The History of Landscape Design

Two general systems of landscape design have evolved over time o One based on geometry o One based on nature

The origin of the word GARDEN o Hebrew, gan - to protect or defend (enclose or fence in) o Hebrew, oden or eden - pleasure or delight o English, garden - the enclosure of land for pleasure or delight

The origins of gardens o Lie in agriculture - irrigation, vegetable gardens o Geographic regions influence on Garden Styles

Babylon, Egypt, and Persia

Euphrates Valley (3500 BC) Planting beds similar to agricultural fields Irrigation channels provided functional water and sensual enjoyment Shade from forest trees

Hanging Gardens of Babylon Planted and irrigated roof terraces spanning to 300 ft. high

Nile Valley (3500 BC to 500 BC) Religious and symbolic significance of trees and shrubs - origins of ornamental plants

Rectangular and axial flower bed arrangements, ponds, trellises, orchards

The Orient - 2nd major source of garden design

China Landscape gardening - gardening in harmony with nature Objective - to create a symbolic landscape in which the contrasting forces of nature were harmoniously arranged as a setting for the individual in contemplation or for a release from the conformity of life All contrasting forces are in balance, no order, very naturalistic Symbolism continually present o Water - a balance to land, essential to harmony, continually changing to serve as a reminder of the constant movement of the cosmos o Rock - creative forces, symbols of wilderness & mountains o Plants- mans life in the universe o Entire garden - the universe Japan Zen dry garden o Enclosed by a wall, viewed from a veranda, constructed of simple materials o No vegetation within the garden (except moss) o Consists of 15 stones in coarse sand o The only view of vegetation is the forest beyond the garden (outside the walls) Stroll Garden o Creation of views and experiences in the garden o Entire garden cannot be seen at once due to integration of topography and plants

o The stroller encounters different views along the pathways that meander through the garden exposing lanterns, rocks, streams, plants, bridges, pebble beaches, raked gravel beds o Much symbolism and allusion o How? By utilizing borrowed landscape and placement of elements o Opening up distant valley or mountain while concealing the garden boundary o Using the same trees inside the garden as outside o Planting larger trees in front of smaller trees o Placing larger hills in front of smaller hills

Ancient Greece and Rome

o Purpose - social sanctuaries, enclosed shelters from the environment o Gardens consisted of pots or raised beds with statues, stone basins, marble tables

Islam
o Purpose - secluded retreat from the environment o Water was an essential element for practical and symbolic purposes o Organization - geometric and axial 4 rivers of life o Plant growth was profuse and natural - a contrast to the geometric layout Many symbolic plants o At the center of the garden was a pavilion, house, or palace o Water channels quartered the gardens to symbolize the cosmos and the

Moghul Garden
o Persian garden was the model o Expanded narrow water channels into large expanses (modified heat)

o Vast array of plant materials

Mexico and California

o Gardens closely linked to living areas of the house o Incorporated courtyards with central fountains or wells, diagonal paths, and plantings of exotic fruits, flowers and herbs

Medieval Europe
o Essential element - physic garden of 16 herbs for pharmaceutical use and scientific research o Attached to houses o Included herb gardens, orchards, walled gardens, grass covered seats, fountains, flower beds, arbors, clipped hedges, fish ponds o Idealistic image of nature o Well defined edges, divisions, plots

Italy
o Gardens designed by architects o Terraced gardens in the front entrance o Secret gardens behind the residence o Terraces and stairways incorporated due to uneven terrain o Stairways served to link the elements o Features: terraces, stairways, steep slopes, retaining walls, sculptures, avenues of tall cypress, pleached alleys, arbors, clipped boxwoods or shrubs linearly arranged, reflecting pools, fountains, but few flowering plants o First introduced in the Belvedere Garden of the Vatican (1503)

I. France
o Purpose - unity of house and garden o Gardens designed by professional gardeners trained in design

o The topography of Northern France dictated garden design o Features o Parterre - low hedges used to separate on kind of herb from another (or some other element); the divisions themselves became ornamental [viewed from above] o Strong axial layout, symmetry o Alleys cut through the forests o Gardens were clearings in the forest o Slow moving water allowed for moats, canals, large expanses of water o Gentle topography was treated subtlety to distinguish terraces or levels for viewing parterres

o Famous designer and gardens o Andre le Notre - Vaux-le Vicomte and Versailles

The Tudor Garden

o A human scale, architectural garden that made a logical and fitting extension of the manor house that it served

o Features o Geometric o Orchard, pleasure gardens, herb gardens, or flower gardens arranged to side or front of house o Terrace on the garden side o The pleasure garden was enclosed by high fences or clipped hedges Subdivided into square or rectangular plots by straight walks and right angle cross walks outlined with fences or trellises o Topiaries Contained knot gardens, flower beds, grass areas

o Clipped hedges o Statues and fountains o Flowers planted profusely

Colonial gardens
o Northern settlers - cottage gardens (utilitarian with little aesthetics) o Except those of higher economics - tudor style o Southern settlers - more extensive gardens (more land)

