Garden Styles & Colour Guide

Cottage Garden (Romantic)

Feel: Soft, abundant, relaxed, traditional

This is a classic, flower-filled garden style with lots of colour and movement. Plants are layered and repeated, but not rigid or formal.

Key features:

• Flowing planting rather than straight lines
• Lots of flowering perennials
• Seasonal interest from spring to autumn
• A slightly informal, “grown-in” look

Typical plants:

• Roses, lavender, salvia
• Foxgloves, daisies, campanula
• Soft grasses for movement

Best for:

• People who love flowers
• Softer, more traditional homes
• Borders where you want a full, generous feel

Feel: Clean, minimal, architectural

This style focuses on structure, simplicity, and strong shapes. Planting is more controlled and often uses fewer varieties.

Key features:

• Repetition of a small number of plants
• Strong lines and defined spaces
• Evergreen structure
• Calm, uncluttered look

Typical plants:

• Ornamental grasses
• Box, evergreen shrubs
• Structural perennials

Best for:

• Contemporary homes
• Low-maintenance preferences
• Clean, uncluttered spaces

Feel: Balanced, symmetrical, organised

A more traditional structured approach with clear layout and strong framework planting.

Key features:

• Symmetry and order
• Defined edges and shapes
• Repeated planting patterns
• Strong evergreen framework

Typical plants:

• Box hedging
• Topiary forms
• Repeated flowering blocks

Feel: Natural, flowing, ecological

This style mimics nature more closely and focuses on supporting pollinators and wildlife.

Key features:

• Mixed planting with a natural flow
• Longer flowering seasons
• Seed heads and structure left for wildlife
• More relaxed layout

Typical plants:

• Echinacea, rudbeckia, asters
• Grasses and native-style perennials
• Pollinator-friendly species

Best for:

• Nature lovers
• Low intervention gardening
• Gardens with an ecological focus

Feel: Warm, dry, relaxed, textural

Inspired by hot, dry climates with drought-tolerant planting.

Key features:

• Silvery and aromatic foliage
• Open planting with space between plants
• Strong textures rather than lots of colour

Typical plants:

• Lavender, rosemary, thyme
• Santolina, grasses
• Drought-tolerant perennials

Best for:

• Sunny, free-draining gardens
• Low watering
• Relaxed outdoor living spaces

Feel: Light, airy, coastal, timeless

Inspired by classic Cape Cod landscapes, this style is soft and relaxed but still structured. It balances movement and simplicity, using plants that can handle wind, salt air, and sandy soils while still feeling elegant.

Key features:

• Soft, flowing planting with movement from grasses
• Repetition and restraint rather than overly busy planting
• Muted, natural colour palette (whites, soft blues, silvers, greens)
• Strong evergreen structure to anchor the space
• Planting that feels natural but still intentional and designed

Typical plants:

• Hydrangea (especially in more sheltered areas)
• Bayberry, juniper, and other coastal shrubs
• Ornamental grasses (for movement and texture)
• Lavender and soft perennials
• Beach-style and wind-tolerant planting

Best for:

• Coastal or exposed gardens
• For those who want a soft, elegant, timeless look
• Gardens where wind, salt, or sandy soil are a factor

Feel: Bold, exotic, dramatic

A dense, high-impact style focused on foliage and strong colour.

Key features:

• Large leaves and bold shapes
• Dense, layered planting
• Strong contrast in texture

Typical plants:

• Bananas, ferns, large-leaved plants
• Bright flowers and deep greens

Best for:

• Sheltered gardens
• Statement planting areas
• For those who want something bold and different

Feel: Natural, flowing, seasonal, movement-led

Inspired by prairie landscapes, this style uses grasses and perennials in drifts.

Key features:

• Strong movement
• Repeated planting in drifts
• Seasonal colour waves
• More natural structure

Typical plants:

• Grasses, echinacea, rudbeckia
• Verbena, salvias

Best for:

• Larger borders
• Sunny gardens
• Lower maintenance once established

Feel: Calm, fresh, elegant

A soft, neutral palette that works beautifully in most gardens.

Best for:

• Creating space and light
• Smaller gardens
• A timeless look

Feel: Cool, peaceful, relaxing

This palette is perfect for creating a tranquil space.

Best for:

• Seating areas
• Quiet gardens
• Evening enjoyment

Feel: Warm, vibrant, energetic

A bold and uplifting palette inspired by late summer prairie planting.

Best for:

• Sunny borders
• Statement planting
• For those who love colour

Feel: Gentle, feminine, classic

A softer version of a cottage palette with blended tones.

Best for:

• Cottage-style gardens
• Relaxed planting
• Subtle colour combinations

Magenta & Marigold

Feel: Bold, playful, high contrast

A vibrant and energetic combination that creates strong visual impact.

Best for:

• Feature borders
• For those who want something eye-catching

Rose & Amethyst

Feel: Rich, elegant, layered

A deeper, more sophisticated pink and purple palette.

Best for:

• Romantic but more refined schemes

Jewel Oasis

Feel: Deep, luxurious, dramatic

Strong jewel tones create a bold and opulent garden feel.

Best for:

• Statement planting
• For those who love bright bold gardens

Feel: Warm, soft, sunlit

A gentle warm palette that feels natural and easy.

Best for:

• Relaxed gardens
• Blending with natural surroundings