subject: Learning The Landscaping Basics [print this page] For a gardener who is taking on some landscaping it is important for them to understand the basics. There are certain elements of good landscape design.
A great idea can easily be complicated upon implementation and end up not being visually appealing. If you follow the tips in this article, you will end up with a more beautiful yard.
Knowing these elements is a part of creating landscaping that works. Landscaping basics are quite simple to understand and most will come naturally. The following list outlines these basic elements.
Unity: Unity refers to the use of elements to create harmony and consistency with the main theme or idea of the landscape design. Unity gives the landscape a sense of oneness and interconnection.
Unity in landscaping can be achieved by using plants, trees, or material that have repeating lines or shapes, a common hue, or similar texture. However, too much unity can be boring. Therefore, it is important to introduce some variety or contrast into the design.
Simplicity: Simplicity does not have to mean the design is limited. It means the design should be limited in different color shades, types of plants and also keeping the design looking clean.
An overwhelming design is confusing to the eye. This is especially true if working with a large area. Having too many things going on creates chaos.
Balance: Balance gives the landscape a sense of equilibrium and symmetry in visual attraction. There are three ways by which balance may be presented in landscaping.
Symmetrical or formal balance is achieved when the mass, weight, or number of objects on both sides of the design are exactly the same.
Asymmetrical or informal balance in the landscape suggests a feeling of balance on both sides, even though the sides do not look the same.
Asymmetrical balance in visual attraction may be achieved by using opposing compositions on either side of the central axis. Landscape design with radial balance has a center point.
A sunflower, a wheel, and the cross-section of an orange all have radial balance. In a large scale landscaping design the focal point may be a garden.
Rhythm: Rhythm creates a feeling of motion which leads the eye from one part of the landscape to another part. Repeating a color scheme, shape, texture, line or form evokes rhythm in the landscape. Proper expression of rhythm eliminates confusion and monotony from the design.
And finally, repetition in the design is the repeated use of objects or elements with identical shape, form, texture, or color. Although it gives the landscape a unified planting scheme, repetition runs the risk of being overdone.
However, when correctly implemented, repetition can lead to rhythm, focalization or emphasis in the design. Ultimately, though, the beauty of a landscaping design is in the eye of its creator. What is beautiful to one may not be to another.
However, having a knowledge of the basic elements of landscaping can help a beginner develop a landscaping plan easier and give them a starting point to use. Proportion describes the size relationship between parts of the landscape or between a part of the design and the design as a whole.
A large fountain would cramp a small backyard garden, but would complement a sprawling public courtyard. Additionally, proportion in landscaping must take into consideration how people interact with various components of the landscape through normal human activities.
Sequence or Transition: This creates visual movement in landscaping. Sequence in landscape design is achieved by the gradual progression of texture, form, size, or color.
Examples of design elements in transition are plants that go from coarse to medium to fine textures or softscapes that go from large trees to medium trees to shrubs to bedding plants. Transition in landscape design may also be used to create depth or distance or to emphasize a focal point.
