WHAT IS LANDSCAPING?
Landscaping is a task that combines science and art. The landscape architect,
designer or contractor you choose to work with will guide you through the landscaping
process, which consists of a design and construction phase. The biggest mistake DIYers
make is rushing into the construction phase without a plan.
Landscape plans turn ideas into visuals and ensure that scale and layout have been
thought through prior to construction. Your landscaper will create a plan for your yard that
suits your needs and provides solutions to common landscaping problems, such as slopes,
wind, sun or lack of space. Landscaping can help soften spaces between buildings, can
provide a route for people, can provide space for gardening and also help improve
environmental quality.
FUNDAMENTALS/PRINCIPLES OF LANDSCAPING
Proportion. Here proportion implies the size of an object in relation to other objects in the
yard. The proportion between the plants and the hardscapes should be duly considered.
Proportion is the apparent design among all the others, but it still needs some planning and
careful consideration. All the elements in landscape design should have the right proportion.
Balance. Balance here implies a sense of equality. There’s symmetrical and asymmetrical
balance and we shed light on these two below.
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Symmetrical Balance
Symmetrical balance is used in formal landscapes when one side of the landscape is
a mirror image of the opposite side. These landscapes often use geometric patterns
in the walkways, planting beds and even how the plants are pruned into shapes.
Asymmetrical Balance
Here, the landscape composition is balanced using diverse elements and objects with
nearly identical imaginary weight.
Focalization. Any good design has a focal point – the place where the viewer’s eye is first
attracted. Focalization is sometimes referred to as focalization of interest or simply focal point.
The focal point is the strongest element in the design in any given view. A home’s focal point
is often the front door. The landscape focal point is often something close to the front door to
enhance the entrance of the home.
Each area of the landscape may include a focal point, but it is certainly not necessary.
Landscape designers should not overuse focal points. In any view, people are attracted to
interesting plant forms, bright colors and artistic, architectural design as well as art or
sculptures. Mix it up, have some fun and create interesting focal points.
Simplicity. Simplicity is what the name implies – simple. Keeping landscapes simple, not
cluttered or fussy is always a good practice. This is not the opposite of complexity. Many
landscapes have very complex features, including the architectural design, water features
and extensive lighting features. Landscapes that make people happy and comfortable avoid
using too many colors, shapes, curves and textures, but in no way does this mean simplistic,
boring or lack of imagination.
Color. Colors help give your landscape design vibrancy. Warm colors like red and orange
make your landscape pop and seem to beckon on you, making an object appear closer. Blue
and green colors seem to move away from you and are used to create perspective.
Repetition. It’d be best if you create familiar patterns and sequences in the landscape, and
this is where repetition comes in. Landscape design elements or specific features of it can be
repeated throughout your yard. Too many objects that are unrelated to other designs can
make your landscape design appear unplanned and cluttered. But try not to overuse an
element as it’ll make the overall look seem monotonous and uninteresting. Unleash your
creativity by using these principles to design your landscape. Consider utilizing colors,
contrasts, and lines to help influence your landscape design.
DESIGN FACTORS OF LANDSCAPING
Landscaping design weaves together various factors to bring about a finished
landscape. Each factor plays a vital role in the landscape’s whole architecture and
ecosystem. Here is a list of factors that go into designing a landscape.
Type of soil. Soil composition is an important factor of landscaping as it affects the variety
of plants that can be planted. When it comes to soil composition, several aspects come into
play such as the pH level of the soil, texture, drainage, etc.
As for the texture of your soil, ensure that you first identify whether your soil is rocky, sandy
or full of clay before deciding on the type of plants to include in your landscape.
Drainage system of the landscape. The water drainage of the yard is one of the vital factors
while planning your landscape. The best landscape design must have proper water
movement away from your home. The water flow movement will be towards the other areas
of the yard.
View guidance. Low height plants show hindrance to the entrance of the place but the view
is not obstructed. Medium height plants show hindrance to the entrance as well as the view
of the place. Thus, plantation matters according to the usage of the place.
The amount of space. A space is equivalent to a canvas for designers to work on.
Depending on the workspace available, you will have to precisely plan out your design by
taking into account the measurement of the space and also the dimensions of the elements
you wish to introduce into the space.
