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English Garden

Roman conquerers planted the earliest English-style gardens in the first century, dressing large villas and palaces with formal box hedges and gravel walkways. With each period, from Medieval to Victorian, came variation—the secret gardens were opened, colorful flowers broke monotony and straight lines gave way to curves. Today’s English design, a less formal and contrasting style, makes it a popular choice for a backyard garden, especially in New Jersey, but the planter’s goal is still symmetry and organization. Meticulously trimmed and shaped boxwood and yew hedges create garden “rooms” or borders, while taller plants like arborvitae and hornbeam trees form more private alcoves and niches. Often, the same materials found around the home, like limestone, cobblestone or brick, are used for garden walls and water features. There’s never more than two different materials in an English garden: Remember, sometimes less is more. To offset the garden green and hardscape, think flowering plants like roses, hydrangeas, lavender and day lilies, all of which thrive in the Northeast. Strategically placed furniture, such as benches and chairs plus planters and statuary, inspire a sense of order, but also discovery.

Since the first century, English gardens have been known for their straight lines, symmetry and organization. But over the years, more curves, color and contrast have been introduced to the style.

Japanese Garden
Asian landscapes, whether in Far East lands, or in the U.S., promote feelings of tranquility and harmony. And in a Japanese garden, there is plenty of opportunity for peaceful contemplation. (Who doesn’t need a little of that these days?) This style focuses on nature via three essential elements— plants, rocks and water—and design principles like asymmetry and symbolism. Iconic Asian plants set the tone. Flowering cherry trees, Japanese maples and azaleas add instant color to the scenery and provide the right atmosphere, as do the weeping atlas cedar and star magnolia trees. These plants and trees are often used near water features, namely Koi ponds and waterfalls, to balance the elements of the land and sea. For spaces not large enough for a pond, a small bamboo water spout or a stone basin fountain create the same soothing sights and sounds. Keep in mind Japanese gardens are meant to mimic nature, so ponds, rock formations and paths flow in a meandering manner. Plus, Japanese folklore states that straight paths allow evil spirits to go directly to the house! Speaking of the home, the focal points of a Japanese garden are typically designed using sightlines from inside the house. The reason? You’ll feel more invited to explore the outdoor spaces when you see them from inside.

Because Japanese design mimics nature, create ponds and water falls in a meandering, natural shape. Taller grasses and ornaments like a stone pagoda add visual interest to the edges of walkways and paved patios.

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Hawaiian Garden

Sunshine, warm water and soft breezes make Hawaii an ideal vacation getaway, but it’s the lush landscape that makes it an unforgettable tropical paradise. From healthy greenery, bright flowers and playful decor, the Hawaiian garden is meant to be as pleasing to the eye as it is relaxing for the mind. Palm trees are one of the signature plants of this style, and while two-thirds of the palm varieties live in tropical environments, you can have them in your yard. You can plant the same trees found in Hawaii on your New Jersey property—and they’ll last all summer. Of course, you’ll have to remove them at the end of the season because they won’t last through the winter. But there are some, like the windmill palm, that can grow all year in climates as far north as Massachusetts. The resilient bamboo and leafy hostas and ferns also provide foliage in a Hawaiian garden, while flowering plants like birds-of-paradise, orchids and hibiscus add bold and exotic hues to the space. Aside from plants, water and fire features are typically found in these settings. A swimming pool is often incorporated into the design, its water serving double duty as a respite from the heat as well as a soothing sound. Outdoor fireplaces, chimineas and candles can be lit to extend garden gatherings well into the night. Outdoor structures like a screened-in porch can also accomplish this—they’re best when the design echoes the exterior of the home and creates continuity. It seems inevitable to have a tiki statue in a Hawaiian garden, but it shouldn’t be a dominant feature. Instead, place it where people can see it but also where the statue can direct the eye to other components of your garden.

Palm trees, a signature plant of the Hawaiian garden, might thrive in warmer environments but some are hardy and can grow in most backyards in the U.S. Bamboo, fern and orchids are also popular in this style of garden.

Western Garden

Despite rocky soil, desert climates and varying elevations, the American West is home to one of the world’s most distinctive landscapes. It’s the area where gardens highlight the colors brown and taupe, showing that they can be just as beautiful as the brightly hued succulents that grow here. And it’s the home of the majestic saguaro cactus, which can rise as tall as 70 feet. No wonder it’s a popular design choice in the Northeast. Though maintaining desert plants in New Jersey might be a prickly prospect, many are hardy enough to survive here. Sure, the saguaro variety won’t live long in the Garden State, but there are cacti that can thrive and give your backyard an Arizona flair—just provide excellent drainage and abundant sun exposure. The prickly pear, beehive and cholla cacti can survive sub-zero temperatures, and they reflect the beauty of the West, producing colorful flowers and fruit. Succulents like agave, houseleek and red yucca are native to states in the Southwest and they will stand up to freezing temperatures. In addition to those plants, fill your backyard Western-style garden with fountains, pottery and Native American art. For hardscape features, use Arizona flagstone, bold red clay pavers, stacked stone and stucco—they reflect regional identity and look great next to the Southwestern plants.

Landscaping with rocks is low-maintenance and is excellent for drainage, a requirement for thriving cactus plants and other succulents. Many of these plants bear colorful fruit, flowers and leaves.

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