7 Basic Principles of Landscape Design - Part 1 of 7
Doing landscape design isn't rocket science, thankfully, but
there is a big difference between good design and bad design.
The biggest difference between a landscape that looks contrived
or "homemade", and one that looks natural or "professionally done"
really boils down to a few key concepts.
Over the next few months we'll take a look at each of the 8
basic principles of good landscape design, so that when we're done,
you'll be able take any area you would like to create, design, or
make over, and give it an effortless and natural feel.
Keep in mind you don't always have to use every principle we
talk about here for each project you undertake, but knowing them
gives you guidelines to help you generate ideas, and spark
creativity.
Never feel landscape design is full of "rules" that you need to
follow, because that just isn't true. Once you begin to learn what
to look for in a good design however, you will see a lot of these
principles being used quite frequently by some of the top landscape
designers. Let's get started.
UNITY- Principle 1 of 7
Unity should always be one of your main goals in any landscape
design you undertake.
Another way to apply this principle is to look at it as
consistency and repetition. Repetition creates unity by repeating
similar elements such as plants, plant groups, rocks, or decor
throughout the landscape.
Consistency creates unity in the sense that some or all of the
different elements of the landscape fit together to create a whole.
We talked about this in the past article:Plant Perennials So They
Look Natural
Unity can be achieved by consistently using elements with
similar characteristics in the design such as plants with similar
height, size, texture, and color.
A good example of this would be when using landscaping rocks or
accent boulders. A poorly done landscape design would be one that
had one large white round boulder used with one large black square
boulder. Unity wasn't achieved using this particular element -
rocks. A better wayto go about it (when you're at the rock quarry,
or home improvement center), would be to pick out rocks that look
similar to put either individually or in groups throughout your
design. For ideas, go look at nature. Similar rocks are always in
similar soil types and geographical areas.
This is just one example but the principle applies to all other
landscape materials and elements such as groups of plants, decor,
trees, etc.
A simple way to create unity in your landscape is by creating
themes or using something you're interested in or have a passion
for to repeat.
For example: if you really like birds, you could create a theme
using plants that attract birds as well as using statues,
ornaments, and other decor that are related to birds or flight. The
same could be done with butterflies, dragonflies, frogs, ladybugs,
bees, colors, etc.
Unity should always be applied through at least one element in
your landscape and preferably more.
Using elements to express a main idea, through a consistent
style or a specific theme, is what creates harmony, but we'll get
into that at another time!
7 Basic Principles of Landscape Design - Part 2 of 7
Last month we began our 7-part series on the Basic Principles of
Landscape Design by discussing "Unity" and how to use it best when
planning and organizing your design.
Keep in mind you don't always have to use every principle we
talk about here for each project you undertake, but knowing them
gives you guidelines to help you generate ideas, and spark
creativity.
Never feel landscape design is full of "rules" that you need to
follow, because that just isn't true. Once you begin to learn what
to look for in a good design however, you will see a lot of these
principles being used quite frequently by some of the top landscape
designers. Let's continue with:
SIMPLICITY- Principle 2 of 7
Simplicity is one of the principles that applies very heavily in
both design and art.
In fact photographers use simplicity to great advantage. They
use it to help you focus on what they feel is the most important
element in the picture and they purposely cut out any other clutter
that might distract your eye or attention.
The same can be done in landscape design, and the great thing
is, it's one of the easiest and best guidelines you can follow as a
beginner or do-it-yourselfer.
Just keep your design simple to begin with, using few plants and
design elements. Remember, you can always add more later when and
where it's appropriate.
Some Examples:
1. Use simplicity when planting. Pick two or three colors and
repeat them throughout the garden or landscape.
2. Pick two or three plants that you really like and repeat them
throughout the garden or landscape.
3. Keep decor to a minimum and within a specific theme and use
very sparingly.
4. When using hardscapes such as boulders, practice using
simplicity by placing only a few rocks in key locations so they
make a bold statement, but don't look cluttered.
7 Basic Principles of Landscape Design - Part 3 of 7
The third part of our eight-part series on basic landscaping
principles continues this month with:
NATURAL TRANSITION- Principle 3 of 7
Natural transition is very easy to achieve, and is used to avoid
abrupt or radical changes in your landscape design.
This is another principle, that when used properly, can make
your yard look professionally done because beginners tend to forget
about overall continuity and can make the mistake of planting
things in a haphazard manner.
