Basic Principles of Landscape Design

Landscaping combines elements of art and science to create a functional, aesthetically pleasing extension of indoor living to the outdoors. One initial purpose of landscape design is to blend man's technology (house or building) into the natural surroundings.

ART A. COLOR --colors are combined into color schemes for practical applications monochromatic = different tints and shades of one color analogous = combine colors which are adjacent or side-by-side on the color wheel complementary = combine colors directly across the color wheel

ART B. LINE line is inferred by bed arrangement and the way these beds fit or flow together also created vertically by changes in plant height and the height of tree and shrub canopies straight lines tend to be forceful, structural and stable and direct the observer's eye to a point faster than curved lines curved or free-flowing lines are sometimes described as smooth, graceful or gentle and create a relaxing, progressive, moving and natural feeling

1. Rectilinear Line Form Form No arching or curved lines; All lines are straight; All lines are either parallel or perpendicular to one another. Style The intersections of this grid pattern dictate gathering spaces; Rigid style; may create the feeling of cold and unwelcoming; Very formal style; typically symmetrical.

2. Arc and Tangent Line Form A series of arcs connected by straight-line tangents; Only two types of line segments: straight tangents and arcs; Arcs may be either circular or elliptical. Style Less formal; may be symmetrical; Straight-line tangents promote movement; Curves increase the overall flow within the design; arc areas promote pause and gathering.

3. Arc and Radii Line Form Form Two major line segments, straight lines and arcs which are a portion of circles and ellipses; All radii must intersect at right angles, or run parallel or perpendicular to each other; Arcs can be of any length and size. Style Formal style due to the grid pattern that develops; Arcs tend to promote gathering spaces; Straight-line segments connecting arcs will often promote movement between spaces.

4. Arc and Arc Line Form Form Utilizes only one type of line segment; Line segments are always portions of arcs, either circles or ellipses; Circular arcs will have consistent radii. Style Informal overall design concept; Configuration of overlapping circles and ellipses promotes sharing of space; Greater space within an arc promotes its use as a gathering space.

5. Curvilinear / Bio-morphic / Organic Line Form Line segments consist of only one type of spatial edge; All spatial lines are curving; All arcs have consistently changing radii. Style Very informal; natural, flowing lines; Reflects forms found in nature; Movement of free-form lines in the landscape offers more possibility for exploration.

ART C. FORM form is basically the shape and structure of a plant or mass of plants structures also have form and should be considered as such when designing the area around them.

ART D. TEXTURE describes the surface quality of an object than can be seen or felt structures also have form and should be considered as such when designing the area around them surfaces in the landscape includes buildings, walks, patios, groundcovers and plants

ART E. SCALE refers to the size of an object or objects in relation to the surroundings surfaces in the landscape includes buildings, walks, patios, groundcovers and plants size refers to definite measurements while scale describes the size relationship between adjacent objects the size of plantings and buildings compared on the human scale must be considered

PRINCIPLES OF DESIGN A. UNITY means that all parts of the composition or landscape go together; they fit can be achieved by using mass planting and repetition

PRINCIPLES OF DESIGN B. BALANCE symmetrical balance is achieved when one side of the design is a mirror image of the other side asymmetrical balance uses different forms, colors and textures to obtain balance of visual attraction

PRINCIPLES OF DESIGN C. TRANSITION gradual change transition can be obtained by the arrangement of objects with varying textures, forms, or sizes in a logical sequential order

PRINCIPLES OF DESIGN D. PROPORTION refers to the size of parts of the design in relation to each other and to the design as a whole relates to people and their activities

STEPS IN DESIGN 1. Develop a site plan --it is difficult to visualize certain aspects of design without putting it to scale on paper

STEPS IN DESIGN 2. Conduct a site analysis --it is difficult to visualize certain aspects of design without putting it to scale on paper existing plants natural factors and features --examples include building orientation, soil conditions, rainfall distribution, seasonal wind pattern and micro-climatic conditions land form

STEPS IN DESIGN 3. Assess needs a landscape should be an outdoor extension of indoor living areas should be functional and provide space for activities

STEPS IN DESIGN 4. Locate and design activity areas (1) place outdoor areas in relation to indoor activity areas; the outdoor living or entertaining area should be an extension what goes on indoors (2) arrange areas relative to the activities in each and activities on adjoining property

STEPS IN DESIGN 4. Locate and design activity areas bubble diagrams are used to define spaces within the landscape each space will receive specific attention during the landscape design process spaces are frequently defined by the function that will take place in them

STEPS IN DESIGN 5. Plant selection and placement plants are selected on the basis of climatic adaptability to the microclimate of the location, plant architecture and availability desirable plants are those resistant to or tolerant of pests like mites, scale, nematodes, borers, root rots, etc. plants in some locations must be tolerant of human abuse, air pollution and animals.

Dewayne L. Ingram, former professor and extension horticulturalist, Environmental Horticulture Department, Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville FL 32611.

A more sustainable order of considerations would be: Functional Maintainable Environmentally Sound Cost Effective Visually Pleasing

1. FUNCTIONAL A functional landscape allows for the easy accomplishment of movement, work, recreation and leisure that occurs in and around the landscape.

2. MAINTAINABLE The functional and maintainable considerations are closely related. A functional design has more to do with the users of the landscape while a landscape that is maintainable is easier for landscape managers to take care of A maintainable landscape also reduces the need for inputs such as fertilizers, pesticides, equipment, water and other things.

3. ENVIRONMENTALLY SOUND A philosophy of "right plant right place" as well as "right plant right purpose" can dictate the amount of environmental, disease, and insect stress that a plant can tolerate.