Module 2 : Garden Design

Process

In this module you will learn:

In the garden design process section you will learn the
different phases and requirements of good planning. It is
important to spend time planning a garden in detail before
embarking on the physical gardening work to prevent potential
unseen problems, to ensure your vision and that of the garden
owner are in harmony and to include the best possible plant
and hardscape options for the garden space within the time and
budget frame.

You will become familiar with the following aspects of the

garden design planning process:

To discover the importance of the initial consultation,

ongoing discussions, clarity and onsite analysis.
To understand the necessity of site surveying and garden
concept plans to aid the decision-making process and
avoid potential mishaps.
The basic elements of good garden design, including the
plant options, hardscapes, texture and color elements.
To become aware of the process in reaching the master
garden plan stage and incorporating further elements
into during the implementation stage.
To gain knowledge around garden project management,
garden coaching and maintenance planning for the
completed project

2.1: Garden Design Process –

Introduction

In this module, you will learn the different

phases and requirements of good planning.

It is important to spend time planning a garden in detail

before embarking on the physical gardening work in order to
prevent potential unseen problems, to ensure your vision and
that of the garden owner are in harmony and to include the
best possible plant and hardscape options for the garden space
within the time and budget frame.

You will become familiar with several aspects of the garden

design planning process. This is important, because you will
find that the best-looking and optimal-functioning gardens are
those that were thoughtfully designed, skillfully created,
attentively maintained and adapted organically and
progressively.

You will also learn that there is a process to developing a

customized garden design from initial discussions and site
viewing, surveying, planning, researching, selecting plants
and layout, and implementing the plan to overseeing garden
maintenance.

By the end of this module you will begin seeing the current
garden as a blank canvas, ready for the art of gardening.

2.2: Initial Discussion and Onsite

Viewing

A clearly defined vision is what transforms

a garden from a green space into a personal
oasis.

To achieve this vision, it is vital to discuss in detail the

garden project requirements and gain clarity around each
individual’s vision.

You will need to consider the overall goals for the completed
project, as well as goals for individual stages of the
project. It is also important to include a lengthy discussion
of the budget and timeline for the project as these will play
a significant role in the strategy for the job.

The natural environment is another important part of the job

to consider during the initial discussion. There are some
things that are only feasible in some environments or soil
types, and it is better to establish what kind of area you are
working with before you get into the planning phases. To be
able to discuss the environment, you will need to view the
garden for yourself.

Viewing the garden also involves accessing the initial

starting point to ensure the requirements can be met regarding
layout and design elements.

It is useful to provide photos of different styles and

concepts to aid the decision-making process and to ask the
client to do the same.
Ultimately, the garden design should be a reflection of the
homeowners’ style, lifestyle and resources, and at this point
you should have a clear idea of what is impossible and what
will be easy to complete. The in-between details can often be
worked out in the early stages of the project.

Once all this information has been gathered, a selection of

design proposals can be offered, further discussions take
place, decisions are made and terms agreed accordingly. Only
then are you ready to begin the job.

2.3: Site Survey and Garden Concept

Designs

Once the initial discussions take place, the

next step in the garden planning process is
to carry out a site survey of the existing
conditions, take measurements, and map out
the agreed boundaries to prepare the
foundation for the next phase.

It is important to ensure that the measurements are incredibly

accurate. Not only will accurate measurements make it easier
to do the job, but also it will help keep you on track,
prevent any serious damage to the property and ultimately help
prevent you from being sued by the client.
A good way to ensure that the measurements are correct is to
carry out the survey on a small or simple plot of no more than
1000 m2. Whenever you are dealing with a garden larger than
this, consider obtaining the clients’ permission to hire a
qualified land surveyor. A qualified land surveyor will drive
up the cost of the project; however, it will also help prevent
any serious mistakes from being made, which can be costlier
than the initial survey.

