What’s Your Gardening Style?

Do you swoon for classic traditional gardens, or love the vibe of a contemporary design? Take our quiz to find out your gardening style!

Which statement best describes your garden space?

I have a front/back yard, with lots of space to develop a garden

I have a front/back yard, but with hardscapes that limit space to develop a garden

I have a very small outdoor garden space or I’m limited to a patio

When it comes to color, how do you feel about color schemes?

I don’t necessarily need a color scheme—the more variety in color, the better!

I would like areas of my garden to stick to specific color schemes

I’d rather keep things simple with just a few different colors, or a focus on foliage

What sparked your interest in gardening?

Shared interests with family or friends

Living on my own or becoming a homeowner—I want to beautify my property

Nothing in particular, I just really like nature and plants!

What is the purpose of your garden space?

Entertaining family and friends

Creating a personal paradise for myself

Attracting birds and pollinators to my yard

How experienced are you with gardening?

I’m new to gardening

I know some things, but I have a lot left to learn

I’ve grown up with a green thumb—I’ve had my hands in the dirt for as long as I can remember

What colors speak to you?

Bright, fun colors

Modern color palettes

Earthy, neutral tones

How would your friends best describe you?

Bubbly, fun

Cool, trendy

Kind, introverted

What’s the first plant you’d want growing in your pot?

Annual flowers (Marigolds, Petunias, Pansies)

Wildflowers (Black-eyed Susan, Iris, Columbine

Foliage plants (Trailing vines, Coleus, Herbs)

Contemporary Garden

This current, more modern approach to gardening moves away from the symmetry of the traditional garden and instead focuses on geometric and asymmetrical design. It allows the freedom to play with unique combinations, using scale and proportion to create landscape focal points. In saying that, contemporary gardens are tidy, clean and sleek, with smooth surfaces and clear lines. They allow you to showcase your personality and style while still reflecting current trends. Specimen trees, well-manicured hedges, and easily-tamed plants are your go-to. Hardscapes, such as patios, walkways, and water features, and outdoor dining sets, should be simple, modern, smooth, with neutral color palettes.

Cottage Garden

These informal gardens are ideal for those who don't want to put too much thought into their garden style, and simply want to enjoy the act of gardening itself. Cottage gardens have uncomplicated layouts, with simple pathways and rectangular beds. There's less concern about spacing, counting, or symmetry, and more emphasis on colorful, pollinator-friendly wildflowers. These native flowers are typically perennial and self-seeding, making this gardening style easy to maintain and relatively low-cost. Best of all, they don't have to be perfectly manicured—occasional weeding, trimming, deadheading, and dividing should suffice. Complete the "cottage" look with a privacy hedge, a rose arbor, or a rustic fence.

Traditional Garden

If spending time in the garden brings about treasured memories of gardening with a loved one, the nostalgia of a traditional garden might be precisely what you need. You likely have a profound appreciation for garden favorites that have stood the test of time—plants that would have been trademarks of your grandma’s garden, like spring-flowering bulbs, manicured shrubs, and perennial borders. Or, maybe you’d like to dedicate an area to a vegetable garden that you can share with your family—just like the one your parents and grandparents shared with you! If you have space, include an outdoor living area to enjoy with family and friends with hardscapes like a patio, a playset, or a fire feature. Traditional gardens are beautiful, functional, and can be as big or small as you need them to be.

Houseplants or Patio Garden

If you’re a gardening newbie, or if you have little to no outdoor space (we’re lookin’ at you, city-dwellers!), never fear—there’s still something for you here! Caring for potted plants is a great first step to ease yourself into the gardening world. Whether that’s in the form of houseplants on the windowsill or potted plants on the back patio, there are plenty of low-maintenance options to choose from. Try a minimalist approach, sticking to just a few containers or hanging baskets so as not to overwhelm the area. You’ll find that even with a few foliage plants, your living space will be instantly transformed into a relaxing oasis. Choose houseplants and materials that reflect or complement your interior design to keep things unified. On the patio, add in a small, soothing water feature and some cute string lights to create a cozy, relaxed atmosphere.