These components can include anything from fountains, ponds, garden beds, decorations,
walkways, gazebos and etcetera.
Water. Water can be both a boon and a bane when it comes to landscapes. Occasional
showers of rain can save us the time and energy of keeping our gardens watered. However,
torrential rain has the potential to cause damage to a landscape. A landscape can become
waterlogged and surrounding plants and materials can be damaged.
One way to overcome this problem is to plant more trees in areas more prone to flooding as
trees can absorb the water. Other than that, in cases where your landscape is situated on a
slope, you can construct a retaining wall to prevent soil erosion caused by the movement of
water.
IMPORTANCE OF LANDSCAPING IN ARCHITECTURE
In the field of architecture, Landscaping together with site planning is the design
element that ties these elements together and makes use of the spaces surrounding the
building. Whether we are designing a single-family residence or a large-scale public building,
landscaping ties the building to its surroundings and creates outdoor spaces that invite people
to stop and spend time or pass through to define a building entrance.
Architecture is often associated with aesthetic and functional design, whereas the link
to nature and reduced impact on the environment is still missing in most new buildings.
architecture needs to learn from landscape architecture how to not only design something
new, but also how to respect the natural initial elements of the site, as well as the long-term
changes and the impact on the urban context. Through different landscape architecture
design principals, the negative effects of architecture on its surroundings can change for the
better. Modern buildings often seem to scream for the need to get back to our roots in nature.
EXAMPLES OF LANDSCAPING
1. Addition of ornamental, edible, native or other types of landscaping plants.
Well-designed edible ornamental landscapes, also called foodscapes, provide
landowners with aesthetically pleasing, multipurpose gardens that provide food, color, and
cover year-round. Not only can these landscapes provide a source of healthy, locally grown
food in urbanized communities, they can also promote energy and water conservation,
improve food security, and provide wildlife habitat (Çelik 2017). By converting conventional
yards into sustainable, edible ornamental landscapes that utilize the principles of Florida-
Friendly Landscaping™, we may quell some of the health and environmental impacts of rising
population growth and urbanization (Çelik 2017).
Many plants that are healthy for people are also sources of food and habitat for
pollinators and other beneficial insects. Some of the best plants to include in edible gardens
are already a part of the native landscape and are already perfectly adapted to your area’s
climate.
2. Changing the shape of the land through grading, backfilling, mounding, terracing,
etc.
Changing the shape of your land happens first. It can mean grading areas to flatten
them, backfilling holes with dirt and stone, building up mounded sections or creating
terraces. It can also involve moving large landscaping boulders and stones into place.
While this is going on our tradesmen install the correct drainage to prevent flooding, as well
as irrigation systems and buried plumbing or electrical lines.
3. Constructing fences, patio covers, walls, decks, raised planters or other built
features.
The entrance and front yard are the most public parts of most people’s yards. You can
design the entire front yard for public viewing or – because of small lot size or a need for
privacy – enclose parts of it with plants, fencing, or both. Trees, shrubs, flowers, lawns,
fences, and other landscape structures should fit in with the neighborhood’s character.
When designing gardens and landscapes with uneven or sloping ground, you can use
decks to create flat, usable landscape areas. While it's common to keep the natural wood, if
you want a deck with a difference, consider a dark stain or whitewashed finish instead.
References
What is Landscaping? - Landscaping Network
What is Landscaping and Why it is Important? -BuildersMART
Understanding the Basic Principles of Landscape Design | Eden Lawn Care and Snow Removal (edenapp.com)
Principles of landscape design - MSU Extension
What are the design factors for landscaping? - BSG LANDSCAPE & CONSTRUCTION PTE LTD
Factors to be considered before planning your landscape design | by Landscape Professionals | Medium
What Do Architects Need to Learn from Landscape Architects? (land8.com)
ENH1354/EP618: Edible Ornamental Landscaping Guide for North-Central Florida (ufl.edu)
Edible Landscaping - MyGardenLife
Landscape Architecture Design in Broomfield, CO (outdoorcraftsmen.com)
Designing Gardens & Landscapes - Free Tips & Tricks | DIY Designs