Garden Styles: Creating a Little Bit of Heaven in Your Own Backyard

Are you looking to have your entire garden remodeled or landscaped from scratch? Before you begin your project, The Yard Fairy recommends first selecting a garden style to base your new design selections around.

Formal vs. Informal Gardens

Most garden styles fall within the categories of either formal or informal. Informal gardens give the appearance of being larger, with plants strewn about the yard.

Those who would like a more natural feel, or novices who aren't quite ready for high intensity gardening, will appreciate this style of landscaping. Vegetable gardens, Mediterranean gardens, and Japanese gardens are among those that could be called informal.

Formal gardens appear smaller, as plants are condensed into shapes that are often lined with hedges, fences, or gravel. Symmetry and geometry are key factors in these types of gardens. A great example of this is the Modern garden, described below, as well as the Cottage garden, which is slightly more relaxed but still considered formal because of its relatively clean lines.

Design Your Perfect Garden: 6 Styles to Choose From

There are 6 main styles to chose from when designing your ideal garden: Eclectic, Cottage, Mediterranean, Tropical, Modern, and Natural.

If one style alone doesn't suit your needs, then a combination of styles could also be something to consider. Or, perhaps you'd like to create your own style, using the techniques listed in this guide. The key of course, is planning in advance!

1- Eclectic Gardens

In an eclectic garden, the focus is split equally between the outdoor decorations and the garden plants.

Sometimes called "personal" or "eccentric", this is a fun and creative style of garden that's arbitrarily put together.

Some eclectic gardens offer a bit of whimsy, if it suits the personality of the landscape designer. For example, this summer at the San Diego Fair I came across a piano playing man made of ivy which was part of someone's eclectic presentation.

Eclectic gardens might include:

Random objects, decorations, furniture, artwork or other unique conversation pieces. This is the garden for the inventive mind. Think shell collections, a fence made from tree branches, scrap metal art or other unusual pieces.

Brightly colored plants of varying shapes and sizes. Any plants that do well in the California sun are a good bet. If you'd prefer unusual plants, try auricular, flowering maple, hellebore, or stone plant.

Uniquely designed walkways, paths and patios. For example, you might push some brightly colored glass or gemstones into freshly poured concrete for a "magical" effect. Or how about incorporating some antique furniture into your patio area?

The eclectic garden is the most informal of them all and is a joy to create.

2 - Cottage Style Gardens

Cottage gardens offer a quaint and homey feel, with their simply designed pathways and trellises, and untrimmed flowers that bloom freely. These gardens work especially well in turn of the century homes or smaller dwellings. In a cottage garden, there might be a white picket fence and randomly placed foxgloves or snapdragons.

Cottage gardens might include:

Flowers and plants that can grow with little upkeep. Fragrant plants such as roses, petunias, or irises are popular in cottage gardens, as are plants with dainty and delicately shaped flowers. Lilacs, hollyhock and roses are all good choices.

A small vegetable garden plot. Carry on the colonial, cottage gardening tradition by planting herbs and fruit-bearing plants amongst your flowers or shrubs. Or, have a mini plot off to the side where you can grow fragrant herbs and vegetables.

White picket fences, trellises and simple paths. Of course, you'll want to include plenty of draping and climbing plants to lend a romantic and tranquil feel, as well as waft a bit of fragrance throughout.

Cottage gardens lend a cozy and comfortable feel to your backyard. By following the cottage gardening format, you can easily transform your space into a little piece of heaven that can be enjoyed throughout the year.

3 - Mediterranean Gardens

The Mediterranean garden incorporates plants from warmer climate zones, such as Italian cypresses, lemon and olive trees. These plants do extremely well here in Southern California, where the temperature is an exact match for their needs.

You'll often find formal organizations of plants lined with hedges in this regal yet romantic atmosphere. A patio made of flat rock or stone is often the centerpiece, with a table large enough for family and friends to eat around.

The Mediterranean garden also includes:

Broad leafed or fruit bearing plants. You'll typically see flowers in warm colors; most of these plants can withstand drought, making them ideal for the hot, arid southern California climate.

Minimal amounts of grass. Instead, you'll find mulch or pebble ground cover and paths which give the sense of a blank canvas from which colorful plants can burst forth.

