Theme gardens

Looking to turn over a new leaf in your garden ahead of the New Year? How about working on your garden with a theme in mind? Here are some suggestions for garden themes.

The most common theme is that of colour. Of course, not many would relish a monochromatic colour scheme for their garden (say, an all-yellow/all-pink/all-white flowered garden). But, surely, you can reserve patches or rows for a particular colour?

For instance, you could start with rows of pink flowering plants lining the walkways with foliage plants set against the walls and compound and rows/circles of plants bearing white blossoms at all other places save the lawn.

If Amsterdam’s tulip-gardens appeal to you, why not opt for vertical strips of flowers of various hues like yellow, red, lilac, white, pink and so on? Or, you could go for particular species. Say, squares of cosmos plants of different colours like orange, white and lilac. Canna and aster are other popular choices for this purpose.

Some folks love to plant various specimens of cacti and succulents all over their garden. And, those who swear by roses are legion! Fragrant flowers in bright colours could also assist you in attracting butterflies, so that you are the proud owner of a butterfly garden! You could also consider bush gardens, topiary gardens, tropical gardens, rainforest gardens and desert or rock gardens.

If a particular mood or feel is what you’re trying to evoke through your plant choices and planting schemes, here are some ideas. If awe is your aim, go for a grotto or sculptures in alcoves in walls with accent lighting if you wish to beckon spiritual thoughts.

A flowering garden with a well-manicured lawn can produce cheer while a muted and limited colour palette with water features could play host to serenity. Opt for bold colours if you want to create an exciting look. And yes, a rose-garden is oft-associated with romance!

Then, there could be a particular geographical inspiration to theme your garden. Say, a Balinese theme. Palms and ferns besides foliage plants of differing heights should figure in such a garden in addition to artefacts like umbrellas and suitable stone or bronze sculptures.

For a Japanese ambience, an articulation of rocks, sand and ponds will do the trick. Use greenery only as secondary items to accentuate the beauty of the rocks.
Stone structures like paths and bridges and stone accessories like stone lanterns predominate.

For an English cottage look, don’t adhere to a formal plan. Fill plants into all available spaces, but remember, they should be of traditional and not modern hybrid varieties. Throw in some accessories like metal watering cans and pails besides terracotta pots for that authentic English cottage look.

Functional themes include food gardens, vegetable gardens, fruit gardens, herbal gardens and healing gardens. In an edible forest garden, you grow diverse plants and trees emulating the most stable and sustainable natural ecosystem, the forest. In short, it’s gardening like the forest! It’s edible because you derive food products like fruits, nuts, vegetables and herbs.

Food gardens could double as ornamental ones too, for most plants and trees like fruit trees, grape vines and chilly plants can boast of an aesthetic presence too.

Herbal gardens could help spice up your meals and purify the atmosphere too. Healing gardens could consist of medicinal plants helpful in alleviating different ailments.