The English Landscape Garden

o The terrain dictated the landscape (unsuited for French gardens, formal gardens) o Characteristics: large fields, rolling hills, winding streams, scattered trees o Thus came the Romantic Movement

o Direct observations of nature o Surprise, variety, concealment

o Fundamental point - elimination of the distinction between the garden and the landscape o One technique - the sunken fence o New vistas and views continually revealed o Incorporated the environmental qualities of light, temperature, texture, sound as a part of the garden experience o Example: o Bright flowers were not favored - very naturalistic Stourhead (Henry Hoare) o The garden cannot be viewed from the house o Famous designers o William Kent/Humphry Repton - included parterres and terraces to connect house and garden

o Capability Brown - disliked parterres and terraces, extended grass to house foundation, irregular clumps of plants scattered throughout landscape, very naturalistic

Gardening in the United States

Many styles in the US, although a two common themes dominate (the landscape garden and the architectural garden) o Early 1800's (Landscape gardens) o Early on romantic gardens similar to England o Famous designers - Andrew Jackson Downing architecture urbanism Ex. Central Park o 1880 to 1930 o Gardens became a hodgepodge of flower beds, specimen plants in lawns, and shrubberies, overall rather formless the better o Then came a move to restore order with architectural gardens o Characteristics Geometric flower beds and parterres Half hardy annuals Clipped hedges in geometric patterns o Example - Biltmore (Frederick Law Olmstead) o One essential characteristic - the more unusual the collection of plants Followed by Frederick Law Olmstead - the father of landscape

Emphasized natural looks and soft edges as a contrast to

o The two themes were at odds with one another o Landscape gardens - combine hort variety and naturalistic effects; accounted for ecotypes of plants, constant changes o Architectural - provided form and tied the house to the garden o Gertrude Jekyll solved the problem o Combined formal design near the house (foundation plantings) but allowed for more naturalistic plantings farther from the house (wild gardens, woodlands) o Introduced the herbaceous perennial border o Her philosophy - integrate the house and garden and take into account the environmental effects of the site and the needs and desires of the client and additions

Chapter 1 Introduction o What are the functions of the landscape? o Setting, frame, foreground for the house o Public area for arrival o Expression of lifestyle, attitude, values o Views toward environment o Refuge from daily life o Site for relaxation, recreation, gardening o A typical American residence o House in middle of lot o Front yard - appearances o Back yard utilitarian Generally, lots of lawn May or may not fence

o Narrow side yards (utilities, storage) Front yards o Elements Large turf area Driveway dominates view (walkways often end up in turf, landscape) Garage door lining driveway emphasizes look Too narrow of walkway into house 3 Hidden entryways or lack visual interest Sides o Foundation plantings o Large turf area Entry foyer too small or not enclosed Foundation plantings Meatballs Evergreen Very exposed to outside views Often only plants in yard

Only seen from street Started in 1800s to hide high foundation walls Too close planted Maintenance nightmare Often overgrown, obstruct windows can be safety problem

Randomly scattered plants Generally bland and underused

Back yards o Functions o Utilitarian gardening, storage o Outdoor living, entertaining So may include storage, grills, pools, gardens, sand boxes, swing sets, dog runs, lawn furniture Most intensely used and most difficult to design o Cost Challenge combine function/aesthetics o Elements o Lack of separation or walled New subdivisions particularly Eastern US No separation, no clear definition In West, walled or fenced o Size differs from one lot to next Front yards very similar o Patios, decks often terraced Often undersized 12x12, 10x15 o Lack of privacy Unfenced yards Terraced yards o Harsh microclimates Not designed with weather in mind o Recreation gardening (# leisure time activity)

Be mindful of direction (sun, wind) o Terraces lack character (example: slab of concrete) Lack relationship to interior of house o Storage sheds unsightly o Vegetable gardens Often in back corner Unsightly most of year Far from water source Side yards

o Primarily provide access (front to back) o Very narrow 3-5 10-12 o Exception corner lots o Very small in many new Florida developments o Elements Access dominated Side walks, drive ways Air conditioners, trash, firewood, etc. Equipment Vehicles Small space is shady Damp in humid East Little access from inside Preferred for storage

