5 Garden Types

The garden types that Eden has mentioned in this article are outdoor gardens, but you can also create indoor gardens by planting indoor plants in planters and containers to create a natural space inside the house. Eden discusses five garden types in this article, and they are listed below.

1. Woodland Gardens

Woodland gardens are the type of gardens that closely resemble the natural woodlands. Their purpose is to create a space that is a replica of natural wilderness with tall trees and shrubs. The paths in a woodland garden are unpaved and made of natural elements like grass or mulch instead of concrete or other pavement materials. Also these paths run in a curved or twisted manner instead of running straight. 

The advantages of planting a woodland garden on your property are given below.

• They make good use of the shady spaces in the yard. Trees are part of the natural woodlands, and therefore they play a major part in a woodland garden.
• The use of native plants and shrubs in a woodland garden makes this garden a low-maintenance one. Woodland gardens do not have additional fertilization and watering requirements like other artificial gardens.
• The natural environment of a woodland garden provides a habitat for wildlife and creates a wildlife-friendly space on your property.
• Woodland gardens are a good choice if you are looking for sustainable landscaping options.

The disadvantages of planting a woodland garden on your property are given below.

• Woodland gardens take longer than other garden types to show full results. Since we are creating a space that resembles a natural woodland, it will take a few years before you can enjoy a fully-mature woodland garden.
• Since woodland gardens are shady, your plant selection is restricted to plants that can survive in the shade. Additionally, woodland gardens use only native plants, and this will also limit your options.

2. Rock Gardens

A rock garden, also called rockery, is the type of garden where rocks, gravel and stone are a major part of the landscaping framework. This can be a part of another garden with different elements, or it can be a whole garden on its own. Some rock gardens are created around natural rock formations, and others are created artificially; most commercial and residential rock gardens are created artificially. The purpose of rock gardens is to resemble natural rock formations and create a peaceful outdoor space that has elements of multiple textures in it. 

The advantages of installing a rock garden on your property are given below.

• Rock gardens can withstand harsh conditions as rocks are more durable than organic elements like plants and shrubs. Rocks can tolerate intense heat, extreme cold, high winds, and drought. This durability makes rock gardens a good choice for property owners living in regions that experience extreme weather.
• Rock gardens have low maintenance requirements if the garden consists primarily of rocks and gravel, as this will reduce landscaping tasks like mowing, pruning, trimming, etc. 
• Rock gardens add diversity and texture to a landscape.
• Rock gardens can be combined with water features to make a landscape more dynamic and create a tranquil environment.
• As the change of seasons does not affect rocks, rock gardens can be enjoyed all through the year.

The disadvantages of installing a rock garden on your property are given below.

• If you have incorporated a lawn into your rock garden, or if the rock garden is part of a larger landscape, the gravel from the rockery can damage your lawnmower and cause injuries if you are not careful.
• Rocks absorb heat very well. Therefore, incorporating many rocks and stones into your landscape will cause the temperature around your home or building to rise if you live in a region that experiences a lot of heat.

3. Water gardens

Water gardens, also called aquatic gardens, are a garden type where a water feature is a dominant or principal element. This type of garden can be a standalone or a part of a larger landscape. The purpose of a water garden is to incorporate aquatic plants into the landscape, and this can be extended to include aquatic animals if the homeowner prefers or desires it. 

The advantages of installing a water garden on your property are given below.

• Water gardens create a peaceful environment for relaxation.
• The sound of moving water helps reduce outside noise, which is especially helpful if you live on a bustling street.
• Moving water releases negatively charged ions into the atmosphere that purify the air, helping you experience the fresh air you feel after a storm on a daily basis.
• Water adds more texture and dynamics to your landscape with its movement and liquidity.
• Water features are aesthetically pleasing and increase your property’s curb appeal.
• Water is known to have a soothing effect on the mind. Therefore, water gardens impact your health positively. 

The disadvantages of installing a water garden on your property are given below.

• Water gardens require more maintenance than traditional gardens as the water needs to be regularly cleaned to prevent the buildup of debris like leaves and dirt, and the water level needs to be monitored to ensure the aquatic plants have their desired depth. If you have a pump and filter, they also need to be checked and cleaned regularly. 
• Aquatic animals need extra care. If you are planning to include aquatic animals in the water feature, then special care needs to be taken when you first introduce them into your mini-ecosystem to ensure that they don’t bring in any parasites that can harm the rest of the aquatic animals.
• Water features have a tendency to attract wildlife like frogs and other critters. Some homeowners don’t mind this, while others do not desire this. If you belong to the second category, then this factor is something you need to consider before installing a water garden.
• If a water feature is not maintained properly, it can also attract mosquitoes which can pose a health risk.

