Online garden design: make your dream garden a reality

The traditional style dates back to the Victorian period, which includes strong geometric shapes created around central areas.

The architectural effect is provided by the appearance of neatly trimmed hedges and topiaries used as a focal point.  Plants are used as sculptures, decorative paths and paving are commonly used together with reflective pools or fountains. Patios attached to the house can be edged using balustrades and decorative urns or pots on plinths to decorate the patios and the paths.

We recommend that this style be used in traditional Victorian properties and chateaux.

As opposed to formal garden symmetry, the informal style does not have to be symmetrical.

The geometrical shapes are replaced with a softer look of irregularly shaped borders and curved paths consisting of natural materials.

Borders are usually filled with various plants of different colours, shapes and textures to provide the desired contrasts. They can be planted in close proximity to create a full appearance or in larger proximity to create a see-through planting scheme. Large or small lawns are often featured to create balance.

Natural stone, brick or wood is the most common material used for paving or walling.

The layout of cottage gardens usually includes geometric shapes of squares and rectangles, often reminding us of a vegetable garden or an allotment.

These sections are mostly planted with herbaceous perennials and annual colourful plants positioned in close proximity to each other. This abundance of planting essentially leads to the disappearance of the strong lines of the beds.

Central paths and patios can be created from natural stone, brick or gravel (plants in stone or terracotta pots). Hedges can be used to provide a natural windbreaker and arches create focal points as a walkway.

To understand the Mediterranean style garden, first, we need to think of its dry nature. All the plants and vegetation included should have a drought-tolerant look and will be silver, grey or blue in foliage colour. If hedges are included, they should be neatly trimmed and bay tree topiary can be used as the focal point. Slender Italian cypress provides height and can create alleyways when planted alongside paths and steps.

Limestone gravel is widely used as a mulch and often decorates an entire outdoor space. Large rocks or borders can be dotted within for a better impact. Mosaic tiles or slabbing is used on seating areas and patios and the walls are whitewashed.

Garden structures such as pergolas underplanted with ornamental vines provide a hideaway from direct sunlight.

Modern or architectural garden styles include strong geometrical shapes and clean lines. Horizontal, vertical, modern, and smooth polished materials are favoured.

Seating areas and patios can be constructed using ceramic style slabbing of larger sizes to limit joining and pointing or composite and cedar wood-style decking. Water features and reflective pools include polished chrome or stainless steel.

Fine lawns or artificial grass if used are usually included in minimally sized plants often planted in rectangular beds, raised beds or modern pots these are not grown for the flower display or scent, but for their shapes. The planting scheme is very simple and often substituted by neatly shaped hedges.

Japanese zen gardens are very well balanced, and the elements include colourful planting, gravel, lawns and ornaments.

Plants are selected to create spectacular colour combinations all year round and often include topiary in the forms of various cloud trees. Gravelled areas are regularly raked to form ripples, resembling water.

Informality in Japanese gardens can be found in the soft look of larger lawns. Water features are created in the form of irregular shaped ponds and streams and arched bridges are almost always included to cross them. A traditional Japanese lantern is always a must.