Understand basic garden planning principles and the elements that contribute to a good design

Question 1

Describe the relevance of garden planning principles to the production of a garden design that ‘works’ - one that follows accepted ‘rules’ or ‘conventions’, and which is pleasing to the eye

Answer 1

To include examples of how a successful garden design (one which is pleasing to the eye) demonstrates accepted principles of garden planning

1. Unity/cohesion
2. Balance
3. Form
4. Scale/proportion
5. Movement/direction
6. Rhythm
7. Repetion
8. Simplicity

Question 2

Unity

Answer 2

A sense of oneness/ togetherness and harmony in the garden / harmony between various elements / the garden feels ‘whole’ with a similar theme going thorughout

Indivdual parts of a design must relate to one another and their surroundings

Can link colours, or repeat shapes and textures to give unity in garden design

Can be achieved by: matching hard landscaping materials to the house (as well as soft) - complementary materials / the use of a colour palette and featuring a colour for accessories e.g. painted wood, planters, cushions / sticking to one style of design and planting / using feature shapes / limiting materials used so they are not too difference

Question 3

Cohesion

Answer 3

Cohesion looks at how elements relate to each other but extends it to how the garden relates to features and landscapes outside of the garden - to include the house and the local environment

Question 4

Examples of unity/cohesion

Answer 4

Question 5

Examples of unity/cohesion

Answer 5

Question 6

Examples of unity/cohesion

Answer 6

Question 7

Balance

Answer 7

Where elements in the garden have a similar visual impact or weight - therefore pleasing to the eye / offsetting one part of the design with another

The main view point from the house should be balance

Symmetrical balance (formal) - equal visual weight or mass either side of the central axis (mirror image)

E.g. border/pots of box along a path on each side / or identical planting

Asymmetrical balance (informal) - placement of features so that size, texture and colour of plants and objects make up a balanced picture so that either side of the viewing point the elemts are equally weighted but not symmetrically arranged

E.g. mounding perennials together could have the same volume to a columnar shrub nearby

Balance only really achieved once the garden has matured

Question 8

Form (shape)

Answer 8

The three dimensional shape is considered in of itself and its relation to other shapes

Look at outline of woody trees and shrubs the most and for perennials and leaves it the shape of the flowers and leaves

Form creates structure (colour, texture and scent supply the finish) - form is around for longer

Basic regular forms are derived from primary shapes - squares, rectangles, pyramids etc,, which are common in formal gardens

The shape of plants is also very important - whether they are prostrate, columnar, conical, arching, trailing, hummock etc,,, e,g, topiary

Question 9

Different kinds of form and e.g.

Different plant shapes can be organised into groups, each with different roles, Their impact is dependent on size, number and density of plants and how clearly they can be seen

Answer 9

Rounded, spherical and globular: Common / basis of most mixed planting / Clipped globular forms are bold and eye catching acting well as focal points and visual ‘full stops’ / pairs of equidistant tightly clipped balls can emphasise design, geometry and frame views

E.g. clipped box / cercis canadensis /

Domed and modular: Common / basis of most mixed planting / anchor plantings by providing contrast to more dynamic shapes / domed or bell-shaped trees blur boundaries between garden and landscape as it’s the most common shape in nature

E.g. Crataegus monogyna / Viburnum davidii

Conical and pyramidal: formal / distinctive / e.g. carpinus betulus

Columnar ovoid: Dramatic focal points (in isolation) E.g. Taxus baccata

Spiky: bold / found more in hotter climates - suit that style (med, gravel)

Flower shapes: spires (digitalis - theatre like columnar / buttons and globes (astrantia major) can be eycatching in large groups, offer contrast / plumes (thalictrum delavayi) airy-cloud-like, link strong shapes together / umbels (achillea millefolium ‘Terracotta’) similar to domed shrubs, calming influence, natural look / daisies (echinacea purpurea) supporting role / screens and curtains (verbena bonariensis) light and lacy, softens strong flower forms

Question 10

Scale/Proportion

Answer 10

Scale: size of the elements compared to the size of the space / need to consider the size of the house and the size of elements in the larger landscape

Shrubs close to the house needn’t be taller than ¾ height of the house / trees located further back shouldn’t be more than twice the size of the house

Proportion: elements compared tpp each other / golden mean - elements should relate to each other in 1:3 or 2:3 ratio - most effective in linear dimensions

In rectangular space: lawn area ⅔ width of property, dining area ⅔ width of lawn and seating area ⅔ width of dining area

