The Elements of Planting Design The Physical Characteristics of Plants

2 Color There are basically two types of color used in planting design background (or basic) color and accent color The use of color and how it will appear to the person within a landscape space are influenced by: 1. the distance at which it is viewed, 2. the amount of direct or indirect light, 3. the amount of shade, and 4. the soil conditions of the planting area.

3 The following general principles should be remembered People have a psychological tendency to lean toward light and vivid colors. Subdued light and cool colors are more conducive to moody reflections of thought. Bright light and warm colors tend to excite and may lead the viewer to move throughout a landscape space.

4 Color changes should be gradated so as not to break continuity. Warm colors such as reds, yellows, and oranges have a tendency to appear nearer to the observer or to advance, Cool colors such as blues and greens appear farther away or to recede. Delicate colors (tints and pastels) have a fine textural appearance, while harsher or brighter colors may imply a coarse texture.

5 Form Form involves the shape and structure of a plant or plant mass. General plant forms are 1. rounded or globular 2. Oval 3. conical or pyramidal 4. Upright 5. weeping or drooping 6. spreading or horizontal 7. irregular

6 The basic form of any plant depends upon an undisturbed habit of growth. Vertical forms can be used to create strong accents as well as to add height to a composition. Horizontal and spreading forms add width to tall structures. Weeping or drooping forms tend to create soft lines and also provide a tie to the ground plane. Rounded and globular forms are useful in creating large plant masses for borders and enclosures.

7 Three-dimensional form is divided into two types: positive and negative space. Until a planted space has definition, it is termed negative space. Once there is physical definition, it becomes positive space.

8 Texture Texture can be interpreted as the tactile and visual character of the physical surface qualities as determined by the form, size and aggregation of the units of which a plant is composed.

9 Texture may also be qualified in terms of the distance from which the plant is viewed. A space can be made to appear larger when fine texture is placed farther from the eye. Using the reverse strategy, a space can be made to appear smaller.

10 If textures change, they must do so in a logical and graduated manner. They should generally proceed in a sequence and not break continuity.