Natural transition is just that, making sure gradual changes
take place to ensure a smooth, even look to your yard or garden.
This can best be demonstrated by taking a look at plant height or
color but it can also be applied to all elements in the landscape
including: textures, foliage shape or size, and the size and shape
of different elements such as structures, statuary, or rocks.
The best way transition can be achieved is by the gradual,
ascending or descending, arrangement of different elements with
varying textures, forms, colors, or sizes.
Some Examples:
Example 1.One easy way to use natural transition would be by
creating a "step effect" by using large trees to medium trees to
shrubs to bedding plants.
Proper plant selection in this case is necessary, but there are
plenty of resources online, in bookstores, home improvement centers
and nurseries to help you make correct choices.
Example 2.Transition can be used to "create illusions" in the
landscape. We showed a good example of this in a past story:Create
The Illusion of Distance. By using warm to cool colors we showed
how you can make your garden area seem larger than it really
is.
Example 3.Another good example of using natural transition is to
use plants with larger leaves that have a heavier texture in the
back and as you work your way forward start using smaller-leaved
plants with a smoother texture.
By doing this you create a nice line because the heavier
textured plants will frame and support the finer-textured plants
which would otherwise be lost if they were mixed in with, or
planted behind, heavier-looking plants.
7 Basic Principles of Landscape Design - Part 4 of 7
Can you believe that with this article, we are already half-way
through our eight-part series on basic landscaping principles?
This is very exciting because you are well on your way to being
able to create professional and beautiful designs for your home,
office, or garden.
This month we continue with:
BALANCE- Principle 4 of 7
Balance in design is really all about equality, and balancing
certain features.
There are two types of balance you can use:
1. Symmetrical Balance
This is where all elements of the design are equally divided.
Both sides could share all or part of the same shape, form, plant
height, plant groupings, colors, bed shapes, theme, etc.
A good example of this is when you take a piece of paper, splash
paint on it, fold it in half, unfold it, and then you have
symmetrical balance or a design that is somewhat of a mirror image
or reflection.
They used symmetrical balance a lot during the Renaissance
period where entire gardens are mirror images from one side to the
other. Just draw an imaginary line right down the middle of the
garden, and each side will be a mirror image of the other.
Formal gardens are almost always symmetrical. Neat rows,
mirrored images, geometric shapes. These things never appear that
structured in nature. That's Ok though. Some people like to see
things balanced, giving a feeling of stability and order.
To create a symmetrical garden: Use mirror image shrubs or big
containers to mark the beginning or end of a path Align hedges with
property lines, walls of a house, or other prominent, important
feature Be ready for high maintenance. Formal landscapes look
terrible if they lose their symmetry because of differences in
plants' growing heights, the loss of a plant, uneven pruning, or a
slight difference in a plant or element's color.2. Asymmetrical
Balance
Asymmetrical may be better understood as actually being
unbalanced, abstract, or free form while still creating unity and
balance through the repetition of some elements.
Asymmetry in a garden is a little more difficult to perceive,
and that's the point, it's more natural and relaxed.
A good example is in a traditional Japanese garden: the stones
and trees, paths and shrubs all seem to be rather randomly
arranged. That's not true however, because they have been very
carefully placed to be visually balanced when seen from any
position in the garden.
Another good example of this would be where bed shapes or paths
differ on both sides of the landscape dividing line while still
sharing some of the same elements and plants.
One side could be curved with a sense of flow while the other
side is straight, direct, hard, and completely opposite.
This type of contrast can be very interesting because the
flowing lines are pleasing to the eye but the bold contrast of a
curve combined with a straight line can be very unusual and
eye-catching.
Asymmetrical balance is really fun because it isn't dependant on
the shape of your garden which frees you up to do whatever you
want.
This is very powerful, because an asymmetrically balanced
landscape design has the feeling of stability. The random
arrangement of the elements makes them look very natural, as though
they have been there for years
Another good example might be where one side of the garden is
mostly large shade trees while the other side is predominately a
lower growing flower garden.
With asymmetrical gardens, you will want to really make sure you
maintain goodunitythrough use of other elements such as rocks,
plants, and decor to ground your design and keep it from becoming
too hodge-podge.
7 Basic Principles of Landscape Design - Part 5 of 7
This month we continue with part 5 - having already gone over 4
of the 7 concepts that most professional landscape designers
use.
If you have missed any of the previous 4 articles, they
were:Unity,Simplicity,Transition, andBalance.
