Horticulture Principles and Practices

the landscape. Some very successful designs break the landscape into a series of individual
rooms, much like the interior of a house. But like a house, movement from between
rooms should flow smoothly and all the rooms should work combine to create a unified
space. The professional uses repeated elements throughout the landscape, such as a type
of stone or a certain color to unify the entire landscape, while maintaining a sense of
excitement and diversity throughout. Each element added to the landscape, whether a
small tree or a piece of sculpture, is selected with consideration for the entire landscape.
Plants are not added because they were impulse purchases, but because they contribute
in some way to the existing landscape. This holistic design approach often separates a
professional landscape designer from a do-it-yourselfer.
the landscape. By using the design element of repetition or massing (Figure 15–4) he or
she can give meaning and expression to variety in the landscape by controlling and
limiting variety so as to introduce order in the design. Rather than displaying a single
plant species in ten different colors, groups of ten or more plants of each color will
produce a better visual impact on the viewer.
Distractions in the display should be eliminated, which may mean using edging to
straighten out a lawn or flower bed. These strategies, when used appropriately, achieve
the goal of simplicity in a design.
Balance
The concept of material balance implies stability resulting from equal distribution of weight
around a central axis. Balance in horticulture refers to the visual weight a viewer is presented
with by the materials in the general design. The distribution of the design materials should
not be skewed. The viewer should have a sense that the amounts of things to see on both
sides in the viewing frame are fairly equal. The two halves of the design need not be
identical, just balanced. When the design is such that the materials on one side of the viewing
frame are identical (mirror image) to what are on the opposite side, it is said to be
symmetrical and formal (Figure 15–5); if the balance is achieved by different materials, it is
called asymmetrical and informal (Figure 15–6). Most designs are asymmetrical.
Focalization
The design principle of focalization or emphasis is employed to satisfy an expectation
of the viewers while fulfilling the “vanity” of the designer. It may be described as the
center-of-attraction principle. Instead of the viewer’s eyes wandering aimlessly to and
fro, designs are composed around central pieces on which viewers focus first before
looking around. Some natural focal points exist in the landscape. For example, a
residential landscape design, at least from a distance, should draw attention to the point
of entry into the house, which is usually the front door. If there are fountains, sculptures,
or exotic or uniquely attractive plants (specimen plants) that one wants to emphasize,
Simplicity
A landscape design
principle that employs a
number of strategies to
reduce excessive variation
and distractions in the
landscape.
Balance
A landscape design
principle that presents an
equal visual weight of
elements to a viewer.
Focalization
A landscape design
principle that creates
interest and accent for a
particular arrangement.
Specimen Plant
A plant with attractive
features that is used to
fulfill the principle of
focalization or emphasis in
an arrangement.
FIGURE 15–4 The concept of
repetition or massing enhances
the simplicity in landscape design.
(Source: © George Acquaah)
15.3 Landscape Designing 483