When I start a landscaping project with homeowners, I will sometimes send out an informal questionnaire to help them articulate their desires, needs, and expectations for the project. One of the questions asks ‘What kind of garden style do you prefer?’. It wasn’t long after I started using it that I realized not everyone knows most of the ‘styles’ listed or even agreed on what defines, for example, the tranquil serenity of a Japanese garden or the vibrant chaos of an English cottage garden.

As with any form of design, garden styles go in and out of fashion. What was once considered cutting-edge can become outdated or even ridiculed over time. For example, the Victorian era's fondness for elaborate bedding schemes and exotic plants may seem excessive to modern eyes favoring native plants and ecological consciousness. The adoption of elements from one culture's garden style by another can raise concerns about cultural appropriation. For instance, the use of Japanese garden elements in a Western garden without understanding their cultural significance can be seen as disrespectful. Formal gardens with their high water consumption and reliance on non-native plants have been viewed as unsustainable in recent years. Gardens can also become entangled with historical social and political ideologies. The English Landscape style, with its emphasis on naturalness and freedom, was seen as a reflection of British values in contrast to the perceived tyranny of French formal gardens.

“the Victorian era’s fondness for elaborate bedding schemes and exotic plants may seem excessive to modern eyes favoring native plants and ecological consciousness.”

Garden styles have been a source of both inspiration and disagreement. People have long held diverse opinions on what constitutes the ideal garden, leading to contrasting approaches in design and landscaping. While there's no right or wrong way to cultivate a patch of green space, distinct styles have emerged over time, each with its own set of characteristics and inspirations. There will always be some flexibilities in definitions, but here are some general guidelines to start from.

Japanese Gardens

Rooted in Zen Buddhism and emphasizing harmony, balance, and tranquility, they aim to create miniature landscapes that evoke a sense of nature's grandeur. Key features include:

Asymmetry: Designs avoid perfect symmetry, mimicking the natural world.
Natural Materials: Stone, gravel, wood, and water are used extensively.
Symbolism: Elements like rocks (representing mountains), gravel (representing water), and carefully pruned trees carry symbolic meaning.
Enclosed Spaces: Walls or hedges create a sense of seclusion and encourage contemplation.
Minimalism: Focus is on simplicity and the essential elements of nature.

Modern/Formal Gardens

Formal gardens reflect contemporary design principles, emphasizing well-defined edges, geometric shapes, and hard materials. These gardens, exemplified by the French Baroque style of Versailles, emphasize human control over nature, showcasing order and grandeur. They often incorporate:

Clear Boundaries & Shapes: Straight lines, squares, and rectangles define the layout.
Minimalist Plantings: A limited palette of plants is used, often with a focus on texture and form.
Hardscaping and Objects: Concrete, metal, and other man-made materials are prominent. Integration of modern art pieces or sculpture as focal points.
Outdoor Living Spaces: Patios, decks, and outdoor kitchens are integrated into the design.
Sustainability: Eco-friendly practices and materials are often prioritized.
Strategic Use of Lighting: Outdoor lighting plays a crucial role in extending the use of the garden into the evening and highlighting key features.

English/Cottage Gardens

English cottage gardens are known for their informal, romantic, and abundant plantings. They evoke a sense of overflowing charm.

Informal Layout: Paths meander through densely planted beds with no strict structure.
Mixed Plantings: Flowers, herbs, vegetables, and fruit trees are intermingled.
Abundance of Blooms: A wide variety of colorful flowers creates a vibrant display.
Self-Seeding Plants: Plants are allowed to self-seed, creating a natural and ever-changing landscape.
Vertical Elements: Climbing plants on walls and fences add height and visual interest.

Desert Gardens / Xeriscaping

Desert gardens are adapted to arid climates and showcase the unique beauty of desert flora.

Drought-Tolerant Plants: Cacti, succulents, and other water-wise plants are the stars.
Gravel and Rock Mulch: These materials conserve moisture and create a natural desert look.
Earth Tones: Colors reflect the surrounding landscape, with browns, tans, and grays dominating.
Sculptural Forms: The unique shapes of desert plants create visual interest.
Minimal Water Use: Efficient irrigation methods are crucial.

Rock/Alpine Gardens

Rock gardens recreate mountainous or alpine environments, showcasing plants that thrive in rocky conditions.

Rocks and Boulders: These form the main structure of the garden, creating crevices and planting pockets.
Alpine and Crevice Plants: Small, low-growing plants that tolerate well-drained soil are ideal.
Good Drainage: Essential for preventing root rot in alpine plants.
Sunny Location: Most rock garden plants prefer full sun.
Varied Topography: Creating slopes and elevation changes adds visual interest.

Seaside Gardens

Seaside gardens are designed to withstand harsh coastal conditions like wind, salt spray, and sandy soil.

Salt-Tolerant Plants: Plants that can withstand salt spray and coastal winds are essential.
Windbreaks: Hedges, fences, or other structures provide protection from strong winds.
Sandy Soil Adaptations: Plants that tolerate well-drained, sandy soil are chosen.
Coastal Views: The garden is often designed to maximize views of the ocean or coastline.
Natural Materials: Driftwood, shells, and other beach finds can be incorporated into the design.

The Ever-evolving Landscape

Despite the controversies, the evolution of garden styles is a natural process. As societies change, so do their values and aesthetic preferences, leading to new interpretations and adaptations of existing styles. Today, we see a growing emphasis on sustainability, biodiversity, and the integration of gardens with their surrounding environments. This has led to the rise of new styles like ecological gardens and urban farms, which prioritize environmental responsibility and community engagement.

Ultimately, the beauty of gardens lies in their diversity and adaptability. Whether formal or informal, traditional or modern, gardens provide us with spaces to connect with nature, express our creativity, and reflect our ever-changing world. While controversies may arise, they serve as a reminder that gardens are not static objects but living, breathing entities that evolve alongside us.