Garden Design - principles of design

1. Introduction to Garden Planning and
Design
Session 3 – Garden
Planning. Principles of
Design

2. Learning objectives
1.1 Describe the relevance of garden planning principles to the
production of a garden design that ‘works’, - one that follows
accepted ‘rules’ or ‘conventions’, and which is pleasing to the
eye
1.2 State the meaning of the following terms: symmetry;
asymmetry; balance; colour; focal points
1.3 Describe how to achieve unity in the overall layout through
rhythm, balance, proportion, scale, colour, texture and form.
1.4 State the importance of shape and line in garden design.
1.5 State the importance of vertical elements in a design
1.6 Describe the difference between formality and informality in
garden design.
1.7 State the importance of garden design ‘styles’ and identify
three main styles in garden design.

3. Principles of garden design
 The main aim is to achieve unity (harmony) in the
design.
 The garden should look like it ‘belongs’ with the
house and the wider environment.
 It should be an enjoyable space to be in – whether
designed for excitement or calm contemplation.
 It should look as though each element was ‘meant’
to be where it is.
 The simpler the design the more effective it is likely
to be.

4. Is your garden well balanced?
 Balance can be achieved
through symmetry – repeating
the same feature on either
side of a dividing line. This is
used in formal gardens
 Or through balancing volumes
or shapes on opposing sides
of the garden or of a sight line
(but with less attention to the
strict centre line of a space).
This is used in informal
gardens

5. Scale and proportion
 It is important to keep the features in the
garden to a human scale and in proportion to
each other. Paths need to be wide enough
and spaces large enough for people to move
about and use freely.
 For example very tall planting in a small
garden could make the space feel very
claustrophobic.
 A tall tree with only short planting in the rest
of the garden may look out of place.

6. Has your design got rhythm?
 Rhythm refers to the effect of repeating
design features or effects regularly to give
the whole a unified feel.
 Use of long lines punctuated with uprights or
green colours punctuated with bright colours
can give rhythm to a design.
 Formal gardens may use the same feature
repeated to give rhythm; informal gardens
perhaps the same shape but in a different
material or colour.

7. An example of rhythm in a formal
design

8. Colour in design
 ‘Hot’ colours advance – they seem closer
than they are
 ‘Cool’ colours recede – they seem further
away.
 Harmonious colours create a peaceful, calm
feeling.
 Contrasting colours create more excitement.

9. The colour wheel
 Complementary
or contrasting
colours are
opposite each
other on the
wheel
 Harmonious
colours are next
to each other

10. Texture in garden design
 Textures refer to the feel of a surface and
how it looks. So a shiny leaf and a matt leaf
may feel the same but have contrasting
visual ‘textures’.
 Texture can come from hard landscaping
materials, planting, water (still or flowing),
buildings etc.
 Keeping the number of different textures in
the garden limited keeps the design simple
and promotes unity

11. Shape and line
 Strong shapes work best – circles, rectangles,
squares or triangles. Organise the design around
linked strong shapes (even if they will not be
obvious once the garden is completed). These are
the ‘use spaces’.
 Avoid wiggly, fussy edges – large curves should
be sections of a circle or an ellipse.
 Flowing lines give a sense of movement; angles in
lines make the eye pause.
 Shapes organise the space; lines guide the eye.

12. Verticals
 Vertical elements in design – walls, hedges,
trees, statues, pergolas – give structure to
the design. Can provide year round interest.
 They break up sight lines – a garden is more
interesting if you can’t see all of it at once.
 Encourage exploration by providing focal
points or divide the design into ‘rooms’
 Control movement through the space.
 Practical use – boundaries, shelter etc.

13. Formal and informal gardens
Formal Garden Informal garden
Follows a strict symmetry –
obviously ‘designed’
Not necessarily symmetrical at
all – though balance is still
important
Strong shapes in planting and
formal features – topiary and
monumental sculpture
Planting is loose and features
are quirky or casual.
Often public or semi-public
spaces
Private and personal spaces.
Structure of design is clear and
apparent e.g. knot gardens.
It may not, at first glance, look
deliberately ‘designed’ at all.

14. Formal Garden in Italianate Style

15. Informal Garden in Cottage Style
 The loose planting
and lack of
obvious symmetry
give this garden a
pleasing relaxed
feel.
 The white fence
and the white
flowers help to
unite the design.

16. Styles of garden design
 Design styles are sets of design features that create
a distinct vocabulary – for example fountains,
statutes, ballustraded stairs, olive or orange trees
and clipped hedges are features of an Italianate
garden (like Mount Edgecumbe in the earlier slide).
 Design styles reflect different cultures e.g. Japanese
gardens as compared with European gardens like
Mount Edgecumbe.
 Collect design styles – on mood boards etc – to
consider
 There are many design styles and the rules are there
to be broken, once they are understood.

17. Design principles - reminder
 Scale/proportion
 Balance
 Rhythm
 Line and shape
 Colour
 Texture
 Simplicity
 Styles?

18. Learning outcomes
1.1 Describe the relevance of garden planning principles to the
production of a garden design that ‘works’, - one that follows
accepted ‘rules’ or ‘conventions’, and which is pleasing to the eye
1.2 State the meaning of the following terms: symmetry; asymmetry;
balance; colour; focal points
1.3 Describe how to achieve unity in the overall layout through rhythm,
balance, proportion, scale, colour, texture and form.
1.4 State the importance of shape and line in garden design.
1.5 State the importance of vertical elements in a design
1.6 Describe the difference between formality and informality in garden
design.
1.7 State the importance of garden design ‘styles’ and identify three
main styles in garden design.