When performing your own survey, you will require a good

measuring tape. Look for one that reaches at least 50-60 m or
100 ft. These are available in builder’s merchants and in DIY
shops.
You may find it useful to hire an assistant to help you with
the initial measurements. The assistant can be anyone capable
of holding one side of the measuring tape for stability. If no
one is available, find a spike or peg that you can use to hook
your measuring tape up to during the survey.

Begin the survey by familiarizing yourself with the garden.

This requires a walk around the garden to get to know the
plot. Note where the corners are and look at the lines. It is
rare for a garden to have 90 degree angles or straight lines.
Even if they look straight to the naked eye, it is important
to measure them to find the exact formation of the garden. You
can make estimations in the beginning; however, measurements
are crucial before you begin planning and performing any work.

After you are familiar with the landscape, draw out two plans
of the garden. Draw one large plan that includes the house and
the important house features like windows, doors, drain covers
and drain pipes. Be sure to include any features located close
to the house. Don’t worry about drawing the whole house – just
include the side that is closest to the garden.

However, if you are working with a side garden, you might need
to include the whole house for convenience.

The second plan should include a plan of the whole site. You
will want to try to ensure that the shape of the garden is
accurate, which is why you need to know whether the edges are
straight and at which angle the corners are. The second plan
will include all the buildings on the property, such as the
house, outbuildings and garage. You also need to include all
of the existing trees including every tree’s height, trunk
girth and canopy spread. Note any trees in neighboring gardens
that hang over the garden of which you’re drawing a plan.

Other features to draw on the second plan include patios,

pools, ponds, drives, pavements and fences. If you plan to
keep any flower borders, draw them on the plan, too. However,
it is not necessary to include these if you are removing them.
Starting the Survey
Now that you have your plans, you’re ready to begin your
survey. A survey will include one or more of three different
types of measurement.

Direct Line Measurement

The first type of measurement is direct line measurement. This
is what most people think of when they think of measurement.
All you are doing is running a measuring tape from point A to
point B.

Running Dimension
The second type of measurement is a running dimension. A
running dimension is a lot like direct line measurement.
However, rather than taking only one measurement from A to B,
you will stop to measure several points on the line. You will
find this type of measurement particularly useful when you are
measuring houses and buildings, because it allows you to stop
to measure features like windows and doors that run on the
same line.

Triangulation
The third type of measurement is triangulation. This type of
measurement is most useful when you are measuring the position
of trees. To use triangulation, you will use the relevant wall
of the house as one of the sides of a triangle. Then, take two
more measurements to form the other two sides of your
triangle. Take two more measurements to the corners of the
garden to form a triangle.

To take the measurements, choose one corner of the house and

begin to work all the way around until you finish where you
started. Assume all the walls of the house are at 90 degrees
unless it is obvious that they are not. Then, plot the
measurements at the appropriate points on your sketch. Make
sure that the numbers are as legible as possible.
2.4: Consideration of the Basic
Elements of Garden Design:
The following components are essential for
the basic design of every garden.

Scale
The scale of the landscape is measured to determine what
elements of design will most complement the garden space.
Proportion is important in garden design; keep it in alignment
with the garden scale and house size and architecture.

When creating a plan to scale, you can often rely on 1:50 on

town gardens or small courtyards. If you’re working with a
medium-sized garden, use a 1:100 scale. All large gardens
should be drawn at 1:200.

Color
The color plan is often the theme of the garden design; it
creates a palette of colors that match the owner’s
preferences, yet work well together aesthetically, providing
color at different times of the year. Depending on individual
choice, the color theme can be predominantly verdant or awash
with colorful flowers.

Garden designers can use the color wheel to help create the
right color palette for clients. The color wheel is based the
colors blue, red and yellow – otherwise known as the three
primary colors. The full wheel looks like a rainbow and
contains all the colors in between blue, red and yellow,
including red, orange, green, purple and violet.
Designers can also create color schemes by finding
complementary colors.

Complementary colors are directly across from one another in

the color wheel. Some examples of complementary colors include
red and green, blue and orange and purple and yellow.

