It is perfectly OK not to know what you want your garden to look like. Many clients have a specific idea of the ‘theme’ or ‘look’ of the garden they desire but upon learning what constitutes that look discover they really don’t want that. More disappointingly though, a client may discover that their irrigation, soil condition and light exposure aren’t conducive to such a garden. Wouldn’t you like to know that before you plant?

A good designer will guide you through this process. Below are descriptions of garden types and the elements used to achieve the look:

Formal – These gardens relate to the architecture of the house. Plants are placed very precisely for a geometrical or linear effect. Using plants such as boxwood hedges, topiaries, and ivy then adding classic statues or urns achieve this look.

Tropical – Lush and green with this landscape you’ll be bringing the tropics to your yard. It is a popular request and achieved with dense plantings, palm trees, ferns, bamboo and bright flowers such as bougainvillea, hibiscus, and bromeliads. It’s a perfect landscape for showcasing waterfalls or ponds.

Mediterranean – Mounding and cascading effects from plants used in combination with gravel, wrought iron and terra cotta define this landscape. The plant palette may include Rosemary, olive trees, citrus, Geraniums, succulents, and roses.

Native – Draws from plants that are native to the region. These gardens can look rangy, and wild and many native plants will be dormant during the summer. This can be a limited plant palette so Walter Andersen Nursery designers tend to incorporate natives into other types of landscape designs. Plants include Ceanothus, Mimulus (monkey flower), Manzanita, Toyon, Bacharis, Fremontodendron (flannel bush), Deer grass, Zauchneria (California fuchsia) and Coffee berry.

Asian – These gardens look very serene and organized, an effect achieved through pruning and shaping plants. Mostly a green plant palette but color can be achieved with the addition of Camellias, flowering cherries, maples or azaleas. The use of pebbles, boulders, ornamental grasses, sand and structures built of natural materials help create this look.

Cottage – An over planted effect achieved by using lots of color, statuary, and lattice structures or picket fence. Soft looks come from creeping ivy or vines, and climbing roses. These gardens are designed to yield cutting flowers so you’ll find lots of blooms such as floxgloves, lupines, Geraniums, and bulb flowers.

Xeriscape or Drought Tolerant – Here’s another popular request of clients. The absence of grass which is replaced with groundcover, mulch, dry creek beds, concrete or rock starts to achieve this look. The plant palette includes succulents, cacti, sage, Manzanita, California poppy, Penstemon heterophyllus, and California meadow sedge.

San Diego Combo – So named by Walter Andersen Nursery designers. Clients request a look that is very eclectic that is defined by using lots of palms, and succulents like agaves or jade plants. Some people call it the Mission Hills Style.