The seven types of landscapes most often cited in garden design are modern, cottage, Mediterranean, tropical, desert (xeriscape), Japanese, and farmhouse or prairie style. Each pairs a plant palette with a hardscape language: Mediterranean leans on gravel, terracotta, lavender, and olive trees, while Japanese gardens use stone, pruned evergreens, and water.
In geography the phrase covers physical terrain instead: mountain, forest, desert, coastal, grassland, riverine, and urban landscapes. Search results mix the two, which is why answers vary.
Climate should narrow your design shortlist fast. Tropical planting fails in zone 5, and a thirsty cottage border is a poor fit for Phoenix. Once you have two or three candidates, compare them on a photo of your actual yard using AI landscape design instead of guessing from Pinterest boards.