lanscaping and its principles

Question 1

Landscaping

Answer 1

Landscape denotes a piece of land with combination of nature and culture. The process of designing the piece of land or making it more attractive by modifying the existing design or by adding new ornamental features is known as landscaping designing

Landscape horticulture includes designing plans for landscapes, installing landscapes as specified in the plans and maintaining the landscapes.
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While landscape designing, the designer deals with living plants that are subject to a different weather conditions, soil types, insect and disease problems and a other environmental and physical circumstances.
Change in the landscape is never constant as the seasons come and go.
The designer should combine plants and other materials that is visually pleasing in all the season using the knowledge of practical horticulture, principles and elements of design.

Question 2

Landscaping Benefits

Answer 2

To beautify an area year round.
To provide a home with cooling and warming effect.
To create space for entertainment and recreation.
Pollution control, wind control, odor control

Question 3

Cohesive design

Answer 3

Like a framed worked of art, the landscape design should be composed of individual components yet connected as if part of (a) one composition rather than (b) random individual parts

Question 4

Principles of Landscaping

Answer 4

1. focal point
2. balance
3. simplicity
   4.scale and proportion
4. rhythm
5. repetition
6. sequence
7. connection or unity
8. flow
   10.interest
9. curiosity

Question 5

Focal Point

Answer 5

Objects or plants that would directly attract an observers’ attention eg: water feature, sculpture, a unique plant.
Focalization is created as a visual break in the sequence and flow of the landscape.
Created through contrast in the landscape through use of objects such as swing, bench, bird baths, colors, texture, shape and size.
Number of focal points depend on the size of landscape.
Too many focal points into the landscape is not desirable

Characteristics of plants used as focal points:
Form: unusual forms such as weeping or contorted.
Texture: striking foliage, either extremely fine or extremely coarse.
Bark: exfoliating bark that reveals interesting colours and texture.
Flowering: unique shapes or vivid colour.
Foliage: interesting colour or unique variegation.

Question 6

Balance

Answer 6

Formal classical design where same thing on each side of a central axis is kept.
Balance also shows a sense of equality.
Two general forms of balance used in landscaping:

Symmetrical balance -Symmetrical balance has structured appearance and usually seen in formal garden.
The same components are repeated on both sides of the composition showing a mirror image.
If a line (center axis) were drawn through the middle of the form or space, each side would be identical.
The visual and actual weight is equally distributed on each side.
Simple and predictable.

Asymmetrical balance
Is unstructured and more visually weighted or based on gut feeling.
Does not repeat the same plant material in the same quantity or in the same relative position on either side of the center axis.
Implies equal weights on either side of the center axis. However, it does not have the “sameness” on each side.
Informal and natural sense of balance

Question 7

Simplicity

Answer 7

Simplicity is the concepts of reducing or eliminating nonessentials features to avoid a chaotic look.
The reduction of a design to its simplest, functional form which avoids unnecessary cost and maintenance.

Question 8

Scale and Proportion

Answer 8

Refers to the size of an object(s) in relation to surroundings.
E.g. A water fountain in a small lawn is a distraction.
E.g. Same size features in landscape shows lack of imagination and creativity
Proportion
Is the relationship of the width to the length of an area.
Keep everything relatively proportionate.
Each element is a part of a whole.

Question 9

Repetition

Answer 9

Repetition means recurring object in a landscape to create a complete and unified picture.
When used right it can help eliminate cluster.
Too much repetition will create monotonous picture

Question 10

Rhythm

Answer 10

Rhythm creates a feeling of motion which a viewer’s eyes through or even beyond the designed area.
It can be created by placing a different object at intervals of the repeated pieces, color schemes can also be used to create rhythm.
Rhythm reduces confusion in a landscape.

Question 11

Sequence

Answer 11

It is a gradual variation in color, size, shape, texture.
It can also be an orderly natural combination of plant materials – low object in the foreground, intermediate objects in the middle ground and tall objects in the background.
Creates a visual movement in the landscape.

Question 12

Connection or Unity

Answer 12

A common element creates connection among the entire design.
Repetition and physically linking space creates unity.
In landscape unity is formed through Lines- curvy lines, straight lines, construction lines, clours, form and textures.
Too much repetition is predictable and too much of variety breaks down connection.
A design lacking unity appears disorderly and haphazard.

Question 13

Flow

Answer 13

Is the quality that carries the eye smoothly through the landscape.
Also referred to as transition or sequence.
Flowing character may be formal or informal

Question 14

Interest

Answer 14

The design has to have visual interest.
Interest can be stirred by elements of accent.
Focalized accent or interesting effects such as contrasting textures.

Question 15

Curiosity

Answer 15

Curosity is used to interest the observer.
Using fences or shrubs keeps one experiencing a smaller outdoor room.
The slow trickling sound of a small fountain can draw one down to the path to investigate what is around the corner.
Fish are a great addition to ponds to add interest: living movement and brilliant colour.