Types of Gardens

Themed gardens come in many forms: some enthusiasts create rugged rock gardens filled with alpine plants, while others seek the serenity of water gardens, complete with aquatic plants and fish. No matter your gardening passion (or your garden's specific requirements), there's a garden style perfect for you.

Discover everything you need to know about establishing and maintaining various types of gardens.

Rock Gardens

A well-designed rock garden mirrors the ruggedness of an alpine mountainside, featuring jagged stones, alpine blooms, and foliage, perhaps even with a waterfall. These gardens are ideal for sloped areas of your lawn where maintaining grass would be difficult.

Rose Gardens

The timeless beauty of the rose has captivated both gardeners and poets for centuries. It's no surprise that so many gardeners dedicate entire gardens to this elegant yet hardy flower. With a vast range of colors and varieties, there's a rose to suit every taste.

Shade Gardens

Some parts of your yard are bound to be in constant shade. Whether it's in the northern exposure or beneath a large shade tree, many plants and grasses simply won't thrive. But don't worry -- there are plenty of shade-loving flowers, vines, and ground covers to brighten those dim spaces.

Water Gardens

In the past, creating a water garden was a costly and complex project that required professional skills. However, new materials like flexible liners and preformed pools have revolutionized water gardens, making it easy for anyone to design and cultivate their own aquatic haven.

Herb Gardens

For those who love both gardening and cooking, an herb garden is a perfect combination. Many popular culinary herbs, both perennial and annual, are simple to grow in the garden or in window boxes. The next time you're preparing pesto or a flavorful herbed dish, you'll have fresh, home-grown herbs at your fingertips.

Container Gardening

Container gardens are ideal for beginners and small spaces. You can grow a variety of flowers and foliage in pots or dedicate a container to herbs or specialty plants, such as roses or orchids.

Bulb Gardens

Bulb flowers need a bit of care, but the reward is breathtaking spring blooms. After they’ve finished flowering, divide the bulbs to prepare them for next year’s vibrant display.

Annual Gardens

Annual gardens deliver vibrant blooms from spring through fall. Plant annuals if you crave a continuous splash of color in your garden. With regular deadheading, weeding, and watering, your annuals will thrive throughout the season.

Perennial Gardens

Perennials bring lasting beauty to your garden, returning each year with fresh blooms and lush greenery. While they typically flower once per season, some are grown primarily for their attractive foliage.

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