Principles of landscape design

By Capt. S.K.BHANDARI

Principles of landscape design

Landscape design involves functional use of plants combined with artistic composition
Functional use of landscapes:
Visual or acoustic screens Framing off-landscape views Microclimate control (e.g. shading, protection from wind) Creating enclosures (absolute or implied)

Functional uses should be considered first; landscape viewed as different units with different functions

Principles of landscape design

Artistic composition derived from physical properties of plants
Form:
Plants can be viewed as mainly horizontal or vertical
Horizontal shapes are less dramatic than vertical shapes

Tree forms depend on branching patterns

Shrub forms result from growth habits (e.g. upright or creeping)

Principles of landscape design

Physical properties of plants important in landscape design
Texture:
Stems, leaves, bark, and buds determine texture of plant
Large or widely separated plant features create effect of coarseness Thick, tight foliage results in finer texture Simple leaves appear coarser than compound leaves

Distance of view affects texture; farther you stand from plant, the finer its texture appears

Principles of landscape design

Physical properties of plants important in landscape design
Color:
Warm colors: yellows to reds
Bright, inviting and lively

Cool colors: greens to violets

Restful, receding, not as conspicuous

Foliage most often considered in landscape design, but flowers, bark and fruit also important

Principles of landscape design

Unity in landscape design
Landscapes need some characteristics to tie together different (functional) units and plants within a unit
Characters that provide unity in landscape design
simplicity variety emphasis balance sequence scale

Principles of landscape design

Unity in landscape design
Simplicity (repetition)
Created with repetition of form, texture, colors, or specific plant species Must prevent monotony; variety is used to control repetition

Principles of landscape design

Unity in landscape design
Variety
Varying forms, textures and shapes to prevent boredom

Principles of landscape design

Unity in landscape design
Emphasis
Drawing attention to important features of landscape
Can draw attention to front door of residence by using plants that offer variety in color, texture or form near the door

Principles of landscape design

Unity in landscape design
Balance
Symmetrical balance = elements on either side of an axis are identical (formal feel) Asymmetrical balance = unlike elements of equal visual weight on each side of an axis (less formal)
achieved by balancing forms of unequal size (e.g. 1 tree balanced by 3 shrubs) Color adds visual weight; brightly colored plant may need to be balanced with several plants of equal size but not brightly colored Coarse textures are visually heavier than fine textures (more finetextured plants needed to balance coarse-textured plants)

Principles of landscape design

Unity in landscape design
Balance

Principles of landscape design

Unity in landscape design
Sequence
Move viewers eyes over landscape in orderly fashion
Achieved by gradual progression of form, texture or color Any plant that breaks gradual progression becomes a point of emphasis

Principles of landscape design

Unity in landscape design
Scale
Relative scale or proportion of landscape affects viewers mood
Most landscapes should be proportional to human height or height of structure