Types of Gardens : Part 1

Believe it or not, there are dozens of types of gardens. Each one has a different purpose and aesthetic. As I was working on the landscaping for our home, I started to study the types of gardens to get a better idea of what I wanted my yard and garden to look and feel like.

Vegetable Garden

This is probably the most common type of garden. (This is not a picture of my garden btw). These gardens are typically for growing edible plants like vegetables, herbs, and fruits. They are very versatile and you can eat what you plant! Many vegetable gardens are grown in raised beds or right in the ground. Vegetable gardeners choose things to plant based on what they like to eat (or give away) and their climate. These kinds of gardens require maintenance, making sure there is enough sunlight, water, and nutrients. Vegetable gardens need a lot of weeding and pest control. They are seasonal, meaning they only last one growing season (annuals vs perennials).

Flower Garden

Flower gardens are one of my favorite types of gardens. I love the colors and smells of the flowers in the spring and summer and the sense of serenity and peace they bring. Flowers are grown in pots, containers, beds, flower boxes, landscapes, and meadows. It’s important to choose the flowers based on your climate and growing zone, the location of where you’ll have it (sun vs shade) and how much water it will get. There are annual and perennial flowers to choose from. Flowers require maintenance in that they need sun, water, fertilizer, pest control, some deadheading and pruning, and weeding.

Shade Garden

A shade garden is designed for areas that get a lot of shade and have limited sunlight. I LOVE shade gardens. They are lush and peaceful and have every shade of green imaginable. These gardens thrive on rich, moist soil. Weeds and moss also love the shade and can compete with your shady plants. My favorite shade garden plants are hostas, ferns, bleeding hearts, and astilbes. Several kinds of frogs, insects, and birds love these shady spots.

Water Garden

A water garden is kind of how it sounds… a garden on the water. They feature aquatic plants and water features like ponds or fountains. Many water gardens also include fish like koi and goldfish, while also attracting frogs, dragonflies and birds. Plants that grow well in water are lilies, lotus, water hyacinth and even some submerged plants like waterweed. Plants enhance the visual appeal of a water garden but also oxygenate and filter the water. If you have young children around, you’ll have to make sure they are safe and protected from falling in and drowning.

Rock Garden

A rock garden incorporates rocks and native plants to create a rocky landscape. I love incorporating large boulders in gardens and landscapes. They add texture and visual interest and sometimes even height. When done well, a rock garden can be really beautiful and interesting. The plants in rock gardens tend to be lower maintenance and drought tolerant. They love rocky soil and need good drainage. Some examples of plants that would do well here are succulents, penstemon, rock roses, and thyme.

There are more types of gardens that I’ll cover in another post. Hopefully this gives you some inspiration for your own garden.