Rule of thirds can also be applied to planting (loosely) / as well as pots

Vertical proportion: a single oversized elements can make a garden appear smaller

Horizontal proportion: wary of widths of paths, patio - narrow paths make the garden look longer

Having plants above eye-level will break skyline

Large gardens need large borders and plants or small plants arranged in big groups

Small gardens still need tall plants, though need to be be wary of not overdoing it - can make it claustrophobic

A tall tree with only short planting in the rest of the garden may look out of place

Question 11

Movement/Direction

Answer 11

Movement refers to what keeps the eye in motion throughout a landscape

Repetition can relate to unity and movement - rhythmic repetition reinforce movement and moves the eye forward

Direction and pace can be manipulated by design / Visual movement encourages physical movement

Straight lines fast movement / curved paths slows it down

Paths and narrow walkways enourage investigation and brisk movement as will a change from wide to narrow

A corner, door or gap in hedge or a distant focal point will encourage movement

A wider area will encourage more lesiurely movement

Enclosed areas, corner, square or circular spaces provide more static and resful spaces

Meandering paths and having forms of screens that block part of the garden - encourage investigation and movement in the garden as well as making it appear bigger bu blocking some of the garden off

Plant forms can impact movement: rounded or mounding encourages movement / upright stop movement by interrupting line of vision - can be useful along a straight line path to slow movement

Question 12

Rhythm

Answer 12

Repetition of elements / repetition gives planting rhythm / moves the eye through the gardeb

Suggests a flow between parts of the garden

Sweeping drifts offers natural, relaxed rhythm

Regular rhythm when planted in distinct patterns - adds a formal note

Progressive rhythms follow a sequence of steps (changes in height e.g.) - the larger the planting the more rhythms may appear in it

When rhythms vary their pace and pattern, can transform a garden from slow and regular and peaceful to one that is fast variable and exicing / E.g. by zigzag lines / repetition of same plant throughout the garden as a signpost / Form can also achieve this / allows to maintain planting rhythm in different growing conditions of the garden

Through repetition, planting themes become reinforced and gain impact.

In order to keep theme and rhythm planting schemes need to be simple yet clearly focused.

Question 13

Repetition

Answer 13

Repeated plant forms / colours / hard landscaping materials / structures or features in garden

(aids in unity and movement) - repeating plants and repeating hardscape materials between house and landscape allows the space to appear as one entity

Repeating elements that are the same or have similar characterisitcs - the eye posits each recurrence into visual memory and ties them all together into one coherent them - unity, whilst also allow rhythm and movement throughout the space by leading the eye onwards

E.g. colour needs to be reflected in foliage when flowers are not in bloom / evergreen perennials, grasses and topirary are popular (topiary - shape repetition and colour)

Question 14

Simplicity

Answer 14

Fewer elements or a narrower range of elements in a garden

Will give a sense of calm

E.g. limited colour palette / small number of different plants / mass plantings of one plant / limited textures

Too much will give the garden a chaotic look - simpler design will emphasise unity

Question 15

State the meaning of the following terms: symmetry / asymmetry / colour / focal points

Answer 15

To include examples of each term in a garden context and how colour can be used in garden design to provide unity, adjust mood and play visual tricks

Uses of focal points to include: to draw the eye, to encourage exploration, to distract, to create false perspective, to provide theme interest

Question 16

Symmetry

Answer 16

The garden is mirrored on each side of the central axis - they are the same

Commonly found in formal gardens e,g, Knot, Parterre - low hedging laid out around central axis / controlled layouts / beauty from order and simplicity

Not dynamic

Question 17

Asymmetry

Answer 17

Its not the same on each side of the central axis - though balance is still important

More dynamic feel to the garden

More organic in shape

Group of trees on one side of the garden may be balanced in mass by a larger ground area of lower-growing shrubs

Large shrub offset by a similary sized pergola or shed on the other side

Question 18

What are primary colours

What secondary colours?

What are tertiary colours?

Answer 18

Primary: Red / Blue / Yellow - colours that if mixed can provide most other colours

Secondary: Orange . Green / violet - made by combing 2 primary colours

Tertiary: Red-orange / yellow-orange / blue-green / yellow-green / blue-violet / red-violet - mixing primary and secondary colours

Question 19

How can colour affect moods?

