Landscape Design Designing Landscapes as Part of a Sustainable Landscape Diana Alfuth, Horticulture Educator Mr. Cheung - TDA3M/4M Why Landscape? Sustainable Landscape Design ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ Functional Maintainable Environmentally Friendly Cost Effective Visually Pleasing Sustainable Landscape Design ■ ■ ■ ■ Consider the function of each portion of the landscape Note problems/attributes in the existing landscape Evaluate the site characteristics, including soil type, pH, light, wind, etc. Decide on your goal and landscape style Garden Design Garden Design Formal = straight lines, plants in rows, symmetrical, globes and columns Informal = curvilinear patterns, plants in intertwined masses, asymmetrical, natural plant forms Sustainable Landscape Design ■ ■ Locate gardens as part of your overall landscape design Create a good turf area, with functional spaces and gardens behind the concept lines that form the turf shape Garden Design ■ Consider each individual viewpoint when designing the gardens and planting beds Sustainable Landscape Design The most beautiful landscapes are “designed”, not decorated. They create unity by incorporating Principles of Design, including: REPETITION (more info in later slides) VARIETY BALANCE SCALE SEQUENCE SIMPLICITY Garden Design Design beds to keep maintenance to a minimum Sustainable Landscape Design What makes it look good? Human eyes need a place to start: FOCAL POINT A focal point is the first thing we see when we look at a landscape. Sustainable Landscape Design Examples of things that create focal points are: Artwork A plant that is different than those around it Structures Birdbaths, birdhouses, birdfeeders Boulders Bare spots Diseased/dying plants Debris FOCAL POINTS CAN CHANGE THROUGHOUT THE SEASONS! Sustainable Landscape Design Focal Point Sustainable Landscape Design Focal point Sustainable Landscape Design Locating Focal Points Any given view of the landscape should have one major focal point, and maybe one or two secondary focal points. Too many focal points creates a “busy” landscape. Locate focal points 1/3 of the way from one side . Sustainable Landscape Design Focal Point?? Sustainable Landscape Design After our eyes find a focal point, they need to go somewhere, and look for lines to follow. Lines can be formed by edging, paths, structures, plant masses, plant form, shadows, etc. Sustainable Landscape Design Focal point Sustainable Landscape Design Lines Sustainable Landscape Design Lines Sustainable Landscape Design ■ ■ ■ Too many lines, or no lines, create a confusing, busy landscape. Lines should take the eye where you want it to go—and keep it in the landscape. Avoid lines that take the eye into the sky, or into the neighbor’s yard! Sustainable Landscape Design Before you start thinking about specific plant species, to get a good design, you must first plan for each plant’s characteristics, or “Principles of Design” Principles of Design ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ Repetition Variety Balance Emphasis Scale Sequence “R.V. BESS” Repetition ■ ■ ■ Similar use of colors, plants or shapes within an area or entire landscape. Repetition can be overdone Avoid becoming monotonous and predictable Repetition: Similar use of colors, plants or shapes Repetition: Similar use of colors, plants or shapes Repetition: Similar use of colors, plants or shapes VARIETY Variety = Lack of monotony Variety = Lack of monotony Variety = Lack of monotony Balance ■ ■ ■ “Visual Weighting” This doesn’t mean that design elements have to be mirrorimaged Balance should consider the “fulcrum effect” Balance – a focal point draws the eye and serves as a fulcrum to the rest of the landscape Balance – a focal point draws the eye and serves as a fulcrum to the rest of the landscape Emphasis Emphasis: Major landscape components are highlighted more than less important ones. Framing, plant numbers, or creating an unusual focal point are examples of creating emphasis in the landscape. Scale Scale – plantings are relative to the size of their surroundings Scale – plantings are relative to the size of their surroundings Scale – plantings are relative to the size of their surroundings Scale – plantings are relative to the size of their surroundings Scale – plantings are relative to the size of their surroundings Scale – plantings are relative to the size of their surroundings Scale – plantings are relative to the size of their surroundings Sequence Sequence – proper arrangement on the basis of size Sequence – proper arrangement on the basis of size SEQUENCE Sequence – proper arrangement on the basis of size Can you see RV BESS?