Analogous colors offer another lovely color scheme in the

garden. Analogous colors are those that sit next to one
another on the color wheel like yellow and green, red and
yellow and fuchsia and purple all mix well together.
Gardens do not need to be awash with colors. Monochromatic
colors are simple and beautiful and still have a strong visual
impact. When you create a monochromatic color scheme, you
create a color palette that includes colors from the same hue
but in different shades or tones.
Warm colors provide a soft energy to gardens. Warm colors
typically include some tone of red or orange in them. Cool
colors include pale pastels, blues and purples and create a
soothing tone for the garden.

The previous schemes were a basic list of colors you can

choose for a garden; the only limit to the colors you can
combine are the client’s wishes and your own creativity.

Form & Texture

Other elements and hardscapes such as water features, ponds,
decking, fences, buildings and the lawns are considered which
provide form and texture to the overall design. The color
scheme should complement the house architecture.

Texture in the garden is primarily visual. Visual texture in

art is typically defined as the precise arrangement of the
different components of the art, or in this case the garden.
These components might include color, form, size, shape and
space. In a garden, the visual texture is the overall
arrangement of the plants combined with other man-made
ornaments.

It sounds dry, but visual texture is the part of garden design

where you transcend placing plants in certain places and
instead create a transformative experience.

Clever use of texture adds important character to garden

design success; a predominantly green garden or a
monochromatic garden can be very interesting and engaging if
varied textures are used, creating a harmony of interplay
between the plants. This is where you can transform a small
back garden into a secluded forest glen or a tropical
paradise.

Be aware of your own preferences and elements you

automatically are drawn to so you can remain open to change
and variety and serve the client better.

Line and Focal Point

Eye movement is influenced by the grouping of plants and how
they flow together on horizontal and vertical planes. Care is
taken to observe this focal point at eye level to ensure the
correct arrangement of all involved.
The focal point is not always the center of the work plan, but
the center of visual attention; this can be a fountain or
other hardscape forms or a beautifully constructed flower bed.

Water feature used as a focal point in a

large garden area

Foundation of a Garden
Designing a garden is not all whimsy. There are some
practicalities needed, because it needs to stand up when you
put it into practice. You will need to create a foundation for
the garden before setting any of the other details. The bones
of a garden are created with an outlining foundation through
trees, structures and paths around the garden spaces, which
the remainder of the garden is built around. Evergreens are a
stable use for creating a solid foundation.
Trees and a path create the foundation of
this garden

2.5: Garden Plant Design Planning

When planning the planting schedule, we start with foundation

plants.

Foundation plants are the plants used directly around the

home.

Foundation plants are both practical and aesthetic. You can

use foundation plants to help solve drainage problems and pest
problems. However, foundation plants are also used to help
integrate the home into the garden, like a border zone that
prevents a sharp transition.

Typically, shrubs, small trees and other plants are placed

around the home to help soften the lines of the building and
aid the transition.

Allow enough space so when the trees reach their full size,
they won’t be blocked by the house, cover windows or doors or
cause problems to the foundation with the roots. Evergreens
are popular plants for this area as they remain attractive all
year round and thrive in cold weather.

Foundation Plants
Foundation plants for residential projects need to be
attractive and functional at the same time. In this design the
front garden includes large conifer trees which provide
intimacy and shelter from wind all year round, while
perennials and flowering deciduous trees surprise visitors
with colors during the spring and summer seasons.

Planning of Trees
During the design planning process, clarify everything related
to the plants from tree height and width, texture, color,
fruit, berries or flowers to the time of year it loses its
leaves. Discuss potential disease issues, maintenance
requirements, climate suitability and needs.

Planning of Trees
Small scale gardens require a smart tree selection. Conifer
trees create intimate atmosphere, deciduous tree, pleasant
shade, while small flowering trees are reserved for colorful
accents.

