Understanding garden features Flashcards
Define hazard
Source of potential danger or adverse health
E.g. Pond, overhanging cables, steps, decking, underground services.
Define risk
The chance that someone may be harmed by hazards. Usually high medium or low.
Potential restrictions to work sites
Financial Access for equipment and materials Topography - slopes Boundary - privacy etc Timelines - school holidays, family occasions Planning regs
What does a basic garden survey consist of?
Identifying : hazards and risks Potential restrictions Existing features to be retained Overhead and underground services Carry out a basic linear survey
Describe how to carry out a linear survey.
Identify a baseline (usually House)
Make running measurements along the line showing positions of windows and doors.
Can use offset measurements for any simple perpendicular features close by.
For many sided or irregular plots use triangulation.
Measure 2 distances from 2 different places (corners of house). This will give you the radius of an arc. When arcs are drawn your feature will be where the arcs intersect.
What needs to be incorporated/measured and drawn in a basic survey?
Outline of house
Outline of plot and position of house within it
Outline of hard and soft features
Contours of plot
What is recorded in a site appraisal
Soil type - depth, texture, structure, drainage, pH
Contours
Aspect and exposure
Microclimate - frost pockets, shade, sun traps, wind tunnels
Views - eyesores, style of house
Basic principles of garden design
Unity/harmony/ Balance Proportion Simplicity Movement/direction/interest Form Repetition Rhythm
Methods to achieve harmony
Taking into consideration the style of the house and use hard landscaping materials that match.
Use the same hedging/fencing all around the house
Use focal points to draw the eye and lead you to new areas
Use repeating geometric shapes
Use repeat planting, or repeat colours
Points to bear in mind in relation to proportion
Ultimate size of trees and shrubs
Lots of small features can appear fussy and busy
Paths wide enough for two or for wheelbarrow
Create illusions - narrowing paths, mirrors etc
What is meant by the term symmetry and asymmetry?
Symmetrical gardens are formal with one or two lines of symmetry running through them making each half or quarter a mirror image of itself.
Asymmetry can be formal or informal. Shaped planes are not symmetrical but are juxtaposed and overlapped to create interesting sub shapes. Use of curves and flowing lines and free forms.
Use of colour
Reflected in hard and soft landscaping
Use not just flowers but foliage colour especially evergreens for all year round interest.
Can add to sense of unity
Can add mood or theme.
Focal points
E.g. Sculpture Draw the eye Add interest and encourage exploration Distract Give false perspective Provide a theme
Formal garden features and examples
Symmetrical Knot garden Landscape garden - lawns woods and pieces of architecture Walls of hedges, fountains, statues Topiary Water features
Informal garden characteristics
Curved flowing lines Asymmetrical layout Winding paths Informal or no hedging Profusion of plant Wildflower meadows Wildlife ponds
