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New Hampshire Landscaping Blog

12Jul

Landscaping Design Basics

Let’s say you’re working on your back yard landscape design. You may think that there aren’t any real “rules” to a good back yard landscape design. After over 30 years of designing landscapes, I can tell you that there are definitely rules to follow for good design. You can look at the blank canvas of your yard and get lost on how to design it so it has form, function and beauty. Look at these following “rules” of landscape garden design and look at the picture. See if you can identify any of the rules in this landscaping project. Back yard landscape design or entire property landscape design, the rules are the same.

A good garden design should not consider just one area of the property, but must view the entire property as a cohesive composition. Here are a few thoughts on the subject.

First of all, ALL landscape designs should adhere to the basic design principles of UNITY, BALANCE, INTEREST, RHYTHM AND MOVEMENT.

I’ll start with laying out the initial design, then move on to how to scale the projects proportions for the most pleasing visual impact, and then on to plant selection.

1. HAVE SPECIFIED AREAS OF USE. When we first start out in landscape design class, we use “bubble diagrams” to delineate certain areas such as ‘utility’, ‘outdoor eating’, ‘walkway’, ‘play area’, ‘open space’, etc.

  • This is to ensure that things such as garbage cans don’t end up getting stored on the corner of the patio because we forgot to designate a place for them.

2. CREATE UNITY: Unity can be achieved in many ways. Unity will bring a sense of order to the design. Here are a few examples of creating unity:

  • Repeat the circular lawn shape in a circular patio shape
  • Transition from one design element to another element with ease
  • Use similar materials throughout such as natural stone instead of mixing it up

3. BALANCE: If a design is out of balance, it just won’t feel right. A tiny border garden near the edge of an expansive lawn is an example of being out of balance. Balance can be achieved either symmetrically or asymmetrically.

  • Balance one tall tree with an equal mass of shrubs
  • Use the ‘golden mean rule’ for proportion. A 5’ x 8’ sized raised bed, for example always looks balanced... it’s just one of those weird rules.

4. START WITH THE ‘BONES’ AND THEN PUT ON THE ‘MEAT’: The ‘bones’ of the design is what we need to build everything else off of. In these bones, you will create the RHYTHM and MOVEMENT in the design (although other aspects such as plant choices can assist with rhythm and movement too).

  • The bones will be things such as walkways, patios, retaining wall, trees, the big stuff. Lay these out so that the designated use areas flow with pleasant rhythm and movement. Different shapes can be used here too. When we move seamlessly from the front of the home, along a meandering walk on the side of the home, and come through an arbor and open up onto a patio, there is a sense of movement.

5. INTEREST: Something must always attract our eye in any given view in the landscape or it will be boring.

  • Every view should have a focal point.

6. PLANT CHOICES: As far as design goes, plants should be placed in groups, and balanced with their overall mass. Always place the larger plants first, and build the smaller plant groups around the bones of the design and the larger plants. Plants are the ‘meat’ on the ‘bones’

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Comments

Just wanted to say that I read your blog quite frequently and I’m always amazed at some of the stuff people post here
9/25/2023 1:10:09 AM | Reply
Thank you for sharing such useful information. Continue to spread the word about your excellent work.
9/18/2023 9:13:45 AM | Reply
I enjoyed reading this post. It was engaging from start to finish.
9/13/2023 8:48:22 AM | Reply
These rules and principles serve as valuable guidelines for anyone looking to design their back yard or outdoor space. By following these principles, you can create a landscape that is not only beautiful but also functional and enjoyable. It's worth noting that while these principles provide a solid foundation, there's still room for creativity and personalization in your design.
9/8/2023 4:25:02 PM | Reply
Thanks for this post, I am a big fan of this website would like to go on updated.
9/5/2023 6:08:39 AM | Reply
Understanding landscaping design basics allows you to create visually appealing outdoor spaces. By incorporating elements such as balance, proportion, color harmony, and focal points, you can create a harmonious and aesthetically pleasing landscape that enhances the overall beauty of a property.
7/10/2023 8:34:16 PM | Reply
Absolutely! When it comes to back yard landscape design, it's easy to feel overwhelmed by the blank canvas before you. However, after decades of experience in landscape design, I can assure you that there are indeed rules to follow for creating a truly exceptional outdoor space. While you may think there are no rules, it's essential to consider the principles that govern good design.
7/7/2023 4:25:43 PM | Reply
I found the examples and case studies mentioned in the article to be particularly compelling. They illustrate the real-life impact of the topic and help readers connect with the issue on a deeper level.
7/7/2023 4:24:43 AM | Reply
This is so great!
7/4/2023 12:39:43 AM | Reply
I like to read it. Great effort by the author, really appreciative work.
7/3/2023 4:32:24 AM | Reply
It is definitely important to know the basics of landscaping designs especially if you are a company that offers it.
6/29/2023 12:23:57 PM | Reply
Understanding landscaping design basics allows you to create visually appealing outdoor spaces. By incorporating elements such as balance, proportion, color harmony, and focal points, you can create a harmonious and aesthetically pleasing landscape that enhances the overall beauty of a property.
6/29/2023 12:21:17 PM | Reply
Understanding landscaping design basics allows you to create visually appealing outdoor spaces. By incorporating elements such as balance, proportion, color harmony, and focal points, you can create a harmonious and aesthetically pleasing landscape that enhances the overall beauty of a property.
6/29/2023 12:21:01 PM | Reply
When it comes to designing your back yard landscape, you might initially think that there are no specific "rules" to follow. However, based on my experience of over 30 years in landscape design, I can assure you that there are indeed rules to create a well-designed space. It's easy to feel overwhelmed when faced with a blank canvas and unsure of how to incorporate form, function, and beauty into your yard.
6/28/2023 4:10:05 PM | Reply
Based on the provided information, here are some of the rules of landscape garden design that can be observed in the landscaping project:Specified Areas of Use: The design incorporates designated areas for different purposes, such as utility, outdoor eating, walkway, play area, and open space. This ensures that each area serves its intended function and avoids cluttering or misplacement.Unity: The design achieves unity by repeating shapes throughout the landscape. For example, the circular lawn shape is echoed in the circular patio shape, creating a harmonious connection between different elements. Additionally, the use of similar materials, such as natural stone, throughout the design enhances the sense of unity.Balance: The design aims for balance, both symmetrically and asymmetrically. An example of achieving balance is by balancing the mass of one tall tree with an equal mass of shrubs. The "golden mean rule" is also mentioned, which involves using specific proportions, such as a 5' x 8' sized raised bed, to create a balanced appearance.Bones and Meat Approach: The design starts with the "bones," which are the foundational elements such as walkways, patios, retaining walls, and trees. These elements create the structure and rhythm of the design. Additionally, the design incorporates elements that create visual interest and movement, such as meandering walkways and an arbor leading to a patio.Interest: The design ensures that every view in the landscape has a focal point to attract the eye and prevent boredom. Having focal points adds visual interest and creates a more engaging landscape.Plant Choices: Plants are selected and placed in groups, considering their overall mass and balance within the design. Larger plants are placed first, and smaller plant groups are built around them, complementing the bones of the design. The arrangement and grouping of plants add depth, texture, and visual appeal to the landscape.These are some of the rules and principles of landscape garden design that can be observed in the described landscaping project. Following these principles helps create a cohesive, visually pleasing, and functional landscape design.
6/28/2023 11:28:11 AM | Reply
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