Practise exam questions

Question 1

Name and describe TWO distinct plants suitable for edge planting in a knot garden

Answer 1

Suitable edging garden plants need to have dense foliage, small and compact, slow growing with small leaves which may be glossy

Buxus microphylla: small, evergreen leaves with compact growth habit and responds well to hard pruning, which grows slowly so doesn’t need regular pruning

Rosmarinus officinalis: dense and bushy, narrow leathery dark green aromatic foliage which are white felted underneath. Tubular purple-blue flowers are produced in mid-spring to early summer

Question 2

State TWO factors that need to be recorded during a site appraisal for EACH of the following:

i. aspect
ii. exposure

Name TWO distinct plants suitable for each of the exposed situations stated in ii.

Answer 2

i. compass direction that the garden faces / any views e.g. to open countryside
ii. to what degree are areas of the garden exposed to the sun? How many hours does the garden receive, wind and direction. If garden located near coast, salt laden winds are to be expected

Sun: Lavandula anguistifolia, Phormium cookianum

Strong winds: Pinus mugo, Phyllostachys nigra

Salt laden winds: Griselinia littoralis, Armeria maritima

Question 3

State ONE reason why trees may not be suitable for a small domestic garden

Answer 3

Leaf fall can create slip hazards on hard surfaces

Leaf fall may create undesirable maintenance issue on gravel

Trees may shade other plants

There is potential for roots to undermine the house or wall foundations

Question 4

Describe what is meant by ‘offsets’ in relation to linear surveying of a garden (Can use diagram)

Answer 4

Establishment of a baseline labelled A-B

Baseline accurately set against fixed pints e.g. house wall

Running measurements along the baseline to accurately position the offsets

Measurement from feature to the baseline

Offsets to be at 90 degree angle to the baseline

Question 5

State FOUR facots to be considered when selecting a site for alpine/rock garden plants

Answer 5

Ideally on a sloping site

Free draining soil

Sunny open site

Free from overhanging trees

Absence of invasive perennial weeds

Good site access for machinery to deliver rock

Question 6

State hazard and associated risk of a name hedging plant

State two distinct herbaceous plants considered to be hazardous in gardens

Answer 6

Taxus baccata: leaves and fruit are toxic - poisonous if ingested and can cause stomach upset and serious illness

Digitalis purpurea: flowers, stems, leaves and seeds are poisonous if ingested

Euphorbia characias subsp. wulfenii: sap cna cause irritation to the skin and eyes

Question 7

Describe FIVE stages involved in plotting a garden feature when carrying out a triangulation survey

Answer 7

Equipment required: two 30m measuring taoes, pegs, pen and paper

A simple drawn plan: showing the feature and the house with the corners of the house labelled to help identify the measurements.

Establish a fixed point: e.g. the house and identify the datum points A and B on the building. Measure the distance between the fixed points and record this on the plan

Using two 30cm measuring tapes: place one at point A and one at point B and secure one end of each with a peg

Holding each tape taut: extend them both to point C to form a triangle and measure A-C and B-C. Record all measurements on the plant

Question 8

Compare TWO distinct natural materials used in the manufacture of screens

Answer 8

Reed roll screening: presents a natural appearance and looks good with an oriental theme. Relatively short life span and easily damaged

Softwood timber trellis: if treated it will alst longer, painted to match the colour scheme of the harden, more durable than reeeds

Question 9

State TWO reasons for choosing a material for the treasd of garden steps

Answer 9

Mesh covered wooden treads, grooved timber, riven paving

Question 10

What is meant by ‘a plant grown as a biennial?’

Answer 10

Short-lived perennial which are is discarded after its first season of flowering, as they lose vigour and do not perform well in successive years

Question 11

How can some named features in an English landscape garden contribute to the cohesiveness of the design

Answer 11

Greek or Roman temple: reinforces the theme of a classical story which is illustrated by a walk around the garden

Palladium bridge: provides classic architectural links to the house and other features

Features like a Ha Ha can provide a practical contribution e.g. as a barrier to anmals entering th garde. It can also provide cohesiveness to the landscaoe by providing uninterrupted views or vistas

Question 12

Describe design responses to rainshadows and frost pockets

Answer 12

Rainshadows: areas with raindshadows could be sued for patios or deckings or a seating area in a sheltered spot. The area could be used for plants that thrive in dry conditions

Frost pockets: To avoid frost pockets, openings in hedges can be created tot allow frosty ar to escape. If walls are being built across a slop, it is essential that they are angled to allow frost to roll down past the wall

