Explore Garden Styles

From formal to informal or somewhere in between, let us give you a better understanding of which garden style you prefer. Below are a few unique garden styles you may enjoy creating in your own landscape.

Formal Garden
Long axial views, usually with a symmetrical layout, clipped hedges are common sights, these are the earmarks of a formal garden style. This garden type conveys power and control over the environment as well as its visitors. Early French Gardens were constructed with control and manipulation of nature in mind. Many were very large gardens the had a strong geometry instilled into the plans. Nature was subdued into submission and water played an important role in expressing the freedom in the garden and in nature. Later formal axial views gave way to long winding paths surrounded by gardens of natural land which people used to great extent in the pastime of escaping into the countryside and spending the day strolling through the gardens. It wasn't until the 19th century that the idea of a flowering trees and shrubs or the addition of flowerbeds entered French garden design. There were still thoughtfully layed out walks and paths to enjoy, with plantings of seemingly free formed plantings surrounding there walks and paths

Woodland Garden
Usually with an existing canopy, this style has a soft delicate pallet of under story, shade and partial sun loving plants, dispersed randomly in groupings that mimic nature's distribution in colonies with subtle meandering paths that blanket the forest floor. Typical materials used in the woodland garden are natural like wood and natural stone. The design of a woodland garden should be almost undetectable as it's design is to mimic nature's way of placing plant materials and the use of hardscaping elements such as the foot bridge shown above. The use of a natural appearing water feature or stream, complete with rocks and boulders, can enhance the feeling of nature and add to the authentic feel of the woodland garden space.

English Garden
English landscape gardening in it's early form was mainly utility in function. Vast deer parks surrounded large estate homes and small knot gardens filled with lilies and tulips may be near the house itself. Orchards and kitchen gardens would be planted further away from the home and paths with walls or hedges flanking them. Later, as the middle class implemented their English garden influence, the style became a more relaxed form of garden design the removal of some of the boundaries and hedges and working the garden into the natural landscape became the foundation of the English Garden we know today. Other influences in the English Style are the of the Palladian architectural style, the Italian use of Sculptures in the garden setting as well as the formal French garden style the uses long lawn vistas. Long lawn views bordered by natural plantings of trees and lush border plantings along natural appearing, but planted trees and shrubs.

Container Garden
When space is limited or there is no available free soil or ground, container gardens are an attractive and successful substitute for beds. This style usually implies a small space or courtyard limited by the denseness of an urban setting. Containers can be easily moved around for a change and take up very little space. Vary the sizes and shapes of pots, try to group them in different positions and size., plant contrasting textured plants together or complementing colors for exciting plant and container arrangements even in the smallest spaces

Wildflower Garden
The random pattern of a meadow of wildflowers can be one of the most breathtaking sites created by mother nature. It is also very attractive to birds and butterfly alike. Planting flowers that attract butterflies and birds is a challenging and rewarding garden type to be enjoyed by the young and young at hear

Oriental Garden
An oriental garden includes what would appear to be elements of an informal garden, but in reality is a very purposeful spatial arrangement, with its clipped shrubs and trees, meticulously placed rocks and garden elements. Incorporating constantly changing views as one walks from space to space, coupled with thoughtfully placed water, plants and rocks to convey visual serenity. Oriental gardens are full of deep meanings and symbolism. There are many different types of Japanese or Oriental gardens, but most use similar elements. Instead of colorful flowers and shrubs, like you might see in a Western garden, most Asian gardeners concentrate on the use of rocks, stones, trees, plants, bridges, water and waterfalls. You’ll often see rocks that surround a pond or stream that are then encased with plants or shrubs. In Japanese ponds or streams, you’ll often find koi – a common fish. The gardens purpose is to capture nature and become a quiet place for refection or meditation

Cottage Garden The cottage garden can be one of the most charming of all the styles because of the unassuming nature and humble origin. It is marked by informal plantings and style. Low picket fences or walls and small walks to the porch setting are some of the elements that the cottage garden employs. A Cottage Garden is just as it sounds, a smaller cozy garden. Because of the limited space, gardeners play up patches of plants, instead of grass or trees. Since these areas are the focus of the yard, gardeners use colorful plants and ground cover. This is the area to be creative; pick a wide variety of plants you like, that compliment one another in the space. Gardeners often surround these colorful spaces with borders of brick or stone walkways. These borders can be in any geometric design; if you have the space try some patterns to accentuate the area

Romantic Garden
Who doesn’t love to have fresh flowers on display in your home? It’s one of the benefits of a cutting garden, when you fill it with flowers you love. Roses are a favorite, but you might consider planting other types of flowers, so you’ll have a longer blossoming season. Roses also need special care and space, so make sure you know roses before you choose them. While the garden will be absolutely stunning during the peak season, it won’t last too long, so pick an area of the yard that isn’t the focal point year-round. The results will be well worth it when you have beautiful flowers to display and share with friends. Nurture love in a romantic garden. Scented plants, love seats for two or create privacy in a secluded part of the garden. Create a romantic paradise for entertaining your lover. Put plants that have significant meanings to you and your love.

Sculpture Garden
Just as the name implies, this garden uses the outdoor garden setting as a platform to appreciate sculpture. A sculpture garden can take on either formal or informal style by including traditional or abstract sculptures. Sometimes hiding a sculpture in a garden setting can add interest and mystery to a garden setting.