Landscaping enhances our quality of life by bringing nature into our daily environment. Studies have shown that being surrounded by flowers and trees can reduce stress and anxiety.

Planting native species helps conserve water but requires less maintenance because they adapt better to the climate. Grouping plants makes mowing easier and also reduces fertilizer costs. Contact Prime Cut Lawn & Landscaping now!

Color may not seem like a critical element of landscape design, but it is often the difference between a dull garden and a vibrant outdoor oasis. Color can create focal points, set the mood, and tie together a landscape’s diverse elements. In fact, the use of color is among a landscape architect’s most satisfying duties.

Color has three important properties: hue, value and intensity. Hue is the purity of a color, ranging from red to yellow to green. Value refers to the lightness or darkness of a color based on its proximity to white. Intensity is the strength of a color. For example, a canary yellow rose is lighter in value and intensity than a purple Penstemon.

When planning a landscape, it’s helpful to familiarize yourself with basic color theory. The most common landscape colors fall into one of two groups: warm or cool colors. A basic rule of thumb is that warm colors go best with one another and contrast well with cool tones. For example, oranges and reds can be used to draw attention to a focal point, such as a flowering tree or bold garden sculpture.

Cooler colors, such as blues and purples, can help to bring unity to a landscape by linking various planting beds or different elements of the yard. For example, a garden edging or hardscape material in a cool green shade can tie the backyard with the front yard.

In addition to establishing unity and creating contrast, the proper use of color can make spaces appear larger or smaller. For instance, using a light-colored fence or wall can make a small yard appear bigger by reflecting sunlight. Conversely, plants that are lighter in color can create an illusion of space by appearing to float above the ground.

While color trends come and go — electric oranges were all the rage one year and dusky blues the next — it’s important to focus on what is functional for your property first. After all, if you aren’t solving for problems such as traffic patterns or water drainage, color will only distract the eye from more significant elements of your landscape.

Form

Unlike color, which is more transient, form is structural and creates an attractive three-dimensional quality that gives landscape design depth. The shape of flower beds, ponds and facets of hardscape contribute to a landscape’s form as well as the shapes of trees, foliage and garden ornaments. Form is also important in the composition of the landscape because it creates visual accents and draws the eye. The forms of curved lines create a natural, relaxed character and are associated with asymmetrical balance. Straight lines, on the other hand, have a more formal and structured look and lead the eye to a focal point.

Lines are used to control movement and direct the eye from one feature to another. They can also serve to accentuate a landscape’s vertical elements. Vertical lines can draw attention to a tree canopy, highlight a structure like an arbor or trellis, or emphasize a plant with its height. Horizontal lines move the eye along the ground plane, can make a space feel larger, and connect one area to another. They are often used to define a space or tie the landscape together and can be created with walkways, paths and low garden walls.

The form of a shrub or hedge determines its function and how it interacts with other plants in the landscape. This is determined by the shrub’s branching structure, growth habit, and the style in which it has been trimmed. Common forms of shrubs include upright, vase shaped, spreading and cascading.

Using different forms of shrubs within the same landscape can be an effective way to provide contrast and add interest. A single species of shrub with a strong form can be used to create a focal point and surrounded by other plants with more subtle forms. A massed area of one plant type can also work to develop continuity and a focal point if the species has an interesting shape or color.

Having a combination of these elements in your landscape is important to its beauty and functionality. Unity is a principle of landscape design that involves linking all of the elements to create a consistent character in the composition. Whether the theme is formal, casual or natural, unity is the foundation of a successful landscape design.

Lines

Lines are the elements that form a landscape and can be created in several ways. They can be the edge between two materials, the outline or silhouette of a shape, or long linear features like pathways and garden walls. They serve to define areas, accentuate focal points, control movement and create harmony in a space. When used intentionally, they can influence how we perceive a space and open up the views between structures and across property lines.

Often, the way we view a garden is determined by the lines it contains. Straight lines evoke structure and formality, while curved lines communicate a relaxed and natural atmosphere. Lines can also impact the size of a garden by making it appear larger or smaller. By strategically placing directional lines in the garden, it is possible to open up the space and draw your eye towards focal points or even connect the interior of your home with the outdoor space.

Another important aspect of the use of lines is their proportion. Proper proportion helps ensure a design is balanced and harmonious, and it also creates a sense of movement in the garden. This can be accomplished by varying the length of the lines you use and their width. The use of contrasting line types can also draw attention to particular features, while balancing the design with the use of softer, more flowing shapes and textures.

Aesthetically, acute angles (when design lines meet at less than 90 degrees) are often considered awkward and should be avoided if possible. Functionally, however, they cause weak spots prone to cracking and can limit the amount of sunlight that reaches the plants.

When deciding on the type of lines to include in your garden, look for inspiration in the surroundings of your home and the other yards in your neighborhood. Then, take the time to study the lines in those landscapes and try to identify how they create balance and rhythm, how they communicate dominance, and how they create a sense of unity in the space.

Texture

Landscape designers often emphasize the importance of color, but they also recognize that texture can add another element to an outdoor space. Texture refers to the visual qualities of plants and their foliage, and it is important for creating engaging spaces.

A plant’s texture can be fine or coarse, smooth or rough, light or heavy, but it can also be a combination of several of these characteristics. The best landscape designs incorporate a variety of textures to keep the eye engaged and prevent monotony.

One of the easiest ways to create a diversity of textures is through plant selection. Finely textured plants, such as ornamental grasses and delicate ferns, pair well with a wide range of flowering shrubs and perennials, while coarse-textured plants like heuchera or large leaved hostas complement a wider array of woody shrubs and evergreens.

The branching structure of a plant also contributes to its texture. Closely branched plants produce a dense look, while looser branching provides an airy feel. In addition, the texture of a planting is impacted by the distance from which it is viewed. Up close, a needle-leaved plant may have a fine texture, but from a distance all of the needles combine to appear more coarsely textured.

When considering texture, it is also important to consider the maintenance requirements of your garden. Some plants with certain textures require more frequent watering, are more prone to pests and diseases, or have more intense pruning needs than others. A professional landscape designer can help you select the right plants for your garden based on their texture and maintenance requirements.

Landscape textures can have an impact on the perceived size of a garden, as well. To make a small garden feel larger, position coarse-textured plants in the background, medium-textured plants in the middle, and fine-textured plants at the front to create depth. Alternatively, to make a garden feel smaller, move the coarse-textured plants to the back of the garden and bring the fine-textured plants closer together. This will make the coarse texture seem to recede and will draw attention to the more subtle details of a planting.