Principles of Landscape Architecture PDF
Principles of Landscape Architecture PDF
The principles of landscape design include the elements of unity, scale, balance,
simplicity, variety, emphasis, and sequence as they apply to line, form, texture, and
color. These elements are interconnected.
413-1
Figures 1 and 2.
Unity develops from
the story line. Here in
Jeff de Jong's garden
a story line around
"sacred space
gardening" creates
unity with the feeling
of peace and
tranquility.
413-2
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. For unity, repeat the topography form in
plant forms. [Figure 5]
• Horizontal and spreading forms emphasis the lateral extent and breath of
space. They are comfortable because it corresponds with the natural direction
of eye movement.
• Rounded forms are most common in plant materials. They allow for easy eye
movement and create a pleasant undulation that leads itself to plant groupings.
• Weeping forms lead the eye back to the ground. What is below the weeping
form often becomes a focal point.
Figure 5. Forms (left to right) columnar, oval, vase, weeping, pyramidal, rounded
413-3
Figure 7. Four season
gardening is all about texture
gardening. Without the
summer color, texture
becomes the primary design
element.
Color is powerful in creating mood and feeling. Color therapy is a popular topic
in our rapid paced modern world. What moods and feeling do various color create
for you? What colors work for the landscape story line? What moods and feeling
do you want in the garden? Is it a room for relaxation and healing or a room for
action activities? Examples of common color feelings include the following:
413-4
Orange Purple White Pink
Enthusiasm Intuition Purity Love
Joy Devotion Innocence Sweetness
Exuberance Respect Faith Uplifting
Interaction Peace Benevolence Happiness
Fun Spirituality Honesty Tenderness
Captivation Awareness Grace Enticement
Sex Deity
Royalty
What color schemes work for the landscape story line? [Figure 9]
Figure 10. In absolute scale, the small trees on the left drawing give the
feeling that the house is large. On the right drawing, the large trees give
the feeling that the house is small. Both houses are the same size.
413-5
• High scale promotes 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. [Figure 12]
Informal balance differs from left to right giving curiosity, movement, and feels
alive. [Figures 15 and 17]
413-6
Which gives the “feeling” desired by the story line and design?
413-7
Figure 19. For simplicity, repeat some plant
materials in sweeps and groupings. Fill in with
other plants for variety.
Figure 20.
Simplicity is
created by several
hundred Hosta in
this large bed.
Variety is created
by placing some in
clusters of pots. -
Innis Gardens,
Columbus, Ohio
Figure 21. At
Abkhazi Garden,
Victoria, BC,
simplicity is created
with the row of
purple heather and
the lawn (the
"Yangtze River").
Variety is created
with an assortment
of plant materials
on the rocky
hillside.
413-8
Emphasis is Dominance and Subordination of Elements.
The human mind looks for dominance and subordination in life. As we look at a
landscape from any direction, we need to see dominance and subordination of
various elements. If we do not find it, we withdraw from the landscape. Some
gardens lack the dominant element. Others suffer with too many dominate
elements screaming to be the focal point. [Figure 23-25]
Emphasis can be achieved through different sizes, bold shapes, groupings, and the
unusual or unexpected. What is the focal point?
Figure 25.
Ornamental grass
often adds emphasis
to a garden spot.
413-9
Sequence is the Change or Flow in Form, Color, Texture, and Size Giving Movement
or Life.
Sequence with Texture
In a flower/shrub bed, use coarser texture, larger plants in the back; sequencing to
finer textured, smaller plants in the front inside-curve. [Figure 27]
There are few basic rules on how much warm and cool colors to use. However,
watch that the scale does not become too commanding. More is NOT better. As a
rule-of-thumb, the designs needs 90% green to set off the 10% color.
Darkest shades and the purest intensity dominate and should be used at the focal
point. Using cool colors in contrast is more effective than sequences. Warm color
work best in sequence.
Color Sequence
413-10
3. Calculate the number of plants of each color using this rule-of-thumb.
a. Establish the largest amount of dark/dominant color that will be used.
b. Select the next lighter shade and increase the number of plants by 1/3.
c. Select the next lighter shade and increase the number of plants by 1/3.
d. Continue the ratio to the lightest color. [Figure 29]
Color Contrasts
Figure 31. In color contrasts, use 2/3 of one color for dominance and 1/3 of the
other color for subordination. Not half and half.
Fine/Course Short/Tall
Round/Upright Thugs/Dainty
Small/Large Color contrasts
413-11
Additional Information – CMG GardenNotes on Water Wise Landscape Design
#410 References and Review Questions: Water Wise Landscape Design
#411 Water Wise Landscape Design Steps
#412 Water Wise Landscape Design: Selecting Turf Options
#413 Water Wise Landscape Design: Principles of Landscape Design
#414 Worksheet: Water Wise Landscape Design
#415 Homework: Water Wise Landscape Design
Authors: David Whiting, Extension Consumer Horticulture Specialist (retired), Dept. of Horticulture and LA,
Colorado State University; and Jeffry de Jong, Horticulturist, Victoria, BC, Canada. Artwork: by David Whiting;
used by permission.
o CMG GardenNotes are available online at www.cmg.colostate.edu.
o Colorado State University, U.S. Department of Agriculture and Colorado counties cooperating.
o CSU Extension programs are available to all without discrimination.
o Copyright 2007-2014. David E Whiting. All Rights Reserved.
Revised October 2014
413-12