A Global Garden Overview: English, French, and Japanese Styles Compared

Looking for garden inspiration? This year, explore some of the world’s most renowned garden styles: the charming and simple English cottage gardens, the iconic and elegant gardens of Versailles, or the tranquil, Zen-inspired gardens of Japan. Whether your preference is for roses or rocks, vibrant flowers or resilient evergreens, dramatic water features or hidden walkways, there's a perfect style for your garden.

English

If you prefer a garden that feels natural and relaxed rather than formal and structured, the English cottage garden could be the perfect style for you. These gardens, developed as a response to the rigid, artificial designs of the early 1700s, often feature climbing plants and ivy, with a focus on asymmetry. They are typically finished with arbors and benches, allowing the space to feel a bit overgrown, but still well-kept and not overcrowded.

French

Envisioning a garden inspired by the grandeur of Versailles and pre-Revolutionary France? Create geometric planting beds separated by clean, crisp walkways, and add small fountains or water features that echo the magnificent ones designed for King Louis XIV. Consider growing French culinary vegetables like celeriac, asparagus, and leeks, while adding colorful pops of lavender, roses, and climbing vines.

Japanese

Japanese gardens are more than just beautiful; they are crafted to reflect Zen Buddhist principles. Gardens around Japanese homes are often enclosed by hedges or fences and feature vibrant blooms from irises and lilies, while showcasing evergreens throughout the year. A distinctive element of Japanese gardens is the presence of running water—whether in the form of a fountain, pond, or water basin—flowing from east to west with the sun. Rocks and stones also hold a significant place in the design, sometimes even more important than the plants themselves.