Theme gardens are a fun and unique way to show the world your ideas. Whether the theme is an historical one or supporting the local team, it will be unique to you.
Theme Gardens
Theme gardens are a great way to indulge your artistic side. The theme can be anything from mono-color gardens to multicolored flags; from pizza gardens to Elizabethan knot gardens. Theme gardens all start with a plan.
Step one: Decide on the Theme.
Popular themes could be a white/evening garden where the plants all reflect the moonlight. Place this type of garden in where it can be seen at night either from the deck or a favorite spot in the house.
Perhaps you want to support your local sports team with a garden reflecting their colors. These gardens can be either 'in season' for a summer sports, or 'off season' to give the winter sport enthusiast a way to support the team year round.
Historical themes require some research so start your ideas well ahead of the planting season. Popular historical theme gardens include Medieval, Colonial or Renaissance gardens, or perhaps Victory Gardens of the mid 20th century.
Step Two: The Design.
Decide on the design, size and location of the garden. Theme gardens do not have to be large. Many can be placed in a small area at the side of the house or near the back door. The more flamboyant gardeners though may want to place the garden for all to see particularly if it is a team or flag theme!
Step Three: The Plants.
For mono color gardens you will look for foliage and bloom colors. Remember that the garden would not be literally one shade of the same color, but rather similar shades with a few neutrals to blend the overall theme. For flags or team colors you will look for the specific shade such as gold/black for the Pittsburgh Steelers, or Red/White/Blue for a flag. Historical gardens can be either planted with similar type plants that look good for your design, or they can be the exact varieties that were available in that era. For example the color, type and varieties of roses available today are far larger than those available 200 years ago.
Step Four
Plant your garden and enjoy your unique theme garden.
