Thinking About Garden Design

Many people think about garden design only in terms of plant choices. But picking plants is the last and often easiest part of putting a garden together. Before the plants are put into place the fencing, buildings, paths, paved areas, steps, lawns, archways, etc. should be put into position. The modern concept is to create outdoor rooms, which can be used by all the family for specific purposes. You may have a play area, eating area, areas to sit and take in the beauty and serenity, areas to grow food or to keep livestock. This approach to garden design can break down the plan into manageable portions, otherwise, the design as a whole could appear to be to daunting for most of us to undertake.

Choose a design that fits the architecture of your house your personality, and your needs. Gardens have many different atmospheres or styles. Seeing the things other gardeners have achieved can often spark off new ideas for one's own garden. The haphazard abundance of an English garden or the sparse elegance of a Japanese garden, the influence of the formal, stepped stone terraces of Renaissance Italy, the elegant grandeur of classical French garden are styles that can be created in other locations. Open up your mind to realize how you can achieve a similar atmosphere. Though it would not be possible to reproduce classical French or elegant Italian hillside landscape in a small city garden, a sense of classical formality is within the reach of everyone with the use of just a few stone steps, a small fountain, an architectural evergreen shrub or piece of topiary and some well-positioned urns. But let the site speak for itself. Walk around your garden, notebook in hand for jotting down questions, ideas, thoughts, and inspirations. Sit down here and there and visualize what you'd like to see in various areas.

Study pictures of beautiful gardens in magazines and books. This is a fine way to get ideas and discover your favourite garden style. Build arbours and pergolas to separate spaces, contribute height, add charm, and provide cosy places to sit and admire the view. Remember, trees and shrubs, in addition to hard landscaping, provide structure to a garden and are therefore termed the "bones" of your design. Changes in ground level may already exist and can be accentuated by building steps and walls at these points. Raised beds are invaluable for adding interest to a flat area, and variety can be introduced by arranging plants of different heights.

Certain design styles have evolved in response to a particular climate or geographic conditions. The native plants that thrive in hot and dry climates define a Mediterranean style, but it also reflects certain building materials and architectural styles associated with the Mediterranean area. This style of garden is characterized by warm, earthy tones in the structures and containers, specifically terra cotta, combined with dry-climate plants like erigeron and lavender, drought survivors such as cacti and the agave family. Even in a seemingly random, informal garden, the various elements must work together and appear to be whole, rather than disjointed pieces. One method of achieving unity is through repetition, whether it be shapes, colours or materials. For example, you might have tall containers, filled with bushy plant material, anchoring either end of your long, narrow balcony or deck, thus unifying the entire space, regardless of what's planted inbetween. Another way to achieve unity would be to pick a dramatic shape, for example, the sword-shaped New Zealand flax (Phormium tenax), and repeat it at intervals down your balcony or around your patio. The eye won't be able to resist this rhythm.

One dramatic container, a grouping of similar containers, or some other element such as a garden sculpture, all give you a focal point, which provides a means of organizing. Anything that draws one's eye acts as an anchor.

Try positioning your focal point arrangement 'off-centre' in your garden space, to create more interest and avoid the boredom of the expected. In addition to a handsome grouping of plants, a focal point can be something that contrasts with the surroundings, such as a weathered bench or a vividly coloured birdhouse. A focal point can also draw the gaze away from an unattractive view.