Horticulture Principles and Practices

FIGURE 15–10 A formal garden. The emphasis is on symmetry in the location of plants and other landscape design elements. (Source: ©
George Acquaah)
FIGURE 15–11 An informal
garden. It lacks symmetry in
arrangement of landscape
elements. (Source: © George Acquaah)
The most popular ornamental bedding plants include geranium, zinnia, petunia,
marigold, impatiens, and begonia. When planning a garden design, the color intensity of
flowers is a critical consideration. The impact of this factor on the general appeal of the
design is influenced by the prevailing climate. Some colors develop best when formed
under intense sunlight (e.g., marigolds). Certain colors overshadow others when they
occur side by side. Another strategy used to improve display is to draw attention to plant
size. A large plant located next to a small one may produce a situation in which the latter
may be diminished by the former. One strategy to reduce this effect is to mass plants
(group like plants together). If one desires to include garden ornaments (e.g., sculptures),
care should be taken to avoid using an oversized piece that overwhelms the surrounding
plants.
For best results, a garden design should be approached methodically. Drawing a
field plan before going out to plant helps one to visualize the garden on paper before
installing it. A plan can be designed and drawn on a computer using commercial software.
The purpose of the garden should be in the forefront of the planning activity. For
example, annual bedding plants are widely used to fill spaces in the landscape. While
waiting for perennials to grow to blooming stage or, as in the case of bulbs, waiting for
the next season to arrive, annuals may be planted so that the space is not left vacant. It is
important that plants in the landscape complement each other. As such, one should know
what already exists before adding new plants. There may already be a hedge or shrub
border against which annuals may be planted.
15.4 Formal versus Informal Gardens 487