Exploring Garden Styles: Part 2: Global lnspirations
- Robyn Cates
- Nov 9, 2025
- 4 min read
This series is La Madrina's guide to 16 distinct garden styles, each paired with a mini design lesson to help you translate inspiration into action. From layout and plant selection to climate considerations and maintenance tips, we’ll walk through the elements that make each style work—and how to adapt them for Indiana’s growing conditions.
Landscape Design 101
Philosophy & Purpose
Effective landscape design begins not with plants or hardscapes, but with understanding the purpose and emotion you wish to evoke. It's about crafting an experience, a narrative that unfolds as one moves through the space, connecting the inhabitants with their environment in a meaningful way. Consider how the garden will be used, what feelings it should inspire, and how it integrates with the home's architecture before laying down a single stone or planting a seed.
Japanese Zen & Mediterranean Garden Styles
Choosing between these styles depends on your philosophy and purpose: your desired interaction with the space, climate compatibility, and personal aesthetic.
While a Zen garden offers a place for quiet reflection, a Mediterranean garden invites lively outdoor gatherings. Ultimately, both styles prioritize harmony with nature, albeit through different cultural lenses.
Japanese Zen Garden
Japanese Zen gardens, also known as 'Karesansui' or dry landscape gardens, are highly symbolic and minimalist spaces designed for quiet contemplation and meditation. They embody principles of simplicity (Wabi-Sabi), balance, and natural reverence, using carefully chosen natural elements like rocks, gravel, and precisely pruned plants. The absence of standing water is often a defining characteristic, with gravel raked to represent water, creating a profound sense of peace and tranquility.
Key Design Elements: The core elements are rocks (representing mountains or islands), sand or gravel (representing water, raked into symbolic patterns), and a minimal selection of plants. Water features, if present, are typically small, flowing streams or simple stone basins (tsukubai). Stone lanterns (ishidoro) and stepping stones (tobi-ishi) are common. The placement of every element is intentional, following principles of asymmetry and natural balance.
Plant Recommendations for Indiana: Plants are used sparingly and chosen for their form, texture, and evergreen qualities, and must be hardy for Indiana winters. Common choices include meticulously pruned Dwarf Mugo Pine or Eastern White Pine, hardy Azaleas, Japanese Maples, many varieties hardy to Zone 5/6) for seasonal color, and various mosses (Bryophytes). Fargesia species or Mondo Grass can be used for subtle texture and screening.
Best Climates/Regions & Historical Background: Zen gardens originated in medieval Japan, particularly in Kyoto, and are deeply rooted in Zen Buddhist philosophy. They are adaptable to many climates, but their subtle beauty is best appreciated in peaceful settings. They are especially suited for smaller spaces or courtyards where a tranquil retreat is desired.
Practical Implementation Tips: Before starting, deeply understand the symbolic meanings of elements (e.g., vertical rocks for mountains, flat rocks for islands). Plan the layout carefully, as every element's placement is critical. Use an appropriate type of gravel that holds raked patterns well. Consider incorporating borrowed scenery (shakkei) by framing distant views, if available, to extend the garden's perceived space.
Mediterranean Garden
Mediterranean gardens evoke the warm, sunny landscapes of countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea. This style is characterized by its reliance on drought-tolerant plants, stone and terracotta elements, and fragrant herbs, creating a relaxed, sun-drenched atmosphere. It's perfect for areas with hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters, or for anyone wanting to infuse their outdoor space with a sense of rustic charm and old-world elegance.
Key Design Elements: Expect to find paved or gravel patios, terracotta pots (often filled with vibrant annuals or citrus trees), stone walls, and arbors draped with climbing vines. Water features are typically simple and functional, like wall fountains or small basins, providing a cooling visual and sound. Areas for dining al fresco are essential, often shaded by pergolas. Colors tend to be warm—earthen tones, blues, and whites.
Plant Recommendations for Indiana: While classic Mediterranean plants like Olive and Citrus trees are not hardy in Indiana (Zone 5b-6a), this style can be adapted using zone-appropriate, drought-tolerant alternatives. Key choices include Lavender, Rosemary (hardy varieties like 'Arp'), and Sage (Salvia officinalis or Perovskia atriplicifolia 'Russian Sage'). For vibrant color, use hardy Hibiscus or hardy Bougainvillea. Vertical accents can come from Columnar Junipers. Many succulents (like Sedum, sempervivum) and ornamental grasses (e.g., Little Bluestem, Fountain Grass) fit well. Use annuals for potted citrus or tropical plants to capture the essence.
Best Climates/Regions & Historical Background: This style is native to, and thrives best in, Mediterranean climates (zones 8-10) characterized by dry summers and mild, wet winters, such as Southern California, parts of Australia, Chile, and of course, the Mediterranean basin. Its history dates back to ancient Roman and Greek gardens, which prioritized utility, beauty, and relaxation.
Practical Implementation Tips: Focus on creating distinct 'rooms' or areas for different activities, such as dining, lounging, and quiet contemplation. Use permeable surfaces like gravel or decomposed granite for paths and patios to manage water runoff. Incorporate strong fragrant plants near seating areas to enhance the sensory experience. Consider adding a shaded area to escape the midday sun.
Beyond local aesthetics, global inspirations offer rich perspectives for landscaping. Japanese Zen gardens, with their serene minimalism, and Mediterranean gardens, with their vibrant, sensory appeal, represent two such distinct philosophies. Exploring these diverse styles can provide homeowners with a blueprint for creating truly unique and personal outdoor spaces.
Up next: Out-of-Zone Garden Styles
Desert Garden Tropical Garden
Coastal Garden Rock Garden (Alpine)
These gardens originate from climates very different from Indiana’s—such as deserts, tropical rainforests, alpine slopes, or coastal zones. While visually stunning, they require extra planning, soil modification, or seasonal protection to succeed in the Midwest.
Let’s keep growing.
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