Planning of Shrubs
Shrubs offer a low-maintenance alternative to borders of
flowers; again, discuss the characteristics including size,
bloom time, seasonal color, climate requirements and
hardiness, flower or berries and maintenance needs. Shrubs are
great landscape fillers offering color, greenery and
fragrance.

Planning of Shrubs
Shrub layout should be in accordance with the overall garden
design, and it should complement the tree selection. Evergreen
shrubs, like cherry laurel, offer greenery during the whole
season, and choosing cultivars from rhododendron family
promises colorful scenery during spring and summer time.

Planning of Ground Covers

Ground cover plants provide a low maintenance alternative to
lawns, ideal for use in areas that receive limited traffic.
Limited weeding, watering and care are required with thick
ground covers. Again, take time in the planning process to
consider climate needs, thickness of growth potential, disease
and overgrowth possibilities, which may choke neighboring
plants.

Most low growing, spreading plants are suitable for ground

cover, though the following are most popular:

Vinca
Spreading juniper
Pachysandra
Ajuga
Hedera-hosta
Lily of the valley

Planning of Ground Covers

Ground covers are used to complement the lawn surface so as to
keep the overall level of maintenance as low as possible. The
most effective way is planting them in a combination with
shrubs and perennial plants.

Planning of Perennials & Annuals

Perennials

Perennials live for over two years. Once planted, they grow
back year after year and stop only once the plant reaches
maturity. The average life span of a perennial plant is
usually between three and five years, which means that they do
not need to be replanted every year. Some of the hardiest
perennials may continue growing back for several decades.

Trees are perennials; however, when people refer to perennials

in the garden context, they are very often referring to
herbaceous plants. There are two primary types of perennials:
deciduous perennials and evergreen perennials.

Some of the most popular deciduous perennials include lilies,

tulips, asters and black-eyed susans. These flowers feature
rhizomes and bulbs which protect the plant and allow it to
grow back. These flowers grow for only a short period each
year. Evergreen perennials, like trees, will grow all year.

Annuals
Annuals are plants that have a life cycle that lasts only one
season. These plants are borne when they go into the ground
and then grow from seed to bloom during the season before
dying. Annuals need to be replanted every year.
Annuals are popular with flower lovers. Some of the most
common annuals include marigolds, petunias and zinnias.

Though annuals are less expensive initially, in the long term,

perennials work out to be less expensive financially and in
terms of labor due to their life span.

The majority bloom in the second half of spring, providing a

beautiful visual display of color for many months, although
you can also choose varieties which offer bloom in late winter
and early spring. Discuss environmental factors, aesthetics,
length of bloom, and potential threats during the planning
process.

Planning of Vines

To add a vertical element to the garden, vines provide added

greenery and color, while using limited ground space. They are
also used to hide wall blemishes or create an element of
privacy.

It is important to note the vine attachment method as

different varieties twine around the support (wisteria,
morning glory, honeysuckle), others project tendrils (grapes,
sweet peas, clematis), while others cling on with minuscule
suction cups (creeper, climbing hydrangea, ivy).

Those that cling are mainly permanent and suitable only for
maintenance free surfaces, brick or stone walls. Discuss the
growing span, strength and maintenance of all options.

Planning of Perennials
In order to add a touch of color to the garden, perennials are
used to complement shrubs and to accent the garden paths and
borders between adjacent surfaces. Species with bright flowers
are used in combination with evergreen shrubs, while
impressively large perennials with strong textures are used in
solitary groups.

2.6: Master Garden Design Plan

Once the final decision has been made for

the layout, plants and other optional
elements, a final concept plan is created.

The final plan must include site development, soil

improvements, lighting, planting, irrigation, quantities,
landscape modeling and gardening maintenance.

The master garden design plan is a customized garden in line

with the owner’s likes and dislikes – a depiction of the
desired scenery that gives joy to the owner. It is the plan
you will use when you begin working in the garden.