4. Herb and Vegetable gardens

Herbs and vegetable gardens, as their name suggests, are plots of land or container gardens where vegetables and herbs are grown; they are also known as kitchen gardens. The purpose of planting a herb and vegetable garden is to grow and enjoy your own fresh produce. 

The advantages of growing a herb and vegetable garden on your property are given below.

• It allows you to enjoy produce that has not been exposed to chemical pesticides.
• It reduces your grocery expenses as you don’t need to spend money to buy these vegetables anymore.
• It gives you fresh vegetables that are packed with aroma and flavor that commercially-grown, store-bought vegetables cannot compare to.
• Growing your own vegetables and herbs help avoid the dangers of food contamination as the produce is going straight from your garden to the kitchen without any other contact in between.
• You have readily available herbs that can turn a simple dinner into a special meal.
• Gardening is good for your health, and it keeps you fit.
• Tending a garden helps relieve the stress of the day or week.

The disadvantages of growing a herb and vegetable garden on your property are given below.

• Gardening requires a lot of physical effort since it involves bending, crouching, lifting, and carrying. This level of physical activity is not suitable for everybody, and therefore you need to keep your health and fitness in mind before you undertake a gardening project.
• Growing herbs and vegetables requires knowledge of soil conditions and nutrient requirements, among other things. If you want to grow your own herbs and vegetables, you need to be prepared to do a lot of research.
• Pests and weeds can easily enter your kitchen garden. So, you need to ensure your garden is healthy to fight against these and be on the constant lookout for anything that can harm your produce.

5. Specialty gardens

Specialty gardens are the type of gardens that are created or planted for a specific purpose, and they are categorized into different types according to their purpose. For example, healing gardens are created to encourage healing of the mind and body, butterfly gardens are created to attract butterflies to the landscape, and scented gardens are created with the main purpose of including plants and flowers that release a pleasant fragrance. 

The advantages of creating specialty gardens on your property are given below.

• Specialty gardens are extremely successful in fulfilling the purpose for which they are created, and thus planting one will never be a waste of space, time or resources as they will be very useful for the homeowners.
• Specialty gardens add a unique touch to a landscape that will not be possible with traditional gardens.

Other advantages of a specialty garden depend on the type of specialty garden it is. For example, a hummingbird garden will be able to attract hummingbirds to your landscape, a therapy garden will help heal someone physically and mentally, and a memorial garden or a legacy garden will help you leave traces of yourself in a landscape that will remain beyond your lifespan.

Which garden type is the most commonly desired?

One of the most commonly desired gardens is the flower garden. Flower gardens are defined as plots of land where flowering plants are cultivated, grown and displayed for visual and aromatic purposes. In a flower garden, herbaceous plants (primarily annuals) are planted in well-cultivated flower beds that are rich in fertilizer and organic matter.

What factors should be considered when choosing the type of garden to make?

The factors to consider when choosing the right type of garden for you are given below.

• The climate in your region: The climate in your region will determine if a particular plant will thrive or die. Before you choose a plant, do some research on which plants will best adapt to your climatic conditions. You can also consult your local county extension office for this information.
• Maintenance requirement: Some garden types, like woodland gardens, have low maintenance requirements, while others, like water gardens, have high maintenance requirements. Before you install a garden type, you need to determine if you can handle its maintenance tasks.
• Size of the plant: Young plants are mostly the same size, but when plants mature, their sizes vary. You need to know the height of plants at full maturity so that you can correctly layer your garden.
• Shade and sun: If your garden receives a lot of shade, then you should consider installing a woodland garden or another garden type that will thrive in shady conditions, and if your plot receives a lot of sunlight, you can plant a herb garden in that area.
• Flowering time: If you want to plant a flower garden, it is important to know the flowering time of all the plants you want in your garden to ensure that your garden is in bloom throughout the year.

For detailed information on the garden types that will best suit your preferences and land, you can read Eden’s article – Best Types of Garden.

How to maintain a healthy garden

When a garden is cared for properly, it increases the life of the plants present in the garden. It is important to provide the right amount of water and fertilizer to all the plants according to their specific needs to ensure a garden grows healthily. 

Maintaining a garden is not an easy task and is labor-intensive and time-consuming. If you want to enjoy the comfort of a garden but don’t have the time or the energy to maintain it, you can contact Eden. Our professional landscapers provide every kind of landscaping service to ensure your garden thrives and remains healthy for a long time.