All gardens, even if informal or wild, need a certain amount of time and attention spent on them to keep them in good condition. Before you decide on a design, take into consideration how much work and energy you are prepared to expend.

If you have little time, and want upkeep to be minimal, choose a garden style that will not require a never-ending round of mowing, clipping, weeding, staking and tidying in order to remain attractive.