Gardens with a colonial twist are about to make a comeback, it has been reported.

According to the Sunday Mail, gardening trends are constantly changing and colonial gardening is all set for a major revival.

Described as a "simple form" of gardening, colonial gardening encompasses an efficient use of land which provides a home for wildlife and space for home-grown fruit and veg.

Based on the style of America's deep south, the most distinctive feature of a colonial garden is its white picket fence, used to keep domestic animals under control.

The gardens themselves, meanwhile, are characterised by the use of ornamental plants such as rosemary, hollyhocks, coriander, penny royal and sweetbriar in addition to "economic" plants including beans, cabbages and corn.

British gardeners looking to replicate the colonial style could provide embellishment in the form of an antique traveller lamp, while all-year colour could be provided by a red plumeria, which was often used as a container plant.