Landscape Design Themes

Garden Themes

Butterfly Garden:

Recently Butterfly Gardens have become very popular. The opening of the Butterfly Conservatory at Niagara Falls has increased interest in attracting these wonderful creatures to peoples back yards. The main emphasis is on selecting plant varieties which will act as Nectar and Larval sources for the butterflies.

Pro’s:

Wide variety of colourful plants to choose from, easy maintenance, loose free form design, incredible butterfly display provided free by nature.

Con’s:

The same flowers which attract the butterflies will also attract many other insects, such as bees, which for some people who have allergies, etc. may not wish to encourage near a pool area.

Japanese Garden:

The Japanese Garden style is usually very refined and naturalistic with an emphasis on stylized details. A very tranquil, peaceful or meditative design is the goal.

Pro’s:

Wonderful range of plants to choose from, such as the Japanese Maple family.

Con’s:

It can be difficult to fit the contemplative nature of a true Japanese Garden with the usually high level of activity associated with the average backyard swimming pool.

Colour Theme:

One of the best ways to provide continuity to your garden plan is to choose a colour theme. A succession of blooms of one colour can be very dramatic. A colour theme can also be applied through the choice of foliage colour.

Pro’s:

Unified design, a wide variety of colour themes are available to meet with most peoples colour preference.
Con’s: Some people may find a single colour theme to stark or boring.

Herb Garden:

Gardens can be more then just something good to look at, with an Herbal Garden theme, your garden can be used for culinary as well as visual appeal. Herbal gardens may also have a strong fragrance as well.

Pro’s:

Grow well on poor soils and full sun, provide an edible resource.
Con’s:

Many herbs require special soil conditions and some must be treated as annuals in northern climate.

Edible Garden:

An edible garden may provide you with a succession of fruits and vegetables. What could be better then snacking on a ripe strawberry or fresh tomato by the pool? Many of today's vegetables can be easily grown along side with your more typical garden plants and provide both a pleasing visual as well as gratifying gastronomic result.
Pros’: You can have your garden and eat it too!
Con’s: More maintenance, unconventional appearance.

Healing Garden:

A collection of plants which may have either medicinal properties or which are chosen for their healing effect on the humans senses visually and spiritually.
Pro’s: Garden is usable for more then just its’ appearance. Can be your own source for a wide variety of healing plants.

Scented Garden:

A variety of plants are chosen especially for their fragrance, which might come from a either the plants flowers or its leaves. Some plants release their fragrance in the evening as well, which lend themselves well to that late evening dip as well.

Shade/Woodland Garden:

Some sites in areas with large existing shade trees lend themselves well to the Shade Garden. A large variety of beautiful shade loving plants exist to meet most needs.
Con’s:

Only suited to sites with existing shade conditions. Woodland gardens similar to the Natural Garden take their cue from nature and continue with compatible and native species. Suited to shady, mature woodland areas.

Natural Garden

Draws on plants which you would find naturally occurring in your area. Taking into consideration what the local climate and soil conditions are one selects plants that grow well without the need for irrigation, fertilizer or pesticides. Can range from a native woodland to a prairie meadow depending on your site conditions.
Pro’s: Low maintenance, environmentally friendly.
Con’s: To some they may look ‘wild’ and unkept.

Prairie Garden:

Wildflowers and grasses dominate the Prairie Garden, generally suited to full sun sites. Informal look.
Pro’s: Require little water once established, wildlife value.

Formal Garden:

Geometric shaped planting areas, sculpture and trimmed formal hedges are just a few of the elements, well suited to Victorian/Roman shaped pools.
Con’s: usually higher maintenance.

The above are just a few theme suggestions, your garden need not conform to any one of the above. An informal blend of your favorite shrubs, perennials, and annuals can work equally well. A mix of themes can sometimes be possible depending on the size of the property, distinct ‘rooms’ may be created with their own themes. Many of the themes suggested overlap, for example some of the plants found in the Herb Garden are likely to also be found in the Scented Garden so the line can become blurred. The choice of a theme just helps us to focus on which plant varieties to choose and hence may simplify the selection process somewhat. Over riding any the themes will be your sites actual characteristics, things like sun, shade, soil, and grade, to mention just a few, have to be factored in as well.

Another consideration is your planting budget. A range of $15- $20 per square foot of planting area is another way estimating your budget.