Question 13

Describe THREE reasons for excluding a high quality lawn from a garden design

Answer 13

1. unsuitability of the site, it could be too shady, wet or sloping
2. Client may not have time for that level of maintenance
3. Unsuitable if have children and dogs
4. Client may prefer a more wildlife friendly lawn

Question 14

List FOUR distinct features which should be included in a garden survey

Answer 14

Structures: e.g. garden shed or summerhouse

Hard landscape surfaces: e.g. paths or patios

Boundaries: e.g. fences and walls

Existing trees, shrubs or other plants in the garden

Underground/overhead services

Question 15

Describe THREE distincnt ways of overcoming the problems of severely restricted site access when constructing a garden

Answer 15

Plant to re-use waste material from the clearance of structure son site to avoid the need to move bulky waste through a narrow access or through the hosue, e.g. using old slabs as a base for a shed

Negotiate with neighbours

Specify use of young plants and trees instead of mature ones and sow the lawn from seed instead of laying a new lawn from turf

Plan construction to use manual methods of digging, suing hadntools and a wheelbarrow in stead of a digger, rotavator or dumper truck. May need to alter plant or extend construction time

Use hard landscaping materials that can be put together on site

Remove fence panels and return once work is complete

Question 16

How can Movement/Direction be used when planning a domestic garden that is pleasing to the eye?

Answer 16

Achieved by placing focal points at the end of an avenue of trees, or path e.g. a classical statue, to move and direct the eye toa view or ‘picture’ of the garden.

Inclusion of drifts of plants in sweeping borders create movement of plants and draws the eye around a sweeping curve

Question 17

Describe TWO characteristic features of a knot garden

Answer 17

Intricate patterns formed from clipped hedges which interweave are are designed to replicate Elizabethan embroidery

Coloured infill between the hedges either in the form of gravel/crushed brick or planting. Thi is traditionally herbs or medicinal plants e.g. Lavandula anguistifolia

The use of low and tightly clipped evergreen hedges of a single species e.g. Buxus microphylla

Question 18

List FOUR sustainable practices to reduce the use of mains water which can be integrated successfully during the planning and design stage for a domestic garden

Answer 18

Select drought-tolerant plants / gravel garden with low water requirement

Water-butss

Grey water collection system

Compost bins to create organic mulch to reduce water evaporation

water efficient irrigation systens e.g. seep/drip hoses connected to timers

water at night or early morning to reduce evaporation

Question 19

What is balance?

Answer 19

The weight and mass of elements of the deisgn are intrinsically in balance with each other and the garden. This may be achieved through symmetrical balance e.g. identical plant forms placed either side of a central path. It may also be asymmetrically balanced around a central feature e.g. a large tree one side can be balanced with a pergola of a similar size/mass on the other side

Question 20

What is rhyth?

Answer 20

Is the sens eof motion that is created through the placing of repeated elements in the garden and the flow of continuous lines. Rhythm moves the eye through the space by repeating hard landscape elemtns or plants through the garden or creating flowing lines.

Question 21

State ONE distinct method for minimising or eliminating the risk for

i. overhead and underground cables
ii. open water e.g. ponds
iii. Steps under deciduous trees
iiii. steep grassed paths on slopes

Answer 21

i. Appropriate placing of signage to alert users of risks e.g. electrical cables and unsafe buildings
ii. installation of secure fencing arounf the ponds and unsafe buildings
iii. provision of non-slip coating on steps, ramps and slippery surfaces
iiii. Provision of handrails on steep paths or steps

Question 22

Describe how FOUR distinct materials could be re-used or recycled in a new garden scheme

Answer 22

Pallets used to deliver garden materials can be used to construct the sides of a compost bay

Clay bricks from a demolished wall can be used to build the walls of a cold frame

Broken concrete slabs from an old patio can be broken up and used as a sub-base for a new patio

Timber boards from a dismantled deck area can be used to create border edging for vegetable beds

Question 23

State TWO hazards associated with the use of recycled materials

Answer 23

Splinters from reclaimed timber boards could pierce the skin and cause infection

Crumbling clay bricks or sandstone could have sharp edges causing skin abrasions

Lifting/carrying heavy materials e.g. statues could cause strains and sprains

Rusty nails which pierce the skin could cause tetanus

Question 24

State TWO reasons why EACH of the following existing garden features should be included in a risk assessment:

i. stone fountain
ii. speciment tree
iii. garden wall

Answer 24

i. check for condition, any damage, cracks, fractures, any maintenance issues causing a hazard / risks associated with electricity to power the pump
ii. Evidence of disease, fungal growth e.g. honey fungus, causing future problems / roots from mature trees growing above ground in areas where people are walking
iii. evidence of instability due to poor foundations / crumbling mortar, loose or missing bricks

iii.

Question 25

What is form?

