For example, an urban setting may require a different design style in contrast to a rural one. The locational context of the garden can also influence its design. The soils of the site will affect what types of plant may be grown, as will the garden's climate zone and various microclimates. Topographical landscape features such as steep slopes, vistas, hills, and outcrops may suggest or determine aspects of design such as layout and can be used and augmented to create a particular impression.

All of these considerations are subject to the limitations of the prescribed budget.Р”Р„ garden's location can have a substantial influence on its design. Important considerations in the garden design include how the garden will be used, the desired stylistic genre (formal or informal, modern or traditional, etc.), and the way the garden space will connect to the home or other structures in the surrounding areas.

Consideration is also given to the maintenance needs of the garden, including the time or funds available for regular maintenance, which can affect the choice of plants in terms of speed of growth, spreading or self-seeding of the plants, whether annual or perennial, bloom-time, and many other characteristics. Curved garden paths are a common form of hardscapingР”В®lements of garden design include the layout of hardscape such as paths, walls, water features, sitting areas and decking, and the softscape, that is, the plants themselves, with consideration for their horticultural requirements, their season-to-season appearance, lifespan, growth habit, size, speed of growth, and combinations with other plants and landscape features.

Garden design applications