1 © 2011 Regents of the University of Minnesota. All rights reserved. 11 Sustainable design for small landscapes MASTER GARDENER PROGRAM

2 © 2011 Regents of the University of Minnesota. All rights reserved. “… A small plot of ground well ordered, turns to greater advantage than a large one neglected …” - Leonard Meager The New Art of Gardening, 1697

3 © 2011 Regents of the University of Minnesota. All rights reserved. Designing small spaces may feel less overwhelming … but more restrictive.

4 © 2011 Regents of the University of Minnesota. All rights reserved. SUSTAINABLE DESIGN  Designing for plant health and longevity;  Creating “outdoor rooms”;  Important in design regardless of size or cost.

5 © 2011 Regents of the University of Minnesota. All rights reserved. FIVE CONSIDERATIONS OF SUSTAINABLE DESIGN

6 1. FUNCTIONAL

7 2. MAINTAINABLE

8 3. ENVIRONMENTALLY SOUND

9 4. COST EFFECTIVE

10 © 2011 Regents of the University of Minnesota. All rights reserved. 5. VISUALLY PLEASING

11 © 2011 Regents of the University of Minnesota. All rights reserved.

12 © 2011 Regents of the University of Minnesota. All rights reserved. SITE ANALYSIS: CLIENT INTERVIEW & SURVEY  Client interview –Activities in the landscape –Timeline for installation –Budget – install and maintenance  Site survey –Site inventory –Specific, honest evaluation of site features; measurements  Landscape Design Questionnaire, Site Evaluation Form

13 © 2011 Regents of the University of Minnesota. All rights reserved. DESIGN PRINCIPLES

14 © 2011 Regents of the University of Minnesota. All rights reserved. DESIGN PRINCIPLE 1: UNITY  A feeling of “oneness”  Mix & match plants based on texture, form  Repetition of hardscapes and plants  All aspects should complement one another, not compete for attention;  The entire design comes together to form one landscape.

15 © 2011 Regents of the University of Minnesota. All rights reserved. DESIGN PRINCIPLE 1: UNITY  The entire design: –Comes together to form one landscape; –All aspects should complement one another, not compete for attention; –Repetition of materials builds unity.

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17 DESIGN PRINCIPLE 2: SIMPLICITY  Large masses and groups  Fewer individual species / cultivars  Backgrounds, backdrops  Color pallets  1-3 focal points in a small space  More important in commercial design than residential

18 DESIGN PRINCIPLE 3: VARIETY  Variety in plants: type, form, texture, seasonal interest;  Variety in hardscapes: color, texture  Variety in location: areas viewed up close, entry gardens, decks, walkways, etc.

19 © 2011 Regents of the University of Minnesota. All rights reserved. VARIETY VS. COLLECTION

20 DESIGN PRINCIPLE 4: BALANCE Formal vs. informal, symmetrical vs. asymmetrical

21 DESIGN PRINCIPLE 5: EMPHASIS Integrate focal points, accent, and specimen plants in the landscape

22 DESIGN PRINCIPLE 6: SEQUENCE The repetition of textures, colors, form and materials to transition the viewer through the landscape.

23 DESIGN PRINCIPLE 7: SCALE The relative size of one part of a landscape to another and to human beings using plants and hard features of various sizes.

24 © 2011 Regents of the University of Minnesota. All rights reserved. PLANT SELECTION

25 © 2011 Regents of the University of Minnesota. All rights reserved. SELECT PLANTS FOR SUSTAINABILITY  Right plant, right place, right purpose  Select plants based on their elements of design (characteristics) –Plant type –Size –Form –Texture –Seasonal interest

26 PLANT SELECTION: PLANT TYPE

27 © 2011 Regents of the University of Minnesota. All rights reserved. PLANT SELECTION: SELECT PLANTS BASED ON MATURE SIZE

28 © 2011 Regents of the University of Minnesota. All rights reserved. PLANT SELECTION: FORM

29 © 2011 Regents of the University of Minnesota. All rights reserved. PLANT SELECTION: FORM: GO VERTICAL

30 TRELLISING & ESPALIER

31 PLANT SELECTION: TEXTURE, MIX & MATCH

32 PLANT SELECTION: SEASONAL INTEREST

33 © 2011 Regents of the University of Minnesota. All rights reserved. COLOR

34 COLOR  Warm: Focal point, draws attention  Cool: Calm, relaxing, larger  Neutral: Transitions, softens, expands

35 © 2011 Regents of the University of Minnesota. All rights reserved. DESIGN TIPS FOR SMALL LANDSCAPES

36 1. DESIGN ELEMENTS TO SERVE MORE THAN ONE PURPOSE

37 2. INTERPLANT ORNAMENTALS WITH EDIBLES

38 3. CONSIDER VIEWS

39 © 2011 Regents of the University of Minnesota. All rights reserved. 4. USE TALL PLANTS AS BACKDROPS

40 5. DESIGN TURF AREAS FOR MAINTENANCE  Mowing – avoid tight radii  Light & moisture requirements  Repeated traffic, equipment

41 6. AVOID DIVIDING THE PROPERTY

42 © 2011 Regents of the University of Minnesota. All rights reserved. 7. DE-EMPHASIZE NARROW AREAS

43 8. LOCATE DETAILS & VARIETY CLOSE-UP

44 © 2011 Regents of the University of Minnesota. All rights reserved. RESOURCES  Sustainable Urban Landscape Information Series (SULIS):  Gardening Information  Rice, Graham, The Ultimate Book of Small Gardens  Messervy, Julie Moir and Susanka, Susan, Outside the Not So Big House  Beaulieu, David, “Color Theory in Landscape Design”,  Luss, Gunda, “Color Techniques for Landscape Design”  Boulden, Steve, “Big Help for Small Gardens”, design-site.com/smallgardens.html

45 © 2011 Regents of the University of Minnesota. All rights reserved. The University of Minnesota is an equal opportunity educator and employer. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, this PowerPoint is available in alternative formats upon request. Direct requests to the Extension Store at Discover more at extension.umn.edu Created by Julie Weisenhorn, University of Minnesota Extension, Department of Horticultural Science