space to appreciate the features.

They may also include Asian-themed elements, but a traditional garden is not the same as a Japanese garden, which requires a specific design and balance.

A unique perspective: Formal Garden

Formal gardens are all about geometry and structure, descended from the great gardens of Europe like Versailles.

You can create a formal garden in a small space, it's not just for grand estates. A small town garden can have a single topiary-lined path, just like the great gardens of Europe have dozens of topiary-lined avenues.

Formal gardens often feature topiary, mazes, and knot gardens, along with statues or sculpture. A formal sunk garden at The Bath Priory Hotel has a raised rectangular pond and geometric topiary shapes.

Topiary shapes can be simple or complex, and they can add great winter structure to a garden. The Perry's garden features simple topiary shapes that give great structure to their garden.

Formal gardens can be made contemporary by using modern plants like box and pittosporum. A beautiful Kent garden showcases a stylish and contemporary use of box and pittosporum.

Formal gardens don't have to be historic, they can be modern and geometric. It's all about creating a sense of balance and structure in the garden.

Consider reading: Window Box

International gardens can be found on every continent and come in many forms. One example is the Japanese garden, which often features natural stone lanterns and carefully pruned trees.

In Japan, these gardens are typically designed to create a sense of tranquility and harmony with nature. They often include water features like koi ponds and streams.

The Indian garden, on the other hand, is characterized by its use of vibrant colors and intricate patterns. These gardens often incorporate elements like fountains and statues.

Check this out: List of Garden Features

English gardens are a classic choice for garden enthusiasts. They're characterized by a mix of informal and free-flowing ornamental and edible plants, often with a tangle of rambling rose bushes, overgrown grasses, and flowery shrubs spilling out over stone paths.

In English gardens, you'll often see arbors, arches, fences, and trellises, which complement the garden and house. Traditional plants like Alchemilla mollis (lady's mantle), lavender, roses, and geraniums are popular choices. These plants create a natural, random effect that's perfect for English gardens.

See what others are reading: English Landscape Garden

To capture the English cottage garden style, Annie Guilfoyle recommends planting informally, adding edibles like apples and pears, and minimizing maintenance by selecting pest- and disease-resistant plants.

Here are some key features of English gardens:

English gardens thrive in USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 6 to 9, making them a great choice for many gardeners.

The Mediterranean or 'Dry' garden style is perfect for areas with low rainfall. This style of garden is characterized by the use of drought-tolerant plants such as succulents, cacti, and ornamental grasses.

These plants are the heart of the Mediterranean or 'Dry' garden style, and they come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors. Some good dry garden perennials and herbs include rosemary, lavender, and verbascum.

A key feature of this style is the use of gravel mulch, which helps to retain moisture in the soil and allows plants to spread and self-seed easily. However, this also means that the garden needs regular weeding to prevent weeds from taking over.

If this caught your attention, see: Japanese Dry Garden

To create a Mediterranean or 'Dry' garden, you'll want to start by selecting plants that are adapted to dry conditions. Some examples of drought-resistant plants include succulents, cacti, and ornamental grasses.

Here are some drought-tolerant plants to consider:

By incorporating these plants into your garden and using a gravel mulch, you can create a beautiful and low-maintenance Mediterranean or 'Dry' garden that thrives in areas with low rainfall.

If you're looking to create a unique outdoor space, themed garden types are a great way to go.

A Japanese garden, for example, typically features natural elements like stone and wood, and is designed to create a sense of harmony and balance.

These gardens often incorporate water features, like ponds and streams, to enhance the soothing atmosphere.

A Zen garden, a type of Japanese garden, is designed to promote relaxation and contemplation, with carefully raked gravel and strategically placed rocks.

English cottage gardens, on the other hand, are often bursting with colorful flowers and lush greenery, creating a whimsical and inviting atmosphere.

They're perfect for small spaces, and can be easily customized to fit your personal style.

The cottage garden style is a charming and relaxed way to design your outdoor space. It's all about embracing the beauty of nature and creating a haven that's perfect for relaxation and entertainment.

