Overview of different garden styles and 20 outstanding examples

All beginner gardeners dream of a well-designed garden with large trees, well-formed flower beds, fragrant rose bushes and perhaps a reservoir to boot. And most people are willing to do anything to realize this idea, but unfortunately they forget something particularly important, namely that everything in the garden, as well as in people, should be harmonious. So, when the time comes and you want to make your garden new and beautiful, it is first necessary to determine which style you like best and only then you can choose one of the traditional projects that really suits your fantasies. Today we want to make an overview of different garden styles, all of which are characterized by charm and perfection. You can admire the pictures and think about which garden you like the most because they are all beautiful and eye-catching and come with its advantages. So here you are definitely spoiled for choice!

Such a miniature model is carried out in a limited space with low-growing plants and trees. Nothing is accidental, everything has its own meaning, the plants themselves and the order of their placement. Every detail, even the smallest, harmonizes amazingly with everything around and has its own symbolism.

For example, the bridge over the stream symbolizes the sun, the bamboo - sustainability and patience, the pine tree is a symbol of longevity, the oak tree symbolizes strength, the lotus is known to be the symbol of wisdom and sakura (cherry blossom) stands for spiritual beauty. TheMain elements of a Japanese gardenare stone and water. According to Buddhist teachings, their presence in the Japanese garden is a must. The stones symbolize the “Yang” – the male light, the active and the water symbolizes the “Yin”, everything feminine, dark, passive.

Japanese gardens are designed so that you discover new, changing and beautiful landscapes as you walk, step by step. The walkways here are not straight, they are curved and arranged in a circle around the central courtyard. A special highlight of these gardens is the sidewalk, which serves as a transition to a stream or pond.

The Spanish garden, which later received the name “Moorish”, was established in southern Spain

Since the country was under the power of the Arabs for several centuries, the majority of whom profess Islam, this was inevitably reflected in the appearance of the garden. The water symbolizes the beginning of Muslim life and heavenly bliss, so there are always many water sources in these gardens. Fountains and basins with stone, colored ceramics or glass give these gardens a fairytale character and small canals emphasize the strict geometry of the layout.

Another special feature of the Spanish Garden is the limited outdoor patio. Usually it is framed by green galleries, wrapped with vines and climbing plants. Trees and shrubs in these gardens do not necessarily need pruning and grow amidst bright flowers and herbs. In order to create a path and design open spaces, decorative floor coverings are usually used, usually tiles or natural stones. All this gives the Spanish garden special grandeur and sophistication.

The English Garden and its landscaping

Its open layout highlights the virtues of natural vegetation, and hides its flaws when necessary. Trees and bushes are arranged here in picturesque groups, the walkways repeat and emphasize the contours of the landscape and a water landscape with calmly flowing water enlivens the entire outdoor area. Such areas have a natural beauty that is achieved through strict rules. Therefore, when designing, you also have to take into account the seasonal changes in the color of the leaves, flowers and grass. The principle of contrasts is mandatory: dark trees and bushes alternate with light flower beds, wide lawns with closed areas.

Garden sculptures and garden accessories play an important role. In winter they are important focal points in the English Garden. The flowers in the English Garden grow directly in the grass and lawn and are never bordered by stone or brick edges. Today in England wildflowers and grasses, ferns, weeds, and all colorful forms of vegetation are popular. The colorful trees often remind us of the cheerful Moorish garden with its bright colors. This creates a special atmosphere of freedom and naturalness that is unfamiliar to typical city dwellers.

The French Garden

The French Garden of Louis XIV is considered a calling card of the French style of garden design, which emerged in France in the 17th century and reached its peak during the reign of Louis XIV. Symmetry of the layout and crisp, sharp lines – these are the main features of the French garden. The numerous beds with well-kept lawns play a special role; in the distance you can see a decorative pool or lake, surrounded by colorful flowers.

Often the entire panorama of this garden is set on one level. However, if the relief does not allow this, then spacious terraces are built, complete with retaining walls. Plants that are easy to trim and are able to stay in perfect shape for a long time are predominant here. Plants such as thuja, spirea, thistle, fir, maple, linden and ornamental plum and apple trees can be used to create a French garden.

Chinese garden

The Chinese garden is strictly hierarchical and has a central composition around which the other elements are arranged in a specific order. The garden structures here are usually bridges, pavilions and stairs in bright colors – red, green or yellow. The structure of the Chinese garden fully corresponds to the Feng Shui teachings, which preach harmony in the relationship between people and nature. These gardens often design areas that showcase all four seasons. The winter area is planted with pines and junipers.

In the spring area, cherry and almond trees bloom and smell, violets decorate the lawn, the summer corner houses oak, beech, ash, sycamore and in the autumn corner you can enjoy maple with its seasonal colors. Feng Shui theory confirms that properly organized planting in the garden helps us take care of the family and ensures great success in our work. That is why three obligatory elements are present in Chinese gardens: plants, decorative hills and water, presented in the form of a small river or pond. So, these are our five garden design suggestions today. Which style do you like best? What ideas do you want to use in your own garden?

Garden design – 100 pictures, beautiful garden ideas and styles