Garden planning and good design Flashcards
What are the eight principles of garden design?
- unity/cohesion
- balance (symmetrical and asymmetrical)
- form (3D shape and structure)
- scale/proportion
- movement/direction (line)
- rhythm
- repetition
- simplicity
What is the difference between the principles of cohesion and unity?
Unity: repetition of similar forms, colours, focal points so that the elements of the garden link together and the garden looks good as a whole. Describes elements within the garden. e.g. hard landscape materials selected in similar material to house
Cohesion: describe how the elements within the garden link with the outside landscape and the house
What is meant by ‘form’ when describing a plant?
The 3D shape and structure i.e. the way in which the main branches or stems grow
State the meaning of the following terms in garden design:
- symmetry
- asymmetry
- colour
- focal points
Symmetry: equal visual weight or mass either side of a central axis as both sides are a mirror image of each other (used in formal gardens)
Asymmetry: placement of features so that size, texture, colour of objects and plants make up a balanced picture so that either side of a viewing point the elements are equally weighted but are not identically arranged (used in informal gardens)
Colour: the visual appearance based on the wavelength of light that objects reflect.
Focal point: something which draws and interests the eye. Clever or poor positioning of focal points can make a garden seem longer, smaller, larger, narrower, wider, calm, busy.
(see https://www.leafylearning.co.uk/post/r2111-garden-planning-garden-design-principles-balance-what-it-is-and-how-to-achieve-it)
Describe how colour can be used in a garden
Colour wheel: used to describe how the colours are organised and how they work together.
Complimentary colours: are opposite to each other on the colour wheel. Bring out the best in each other and make each other appear more vivid and bright. Complimentary colours draw the eye as focal points.
Harmonious colours: are next to each other on the colour wheel. They blend well together and appear relaxing as there is less contrast between them.
Hot /warm colours: on one side of the colour wheel – red, orange and yellow. These are bright colours and draw the eye. Can alter the perceived size of the garden by positioning them in different spots e.g. if planted at the far the far boundary they can make the garden seem smaller as the far boundary appears nearer.
Cool colours: on one side of the colour wheel – green, blue, purple. These colours tend to recede so are best used at the far boundary if you want the garden to appear as large as possible.
(cool colours recede, warm colours advance perspective)
Uses of focal points
Focal points are single objects which:
- Draw the eye
- Encourage exploration
- Distract
- Create false perspective
- provide theme interest.
Describe rhythm in a garden context.
Rhythm is created in a garden by the recurrence of any design element, or combination of design elements in a regular arrangement that achieves a sense of direction, movement or pattern.
Sense of motion created through placing of repeated elements and flow of continuous lines
Moves eye through the space
May work to link elements and unite them.
Describe movement/direction in garden design
Circles, hexagons, squares are static as they have sides of equal proportions -> used as seating areas or places to relax
Elongated shapes or shapes encourage movement e.g. linear path, long narrow space acts like a corridor
Describe the scale/proportion in garden design
The garden elements are all of an appropriate size to each other and the overall garden.
Proportion ensures that elements do not take up too much space e.g. patio is big enough to be functional but not dominate the garden
Describe the principle of balance
Weight and mass of elements of design are intrinsically in balance with each other and the garden
Symmetrical balance: identical plant forms placed on either side of a central path/axis
Asymmetrical balance: feature on one side of garden is balanced by different feature of similar size/mass on other side of garden.
State the meaning of the principle of repetition
Repetition involves the use of similar or the same elements multiple times.
Repeating these elements consistently can aid in cohesion and unity, or give a sense of rhythm and movement
e.g. colour of painted furniture reflected in the colour of plants, archways and house window frames. Using a similar colour throughout garden aids cohesion, linking the spaces
State the meaning of the principle of simplicity
Simplicity involves using a minimal number of elements
Creates a sense of calm, uncluttered, uncomplicated garden space
e.g. using a consistent colour palette in soft and hard landscaping elements