This month we continue with:
COLOR- Principle 5 of 7
The best thing that color adds to any landscape is the dimension
of real life and interest.
Warm Colors
Bright colors like reds, yellows and oranges seem to advance
toward you and can actually make an object seem closer to you and
are often used in the foreground of a landscape.
In fact many painters use this technique. The next time you have
an opportunity to see some paintings in a gallery or store window,
notice how painters, by mimicking nature, use warm colors in the
foreground and cooler colors in the background.
Cool Colors
Using warm colors up front is done in both the landscape and art
world because cool colors like greens, blues, and pastels seem to
move away from you and can make an object seem farther from
you.
This is a great technique to use if you have a small area and
want it to look larger - recede the colors.
Neutral Colors
The use of grays, blacks, and whites are considered neutral
colors and can be used both as background colors, or used in
conjunction with bright colors in the foreground. Neutral colors
are very versatile, but use them sparingly.
Other Uses Of Color
Colors can also be used to direct your attention to a specific
area of the garden.
Example:Use masses of bright colors, alone or mixed with cool
colors if you so wish, and this spot of color would naturally catch
the eye.
What's fun about color is that you can use your favorite palette
for your own purposes.
Example:If you really like white, there is nothing wrong with a
garden that has all white flowers. It can be very dramatic and
sophisticated when done properly.
Keep in mind, that by adding any other color against that all
white backdrop, it will instantly pop - such as a bright piece of
art, a vase or container, or even one red flowering specimen.
This is a good trick to use when you really want to be dramatic
about something.
Keep Thinking
With the above examples, think about your favorite colors and
how you could best work them in, using the previously discussed
landscape principles of Unity, Simplicity, Transition, and
Balance.
All kinds of ideas should now to be starting to come to you and
this is where the fun really starts!
7 Basic Principles of Landscape Design - Part 6 of 7
This month we continue with part 6 - having already gone over 5
of the 7 concepts that most professional landscape designers
use.
If you have missed any of the previous 5 articles, they
were:Unity,Simplicity,Transition,Balance, andColor.
This month we continue with:
LINE- Principle 6 of 7
Line is one of the more structural principles of landscape
design and it is one of the easiest to work with. Line is generally
related to the way your eye moves and flows around the landscape
such as how garden beds, walkways, and entryways move and flow with
one another.
It's often reflected in the way paths and beds are arranged and
fit together, but a more subtle line can also be created by changes
in plant heights or the shapes and directions of their
branches.
Straight Lines
Lines in any landscape that are straight, or perpendicular, give
a more forceful, direct, and structured feel to the area. They
direct the eye right to the next focus. They say plainly what you
want, like the straight line of a stairway, it tells you, "Go this
way."
Wavy Lines
Wavy or curved lines have a more natural, gentle, flowing
effect. A curved line tends to be more smooth and free flowing and
create a more relaxed, natural movement for a more relaxed
landscape effect. It tends to "invite" you through the garden
instead of "directing" you.
Think About It
When laying out your landscape think how you want the line to
move people through the environment you are creating. Do you want
more structure, or do you want a more relaxed experience for
yourself and visitors? That's what so fun about design, these
choices are all up to you!7 Basic Principles of Landscape Design -
Part 7 of 7
This month we continue with part 7 - having already gone over 6
of the 7 concepts that most professional landscape designers
use.
If you have missed any of the previous 5 articles, they
were:Unity,Simplicity,Transition,Balance,Color, andLine.
This month we continue with:
Proportion- Principle 7 of 7
Proportion, also sometimes referred to as scale, is very simple,
but one of themostmisused and fundamental mistakes any landscape
designer can make.
Even some of the most seasoned professionals don't use
proportion properly because it is easy to overlook.
Proportion, quite simply refers to the size of elements in
relation to each other. Of all the principles of landscape design,
this one is so obvious but still requires thought and planning to
be used correctly.
Most of the time different elements in a landscape design can be
intentionally planned to meet the proper proportions.
Easy Mistakes To Avoid
Example 1:if you are creating a small courtyard garden, you
would know that a ten foot (1.25 m) statue placed in the center
would be out of proportion with the rest of the design.
Example 2:a small water fountain placed in a very large open
area would get lost in the open space.
These mistakes are easily avoided
Mistakes Harder To Avoid:
Example 1:Not planning for how large a tree, shrub, or ground
cover may grow upon maturity. This has to bethe number onemistake
in the use of proportion. Not planning enough space around
elements.
