HORTICULTURE II - LANDSCAPE

Unit B Landscape Design

OBJECTIVE 4.01Remember elements and principles of design, irrigation system components and measurements, and symbols used to develop landscape and irrigation plans

ELEMENTS OF LANDSCAPE DESIGN Elements of design create moods or feelings in the observer Form – shape of the individual plants

Ex: circles Squares Triangles Combination of shapes

Line – the continuity of a landscape. Geometric shapes and curved patterns allow the observer’s eye to move around the landscape Ex: (1) straight lines that intersect suggesting change of view or change of direction (2) curved lines suggesting a casual or relaxed movement

Texture – the coarseness or fineness of the materials in a landscape Ex: small leaves vs. large leaves Sand vs. crushed rocks

PRINCIPLES OF DESIGN

Principles of design – the standards by which designs can be created, measured, discussed, and evaluated Balance – the even distribution of materials on opposite sides of a central axis

Symmetric – one side of the landscape is a reflective mirror image of the opposite side. Both sides are identical

Asymmetric – the visual weight on opposite sides of the landscape is the same, but the materials used and their placement may vary

Proximal/distal – is asymmetric balance but carries it further by dealing with depth in the field of vision. In addition to balancing from side to side in the landscape, there is a need to balance near and far

Focalization – selects and position visually strong items into the landscape. A focal point catches the eye of the viewer and draws it to a key feature in the landscape. Ex: hardscapes Color movement Unusual or unique plant or specimen plant

PRINCIPLES OF DESIGN

Simplicity – seeks to make the viewer feel comfortable within the landscape

Proportion – concerned with size relationship between all the features of the landscape

Rhythm and line – when something repeats itself enough times with a standard distance between repetitions, a rhythm is established Ex: lamp posts Fencing Patterned side walks

Unity – when all the separate pieces contribute to the creation of the total design Unity is the master principle combining all the other principles

METHODS OF GROUPING PLANTS Corner planting – one of the most natural locations for a focal point. This planting is placed in the corner of the landscape. Ex: a bench or hardscape (yard art) or a plant may be used as a focal point

Foundation planting – a very prominent line planting; plants are planted along the foundation of a building, the entry way or a building to soften and blend into the landscape. Typically taller plants are planted at the corners of the foundation while shorter plants are planted under windows

Foundation plantings may extend beyond walls of the structure. This will focus the observer’s eye on the entrance

METHODS OF GROUPING PLANTS Line planting – creates a wall or line in the landscape. They are used for privacy and can screen particular areas from view

Mass planting – a group of plants that fill a large area or cluster in the landscape

Accent plant – creates particular beauty or interest in the landscape. It draws the observer’s eye to a particular plant or area. It may be one or a mass of plantings or hardscapes. Accent plants should not be placed in the middle of the lawn area They are often plant or placed to the side or in an area to create an illusion that the area is larger than it appears

CRITERIA FOR LETTERING AND NUMBERING PLANS AND FOR USING SCALES Lettering and Numbering Use single strokes when forming letters and numbers Use all capital (UPPER CASE) letters Use light strokes when lettering or numbering to avoid smudges Draw letters and numbers vertically Use appropriate spacing when lettering and numbering Draw letters and numbers to touch both bottom and top guideline Show uniformity in letters and numbers

CRITERIA FOR LETTERING AND NUMBERING PLANS AND FOR USING SCALES Using scales Either an architect or an engineering scale may be used to represent actual dimensions of land or objects on the drawing paper A scale of 1/8” = 1’ is a good place to start with an architect scale 1’ = 10’ is a good place to start with an engineering scale Scale can be changed before starting to draw the objects so that they will fit on a reasonable size

paper

IRRIGATION SYSTEM COMPONENTS Types of irrigation systems Sprinkler irrigation – applies water under pressure over the tops of plants

Drip or trickle irrigation – supplies water directly to the root system of a plant

IRRIGATION SYSTEM COMPONENTS Types of sprinkler heads Spray heads – sprinklers in which the water is distributed in a set pattern over a fixed area Usually have no moving parts Can only propel water 14 to 16 feet before wind becomes a problem Used most commonly for shrubs and flowerbeds

Rotary sprinklers – sprinklers that have a spray head that moves over the area to be irrigated Have moving parts May or may not pop-up All move in full or partial circles Can throw water up to 110 feet May be gear driven or impact driven

IRRIGATION SYSTEM COMPONENTS Types of sprinkler heads Pop-up sprinklers – sprinkler heads that rise above ground level when water pressure is applied and retracts to ground level when pressure is cut off Positive retract uses a spring to return the nozzle back to ground level May be rotary sprinklers or spray heads

Emitter – a device designed to take the place of a sprinkler head for trickle irrigation

Microspray – low volume emission device that waters the entire hydrozone and operates similarly to a conventional spray head but at much lower flow rates Drip irrigation uses 30-50% less water than sprinkler systems Uses 150-200 mesh filters to prevent clogging from debris

OTHER SPRINKLER COMPONENTS Back flow preventer – device that ensures water from irrigation system does not return to main water source A requirement in some counties for anyone who uses city water supplies for irrigation systems

Remote control valves – devices that open and close to allow pressurized water to flow through pipes Placed in the water line and controlled by an electrical contact with the irrigation system controller

Controller – device that automatically opens and closes the valves in an irrigation system according to a pre-set program Sold by number of valves they control in the landscape Controllers are set with a program

Program – set of instructions that tell a controller which valves are open on which days and for how long to leave them open

OTHER SPRINKLER COMPONENTS Zone – area of lawn and a group of sprinklers operated by one remote control valve also called a block of heads

Cycle – one complete run of a controller through all programmed stations

Main line – main source of water in an irrigation system and has water pressure or water flowing through at all times

Lateral line – secondary line of an irrigation system that has water pressure only when valve is open

IRRIGATION MEASUREMENTS

GPM – gallons per minute. Measures amount of water that flows through an irrigation system

GPH – gallons per hour. Measures amount of water that flows through an irrigation system.

PSI – pounds per square inch. Measures the force at which water moves in an irrigation system

PLANT SYMBOLS

PLANT SYMBOLS

HARDSCAPE SYMBOLS

HARDSCAPE SYMBOLS

IRRIGATION SYMBOLS

IRRIGATION SYMBOLS

MISCELLANEOUS SYMBOLS

MISCELLANEOUS SYMBOLS