Elements of Landscape Design

Elements - the separate “parts” that interact and work with each other
to create a cohesive design

Principles – the instructions or guidelines for putting together the parts

(elements) to create the design
 Elements of Landscape Design
The elements of composition are the visual qualities that people see and
respond to when viewing a space. Visual qualities can illicit many different
emotions and feelings, and the more positive those feelings, the more likely
people are to enjoy and use a space.

❖Line - the outline that creates all forms and patterns in the
landscape
❖Form - the silhouette or shape of a plant or other features in
the landscape
❖Texture - how course or fine a plant or surface feels or looks
❖Color - design element that adds interest and variety
❖Simplicity and variety
❖Lightning in landscape
 LINES

Lines define form and creates patterns. They direct eye movement, and control
physical movement. They are real or perceived

Straight lines are structural and forceful,

curved lines are relaxed and natural,
implying movement

Lines are found in:

• Plant bedlines
• Hardscape lines
• Plant outlines
Line Connects and Defines the Space, Creating Outdoor Rooms

For a professional touch, use sweeping bold lines and curves

rather than small zigzags and small wavy curves.

Modern or minimalist gardens use mostly straight lines

while natural themed landscapes use sweeping curved paths
to separate areas from each other.
Plant Bedlines - connect plant material, house and hardscape. Defines spaces.
Hardscape lines - define spaces and create forms and patterns

Lines define the pool

edge and create the
form of the pool

Lines creates a grid pattern and wavy form

 Plant lines - define space through the plant shape and height

Vertical trees create an implied wall

In this private garden, the "line" formed by the edge of the pond
creates an amazing space as the plants reflect in the water. The line
defines the space and pulls you into the landscape.
 Form in Plants

Forms (left to right) columnar, oval, vase, weeping, pyramidal, rounded

The greater the contrast in

comparison to other forms the
greater the prominence- use for
emphasis
• 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.

• Vase-shaped trees define a comfortable “people space” beneath the

canopy.

• Weeping forms lead the eye back to the ground. What is below the weeping
form often becomes a focal point.

• Pyramidal forms direct the eyes upward, so use sparingly. Grouping

pyramidals will soften the upward influence. They will look more natural in the
surroundings with foliage to the ground.
Form in Hardscape - the shape of structures and garden
ornaments. The shape of structures often determines the
overall form theme of the garden- such as geometric or
naturalistic
Forms for themes- both plant and hardscape forms can
reinforce a theme
Formal gardens can be recognized by their clipped hedges and pruned plants
that give each part of the garden a definite silhouette. On the other hand
informal gardens have softer silhouettes and are free flowing.
 Texture
Surface quality – tactile and perceptual. Provides variety,
interest, and contrast.

Texture is Fine/Coarse, Heavy/Light,

Thin/Dense, and Light/Shade.
Texture can be defined as the
relationship between the foliage and
twig size, and the mass of the plants.
Closeup, texture comes from the size
and shape of the leaves, the size of
twigs, spacing of leaves and twigs, the
colors and shading, the gloss or dullness
of leaves. At a distance, texture comes
from the entire mass effect of plants
and the qualities of light and shadows.
Texture is a great way to bring variety into your garden. Texture is both a
visual as well as a tactile element. This includes elements like the bark of
trees, texture of leaves as well as the spacing of leaves and twigs.
Texture occurs in:

•Plant material
•Hardscape material
 Plant Texture - the texture of plants differ with the size of the
leaves, twigs, branches and trunk

Fine texture compliments and reinforces

color and form- lets more prominent
features dominate
Rough texture is more dominate
Hardscape Texture - texture of buildings, patios, decks, walls,
and water features is related to the type and size of materials
Texture and Scale - texture affects perception of distance and
scale

Fine texture recedes in the landscape-

exaggerates distance and makes a space
Rough textured plants appear closer- feel larger
minimizes distances and makes a space
feel smaller
Four season gardening is all about texture gardening. Without the
summer color, texture becomes the primary design element.
Texture rules here in the Japanese Garden at Butchart
Gardens, Victoria, BC. Notice how the fine texture created by
the moss plays with the coarse texture of the tree trunks and
lantern. In Japanese gardening, the lantern is a symbol that
this is sacred space, leave your cares and worries behind.
 Color
The hue of the plants and hardscape material
provides variety, interest, and contrast. Affects human
emotion and perceived distances

Color schemes in planting are color combinations based on

the color wheel.

Color appears in:

•Plants
•Hardscape
•Water
 Plant Color - Color is found in flowers, foliage, fruit, and bark,
and changes with the seasons

Use color to highlight other A small amount of bright color has as much
characteristics such as form and texture visual impact as a large amount of a dull colo
Hardscape Color - Color is found in buildings, stone, rocks,
pavers, wood, and furniture
 Basic Color Schemes - monochromatic, analogous, and complementary

Cool hues- blue, violet, green- recede in Warm hues- red, orange, yellow-
the landscape and feel calm and serene appear closer and feel lively and
energetic
Colour is the most important part of landscape design. For your summer
décor choose seasonal flowers in cooling colours. Garden décor pieces, fences
and planters are some other ways to introduce colour into your landscape.
Color Gives Greatest Appeal, and Evokes the Greatest Response.
How does color speak to you? What colors work for the landscape story line?
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:
Red Yellow Blue Green White

Passion Joy Imagination Harmony Purity

Courage Happiness Calm Beginnings Honesty

Power Communication Serenity Prosperity Grace

 Simplicity and Variety

Simplicity and variety work together to balance each other. Simplicity is a degree
of repetition rather than constant change, creating unity. Variety is diversity and
contrast in form, texture, and color preventing monotony

o For simplicity, repeat some plant materials in sweeps and groupings.

o For variety, fill in with other plants.
o Avoid creating a horticultural zoo (one of this, two of that)!
o Zipper plantings (like red-white-red-white) lack simplicity and variety
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.
In this park, people enjoyed taking pictures
of the various flowerbeds. However, they
did not take pictures of this zipper planting
(same elements repeated over and over
again) finding it monotonous.
 LIGHTNING IN LANDSCAPE

Outdoor lighting is used to illuminate pedestrian walkways,

roads and entry areas
It may also provide a dramatic effect when it lights up benches
and fountains
The level of illumination varies with the extent of usage of the
various external spaces
High intensity light is required for highways and other heavily
used areas
Warm and coloured illumination is best suited for quiet areas
along minor residential streets and parking areas