Cohesive design

Question 1

What is cohesive garden design?

Answer 1

Cohesion is how similar elements within and outside the garden ‘stick together’ and work well together, looking good as a whole.

i.e. all parts of the design form a unified whole e.g. consistent styles, or materials, themes in planting

The garden principle of ‘unity’ looks at elements inside the garden and how they relate to each other, cohesion also considers how the garden relates to features and landscape outside the garden which will include the house and the local environment.

Question 2

Describe how elements of soft landscaping should be selected and used to ensure a design in cohesive

Answer 2

• repeated use of same plants
• selection of soft landscaping reflects the nature of the garden design e.g. topiary in formal garden
• plants may be used as focal point
• colours inside garden match colours outside garden

Question 3

Describe how elements of hard landscaping should be selected and used to ensure a design in cohesive

Answer 3

• style of hard landscaping should complement that of house e.g. informal house with cottage garden, formal garden with grand scale house
• shapes in the architecture of the house are reflected in the garden such as archways, shapes and proportions of windows
• colours of paving, gravel and walling match or complement each other and the house and location e.g. use of local stone
• materials used reflect style and location of garden e.g. natural materials in cottage garden

Question 4

Describe how items such as garden furniture should be selected and used to ensure a design in cohesive

Answer 4

• material and style of furniture reflects house e.g. wooden window frames, wooden bench, wooden pergola