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Lay of the Landscape: Theme Gardens
Whether you're a collector, a romantic or a kid at heart, here's how to create a garden that reflects your unique interests
Houzz Contributor. I'm a California-based writer and editor. While most of my projects are garden-based, you might also find be writing about home projects and classical music. Away from the computer, I'm found in the garden (naturally), on my bike, or ice-skating outdoors (yes, that is possible in California). I'm also willing to taste-test anything that's chocolate.
Houzz Contributor. I'm a California-based writer and editor. While most... More »
When it comes to deciding what you want your landscape to look like, it's great to have a starting point. Exploring the different styles of gardens that have developed over the years and throughout the world will give you an idea of what works best for you. Learning the elements that comprise a landscape style helps you recreate that look in your own space.
That's great if you want a certain style of garden. But there's another option— the theme garden. It may be a quiet sanctuary, a reflection of colors you love or an outdoor version of your indoor decorating style. It may also be something completely different, perhaps a recreation of a childhood fantasy garden or a tribute to your favorite plants or favorite sport. Or it might be something that's simply and uniquely your own.
Theme gardens can be any size, from an entire plot of land to a small corner. It's nice if they fit with the rest of the style, but that's not a must. If they make you happy, that's all you need.
The list of possible theme gardens is endless, only limited by your imagination. But here are some ideas to get you started.
That's great if you want a certain style of garden. But there's another option— the theme garden. It may be a quiet sanctuary, a reflection of colors you love or an outdoor version of your indoor decorating style. It may also be something completely different, perhaps a recreation of a childhood fantasy garden or a tribute to your favorite plants or favorite sport. Or it might be something that's simply and uniquely your own.
Theme gardens can be any size, from an entire plot of land to a small corner. It's nice if they fit with the rest of the style, but that's not a must. If they make you happy, that's all you need.
The list of possible theme gardens is endless, only limited by your imagination. But here are some ideas to get you started.
| The color garden. Going with a specific color scheme is probably one of the easiest ways to make a garden uniquely your own. They say white is the absence of color, but in this space, it is the defining element. It's also a classic look. Design tip: A green and white color scheme visually cools down a garden on a hot summer day. |
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If bright and sunny is your style, look to yellows, oranges and reds to spice up your garden. They also hold up well against intense sunlight.
Purples and blues create a restful retreat, especially welcome at the end of a hectic workweek. If you want a bit more color, pink is a logical choice, but orange will make a stronger statement.
Design tip: Whether your taste runs to cool hues or hot, including a single plant with a flower color from the opposite side of the color wheel will add punch and a focal point to the space.
Design tip: Whether your taste runs to cool hues or hot, including a single plant with a flower color from the opposite side of the color wheel will add punch and a focal point to the space.
| A green garden, which depends on foliage rather than blooms to provide the color, can still be surprisingly complex. Even within the single-color guideline, you'll find foliage and flowers that range from yellow to gray and everything in between. |
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| The collector's garden. Sometimes a single plant captures your fancy; sometimes it's a family of plants. Either way, feature that passion in your garden design. In this case, it's a mix of succulents, thoughtfully placed to highlight the uniqueness of each type of plant while still fitting together in a seamless fashion. |
Traditional rose gardens let you show off individual plants while streamlining maintenance — it's easier to deadhead roses or provide essential nutrients and water when every plant in a space has the same care requirements. They're also gorgeous when in full bloom, and they're a featured element in traditional garden design.
Design tip: Don't feel bound by convention. Roses also are at home when scattered throughout the garden, including your vegetable patch. After all, some varieties have petals and hips that are edible.
Design tip: Don't feel bound by convention. Roses also are at home when scattered throughout the garden, including your vegetable patch. After all, some varieties have petals and hips that are edible.
| The sanctuary garden. While most people find gardens inherently relaxing, creating a spot specifically designed for that purpose may draw you into the space more often.The key to this space is the simple, almost minimalist, look. There's a touch of a Zen approach, but this look will blend with a number of garden styles. |
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| A meditation spot such as this can serve multiple purposes: a sitting place, a dining area, a perch with a view and, with the furniture moved, a lovely spot for yoga on a peaceful afternoon. Design tip: Even if you don't have a great view, you can easily tuck a small pavilion into a corner of your garden. |
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A meditation garden outside a breakfast nook ensures that your day will start peacefully and calmly, even if it doesn't end that way.
Meditation doesn't necessarily mean inactivity. A simple feature such as this meditation walk is a garden focal point and a way to focus your thoughts. Note how the size of the stones goes from small to large as you move to the inside of the circle.
