PRINCPALS OF LANDSCAPE DESIGN

1. UNITY

effective use of all the elements in a design to convey a theme.

achieved by implementing a design through mass planting or repetition.

pertains to the overall picture of a landscape.

Unity has been achieved when the viewer senses that all the individual elements of a
landscape fit together to form a coherent theme.
Some repetition is good, but it should not be carried to the point of monotony.
Unity in the landscape can be achieved through a theme of colors, forms, or textures
without using exactly the same plants.

2. LINE
Its powerful design element that connects and defines space creating an outdoor room.
Use sweeping bold lines and curves rather than small zigzags and small wavy curves.
Delineate softscape and hardscape area creating outdoor spaces.
Strong use of lines invites you to use the space
Sense of outdoor space
3. SCALE

The principle of Scale refers

size of landscape elements in relation to their surroundings.
There are two factors to consider one is the size of your house, and the other is the size of
objects in the larger landscape
scale is consistently ignored, even in the simplest landscapes either the house is
dwarfed by the landscape or the landscape is dwarfed by the house.
Different types of scale
Absolute scale relates the comparative value of landscape elements to a fixed structure
Relative scale relates to comparative relative sizes or "values" of objects in the
landscape. Relative scale is very emotionally charged and closely linked to color. It may
create a feeling of relaxation and peacefulness or one of energy and action
Low scale It is used in the home landscape to give a feeling of peace and relaxation
High scale promotes action. It is used around large buildings and in large spaces to fill
the space. Use of high scale in small spaces makes the space feel smaller.

4. BALANCE

Equilibrium on Left and Right Sides.

Formal balance repeats the same left and right, giving stability, stateliness, and dignity.
It is high maintenance keep both side similar.
Informal balance differs from left to right giving curiosity, movement, and feels alive.
Total mass of plants need to balance left and right.
5. FORM

Includes the Three-Dimensional Mass.

Form is determined by the line, direction, and arrangement of branches and twigs.
The resulting mass influences the scale.

Horizontal and spreading forms emphasis the lateral extent and breath of space.

Rounded forms are most common in plant materials. They create a pleasant
undulation that leads itself to plant groupings.

Vase-shaped trees define a comfortable people space beneath the canopy.

Weeping forms lead the eye back to the ground. What is below the weeping
form often becomes a focal point.

Pyramidal forms direct the eyes upward. Grouping pyramidals will soften the
upward influence

6. TEXTURE
Different Types
Fine/Coarse
Heavy/Light
Thin /Dense and
Light/Shade.

- Large leaves cast distinctive shadows in the plant canopy, offering a coarse appearance.
- Finer-textured foliage offers a more uniform shade pattern.
Texture can be defined as the relationship between the foliage and twig size, and the mass of the
plants. Close up, texture comes from the size and shape of the leaves, the size of twigs, spacing
of leaves and twigs, the colors and shading, the gloss or dullness of leaves. etc. At a distance,
texture comes from the entire mass effect of plants and the qualities of light and shadows.
7. COLOR
Gives Greatest Appeal, and Evokes the Greatest Response.
Color has a strong effect and should be used with discretion.
Dont plan the landscape only with use of flowering plants in mind.
Mass colors, dont alternate colors. Alternating breaks up visual sequence and is
distracting
Color should be used to focus attention on an area of the landscape and to
complement the house.
Colors should complement each other and use similar hues together.
8. VARIETY
Oversimplification is boring; some variety must be sprinkled in for interest and to
focus attention on the desirable aspects of your property.
Dont use the same kind of plant everywhere.
A long hedge of the same kind of plant can be very monotonous.
- For example: break plants up into groupings, maintaining some of the same plants
in the groupings but adding other plants for variety.
variety is essential not only in colour but also in forms and textures. Along with a floral
variety, give your landscape design a variety of garden dcor pieces as well.