Landscape Garden Design
what is the best program for landscape design.?
I want to take a picture of my property and place landscaping over top of it and be able to move items around, such as a pool, hot tub, bushes, rock garden to see where the work best in my yard. Any ideas?
If you want to get fancy. you could invest in a landscape design program. Better Homes and Garden makes one but it’s pricey – around $70 is the cost. There are others that are not as expensive. Just Google landscape design software.
Or – If you take a bunch of digital photos or your garden, you could put them into a graphics program if you already have one like Photoshop or GIMP. This would let you cut and paste. You could then go online and find images of things you would like for your garden landscape and paste them into the picture to see how it would look.
You can also have some contractors over to get estimates and some expert advice – this would also let you get a feel for who you want to hire if you decide to go ahead with the landscaping project. It might also help point out potential problems you wouldn’t think of, for example, you may want to place a pool or spa in an area that won’t have enough room for equipment, or you may want to put plants or trees in a spot where the soil just isn’t going to work with them.
Landscape Garden Design
Principles of Garden Design
When it comes to landscaping, the task should always be assigned to a professional who is trained in landscape and garden design and has worked for different clients who wished to add a touch of novelty to their garden spaces. The contribution of the designer can range from just a professional advice to regular consultation which can help to transform the space into a completely different entity. There are several designers who offer project management as an important part of their service, providing recommendation as far as the landscape contractors are concerned and also monitoring their tasks to maintain the integrity of the design.
Garden design calls for the implementation of diverse disciplines such as construction expertise, irrigation expertise, horticulture knowledge and drainage. It is also necessary to have adequate knowledge of design principles and the way they should be incorporated into the overall design plans. The designer needs to understand the site at which the landscaping is been done and is initiated with conceptualising the whole project. If you are resident of Surrey, you can rely on some sound advice from Surrey landscaping experts.
Garden design is focused on some basic principles and it is important to arrange the different elements in a proper order to create the intended design. A neat landscape design can be achieved by following seven basic principles namely balance, emphasis or focalisation, unity, rhythm, sequence or transition, repetition and proportion.
Balance: This lends a symmetrical pattern or equilibrium in the visual appearance which can be achieved by aspiring towards formal balance.
Emphasis or Focalisation: This refers to the placement of an object at a position, preferably at the centre of the garden, to attract attention. The object might be a fountain, a sculpture, spruce and herbaceous perennials.
Unity: This refers to the use of diverse elements in a way that it is consistent and in harmony with the basic idea behind the landscape. This effect can be achieved by arranging the trees and other materials that are similar in their texture, shape or hue.
Rhythm: The sense of rhythm lends a feeling of movement which naturally shifts the visual attention from one section of landscape design to another.
Sequence or Transition: This effect is created by the natural progression of the form, colour, texture and size. This can be used to create a distance from the central point.
Repetition: This obviously refers to the repeated use of patterns or elements of similar colour, texture or form and lends a sense of uniformity to the entire landscape. However, it should be done carefully as there are chances that the excessive repletion of the same elements can mar the overall appearance of the garden.
Proportion: This refers to the way plants are arranged according to their size and in contrast to the other elements in the garden. For example, a large fountain set in a small garden space would end up leaving no space for movement and may also come in the way of the natural growth of the plants.
It is not possible for everyone to be aware of such intricate details when it comes to garden design. As a resident of Surrey, help is readily available in the form of garden design Surrey specialists.
About the Author
Phillip Goadsby has been in the landscape design business for years in West Sussex. He is consulted on matters pertaining to Surrey landscaping by people who wish to beautify their commercial or residential properties.
Landscape design/architecture?
I’ve always been interested in gardens/landscape/flowers/ trees, etc. I want to make designing/beautifying gardens my hobby. I am just starting out and I have a lot to learn…
There are 2 parts to my question:
–What’s the difference between landscape design and landscape architecture?
–Do I need to become a plant expert? For example, if I am planning a section of a garden and I want a tree that has beautiful large pink flowers, should I be expected to list the names of all trees that match this description? (i.e. the magnolia tree). Do I need to become knowledgeable of the life cycles of all different types of plants and what specifically needs to be done to take care of them (i.e. know that X plant needs a lot of sunlight and a lot of water, while Y plant grows well in clay soil, etc)?
Thanks!
Landscape architechure is a degreeand more too learn.
Landscape design is kind of just a job description. Doesn’t really mean the same thing everywhere or to everybody.
You will need to have a reasonable working knowledge of the plants for your area to be any good at it. Learning about the plants is a big part of the fun of it.
Just keep reading and experimenting in your garden. Learn the plants you have and can get.
And take time to relax with the plants. They will help you learn if you watch.
AWARD WINNING LANDSCAPE Garden Designs – TUBLOOM.com