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| The romantic garden. There's nothing wrong with a standard patio dining set complete with umbrella, a small wrought-iron table or even a picnic bench setup. After all, these are outdoor classics for a reason. But don't stop there. If shabby chic is your indoor style, take it outside, with linens, pillows and fresh-cut flowers from the garden. It might not be practical for everyday use, but it's ideal for a tea party. |
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Forget the lattice overhead and add exotic flair with softly draped panels that evoke the feeling of a luxurious tent. The rug underfoot adds to the ambience, as do the pillows. There's shade, but enough light filters through to keep the space from feeling too closed in and dark.
Design tip: Recreating this look is fairly simple — you just need supports for the cloth and long sheets of fabric. However, be sure to attach the fabric firmly to the supports or it may blow away to land on other parts of your garden.
Design tip: Recreating this look is fairly simple — you just need supports for the cloth and long sheets of fabric. However, be sure to attach the fabric firmly to the supports or it may blow away to land on other parts of your garden.
The play garden. Juggling play space and garden design can be a challenge. You're often left with a swingset in the middle of your lawn and a sand pit where your conversation pit once stood. Instead of putting play structures in a safe spot and hoping for the best, incorporate them into the entire design.
Design tip: Matching the wood and the design of the play structure to the wood of the fence and bench helps pull everything together.
Design tip: Matching the wood and the design of the play structure to the wood of the fence and bench helps pull everything together.
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| In what otherwise would be an adult space, a bright, child-friendly table and chairs create a fun spot for small fry. |
| This wall serves two purposes. By day, it's a way to practice your climbing holds. By night (or when not in use), it's a bright accent in an otherwise neutral space. Design tip: Matching random squares of the patio to the color of the wall is a fun touch. |
| For chess fanatics, what can be better than your own giant chessboard? It may not be quite Harry Potter size, but it's still big enough that it's easy to watch the action even if you're not standing next to it. |
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It's a touch of paradise: a tropical beach in the middle of a Chicago yard. It may not be big, but with a hammock, chair and umbrella, plus lots of sand, what more do you need? The owner says it even holds up under winter snow with no adverse effects.
Design tip: The owner simply rakes the area once a week to keep out debris such as fallen leaves, but you may want to cover the area or install chicken wire just beneath the sand to keep out both debris and the neighborhood cats.
Design tip: The owner simply rakes the area once a week to keep out debris such as fallen leaves, but you may want to cover the area or install chicken wire just beneath the sand to keep out both debris and the neighborhood cats.
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The funky garden. Most of us have a need to personalize some aspect of our space — some of us are just more obvious about it. Still, it's hard to resist this garden bed (in all senses of the phrase).
Design tip: Although this appears casual, you will need to plan ahead to keep this look going. Beneath the mass of flowers is a solid, soil-filled enclosure between the posts of the bedframe. You'll also need to water consistently to keep the bed in bloom.
Design tip: Although this appears casual, you will need to plan ahead to keep this look going. Beneath the mass of flowers is a solid, soil-filled enclosure between the posts of the bedframe. You'll also need to water consistently to keep the bed in bloom.
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Standard garden features, such as this bench, take on new life with a bright color. The coordinating spikes beyond in the planting bed ensure that this garden corner will not be overlooked.
Comments
SPACIFY INC, really lovely ideas..very nice outdoor play area.
10 months ago · Like
olldbobbi Since white is one of my favorite colors, I have to go with the all white garden. I've heard it called a "moon garden". I would never plant roses in any color, they grow like weeds in our backyard and drive me crazy!
10 months ago · Like
Jay Sifford Garden Design Nice article, great timing. I'm in the process of doing a garden celebrating shapes, particularly globe shapes, with appropriate plants and sculpture, playing off some existing blue hydrangeas. I'm breaking those shapes up some with grasses, rosemary etc. So far it's looking good and the client is thrilled with it.
10 months ago · Like
· 1
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Dolores Stewart Great posting. Lots of beautiful and creative garden ideas. Thanks
10 months ago · Like
smilesvanessa3 Beautiful relaxing great ideas !
10 months ago · Like
kennedytarheel so many cool ideas! especially the meditation garden, and the sand
9 months ago · Like
gneut Just discovered white leaf hostas for my garden. Can't wait to plant them.
9 months ago · Like
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gaillorene In the all white garden, what is climbing on the wall? Lovely.
9 months ago · Like
Ideabook published on Aug. 10, 2012.
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