The suburban area is designed according to the same principles as the interior of the house: it has its own style, composition, characteristic elements that are combined with each other. In this article we talk about the main styles of landscape design: how they differ from each other and which one to choose for your site.

All About Landscape Styles

What are
– Classic
— English
– Rustic
— Modern
— High tech
— Minimalism
— Eco
– Scandinavian
— Japanese
– Mediterranean
— Lesnoy
Which style to choose

What styles of landscape design are

In total, more than 20 areas are distinguished in the landscape business, which are divided into two large groups: historical and modern. Consider the most popular.

1. Classic

He’s also regular. It is in this style that we imagine gardens when we think of Versailles and other royal parks. This direction, based on the classical canons, has the following features.

• Clear geometric lines.

• Strict symmetry and compositional center (for example, a fountain, sculpture or flower bed).

• Figured trees and shrubs framing alleys and paths.
• Use of natural materials — stone, marble, wood.
• Sculptures in antique style, large flowerpots, arches and columns as decorations.
• Decorative ponds of the correct form — most often a circle, square or rectangle.
• Smooth lawns as the basis of the landscape.
• The predominance of white and green colors, which are diluted with bright accents — flowers in flower beds or in flowerpots.

2. English

In another way, it is called landscape. Unlike the severity of the previous direction, here it is based on a feeling of slight negligence and neglect. Of course, carefully calibrated. The main markers of this style will be as follows.

• Smooth lines, lack of strict forms.
• The house and the territory are perceived as one whole — creeping plants entwining fences and walls help with this.
• Winding paths winding between shrubs and flower beds.
• Multi-height landscaping — all plants of different sizes.
• Hedges.
• Artificial reservoirs of natural form, water lilies or lilies grow in the water.
• Benches buried in flowers or a table with chairs for tea drinking in nature.

Such a territory requires constant care, because otherwise the feigned neglect will turn into a real one, and the territory will become mired in weeds and neglected plants.

3. Rustic

Country is one of the most cheerful and easy-to-perform styles, for which many people fell in love with. His features can be described as follows.

• Ease, the main goal is to please the eye and promote outdoor recreation.
• Use of natural materials (wood, straw, stone, vine) and bright colors.
• Landscaping with unpretentious plants that are easy to care for.
• Fruit trees, berry bushes, medicinal crops and spices (thyme, cloves, lemon balm, thyme, mint).
• The lawn may not be perfectly flat, striving for natural lines, minimal human intervention.
• Figured planters and tubs, garden figurines, log benches, original club design are used as decor.

4. Modern

The first of the modern trends. Appeared at the beginning of the twentieth century during the heyday of Art Deco and Art Nouveau. He has such traits.

• Smooth forms and transitions, mobility of lines.
• The harmony of the elements, everything flows and flows into each other.
• A clear composition, but at the same time asymmetry.
• Elegance and mystery.
• Natural materials — stone, wood.
• The presence of an artificial reservoir, fountain, stream or small pond.

Most often, climbing and creeping plants with pointed leaves at the end are chosen for the modern garden. Trees are of complex shape, with beautiful branches, for example, elm, willow, linden. Flowers — large, fragrant, with a deep bright color. Lilies, peonies, roses, daffodils, iris and poppies are best suited for this role. In general, plants are less important than decorative elements, of which there should be many: from arbors to beautiful planters.

5. Hi-tech

The most daring of all modern trends. Fully supports the philosophy of the interior «brother».

• The most even lines, the predominance of right angles.
• Rough industrial materials in the design of the territory — concrete, metal, glass, plastic, mirror surfaces.
• A lot of free space, a simple lawn prevails.
• Restrained colors without bright spots.
• Futuristic forms of decorative elements — for example, a fountain in the form of a cube, sphere or hemisphere.

The main advantage of this site design is that it does not require constant and complex maintenance, so it is suitable for busy people who do not have time for painstaking daily garden care.

6. Minimalism

Minimalistically designed areas are typical for modern houses of strict laconic forms. They are complemented by the straight lines of the landscape, the absence of excessive pomposity, classical sculptures and lush flowerpots. The main markers of minimalism in the garden are as follows.

