Choosing the Best Garden Design for Your Garden
For those who are planting their first or their 100th garden, the first step is determining the type of garden design to be used. There are many different ways to design a garden but, for the most part, there are five basic garden design styles to choose from.
Formal Garden Design
A formal garden design is very polished, neat, and tidy. They layout is symmetrical and even and demonstrates control over both nature and the garden visitors. The first formal gardens where created by French gardeners who wished to control and manipulate nature. These gardens were quite large and well planned with an extensive use of geometric shapes. The freedom within these gardens was instead expressed through the use of water, such as fountains. More recently, the formal garden design has expanded to also include shrubs and flowering trees, but it still remains well thought out and contains paths on which visitors are expected to remain.
Woodland Garden Design
The woodland garden design is generally created in an area that already has a canopy of trees. Therefore, plants that enjoy shade and partial sun are generally found in woodland garden designs. These plants are positioned in such a way that they are similar to how they would be found in nature. Like the formal garden design, the woodland garden may contain pathways, but they tend to be curving and subtler. Natural wood and stone materials are often used in woodland garden designs, as well as water features such as streams.
Wildflower Garden Design
The wildflower garden design is similar to the woodland garden design in that it is intended to mimic nature. The flowers selected for a wildflower garden, however, are generally those that are found growing naturally in the region. In addition, the wildflower garden design is intended to draw birds and butterflies to the garden for the gardener to watch and to enjoy.
Oriental Garden Design
The oriental garden design is created to look informal, but is actually well planned out and meticulously cared for. It contains rocks placed in key areas throughout the garden as well as well maintained and clipped trees and shrubs. The oriental garden design also includes special water effects in order to add to the serenity of the garden. The goal of the oriental garden design is to create a new look from every view and many are filled with symbolism and meaning.
Container Garden Design
For those with limited space, a container garden design can be ideal. Generally, container gardens are utilized in courtyards and patios because containers take up very little space and can be easily moved from place to place. To create interest in a container garden, it is best to utilize pots of differing sizes and shapes and to grow plants with interesting and contrasting colors and textures.