This style originated during the Elizabethan era and is characterized by a tangle of informal, free-flowing ornamental and edible plants. Think rambling rose bushes, overgrown grasses, and mixtures of flowery shrubs spilling out over stone paths.

To achieve this look, plant informally, creating a random effect that looks natural. Choose traditional plants such as Alchemilla mollis (lady's mantle), lavender, roses, and geraniums. You can also add edibles like apples, pears, and pitless produce like strawberries or black currants.

Minimizing maintenance is key in a cottage garden, so select plants that aren't susceptible to pests and disease. This style is best suited for USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 6 to 9.

Here are some key elements to consider:

Remember, cottage gardens are all about embracing the beauty of nature and creating a relaxed atmosphere. Even if you don't live in a traditional cottage, you can still adapt this style to your own garden by using local plants and incorporating your personal touches.

A unique perspective: Cottage Garden

A coastal garden theme is a great choice for those who live near the sea. It's very similar to a dry garden, requiring drought-tolerant plants that can withstand windy conditions.

If you live directly on the coast, you'll need to choose plants that can cope with salt spray. But if you live a few streets back, that's unlikely to be a problem.

You can plant into gravel, shingle, or sand, and wooden decking is a good fit for this look. The coastal garden look doesn't have a lawn.

You can get creative with garden furniture and ornaments, choosing items with a seaside theme or made from recycled or upcycled materials. Driftwood is a great option, as it's readily available on beaches.

If you're looking for inspiration, Whitstable on the Kent coast has some beautiful seaside gardens that are definitely worth a visit.

If you're looking for a unique garden type, consider a garden in transit, which is a great option for those who don't have a fixed outdoor space. These gardens can be easily moved from one location to another.

Some other interesting garden types include the German garden, which is characterized by its formal and structured design, and the green roof, which is a type of roof that's covered in plants and can provide insulation and reduce stormwater runoff.

If you're interested in creating a unique garden, you might also consider a green wall, which is a wall covered in plants, or a garden square, which is a public garden in a city square.

Consider reading: Green House Roof Ideas

Modern gardens are all about simplicity and elegance. To create a Modern Grass Garden, you can choose from a variety of native and exotic grasses. Keep it simple by selecting only three to five different types of grasses.

A larger area can handle more grass varieties, but it's better to increase the size of the block of each type of grass rather than adding more types. Big areas look lovely with soft grasses like Tanika or Swamp Foxtail Grass waving in the wind.

Additional reading: Artificial Grass in a Garden

To add some contrast, you can include plants like Banksia Marginata among the grasses. A few big rocks here and there also work well in a Modern Grass Garden. This style is all about creating a clean and harmonious look.

Here are some grass options to consider for your Modern Grass Garden:

Remember to keep your Modern Grass Garden simple and uncluttered for the best results.

Exotic gardens are all about creating a lush, tropical atmosphere, even in cooler climates. Think tree ferns, banana palms, and brilliant colours.

You can achieve this look with a surprisingly large number of plants that thrive in temperate climates, such as cannas, dahlias, and palms. However, some of these plants may require special care during the winter months.

To create a jungle-style garden, go for brightly coloured flowers and plants with exciting leaf shapes and colours. This look relies on lots of plants and layering, so don't be afraid to get creative with your planting.

Philip Oostenbrink, Head Gardener at Walmer Castle, has successfully created a jungle garden in the moat, and also has a small one behind his own house, proving that this style works well in both small and big gardens.

Award-winning head gardener Steven Edney advises that a tropical garden 'needs a greenhouse' because some of the plants are tender, so be prepared to provide extra care for your exotic plants.

Here's an interesting read: Pronounce Gardener

Sculptural gardens are all about simplicity and drama. A maximum of three different types of plants in each section, with only one type of sculptural plant, is key to creating a harmonious space.

Choosing the right sculptural plant is crucial. Plants like American Aloe, Gymea Lily, and Mexican Giant Spear Lily are great options due to their dramatic shapes.

These plants can be used as a focus, and then complemented with simpler plants that "step down" from the main show. This balance is essential to avoid visual overload.