Answer 19

Warm: red / yellow / oranges / blue-violet is a ‘warmer’ blue than true blue / yellow-green ‘warmer’ green than true green / can make you think it’s sunnier than it actuallly is / stimulating/exciting and stops you in tracks / more active colours /raise blood pressure and heart rate

Cool: Tend to blue / blue-green ‘cooler’ blue than true blue / blue-violet is a ‘cooler purple that true violet / green considered most restful colour and primarily the colour a garden is made up of / lower blood pressure and heart rate

Question 20

How can colour play visual tricks?

Answer 20

Colours like red, orange, yellow and bright pink can shorten a space and bring a garden towards you / if planted at boundary they cna make garden seem smaller as the boundary appears nearer / warm colours advance

Blues can elongate a space as the colours tend to recede / if planted at far boundary will make the garden seem bigger

Question 21

Complementary colours

Analogous colours

Monochrome

Tint

Shade

Saturation

Muted

Foil

Answer 21

Complementary: opposite sides of the colour wheel e.g. red-green and yellow-purple / Direct opposites on the colour wheel show the strongest contrast / lively and eye-catching / traditionally used sparingly as focal points - used more often now

Analogous: - close together on the wheel e.g. red-ornage-yellow / share similar pigments so easy to create a natural-looking plant scheme that is pleasing to the eye / don’t use colour to same density - first dominant one, second to support and others to accent to draw the eye - on large scale could be boring - introduce contrast for excitement

Monochrome: Colour palette of one colour (using different shades, tints and tones) / bold and sophisticated - formal and cripst modernist designs / shape and texture become more important

Analogous and monochromatic considered harmonious

Tint (pastel): colour with white added

Shade: colour with black added

Saturation: the amount of pigment/ how strong the colour is / low saturation - ‘washed out’ colours / high saturation - ‘rich’ or ‘jewel’ colours

Muted: colours have grey (or brown) making the colour seen ‘muddier’

Foil: stands in the background allowing other things to pop / when one colour/plant makes another stand out really clearly e.g. cream flowers of Sambucus nigra ‘Black Lace’ set off more by the dark cut leaves

Question 22

What is contrast?

Answer 22

High contrasts is when there is a big difference between either shade (light vs dark) or tone (colour) or both

Question 23

Harmony

Answer 23

When the shapes and textures of adjacent platnts are similar they are said to harmonise - this can be said for similarly coloured plants (next to each other on the colour wheel e.g. yellow-green, orange -red) - can create peaceful atmosphere

concerned with overall garden and the different components come together to make a pleasing effect

The opposite also true - something spiky grown with something soft or complementary colours (opposite side of wheel (yellow-violet, blue-orange) / contrast in form or texture is highlighted

Question 24

How can colour be used in the garde?

Answer 24

Bright colours act as focal points / attract attention / best used near house if want garden to appear larger

Complementary colors heighten the impact of colour combinations and make strong focal points / strong contrast - appear brighter

Harmonious colours can be relaxing and calming when used together

Red creates warmth and are stimulating - used to improve a north facing patio which can appear darker than in other areas of the garden

Repetition of a colour can give unity and cohesion to a garden design / or use of hot or cool colours maintains unity as the colour palette is harmonious and limited / monochromatic gives unity because colours are tints. tones and shades of one colour

Bright colourful bedding schemese are uplifting and cheery / limited colour like green and white is restful and soothing / dark areas can be lightened by yellow flowers or leaves

White good for evening as the plants or structures stand out in dim light / good for shady area

Question 25

What do you need to consider when thinkg of colour palette for a customer?

Answer 25

What do they want to use the space for - if want to chill need cooler colours and white / or place for parties etc… warmer/brighter colours which make it more exciting

Can connect place to locality (important) or transport somewhere else

Question 26

Perspective and focal point

What is a focal point?

Answer 26

Framing the view / can be easily achieved by adding a focal point

Focal points attract the eye - to draw the eye through the garden to some point in the distance / encourages exploration / makes the garden appear larger

Creates a deeper sense of perspective

Point of interest in winter (e.g. if focal point is evergreen/structurally interesting / statue / this will ultimately depend on the theme of the garden

Larger gardens will need more focal points

An object, special plant, structure which can be glimpsed at a distance and will draw the eye in to invite further investigation

Question 27

How to achieve harmony?

Answer 27

Consider style and proportions of the house i.e. don’t do a formal garden around a country cottage it will look out of place

Use hard landscaping materials that match the house

use the same hedging around all of the house

Use hedges to screen areas within a garden such as around a rose or herb garden

Use features like pergolas, hedges, walls, and arches to lead from part of the garden to another

Use focal points to draw the eye and lead into new areas

Use repeating geometric shapes

Use repeated plant types, plant colours whether foliage or flower