Damp, dark microclimate

Wasted space Lack of privacy from neighbors o Houses vs. homes o Many similar houses in a neighborhood, but generally some differences o House + owner = HOME o Many different architectural styles o Many new neighborhoods have similar styles

o Older neighborhoods often different styles, some unique with no defined style Ranch, Victorian, Colonial, Greek revived, Georgian Brick, block, stucco, wood

o In late 90s, a lot of Neo-Mediterranean Nouveau Traditional o When there is a distinctive style, research the style to find other patterns, details particular to the style o Some blend different styles Eclectic Will help blend house and site In this case, use architectural characteristics A composite of physical attributes and features that display overall integrity o Want to blend house/site Make it look like they belong o So pay attention to architectural details Ex. Roof slopes Columns Railings Proportion o Plants provide unity and soften the house hardscape Window/door patterns/trims

o Chapter 2 Outdoor Rooms o Primary Goal Create usable space o Will be limited by: o Money o Relationship between inside/outside o Conditions of the site Components o Base Plane 2D o Supports all activities o Plane on which activity occurs o Most organize on this plane start with function o Frequent use Hardscape o Vertical Plane 3D o Provides the feeling, look, view of the space o Includes plants, house features, fences, etc. o Controls privacy, views o Overhead Plane o Provided by tree canopy, arbors, trellises, etc. o Function to control Light quality, quantity Perceived scale o All three planes work together o Can provide very intimate space or wide open spaces o Can be defined with plants, walls, furniture, etc. o Can change from season to season (openness), weather, light, growth o The rooms are not clearly defined like inside a house o Less frequent Softscape o User needs/desires

Specific Outdoor Rooms o Indoor entry foyer o Transition zone between outside/inside o Acclimates people o Outdoor arrival and entry space Objectives Utilitarian o Pedestrian traffic in safe, orderly fashion o Protection from elements Aesthetic o Obvious easy to negotiate o Compliment residence o Convey pleasant experience o Sub-zones o Comfort, interest, relaxation

o Public zone occurs at curb, property lines Need to provide sense of entry Create enclosure Gives privacy Must not interfere with drivers vision Must be in accord with zoning laws Can be accomplished with plantings, walls, etc. along street

o Semi public zone occurs on or along driveway But not too large as to dominate view Keep walls, plantings back from drive

Need enough space for parking, walking

(interferes with walking, car doors) Ex. Scoring can reduce visual appearance

Material of drive can affect perceived scale For walkways along drive use different material focal point

Mark where entry way walk is use landing, funnel shape or o Transitional zone walk between driveway and outdoor entry space 1 function direct movement to house

Needs to be safe, non-confusing Can use focal points for interest enclosure o Semi private zone Transition zone from out Stopping, gathering, greeting zone Larger than entry walk Large enough for gathering but not interfering with door opening Mostly on a side that door opens Consider all planes in design Base - different material from entry walk Vertical direct views, provide interest Overhead scale, protection from elements Size - > 4.5 Slope <5 degrees in Low plantings, walls to reinforce direction and give

o Open-space zone remaining area of the front yard Does NOT need to be TURF o Outdoor living and entertaining space

May or may not be incorporated with other zones

o Provide small group relaxation, conversation, interaction in peace & o Also flexible to accommodate larger parties o Large enough to accommodate people, furniture o May be easier to subdivide into smaller functional areas o Avoid long, narrow o Look at circulation, conversation patterns o Enclosure privacy, protection Vertical, overhead plane but not walled in o Base plane desirable, stable, creative material o Try to coordinate with interior o Outdoor food preparation Provide off-site views quiet

o Convenient to kitchen and eating areas o Good, direct circulation routes (avoid steps; stable surface) o Prevailing winds (smoke) o Overhead dangers o Some area for food prep, utensils (36 or more, 24 deep) o Outdoor dining area o Often suffers from exposure to elements, no privacy, no identity, spatial enclosure, poor surfaces o Other outdoor rooms o Recreation space Flat ground, slight slope Away from quiet, delicate areas Proper shape, size Pools o Right size for activity o Circulation around pool o Location in relation to other activities o Mechanical system, equipment o Heavy equipment for construction o Outdoor work/storage o Ordinances for fences

Near garage, basement Enclose with wall privacy, security, aesthetically o Garden space veggies Flat Good drainage Enough sun Water source Hard durable surface Can incorporate throughout landscape or separate area