White Creeping Thyme, Westringia cut into balls, and Creeping Salt Bush cut into gentle shapes are good examples of plants that can fill the spaces between the sculptural plants.

Australian Native gardens have come a long way from their overgrown, jungly past. They're now more about restraint and discipline.

The key to a Modern Native Garden is choosing smaller, prettier versions of Australian natives. Plants like "Little John" Callistemon grow just 80 cm tall and the same width.

You can create space in the garden by trimming off the bottom branches of taller plants. This lets you see through to the lower plants or ground cover.

A few rules to keep in mind: stick to three to five plants at most, choose smaller varieties, and don't over plant. This will help your garden grow in even the smallest of spaces.

Additional reading: List of Australian Herbs and Spices

A Minimal Modern garden style is really a reflection of the minimalistic style of modern housing designs.

It features simple lines with big, bold shapes and textures, and a small number of plant varieties, often limiting the choice to just three or four, but even sometimes only one or two.

The repetition of these handful of plants, and use of strong and repetitive shapes in an asymmetrical layout, is key to creating a Minimal Modern garden.

A large, trimmed, but naturally shaped plant can dominate the design, like a Macrocarpa Cyprus or Creeping Salt Bush.

Or, a box hedge or Myrtus Luma, shaped into interesting sculptural shapes, can be used repetitively to create a sense of order and beauty.

Minimalistic gardens are also functional, with clearly defined areas where the garden invites you to walk here and sit there.

You can see exactly where you're meant to go, which is part of the charm of this style.

Overall, the look is about pure simplicity, which evokes both order and beauty.

If you're looking for a garden that's a slice of heaven on earth, you're in luck. Paradise gardens, with their serene and idyllic atmosphere, are a great choice.

These gardens are often designed with a focus on creating a sense of tranquility, with lush greenery, peaceful water features, and beautiful flowers.

One thing to note is that paradise gardens come in a variety of sizes, but the smaller ones (like the one with 4 C and 2 P) are often just as lovely as their larger counterparts.

Some people prefer the more vibrant and lively atmosphere of a pleasure garden, which often features a mix of flowers, trees, and other features that create a lively and engaging environment.

If you're looking for a garden that's specifically designed for relaxation and contemplation, you might want to consider a peace garden, which can be a great way to unwind and recharge.

Here are some examples of different types of gardens that start with the letter P:

The "G" section of unique garden types is a fascinating one. You can create a garden in transit, perfect for those who love to travel or have limited space.

Garden squares are a great option for urban areas, providing a peaceful oasis in the midst of bustling city life.

A German garden is a type of garden that originated in Germany, characterized by its formal and structured design.

Green roofs are becoming increasingly popular, allowing homeowners to turn their rooftops into lush gardens.

Green walls are another innovative way to bring plants into your space, perfect for small balconies or indoor areas.

If you're interested in exploring different cultures through gardening, an Intercultural Garden is a great way to do so, featuring plants and designs from around the world.

Discover more: Green Wall

If you're planning a garden, you'll want to consider the style that suits your space and personality. Formal gardens have symmetrical layouts with trimmed hedges and mirrored planting.

For a more relaxed vibe, informal gardens follow a natural, asymmetrical style. Free style gardens incorporate elements of both formal and informal design. This makes them a great option for those who can't decide between the two.

Garden styles can also be inspired by different cultures, such as Mughal, Persian, Italian, French, English, and Japanese gardens. These styles often feature unique features like intricate fountains, ornate statues, and perfectly manicured lawns.

Return to a more natural look with Modern Fusion Gardens, where you combine unexpected elements to create a sense of surprise.

These gardens are all about balance, with a large feature plant or two taking center stage, surrounded by a few surprising supporting actors. You might feature a Cloud Pruned Lilly Pilly as the main feature, with Correa alba clipped into large balls around it.

The supporting plants can be a mix of textures and heights, like Senkaki Maples and Scleranthus Lime Lava for ground cover. This creates a visually interesting and dynamic space.

To create a sense of depth and layering, you can also use Modern Layered Gardens, which feature repetitive planting at increasing heights.