A hedgerow or other type of border. You can line up taller plants behind a focal point such as a decorated patio, fountain or statue. Trim hedges into interesting shapes, and train ivy to grow over your entranceways or garden wall.

Water features and rock formations. Picture a multi-tiered fountain with a statue against looming cypresses. Or how about some large rocks in warm colors, to conjure up images of the Italian hillside?

The Mediterranean garden is ideal for warmer climates such as ours, as well as for those who enjoy entertaining or simply being outside.

4 - Tropical Gardens

A tropical garden often resembles a rainforest, with its thick, green foliage and bright, bold flowers. This is one of the more informal styles which makes the most of plants that can grow well by themselves and look best untrimmed.

Since this type of garden permits a somewhat untamed feel, you can plant many varieties of plants without prior thought. However, remember that most tropical garden plants will like either full or partial shade and grow best in rich, fertile soil. Plants which are native to the equatorial regions will be sensitive to frost and require special care in winter.

Tropical gardens may also include:

Fragrant plants with gorgeous blooms and lush leaves. Ginger lilies and jasmine are popular, aromatic choices for a tropical garden theme.

Palm trees. Palms come in a vast array of sizes, shapes, and colors. They are equally content growing over your fence as they are living in a decorative container. Note that if you grow palms in Southern California, you'll want to take them in for winter as these are not frost-hardy plants.

A water feature. Try floating some water lilies in water-filled pots and place these around your garden. Or how about a Koi pond, filled with bright orange and white fish?

Tropical gardens use a lot of color and contrast. They stun the eye with vibrant foliage and make for a really fun, celebratory atmosphere.

5- Modern Gardens

A modern garden is also known as a New Formal garden, as it mimics the old, geometric gardens of Europe.

Here, plants are either trimmed or contained and there are many patterns to please the eye. Modern gardens typically include most types of hedges, low lying plants, or climbing plants.

Modern style gardens may include:

A hedgerow. Hedges are trained to grow in certain patterns and work as a focal point for the garden. Depending on the height of the hedge, the plant might line a structure, form a fence, or act as a wall.

Edging plants such as roses, lavender, marigold, and petunias. These can be placed among the hedges and other lining plants. They will also accent your pathways, which can be shaped in circles or broken squares.

A bedding pattern. This is simply lots of different plants arranged in a unique formation. Simply sketch a shape that appeals to you for a designated spot in the yard. Fill in the lines with actual plants to create a gorgeous pattern.

A simple patio. Your patio should provide a sensory break from the rest of the landscape.

Modern gardens are for those who like clean lines and the bare minimum in a garden. They evoke a sense of organization and peace; many can enjoy this simple yet formal garden style.

6 - Natural Gardens

Professional landscapers use the term "natural" garden because the purpose is to mimic the natural landscape that is native to your area.

To do this in your own yard, simply plant different levels of local plants. Start with the lowest growing plants, and work your way up to a tree's height. Other options include random bulb dispersion, or tossing packets of seeds about wherever they might end up naturally. Just be sure to look at which region the seeds will grow best in before planting.

Natural gardens might include:

Native plants. Again, the use of native plants is important in a natural style of garden, as these will readily lend themselves to the scene and thrive with minimal upkeep.

Natural pathways. Flat rocks, mulch and gravel are all good materials to create a pathway. Mosses or short grasses work well as a lining for your walkway, softening the whole look.

A quiet resting spot. Try tucking a little bench or a single chair beneath a group of trees. If your yard is more expansive, you can place benches and tables in several spots. Hopefully you can catch a glimpse of the local wildlife or simply enjoy the sights, sounds and smells of the outdoors.

While the natural garden might seem the most simple garden to design, it can also be the most rewarding. It's like a slice of paradise in an urban jungle!

Choose your favorite garden style, or combine a few for your own, unique effect!

A themed garden allows for better organization and long-term cost savings, and makes it easier to buy plants later on in the life of your yard. If you are a resident of San Diego County, why not contact The Yard Fairy to help you plan out your garden step by step? We practice a "water wise" method of landscaping. We'll show you how to conserve water, resources and dollars while creating the backyard of your dreams!

Important Sites and Books:

Theme Gardens by Sunset

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