A classic is the Shakespearean garden. Shakespeare mentions more than 100 plants in his works, covering the entire spectrum from trees to flowers and herbs.
Biblical
Biblical gardens are another popular theme. There are vegetable, herbs, fruits, trees and all manner of plants mentioned in the Bible. You could focus on a particular book and grow only those plants or grow the common vegetables and fruits and then host a biblical feast.
Mythological
Mythology and folklore lends itself to a challenging theme garden. There are plants mentioned throughout classic myth and folklore, as well as all the names of gods and goddess to consider. Your challenge is in spotting the references and then hunting them down in the garden center.
Really Unusual Themes
Carnivorous and Poisonous
This is a specialty garden that you won’t find just everywhere. Many of the carnivorous plants are tropical and need the controlled growing conditions of an indoor garden. Many varieties of poisonous plant have interesting growing habits and that makes this an intriguing idea for a theme garden. Be sure to plant this garden away from the little ones and where family pets are not apt to discover it.
Natural Dyes
Many of the same plants from the Colonial garden are included in the natural dye garden. Virtually all the basic colors may be obtained from vegetation. The colors derived from plants have the softer look that is reflected in paintings of the era. Plants include beets, onion, carrots and many herbs.
Predator Insects
Experienced gardeners are always on the lookout for natural methods of pest control. This themed garden helps you out by inviting in the good bugs to feast on the bad bugs! Flowering plants with compact umbrella shape heads are a good to start with.
Postage Stamps
A natural if you have a stamp collector in the family is to use only those flowers that have appeared on postage stamps.