• Monochrome colors — in the context of vegetation, this implies the predominance of a green background and either the complete absence of other colors, or literally 2-3 blotches of colors.
• Strict geometry is expressed not necessarily in a symmetrical arrangement of elements, but also in a well-thought-out composition as a whole.
• Minimum decor. Simple garden furniture, 1-2 laconic sculptures, a gazebo are allowed.
• The surface is dominated by evenly trimmed lawn. Instead of winding paths — paved areas and straight paths. In general, stone can prevail over greenery.
• Artificial ponds or pools are usually rectangular or square.

7. Eco

Otherwise, it is called naturgarden (natural garden — from German). Its main idea is closeness to nature and maximum naturalness of the territory. Mini ecosystems are created on the site, where plants grow, develop and interact according to the laws of wildlife. Human intervention is minimal, it is a departure from strict geometry to the feeling of a primeval forest or meadow. Such gardens are characterized by the following characteristics.

• Landscaping with crops that grow in this area, without exotic.
• Decoration of terraces and arbors with climbing plants.
• The absence of rigid geometric lines, natural-shaped flower beds.
• A lawn instead of a perfectly mowed lawn.
• A small garden or greenhouse.
• Clay pots, wheelbarrows, stones and figured driftwood as decorative elements.

8. Scandinavian

Scandi fell in love not only with residents of city apartments, but also with owners of country houses. As a result, practicality and simplicity stood out in a whole separate direction in landscape business. What is characteristic of him?

• Practical minimalism — no complex compositions, heaps of sculptures and intricate labyrinths of paths.
• Simplicity and functionality above all else.
• Low trees and shrubs, flowers grow in neat flower beds, planters or trays.
• Landscaping is as natural as possible, can be supplemented with a small artificial pond or a table with a couple of chairs.
• The paths are naturally winding, covered with gravel, sand or stone; there may be slopes and mounds on the territory.

Most often, this style is used in small areas where there are compact houses. Suitable for classic six acres.

9. Japanese

The most popular destination among Asian exotics. The Japanese garden is elegance, mystery and symbolism in every detail. The main principles are naturalness, harmony and asymmetry of all elements. They do not repeat in shape and size. What should be in a Japanese garden?

• Plants — the natural landscape is taken as the basis, trees and shrubs are chosen elongated or round, necessarily sakura, plum or other flowering crops and conifers.
• Water — in a variety of forms (pond, stream, waterfall, fountain), and the more the better.

• Stones — the third mandatory element, are placed on the territory in groups, the three main ones are arranged according to the principle of a triangle (one large in the center and two smaller ones nearby).

Just like Scandi, the Japanese direction is characterized by miniaturization, so it is easy to implement it in a small area.

10. Mediterranean

Mediterranean areas are characterized by warm bright colors and a lot of sun. The main markers of this style are as follows.

• Designing the landscape in such a way that chiaroscuro is created.
• Coniferous and fruit trees, palm trees, sprawling shrubs, cacti.
• In general, unpretentious plants that can withstand dry weather are chosen.
• Flowers in large clay or stone pots.
• Since summers are hot in the south, most of the lawn is replaced by a flat area filled with gravel, which retains moisture and makes it easier to maintain the area.
• Winding garden paths paved with stone or mosaics.
• Water for cooling on a hot day — a pool, fountain or small waterfall.
• Light garden furniture, most often a table and chairs on the terrace or under a canopy, surrounded by pots of flowers.

11. Forest

Like nature garden, this direction is characterized by minimal interference with the natural landscape of the territory. This is a common solution for sites located in the forest, hence the name. For this style, the following is important.

• Do not plan and plant the land, but harmoniously connect the house and the plot.
• Don’t do major renovations.
• Use natural materials, including in decoration — for example, instead of paving, lay paths with beams, bark or gravel.
• For landscaping, use forest plants characteristic of the area to the maximum.
• Garden furniture and gazebos are also made from natural materials and varnished, without unnecessary pretentiousness and complex architectural forms.

What style to choose for the site

We examined the styles of landscape design and their characteristic features. To understand which one is suitable for your suburban area, consider the following.

Territory size — some areas require large spaces (for example, a regular garden or high-tech), and some feel better on a few hundred square meters (Scandi, eco or Japanese).

Relief features — if the ground is uneven, there are many drops, slopes and mounds, it is better to choose styles that emphasize the natural landscape.

Home design — it must be in harmony with the surrounding nature. An old family estate is unlikely to harmonize with futuristic high-tech lines, and a modern minimalist house with the splendor of a regular garden.

Soil and climate features — based on this, you will understand which plants will take root better in the territory.