The term 'contemporary style' is difficult to define, but is a useful term for drawing together the many different strands in garden design thinking, from the Bauhaus in the 1920s to the present day. Style has little to do with fashion, which is a temporary thing, but the best contemporary gardens reflect the particular lifestyles of their owners and capture the mood of society at a particular time.

Many gardens have to be used by a variety of age groups, and a family garden should be agreeable to everyone using it, whatever their age. Decide on a list of priorities and plan your garden accordingly.

While there are almost no limits to the potential variety of garden styles, several natural and classical styles have provided inspiration for gardeners for centuries. Before travel between countries became widespread, these styles were insular, developing slowly over thousands of years.

Throughout history, people have grown culinary, medicinal and cosmetic plants in their gardens. The Romans grew vines, fruit, vegetables, medicinal and culinary herbs all over their empire, as did the monks in their European monasteries.

A rock garden, also known as a rockery or an alpine garden, is a type of garden that features extensive use of rocks or stones, along with plants native to rocky or alpine environments. Rock garden plants tend to be small, both because many of the species are naturally small, and so as not to cover up the rocks.

Since the Roman times, gardeners have revered the rose above all other flowering plants for the extraordinary beauty of its blooms. The rose family offers an enormous range of flower shape, colour and scent, and few plants are as varied and versatile in their growth habit, height, foliage and form.

Water gardens, also known as aquatic gardens, have become very popular in recent years. Usually referring to a man-made feature, these gardens typically combine a pool with aquatic plants and possibly ornamental fish.