Any beginner gardener dreams of a garden design with big trees, vibrant flower beds, hedges, roses, reservoirs … and is willing to put every effort for giving life of his ideas, forgetting that in the garden everything should be harmonious. So when the time comes to design your beautiful garden, first of all, it is necessary to determine the style and decide which one of the traditional designs would match your fantasies.
Japanese garden design combines stones and water
There is nothing random in the Japanese garden layout, everything has its own meaning – the plants and the order of their placement. Every detail, even the smallest one is in amazing harmony with everything around and has its own symbolism. The bridge over the creek represents the sun, the bamboo represents resistance and patience, pine trees – longevity, oak – strength, lotus – wisdom. The main elements in all Japanese gardens are stone and water. Their presence in the Japanese garden is a must as per Buddhism. The stones symbolize the “yang ” – the bright positive masculine principle while the water represents the ” yin” – the feminine , the dark force opposing yang. Japanese gardens are designed in such a way so that they reveal beautiful landscapes gradually. The paths are curved or placed in a circle around the central part of the yard. A special highlight of these gardens is the pavement that serves as a transition to a stream or pond.
Spanish garden design
Due to the fact that Spain was under the reign of the Arabs for several centuries, this inevitably reflected in the garden layout. In the Islam water symbolizes the beginning of life and heavenly bliss, so these gardens always have many water sources. Fountains and pools lined with stone, colored ceramic or glass give these gardens a fairy character and small channels emphasize the strict geometry of the layout. Another distinctive feature of the Spanish garden is the limited patio (courtyard) in the open. Usually it is framed by galleries, wrapped with vines and rambling roses. Paths are designed with decorative flooring – tiles or natural stones.
When you design a Spanish garden you need to know the most typical elements. Courtyards and the surrounding architecture need to reflect the architecture and exterior of the house. Seating areas and potted plants should be incorporated into the garden and provide a view of the landscape. Whether a large fountain in the center of the garden or multiple small fountains, this is one of the main features in a Spanish garden. Symmetry is another characteristic feature which you should have in mind when planning the layout of the garden.
The open plan of the English garden layout is used to emphasize the virtues of natural plants and, if necessary, to hide flaws. Trees and shrubs are located in picturesque groups, the paths repeat the outlines of the landscape and smooth flowing river or a quiet pond add to the life of the garden. Such areas have a natural beauty that is achieved by strict rules. The design must consider even the seasonal changes in the color of leaves, grass and color of flowers. The principle of contrast is a must: dark trees and shrubs are alternating with bright flower beds, lawns with closed areas. Garden sculptures and accessories have an important role. Flowers in the English garden grow right through the grass and the lawn is never bordered with stone curbs.
The Chinese garden is strictly hierarchical and has a main central composition while all other elements are arranged around it in a srtict order. Garden structures usually are bridges, pagodas and stairs in bright colors – red, green or yellow. The structure of the Chinese garden fully meets the Feng Shui study for harmony in the relationship between man and nature. Chinese gardens have three compulsory elements: plants, decorative hills and water.
The gardens of Louis XIV are considered as the representative of the style which originated in France and reached its zenith during the rule of Louis XIV. Symmetric layout and sharp crisp lines – these are the main features. A special role is given to the numerous beds with manicured grass which surround a decorative pool, lake, canal or fountain. Often the whole panorama of this garden is set on a flat level. The plants, suitable for a French garden are Thuya , spiraea , fir, maple, tilia and decorative plum and apple.
Also read: Walled Garden Design Ideas – How to Create Your Own Secret Garden?
