PRINCPALS OF LANDSCAPE DESIGN 1. UNITY

effective use of all the elements in a design to convey a theme. achieved by implementing a design through mass planting or repetition. pertains to the overall picture of a landscape. Unity has been achieved when the viewer senses that all the individual elements of a landscape fit together to form a coherent theme. Some repetition is good, but it should not be carried to the point of monotony. Unity in the landscape can be achieved through a theme of colors, forms, or textures without using exactly the same plants.2. LINE

Its powerful design element that connects and defines space creating an outdoor room.

Use sweeping bold lines and curves rather than small zigzags and small wavy curves.

Delineate softscape and hardscape area creating outdoor spaces.

Strong use of lines invites you to use the space

Sense of outdoor space

3. SCALE

The principle ofScalerefers

size of landscape elements in relation to their surroundings.

There are twofactors to consider one is the size ofyourhouse, and the other is the size of objects in the larger landscape

scale is consistently ignored, even in the simplest landscapes either the house is dwarfed by the landscape or the landscape is dwarfed by the house.Different types of scale

Absolute scalerelates the comparative value of landscape elements to a fixed structure Relative scalerelates to comparative relative sizes or "values" of objects in the landscape. Relative scale is very emotionally charged and closely linked to color. It may create a feeling of relaxation and peacefulness or one of energy and action Low scaleIt is used in the home landscape to give a feeling of peace and relaxation

High scalepromotes action. It is used around large buildings and in large spaces to fill the space. Use of high scale in small spaces makes the space feel smaller.

4. BALANCE

Equilibrium on Left and Right Sides.Formal balancerepeats the same left and right, giving stability, stateliness, and dignity. It is high maintenance keep both side similar. Informal balancediffers from left to right giving curiosity, movement, and feels alive. Total mass of plants need to balance left and right. 5. FORM Includes the Three-Dimensional Mass.Form is determined by the line, direction, and arrangement of branches and twigs. The resulting mass influences the scale. Horizontal and spreadingforms emphasis the lateral extent and breath of space.

Roundedforms are most common in plant materials.They create a pleasant undulation that leads itself to plant groupings.

Vase-shapedtrees define a comfortable people space beneath the canopy.

Weeping formslead the eye back to the ground. What is below the weeping form often becomes a focal point.

Pyramidalforms direct the eyes upward. Grouping pyramidals will soften the upward influence6. TEXTURE

Different Types Fine/Coarse Heavy/Light Thin /Dense and Light/Shade. Large leaves cast distinctive shadows in the plant canopy, offering a coarse appearance. Finer-textured foliage offers a more uniform shade pattern.Texture can be defined as the relationship between the foliage and twig size, and the mass of the plants. Close up, texture comes from the size and shape of the leaves, the size of twigs, spacing of leaves and twigs, the colors and shading, the gloss or dullness of leaves. etc. At a distance, texture comes from the entire mass effect of plants and the qualities of light and shadows. 7. COLOR

Gives Greatest Appeal, and Evokes the Greatest Response. Color has a strong effect and should be used with discretion.

Dont plan the landscape only with use of flowering plants in mind.

Mass colors, dont alternate colors. Alternating breaks up visual sequence and is distracting Color should be used to focus attention on an area of the landscape and to complement the house.

Colors should complement each other and use similar hues together.

8. VARIETY

Oversimplification is boring; some variety must be sprinkled in for interest and to focus attention on the desirable aspects of your property. Dont use the same kind of plant everywhere. A long hedge of the same kind of plant can be very monotonous. For example: break plants up into groupings, maintaining some of the same plants in the groupings but adding other plants for variety. variety is essential not only in colour but also in forms and textures. Along with a floral variety, give your landscape design a variety of garden dcor pieces as well.