So many people plant a redwood tree in a small side yard because
in a small container it's so cute. But they fail to plan for the
100 foot (33 m) tree that is going to quickly grow up under the
eave of the house and take over - it's too large a tree for the
space!
Example 2:Not planning for how small dwarf varieties will stay,
or using containers that are too small for the area. So you end up
with a hodge-podge effect with lots of small plants and pots that
are trying to fill a very large space and it ends up looking
cluttered, too busy, and messy.
Overall Effect
Proportion is relative and elements can be scaled to fit by
creating different rooms in the garden. The goal is to create a
pleasing relationship among the three dimensions of length, width,
and depth or height. Do that, and you'll have a winning combination
no matter how large or small a yard you are designing.
Landscaping Design - The Primary PrinciplesBy J Voight
Principles refer to standards or prescriptions for working with
or arranging various elements to produce the intended landscape
design. Good landscape design follows a combination of seven
principles: unity, balance, proportion, focalization or emphasis,
sequence or transition, rhythm, and repetition.
Photo / pic / image of a sample landscape design.
Unity.Unity refers to the use of elements to create harmony and
consistency with the main theme or idea of the landscape design.
Unity gives the landscape design a sense of oneness and
interconnection. Unity in landscape design can be achieved by using
plants, trees, or material that have repeating lines or shapes, a
common colour, or similar texture. However, too much unity in
landscape design can be boring. Therefore, it is important to
introduce some variety or contrast into the landscape design.
Balance.Balance gives the landscape design a sense of
equilibrium and symmetry in visual attraction. There are three ways
by which balance may be presented in landscape design. Symmetrical
or formal balance is achieved when the mass, weight, or number of
objects both sides of the landscape design are exactly the same.
Asymmetrical or informal balance in landscape design suggests a
feeling of balance on both sides, even though the sides do not look
the same. Asymmetrical balance in visual attraction may be achieved
by using opposing compositions on either side of the central axis.
Landscape design with radial balance has a center point. A
sunflower, a wheel, and the cross-section of an orange all have
radial balance.
Proportion.Proportion describes the size relationship between
parts of the landscape design or between a part of the design and
the design as a whole. A large fountain would cramp a small
backyard garden, but would complement a sprawling public courtyard.
Additionally, proportion in landscape design must take into
consideration how people interact with various components of the
landscape through normal human activities.
Focalization.Focalization or Emphasis directs visual attention
to a point of interest or prominent part of the landscape design.
This could be a hanging earth-forms sculpture, a stone-finished
Corinthian garden fountain, a mass of architectural herbaceous
perennials, or an elegant spruce. Emphasis in landscape design may
be achieved by using a contrasting color, a different or unusual
line, or a plain background space. Paths, walkways, and
strategically placed plants lead the eye to the focal point of the
landscape without distracting from the overall landscape
design.
Sequence.Sequence or Transition creates visual movement in
landscape design. Sequence in landscape design is achieved by the
gradual progression of texture, form, size, or color. Examples of
landscape design elements in transition are plants that go from
coarse to medium to fine textures or softscapes that go from large
trees to medium trees to shrubs to bedding plants. Transition in
landscape design may also be used to create depth or distance or to
emphasize a focal point.
Rhythm.Rhythm creates a feeling of motion which leads the eye
from one part of the landscape design to another part. Repeating a
color scheme, shape, texture, line or form evokes rhythm in
landscape design. Proper expression of rhythm eliminates confusion
and monotony from landscape design.
Repetition.And finally, repetition in landscape design is the
repeated use of objects or elements with identical shape, form,
texture, or color. Although it gives the landscape design a unified
planting scheme, repetition runs the risk of being overdone.
However, when correctly implemented, repetition can lead to rhythm,
focalization or emphasis in landscape design.
J Voight is an avid landscaping design enthusiast who provides
excellent tips, techniques, and advice to anyone wanting
information on landscape design. You'll find all of this
outstanding landscaping news
athttp://www.great-landscaping-ideas.com
SOURCE:
http://www.weekendgardener.net/gardeningdesign/basic-landscape-design7-120912.htm
http://www.gardenplansireland.com/forum/about358.html
http://plantsciences.montana.edu/horticulture/ASHS_Teaching_MethodsWG/Landscape%20Design/Vendrame_Basic%20Principles%20of%20Landscape%20Design.pdf