Answer 25

is related to both the outline shape of the individual elements of garden features and their three dimensional shape, e.g. the placing of columnar, fastigiated or weeping forms of trees, plants or hard landscape features

Question 26

State FOUR distinct ways where scale and proportion can help achieve a garden design that ‘works’, giving ONE example of each

Answer 26

Scaling features e.g. patios and formal ponds in proportion to features on the house e.g. bay windows

Selecting the unit size of hard landscaping materials e.g. paving slabs which are appropriate to the space available

Selecting feature plants e.g. trees and large shrubs which have an ultimate growth size proportionate to the size of the site and their proximity to the house

Selecting or designing garden buildings e.g. a summer house so that their size is appropriate to the space available

Question 27

Describe TWO problems associated with using walls in garden design

Answer 27

Walls are impervious to wind and create turbulence by diverting the wind up and over the wall which then circulates back towards the wall as a vortex, damaging plants etc.

Walls are expensive to build due to the cost of materials and the skilled labour required to build them

Walls are not very wildlife friendly (Except drystone walls)

The materials that are used for walls are not sustainable or environmentally friendly as natural rock is extended from land and man-made bricks and blocks require high levels of energy in their production. Transportation costs are also high

Walls create frost pockets and rain shadows

Question 28

Describe TWO distinct situations where the location of existing electrical supplies can be hazardous in a domestic garden

Answer 28

Unmarked underground cables may be buried in areas which require cultivation. These may be severed or damaged by a spade used when digging

Overhead cables may be fouled by tall mahcinery or accidentally cut with long handled pruning equipment

Electrical sockets near water or accessible to children near play areas can be hazardous

Question 29

State TWO distinct ways for a designer to minimise the risks associated with ONE of the electrical supplies described in the previou question

Answer 29

Underground cables must be buried deeply and overlaid with hazard tape or tiles. The position of the cables must be clearly marked on plans or route the cables under paths or patios

Overhead cables should be at a height above normal access or working requirements. Ensure that the cables are clearly visible and not obscured or fouled by trees

Ensure all sockets near water are waterproof and enclose any near children’s play areas in a secure unit

Question 30

Explain the importance of using sustainable practices in the planning, design and maintenance of gardens

Answer 30

Conservtion of scarce natural resources on this planet which will have a positive impact on sensitive environments and wildlife.

Use examples also - reclaim, recycle, reuse, reduce, local suppliers

Question 31

What is a site appraisal?

Answer 31

is a visit to a site to gain physical information about the site which is recorded/written down for use later. Examples include; soil pH, soil type, aspect, microclimate, drainage, views etc..

Question 32

What is a site survey

Answer 32

is a detailed site investigation where accurate measurements are taken and recorded from which plan and designs can be drawn. A risk assessment is carried out, overhead and underground services are mapped and any features which are to be retained in the design are identified

Question 33

State what is meant by a garden planning principle

Answer 33

is one of a number of widely recognised design concepts that follow accepted riles and conventions aimed at producing desgns that ‘work’ and are pleasing to the eye

Question 34

Describe FOUR distinct ways by which movement/direction can be encouraged by garden design

Answer 34

The use of focal points to ecourage visitors to walk towards it

Straight pathways for direct access to an area containing garden furniture

A winding pathway leading behind shrubs or hedges to encourage people to see what is there

Grasses/bamboos moving in the wind to attract the eye

Plants moving /swaying and creating a rustling noise

Water/fountains to create movement in themselves and to create sound to attract visitors

Question 35

State FIVE distinct hazards which will make a garden site appraisal difficult to carry out

Answer 35

Overgrown plants on the ground which could trip the designer up or maybe covering uneven ground or pot holes

Neglected and overgrown thorny, poisonous or sitnging plants e.g. brambles and nettles that the designer must reach through to measure

Unsafe garden walls with crumbling mortar and bricks which could fall onto the designer

Algae covered paths and decking which could be a sliip hazard

Trees with dead, diseased or damaged branches which could fall on the designer if carrying out the appraisal in windy conditions

Steep slopes in wet weather which are a slip hazard for the desginer

Question 36

Describe TWO hazards associated with i. garden ponds and ii. hard landscaping materials

Answer 36

i. wet or boggy ground around the pond could cause a person to slip into the pond

surface vegetation e.g. algae or marginal plants can obscure the surface of the pond causing people to accidentally fall in

An unfenced pond in a garden next to a children’s play area could result in a child falling into the water

ii. Splinters from timbers when handliing them during construction or by brushing past a fence post

Injury from lifting heavy sandstone slabs or constructing with them

Injury from dropping softwood timber decking planks which can become slippery when wet in the winter