Introduction
Create a General Landscape Plan
Complete a Thorough Site Analysis
Define Planting Areas
Principles of Design
Elements of Design
Plant Selection
Installation
Landscaping With Native Plans
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The house is the focal point of the design. The landscape should complement, not clash, with the house.
Image courtesy of Gizmo Creations
The landscape is an extension of the living space. Just like the appearance and arrangement of your house affects your personal living space, so does the appearance and arrangement of your landscape. As you complete your design, consider these principles:
- Balance-Balance in a landscape can be either symmetrical or asymmetrical.
In a symmetrical arrangement, you place equal numbers of plants, plants of equal
size, or structures or planting beds of equal size opposite each other on the
landscape. When using an asymmetrical design, balance plants and structures in
terms of volume of space occupied on the landscape. One example might be to plant
a large red oak on one side of the yard to counterbalance a mass planting of ornamental
shrubs on the opposite side. Also, you could counterbalance a deck with a perennial
bed.
- Movement-You can create a sense of vertical and horizontal movement on the
landscape. For example: Tall, columnar trees or shrubs draw your eyes upward,
whereas a low, flat bed of colorful annuals pulls your eyes downward. Also, lines,
especially curved lines of walkways or planting beds, create a sense of motion
that encourages you to move visually and physically through the landscape.
- Harmony-The proper use of space, color, texture, and plant materials on the
landscape creates harmony. In practice, use plants and structures that are in
scale with the house and enhance the overall landscape design with plants and
plantings that complement each other with respect to color and texture.
Dr. Leonard Perry, University of Vermont discusses basic design principles in more detail, at: www.uvm.edu/extension/publications/oh/oh29.htm
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