Master Garden Design Plan

The master design plan is an easy to read drawing,
representing the overall garden design with all of the
necessary elements – plants, hardscape, different functional
areas, etc. It is used to communicate main design ideas to the
client, and its main character should be simplicity and
clarity.

2.7: Implementing the Design

Garden Order
It is important to consider the order and proportion of the
overall basic garden structure. Order can be achieved through
visual symmetry or repetition of similar plants and colors.
Another option is to balance bright or bold colors in ratio
with fine or muted features.

Garden order is created in this formal

English garden with the use of symmetry
Garden Harmony
This is achieved when all aspects of the garden work together
in harmony as a whole. This can be accomplished by the use of
a single or limited color palette, a repetition of plants,
structures or colors or by clever use of a clear focal point.

You could choose to have a themed garden such as all-white,

all roses, or following a cottage or butterfly garden theme.

A great example of garden harmony in a

formal garden in France
Flow & Rhythm
You can create an illusion of a larger space by creating
varying depths with the combination of larger and smaller
plants. Gradual changes in height and color assist the eye to
being directed to the focal points.

Flow & Rhythm

2.8: Garden Project Management
Once the garden plan is finalized, it is now
time to put the plan into action to execute
the vision accordingly.

All the work is carried out to plan in the correct order with
each stage clarified while assessing for potential problems
and readjusting where and when required. You will need to
identify an outline for the whole project, including different
stages that can be completed periodically.

These stages are important for two reasons. The first reason
is that it keeps everything organized and prevents chaos in
the garden. It sets a schedule for everyone to follow so that
things are planted in a controlled manner and everyone knows
what happened and when. The second reason is because it allows
the client to see visible progress in what sometimes looks
like organized chaos.

If outside contractors are used for any part of the design

implementation process, these are also closely monitored to
the expected standard.
Resource and financial management is an ongoing element of the
garden design process also.

2.9: Garden Coaching and

Maintenance Plan

Once the garden is in place, it is essential

that its care and maintenance is carried out
correctly to ensure that it continues to
grow and flourish.

Mustering this enthusiasm is easy in the beginning when the

garden is new and the plants begin to poke out of the ground.
However, gardens require work during every season of the year
and it is important for clients to know what work needs to be
completed and when.

A maintenance plan is discussed for daily, weekly, monthly and

annual requirements to cultivate and maintain the garden as it
is constantly changing form. Gardens improve with age, as
plants mingle and fill in spaces, providing a lush existence.
This can result in overcrowding and a need to reshape the
overall look.
A garden production schedule is also important for clients who
want to self-maintain their gardens. Many will need guidance
regarding when to buy seedlings, prepare soil and plant new
plants. They may also need help with protecting the plants
from diseases and pests.
It is important that this maintenance plan is not presented as
a list of chores but as a care schedule that will help the
garden bloom and help the owner develop better knowledge of
their garden, their plants and their love for gardening.

Be sure to leave room for assessment, re-evaluation and

proposed changes to ensure it is still in alignment with the
owner’s ideas and preferences. If the garden is to be built
over a long period with small changes, the plan should include
the required steps for making these changes, as well.

Module Summary
In this module, you learned there is a procedure to designing
gardens. You also learned about the importance of each step of
the planning process.

You gained insight into the importance of surveying the

current site, gaining clarity form the garden owner,
discussing all the options available within the budget, in
accordance with the natural environment and individual
preferences.

An understanding of the steps involved in plant selection

related to available space and preferences, plus additional
elements of garden planning will be cemented. Additionally,
you have discussed conceptual garden plans and how to reach
the stages of the master garden plan before the implementation
stage is reached.

Finally, we discussed how garden project management, garden

coaching and maintenance are important to implement to
maintain the look and feel of the garden.
Although there was a lot of information in this module, it is
important to approach this process not as a necessary chore,
but as the preparation for creating a work of art. When you
can do this, you invite light and happiness into your work and
this will translate into excitement and commitment from your
clients.

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