Every homeowner’s goals will look a little different. 

For some, it’s about aesthetics: a garden that looks stunning from the curb or feels like a private retreat. For others, functionality leads the way: a space for kids to play, pets to roam, or an outdoor dining area to host friends. And for most, maintenance plays just as big a role: how much time and energy do you realistically want to spend keeping your outdoor space looking good?

This is the moment to be honest with yourself. Do you want to be the kind of gardener who spends 5 hours a week pruning, watering, and weeding—or closer to 5 minutes? Your answer here will directly affect your plant choices and design style.

Question: How much time do you want to spend on maintenance per week/month?

Gardening Design Styles

When it comes to landscaping, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach. The type of garden you choose should reflect your lifestyle, climate, and how much time you actually want to spend maintaining it.

To help, we’ve outlined the most common garden styles in North America — from low-maintenance modern yards to lush, layered cottage gardens. Each one comes with a quick description and a ⭐ rating to show how much upkeep is required:

⭐☆☆☆☆ = very little maintenance
⭐⭐⭐☆☆ = moderate upkeep
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ = high maintenance

This way, you can match your vision not just to what looks good, but to what actually works for your life.

1. Low-Maintenance Garden
Simple plant palette with hardy, drought-resistant plants, gravel, or mulch. Focus on structure over seasonal planting.
⭐☆☆☆☆

2. Native Plant Garden
Uses plants that naturally thrive in your climate. Great for pollinators and biodiversity with minimal upkeep once established.
⭐⭐☆☆☆

3. Cottage Garden
Dense, layered planting with flowers, shrubs, and vines for a “wild” but charming look. Gorgeous, but needs frequent tending.
⭐⭐⭐⭐☆

4. Formal Garden
Symmetrical layouts, hedges, clipped shrubs, and structured designs. Precise, elegant—but requires ongoing pruning.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

5. Contemporary/Minimalist Garden
Clean lines, hardscaping (patios, decks, boulders, rock gardens), and low-key greenery. More about structure than plants.
⭐☆☆☆☆

6. Edible Garden
Vegetables, herbs, fruit trees, and berries. Productive and rewarding, but seasonal care and replanting are essential.
⭐⭐⭐⭐☆

7. Wildlife or Pollinator Garden
Designed for birds, bees, and butterflies with a variety of flowering plants. Beautiful and ecological, with moderate upkeep.
⭐⭐⭐☆☆

8. Zen / Japanese-Inspired Garden
Gravel, stone, water features, and carefully placed plants for a calming retreat. Maintenance varies but usually moderate.
⭐⭐☆☆☆

Balancing current needs with future flexibility is also key. Maybe right now you need space for kids’ toys and trampolines, but in a few years you’ll want a calm, grown-up retreat. Choosing a vision that can evolve with you saves you from having to completely redo your yard down the road.

The clearer your goals are from the start, the easier it will be to make design choices—and the more likely you’ll create a space that truly works for you.