Landscape Styles and Inspiration

I often ask my new landscape clients to gather some pictures of landscapes and ideas they like. I tell them not to worry about where the picture comes from. We can make most styles work with Central Texas Plants.

One of my clients has a French countryside-style garden. You can also mix design ideas. I have one client who wanted a Hill Country look with a Japanese influence. I designed a New England landscape here as well. That one was cool.

So, please let some of these pictures inspire you. Don't hold yourself back thinking you cannot do something because you do not live in a particular climate with it's specific geology.

Common Landscape Styles

Desert-Style Landscape

Desert landscapes, commonly called Southwestern landscapes, are inspired by natural desert areas. They usually have a few Native American details added in as well.

Key elements of a Desert-Style Landscape:

Rely mostly on cacti and succulents, though other low-water plants can be included
Most of the ground is covered by gravel, usually warmer tones.
Dry creek beds are often included, and sometimes even private oasis is included.
Terracing with boulders or railroad ties is common.

English Cottage-Style Landscape

Ah, the ever-evolving English Gardens! What started out heavily inspired by formal French gardens changed to more of a Dutch feel that rejected formality. Later, water features became important, along with bridges, benches, and other structures. After this, the gardens became more wild and romantic. Finally, they became more of the cottage garden style we most commonly refer to today, a controlled, wild, yet functional garden. This English Cottage Style truly is a mix of different styles with many different influences.

Key elements of an English Cottage-Style Landscape:

Many Flowering Perennials, typically softer and more romantic
Purples, blues, pinks, and whites (other colors can be incorporated but should stay soft)
Some evergreen shrubs to help control the chaos
Lawn areas, they don't have to be large
Curvy pathways
Rock borders
Picket fences and garden gates
Often include herbs, vegetables, fruits, and berries
Rustic materials (furniture, pergolas, garden art)
Cozy seating areas

French-Style Landscape

French-style landscapes are often designed as an extension of the home's architecture. They are symmetrical, well-manicured, and represent order.

Key elements of a French-Style Landscape:

The residence should be the main focal point
Intricate patterns created from hedged shrubs
Virtually everything in the design is geometric and planted with symmetry
Water is incorporated as a number one element
Geometrically shaped pools (fountain/pond pools) are very common
Trees are planted in straight lines
Walkways are bordered with hedges
The use of straight alleys leading to something significant, such as a fountain or sculpture

Japanese-Style Landscape

Japanese-style landscapes are influenced by the natural landscape of Honshu Island. There are volcanic peaks, narrow valleys, streams, waterfalls, and beaches with small stones. There is a variety of plants with very distinct seasonal interests. Religious beliefs of the region also play a key role in symbolism throughout the landscape.

Key elements of a Japanese-style landscape:

Include the four essential elements: rock, water, plants, and ornaments
Symmetry, enclosure, borrowed scenery, and balance
Natural paving materials
Rocks are used as artistic focal points
Japanese garden decor
Water features including bamboo, stone basins, waterfalls, or koi ponds
Wave-like patterns can be used in gravel to symbolize water
Topiary trees

Religious Symbolism:

Pathways lead to enlightenment

Three rocks-the Buddhist trinity

A crane-longevity

Mounds-mountain ranges

Japanese maple welcomes autumn as a friend

Cherry blossom-the beauty yet shortness of life

Modern-Style Landscape

Modern landscape design focuses just as much, if not more, on materials than on plants. Geometry is very important in this type of landscape. Everything must fit together like a puzzle.

Key elements of a Modern-style landscape:

straight lines, squares, and rectangles (yes, circles can be incorporated too)
Less is more
Plants with distinct shapes
Stick with just a few types of plants and nothing wild or wandering
Neat rows
Pairs of plants are often used at entrances
Concrete and metal are often used
No clutter, mismatched pots, or collections of yard art

Spanish-Style Landscape

Spanish-style landscapes rely heavily on contrast and attention to detail. Symmetry is one of the main elements of the original Spanish gardens. This has mostly changed with time, but some areas must have symmetry to hold the authenticity of a true Spanish garden. Water is also extremely important in this style.

Key elements of a Spanish-style landscape:

Impressive fountains and reflection pools
Multiple small fountains throughout the landscape is common
Separate spaces with walled sections (knee walls are common)
Seating areas with potted plants
Saltillo pavers and ironwork
Bold colors and intricate ceramic tiles
Terra cotta and urns
Mosaic accents and meandering lines of river rock or tile
Pathways and patios are very artistic
Bright blue glazed pots and white colors plaster
Reflection pools are rectangular

Tropical-Style Landscape

Tropical landscapes are inspired by the native plants growing in hot and humid climates. We can do that here in Central Texas or tweak it to be more water-conscious.

