Creative Design & Landscaping

Design Principles

• A designed landscape presents a visual picture. A formal design applies geometric forms such as squares or circles balanced symmetrically around a feature like a sidewalk. An informal or natural style uses curves and asymmetric plant placement. Lines in a creatively designed landscape direct the eye of viewers through the landscape. The texture of plants, often associated with the leaves, can create visual interest and slightly alter the perception of an area's size. For example, placing course-textured plants on the edge closest to the viewer and fine-textured plants farther away creates a sense of greater distance. Other design decisions include selecting colors that blend or contrast and using repetition of patterns and groupings of plants to create areas of interest.

Hardscape Features

• Adding a hardscape feature, such as a bench, fountain, path or waterfall, creates a focal point around which you design an area. In formal landscapes, use straight paths to form borders for landscape plants. Fountains may be used as a feature encircled with matching landscaped areas. In informal or natural landscapes, paths curve, and features such as fountains or waterfalls are placed off-center. Using unique hardscape features, including native rocks or a natural stone barbeque, provide areas for relaxation and entertaining.

Natural Areas

• Build a natural area in your landscape using curved lines created with paths or border plants. Add plant varieties that attract birds, butterflies and bees with color and flowers. Use tall shrubs or trees that give wildlife a secure place to rest and include a small pond or fountain for water. Selecting native plants reduces maintenance time and cost of natural landscape areas.

Formal Areas

• Formal landscape design often complements the front of a house by placing trees, shrubs and border plants symmetrically around the door and along the front of the structure. Formal areas use repetition and straight lines. For example, you achieve a formal look by placing tall, columnar trees close to the front door and shorter shrubs in a sloped line toward the corners of the house. Formal walkways have matching border plants or short shrubs lining their entire length. Prune shrubs to even the edges into smooth lines.