When planning your new garden or plans for next years garden, it may help to understand how garden styles have developed historically. Even if your intend for you garden to be a home to mainly vegetables, a good design will draw you to spend more time in your garden than a messy, unorganized one. Although some of these styles in their entirety may not be suited for you garden, I'm certain that you can learn something from each of these styles.
Italian
During the Renaissance, the renewed interest in art, literature, business, and philosophy spread to outdoor areas. The Italian style has deep roots in the styles originally cultivated by the Romans and the Greeks. Some key aspects that the Italians carried on were the use of classic forms, columns, symmetry, and culture. Much of the original Italian garden style was formed around the idea of a more Formal Garden Design.
The classic Italian garden utilizes a single or double axis to divide the entire site with straightish lines. An axis can be thought of as a line that divides the garden into even parts on either side (typically a straight line). Symmetry is one of the most obvious stylistic details of Italian gardens. Plantings, walkways, and other physical elements are balanced on either side of that axis. The formality of this garden makes it easier to layout and plan than some other garden styles.
Hills and mountainous terrain are a prominent feature in Italy. It was these hilly and rocky environments that caused the Italian style to flourish. Slopes and cascading water play a key role in this style. Since wood wasn't as common of a resource in Italy, most constructed garden elements were made of local rock. Although marble and travertine comes at a much higher price tag in most other countries, this same effect can be achieved by using concrete or other types of rocks local to your area.
A wide variety of materials suits an Italian-style garden. Typical trees include olive (Olea europaea), citrus (citrus species), and Italian cypress (Cupressus sempervirens). Some shrubs include boxwood (Buxus sempervirens) and privet (Ligustrum japonicum). Lantana (Lantana montevidensis) and dwarf rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) are common ground covers.
French
France was greatly influenced by the Italian Renaissance, and travel and trade between these two regions. French landscape design thus has a good bit in common with the Italian style. Because the great gardens of France were built in flat areas, the simple geometry and balance of the Italian style did not work well in every situation. Without the natural elevation changes, this caused the French to develop more complex geometric patterns in their gardens.
The designers of many large gardens in France were definitely influenced by the Italians but they created multiaxis, complex woven patterns to base the garden off of. Their gardens consisted of many dividing walkways that broke up the fields of multicolored flowers of all different shapes. Tree shaded alleys in gardens are a prominent garden feature that originated from these early French style gardens.
Trees found in the French garden-scape typically included Lombardy poplar (Populus nigra) and horsechestnut (Aesculus X carnea). Common shrubs were holly (Ilex species) and yew (Taxus baccata). A mix of perennials and annuals contributed to a spectrum of color displayed in French garden throughout the seasons.
English
Balance and symmetry took on a new meaning in the English landscape. Tired of the uniform, geometric shapes of these other culture's gardens, the English landscape designers began to experiment with the idea of re-creating what nature has done for centuries. Early attempts at English gardens still carried a lot of the features of the Italian and French gardens, but the traditional English style is mostly known for its Informal and natural approach to gardening.
Plants chosen for their form, color, and texture and size were grouped to imitate the English ideal of nature. Constructed elements such as gazebos and picturesque ponds were included in this ideal. This style works well with a very large rolling garden site; although a flat site can also be used by creating artificial mounds or walls.
A variety of native and exotic plants are appropriate for this style as long as the principles of loosely defined space and large lawn areas are considered. I don't have many recommendations of specific plants for English gardens because it wall depends on what type of environment you are dealt.
Conclusion
No matter what size space or type terrain you have, there is sure to be some principles to adapt from this historic garden designs. And by all means, this is just information on how people used to do it; this is my no means a rule book, just here to give you some ideas to think about when planning your garden. Good luck and feel free to ask any questions below, I will respond quickly!
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