Choosing the right style for your garden is a very personal decision but this will also he influenced to a large degree by the climate in which you live.

It is Possible to develop, say, cottage style gardens in the tropics using plants that give the right effect while still being able to thrive in hot and humid conditions, with even clay length and little seasonal change throughout the year. It's also possible to develop tropical style gardens in areas with quite cold winters. limiting plant use to palms and foliage plants that originate in coot climates, and providing protection from freezing wind and frost.

Most gardeners, however, do best to select a style that suits the climate in which they live - anything else involves an awful lot of skill and effort!

Many garden styles adapt well to more than one climate while others are more limited. The most popular garden styles today are:

English landscape (or Romantic) - The familiar informal style of garden which blends lawn, shrubberies, trees (if room), herbaceous borders and flower filled garden beds in an open, park-like design. All climates.

Tropical - Based mainly on densely planted foliage, which gives year round colour. Tropical, sub-tropical and sheltered warm temperate climates with good rainfall.

Cottage - Based on dense, fairly random plantings of herbaceous perennials, which have to he replaced every few years. All climates except tropical and very arid areas.

Mediterranean - Based on trees (including palms), shrubs, and perennials originating in areas with winter rainfall and hot, dry summers. Citrus and olive trees are also considered -- typically Mediterranean " plants, along with herbs such as lavender and rosemary. Fairly low water use.

Tuscan - A LOW formal style of gardening which uses trees and shrubs w 1h dark, glossy leaves, columnar conifers tall hedges, stonework, elaborate water features and simple parterres. A parterre (French: by the earth") is a border of low, clipped hedge enclosing an open space <n other plants and forming patterns. All climates, but traditional plants such as box, holly. conifers and citrus are limited to regions with cold winters and warm to hot. dry summers.

Formal (French) - This type of garden has evolved from the 17th century French style and features topiary (shrubs tightly pruned into various shapes). hedging large and elaborate parterres, lots of classical Greek-type statuary, highly ornamental water features, immaculately-maintained lawns and a few well-disciplined flowers such as roses in geometrical beds. Cool climates only.

Santa Fe - This style has evolved to minimise water use, particularly in low rainfall areas. It is based on dryland plants such as cactus succulents, agaves and desert palms Australian and South African dry land plants. olive trees and herbs. such as sage. are also appropriate. Suited to hot dry Climates.

Japanese and Chinese - Formal highly structured garden styles based on clipped shrubs and the skilful placement of rocks and water. Chinese gardens are more colourful and less severe than the well-disciplined Japanese gardens. Suited to all climates except tropical.

Gardening Statues/ Ornaments

One of, the easiest and most effective ways of emphasising the particular style of your garden is to add some suitable statues and other ornaments An Italianate statue of classical design looks odd in a tropical garden. and a Chinese urn with a dragon pattern is certainly out of place on a Tuscan-style terrace, While a sundial or wishing well can look just perfect in a cottage garden. Once you know what style you like best. you can shop around for the ornaments and furniture that can make a good garden look great!

You might like to add a water feature. Remembe to consider your garden style:

• Freeform, natural looking ponds - English landscape. Cottage. Chinese and Japanese gardens
• Geometric-shaped pools - Formal. Tuscan. Mediterranean and Santa Fe gardens
• Artificial streams and lots of running water - all types of garden hut especially Tropical and English Landscape
• Waterfalls - all types of garden
• Classical and baroque type fountains and bird baths - Formal. Mediterranean. Tuscan and English Landscape gardens.
• Bamboo pipes and deer scarers - Chinese. Japanese and Tropical gardens.
• Oriental-style stone bowls and ball fountains - Chinese and Japanese gardens
• Simple, unadorned concrete water bowls and fountains - Cottage Santa Fe, English Landscape and Tropical
• Balinese and Indo-Chinese style water features - Tropical gardens
• Mexican and other Native American bowls and water features - Santa Fe

And if your garden has not particular style, then any of these water features will do - but don't jumble too many different styles together Or it will look messy.