Key elements in a Tropical-style landscape:

Lush, tropical plants, with the majority having broad leaves
Bold colors
Bamboo accents
Tiki statues and torches
Hammocks
Ponds

Woodland-Style Landscape

Woodland-style landscapes are designed to be an extension of the natural forest.

Key elements of a Woodland-style landscape:

Relaxed and natural
Plant layering
Free form paths
Soft edges
Natural stone
Broad-leaved plants mixed with light, feathery textures
It can be lush or very simplistic

Plant suggestions:

Japanese Maple

Holly Ferns

Split Leaf Philodendrons

Leather Leaf Mahonia

Liriope

Oakleaf Hydrangea

Xeriscape-Style Landscape

Xeriscaping is more of a method of designing than it is a style. The goal is to design a landscape so that it needs as little water as possible. Some think it means adding a lot of rock and less plants. Really we just need to focus on planting smart for our area. The only requirement is to save water. This could mean we plant native plants that are rugged and very drought tolerant. We could plant a cactus garden. We could add a ton of rock and plant only a few things. This really depends on your style and preference... also your HOA rules. I would recommend looking through the other styles of landscape and see what you're attracted to. A Xeriscape can be Modern, Spanish, Desert, or whatever you like as long as it uses little water.

A little more on landscape styles...

I have shared above just a few common and more well-known landscape styles. There are others, and many are influenced by the ones above or blended with various styles to create another style.

Some examples are:

Mediterranean landscape:

Mediterranean landscapes are influenced by the arid climate of Arabia, with its orange-colored sand, rock, and palm trees. They are also influenced by the gardens of Greece and Rome, with their extravagant sculptures, and by Italy's beautiful fountains and water features. A Mediterranean landscape has a casual elegance. It uses relaxed materials with some formal accents. There's an emphasis on the outdoor lifestyle. Common elements include terracotta pots, tiered fountains, statuary, and herb gardens.

Italian Landscapes:

Influenced by ancient Roman architecture with Spanish elements, 17th-century Italian gardens took on a heavy French feel. These landscapes are focused on order and beauty. Limit this style to one or two shades of flowers set against symmetrical greenery. Vine and rose-covered structures provide shade for garden viewing. Fountains, water features, and statues are important. Tall cypress and hedged boxwoods are common plant choices.

Tuscan Landscapes:

Influenced by the rolling hills and vineyards of the Italian countryside with a touch of Mediterranean flare. They tend to be more formal near the residence, becoming more informal as they extend further into the landscape. Not everything in the landscape must be perfectly maintained. Some plants may grow to their natural form. This type of landscape usually contains some sustainable aspects. Arbors and pergolas are added to the landscape for relaxation. More natural-looking stonework is used. The designs are simple. Common elements include boxed hedges, terracotta pots, gravel, fountains, urns, fruit trees, and herbs.

Remember, the possibilities are endless! Consider the regions you love and the aspects that resonate with you. Don't be afraid to mix and match styles and elements to create a landscape that is uniquely yours. This is your opportunity to express your personal taste and create a space that truly reflects you.

If you're feeling overwhelmed, remember that you don't have to adhere to a specific style. Perhaps you're drawn to a particular plant or material, and that's enough to start with. You can leave the rest to us. We're here to help you bring your unique vision to life, whether it fits into a specific style or not.

Inspiring Designs

New England Landscape

The focus in this New England Cottage Style Landscape is color! So much bold color.

Plant suggestions:

Red Oak Tree

Blue Point Juniper

Nandinas

Butterfly Weed

Mystic Spires Salvia

Knock Out Roses

Yellow Lantana

Annuals

Japanese Landscape

This landscape may not be from around here, but we can use it for inspiration.

Plant suggestions:

Dwarf Yaupon Holly

Japanese Yew

Blue Point Juniper

Forest Pansy Red Bud

French Landscape

Look at the rows of plants and how symmetry plays a roll in this landscape. The color pops are clean and in mass groupings to achieve more impact.

Plant suggestions:

Baby Gem Boxwood

Begonias

Artemesia

Flowering Kale

Anacacho Orchid tree instead of the tree roses

Fun Ideas

Stone balancing can be a fun way to add your own creativity to your landscape. Don't just think balancing river rock. What about some flagstone or honeycomb rock?