In many design professions, including Landscape Architecture, there are elements that form the foundation of all good design. For us, those six elements are line, form, sound, fragrances, color, and texture.
Line
Lines play a major role in any garden, whether actual or implied. Actual lines are created by a hardscape like paths or walls. Implied lines are created with plants or stepping stones, and they are horizontal, vertical, diagonal, and curved.
We use lines in design to accentuate an object, control movement, or draw attention to a focal point. Direct lines, like those created by walkways, draw a person straight to an area while curved, meandering lines add softness and an element of surprise.
Form
A form refers to the shape or structure of something, like all of the three-dimensional shapes we see around us. The way we see a landscape changes based on the way plants are grouped together or planted alone as a singular focus in the space.
Plants' shapes include the conical form of conifers, the vase-like shape of many shrubs, the linearity of scrambling vines, and the clumped form of a daylily. Ferns have a range of forms nearly as great as flowering plants, while mosses usually take the form of miniature herbs. A round plant that follows a curved bed line gives the landscape a flowing and natural feel. In contrast, an upright or columnar plant placed along a linear walk takes on a more rigid and formal feel.
Sound
Sound helps us create ambiance in an outdoor space. We consider the acoustic properties of materials, masking, screening, location of functions, the creation of biotopes for birds, and the introduction of water features.
Examples of sound in design include the sound of water in a fountain or waterfall, clear sound from outdoor speakers, and the rustling of plants and grasses. And don't forget the use of landscaping to eliminate sounds from the road or neighbors.
Fragrance
Fragrance has a powerful impact on all of us, and it holds the strongest connection of any other senses - even sight! Whenever I smell Jasmine, I still think about my grandparent's garden and home.
Spring and Summer have the greatest abundance of scented plants, from daffodils, peonies, hyacinth, and stock in the spring - to lilies, dianthus, and viburnums in the summer. But most people don't realize that Fall and Winter have their own intoxicating blooms, including sweet autumn clematis, sweet box, witch hazel, Chinese holly, and winter daphne.
Color
We consider color for both plant and hardscape choices, and we value your input during the design process because we want the colors of your landscape to reflect your personality and preferences.
Cool colors include blues, greens, and purples while warm colors include reds, yellows, and oranges. Combining cool and warm colors allows us to create different visual impacts on the landscapes.
Texture
Texture in garden design refers to the surface quality of the plant. Plant textures run the gamut, from the delicate and fine threadline coreopsis to the coarse and bold look of a wide, rippled Hosta leaf.
Light and shadow change the texture of plants and hardscapes, and we also think about how the textures look from various distances.
Every site component has its own texture. Contrasting the textures adds interest to any landscape, and this should play an important role in the overall design composition.
