By adding a few distinctive elements, you can recreate the garden styles of Europe, North Africa, the Far East and beyond.
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9 Garden Styles From Around the World To Inspire You
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English/Cottage Garden Style
Blossoming in popularity during the Elizabethan era (1558–1603), English or cottage gardens are marked by a tangle of informal, free-flowing ornamental and edible plants. Think charming plots of land brimming with rambling rose bushes, overgrown grasses and mixtures of flowery shrubs spilling out over stone paths.
“Some of the features you can typically see in English and cottage-style gardens include arbors, arches, fences and trellises,” says Paul Knapp, a designer and CEO of LandscapeArchitectural.com. “These structures are designed to not only complement the garden but also the house and overall theme.”
Annie Guilfoyle, an award-winning garden designer and director of Creative Landscapes, teaches workshops for Garden MasterClass.org. She shares these ideas for capturing the much-loved English cottage garden style:
- Plant informally, creating a random effect that looks natural.
- Choose traditional plants such as Alchemilla mollis (lady’s mantle), lavender, roses and geraniums.
- Add edibles like apples, pears and pitless produce like strawberries or black currants.
- Minimize maintenance by selecting plants that aren’t susceptible to pests and disease.
This style is best in USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 6 to 9. For some garden cottage inspo, take a look at Joanna Gaines’ garden cottage.
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Japanese Garden Style
Imprinted with exotic, Zen-like minimalism, a quintessential Japanese garden is an art form dating back thousands of years. “Generally speaking,” says Knapp, “a Japanese garden should be graceful, well-balanced and subtle.”
Because water features are heavily used, Knapp says, “Think about incorporating a fountain, pond, water bowl or a waterfall. The use of rocks and boulders helps create the atmosphere you’re looking for.”
For plants, Knapp recommends:
- Bamboo;
- Azalea;
- Lilyturf;
- Burning bush;
- Japanese maples;
- Magnolia trees.
Best in USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 3a to 13a.
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Italian Renaissance Garden Style
Inspired by the elegant grounds of ancient Rome and Greece, Italian Renaissance gardens conjure images of medieval villas with manicured landscapes, grand fountains and effigies of mythical deities carved from marble. Beauty, symmetry and order are key elements of this garden style.
To bring a bit of Italy to your backyard:
- Spread pea gravel on the ground.
- Put out cafe-style table and chairs.
- Plant low box hedges to create boundaries.
- Line stairways, terraces or paths with small trees or topiaries in terra-cotta pots.
- Add water features.
Best in USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 8 to 10.
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Dutch Garden Style
The Netherlands is flat, and so are Dutch gardens. Space is also at a premium in the centers of canal-cut cities like Amsterdam, Leiden and Utrecht.
“Effective use of limited space often plays a key role,” writes Maayke de Ridder, co-author with Noel Kingsbury of Gardens Under Big Skies: Reimagining Outdoor Space, the Dutch Way.
“Old techniques, such as pruning and guiding trees, whether or not in a more modern form [is the way of the Dutch gardening style]. In addition much attention is paid to wildflowers and the existing biodiversity.”
To emulate the country’s distinctive gardening style:
- Add geometric shapes to the landscape with hedges.
- Take advantage of straight lines by hemming concrete walkways with topiaries or miniature trees. This gives the space a formal feel.
- Include modern furniture and water features like a reflecting pool and trickling fountain.
Best in USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 7b to 10a.
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French Provencal Garden Style
Reminiscent of the enchanting countryside of the southern region of Provence, the French Provencal garden is distinguished by bucolic elegance. “Ideally, a French garden will be clean, elegant and sophisticated,” says Knapp. “To achieve a French-style garden, use a lot of green and white within the space.”
He suggests:
- Evergreen shrubs;
- Trees;
- Flowering plants like hydrangea and viburnum.
Best in USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 6 to 10.
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Moroccan Garden Style
A fusion of Moorish, Islamic and French design influences lush, serene Moroccan gardens. Think bold colors, glazed patterned tile, textured baskets and cushy poufs. Typically built within interior courtyards, Moroccan garden style is about outdoor living.
“Moroccan garden design lends itself to incorporating a hybrid of a desert and tropical theme within the space,” says Knapp. He suggests:
- Hardscape features, which could include seating walls;
- Fire pits;
- Archways;
- Raised planters.
These elements can be blended with beige, white and coral pink. Knapp says, “Incorporating a plunge pool (or a more affordable hot tub) surrounded by frond palm trees makes for a fantastic escape. ”
Best in USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 8 to 10.
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Chinese Garden Style
For 3,000 years, Chinese emperors, kings, nobility and scholars loved their gardens. Traditional Chinese gardens reconstruct scaled-down versions of the larger landscape.
Chinese gardens typically contain:
- Ornate pavilions;
- Other smaller structures;
- Winding paths that link to intimate, quiet, peaceful settings for contemplation and meditation.
Knapp says Chinese gardens incorporate some of the same plantings and hardscape as Japanese gardens. “The overall feel instills a sense of peace and tranquility,” he says. “But don’t be afraid to fill out the beds and be bold with your flower color choices.”
Best in USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 1a to 13b.
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Spanish Garden Style
Using Roman, Persian and Moorish design concepts, Spanish gardens combine bougainvilleas, begonias, cactus and fruit trees (figs and citrus). Most are enclosed within walls or courtyards.
When reimagining the Spanish garden’s Mediterranean vibe, infuse the space with pastel colors. “The use of clay pavers is a must,” says Knapp.
Other elements to include:
- Terra-cotta pots;
- Decorative water features;
- Built-in grill islands;
- Brick fireplaces;
- Low-voltage light fixtures.
Knapp suggests plantings of various textures and shades of green and climbing vines in pinks/reds or blues/purples, depending on your location.
Best in USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 8 to 10.
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Alpine Garden Style
Influenced heavily by nature, Alpine garden style features high-altitude horticulture interspersed with large boulders, cobbled paths, gravel beds, waterfalls and natural rock retaining walls. Sprinkle in randomly placed vegetation and wildflowers in nooks and crannies.
Create the alpine vibe by planting:
- Blackcurrants;
- Gooseberries;
- Raspberries;
- Ground covers of primula or creeping thyme, scattered about for a natural look.
Best in USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 5a to 9a.
FAQ
Can I mix global garden styles in my own space?
“Yes, it’s okay to mix different garden elements! Your garden is your unique space, and there’s no single ‘right’ way to create it,”Gail Pabst of National Garden Bureau says. “By embracing a ‘less-than-perfect’ approach and not fretting over if it’s a certain style, you’ll likely find even more enjoyment in your outdoor space.”
How do I know if a plant will grow in my region?
Determine the plant’s hardiness zone, which tells you the geographical regions in which it will grow. Make sure the zone falls within your home’s growing zone.
About the Experts
- Paul Knapp is a landscape designer and CEO of LandscapeArchitectural.com.
- Gail Pabst is the marketing director for the National Garden Bureau, a non-profit organization that promotes home gardening.
- Annie Guilfoyle, an award-winning garden designer and director of Creative Landscapes, teaches workshops for Garden MasterClass.org
- Maayke de Ridder is the co-author, with Noel Kingsbury, of Gardens Under Big Skies: Reimagining Outdoor Space, the Dutch Way.
