Garden styles, with plants checked for your plot

Each style below has before and after examples, the plants used in them with their RHS hardiness rating, aspect and soil needs, and what it costs to build in the UK. Pick the one closest to the garden you want, then check its plants against the way your garden faces.

AI generated example
Cottage garden
Packed mixed borders, roses and climbers on the fence, self-seeders in the gravel. Happy on most soils, including clay.
AI generated example
Mediterranean garden
Gravel, lavender, rosemary and silver foliage in full sun. Needs sharp drainage, so heavy clay needs work first.
AI generated example
Modern garden
Clean paving, repeated grasses and clipped shapes. Works well in small and new-build plots.
AI generated example
Low maintenance garden
Shrubs and ground cover that look after themselves, mulch instead of bare soil, fewer jobs each weekend.

Shady or north-facing garden?

Any of these styles can work in shade if the plants change.

Start with plants for a north-facing garden or filter the full plant list by aspect and soil.