The Dutch style is distinct among aquascaping styles. Unlike Nature or Iwagumi styles, which focus on hardscape materials like rocks and wood, the Dutch style relies almost exclusively on aquatic plants to create depth, contrast, and visual interest.
Historical Context
Originating in the Netherlands in the 1930s, this style pre-dates typical modern aquascaping. It shares principles with flower arranging, specifically underwater. The focus is on the arrangement of plants, utilizing their diverse colors, leaf shapes, and growth heights to strictly defined rules.