RHS Level 2 Certificate

Year 1 Week 27 – Garden Planning. Principles of Design

Learning objectives

1.1 Describe the relevance of garden planning principles to the production of a garden design that ‘works’, - one that follows accepted ‘rules’ or ‘conventions’, and which is pleasing to the eye

1.2 State the meaning of the following terms: symmetry; asymmetry; colour; focal points

1.3 Describe how to achieve unity in the overall layout through rhythm, balance, proportion, scale, colour, texture and form.

1.3 Describe the difference between formality and informality in garden design.

1.4 Describe the main characteristics of a knot garden, a landscape garden and a cottage garden

Principles of garden design

The main aim is to achieve unity (harmony) in the design.

The garden should look like it ‘belongs’ with the house and the wider environment.

It should be an enjoyable space to be in – whether designed for excitement or calm contemplation.

It should look as though each element was ‘meant’ to be where it is.

The simpler the design the more effective it is likely to be.

Is your garden well balanced?

Balance can be achieved through symmetry – repeating the same feature on either side of a dividing line. This is used in formal gardens

Or through balancing volumes or shapes on opposing sides of the garden (but with less attention to the strict centre line of a space). This is used in informal gardens

Scale and proportion

It is important to keep the features in the garden to a human scale and in proportion to each other. Paths need to be wide enough and spaces large enough for people to move about freely.

For example very tall planting in a small garden could make the space feel very claustrophobic.

A tall tree with only short planting in the rest of the garden may look out of place.

Has your design got rhythm?

Rhythm refers to the effect of repeating design features or effects regularly to give the whole a unified feel.

Use of long lines punctuated with uprights or green colours punctuated with bright colours can give rhythm to a design.

Formal gardens may use the same feature repeated to give rhythm; informal gardens perhaps the same shape but in a different material or colour.

An example of rhythm in a formal design

Colour in design

‘Hot’ colours advance – they seem closer than they are

‘Cool’ colours recede – they seem further away.

Harmonious colours create a peaceful, calm feeling.

Contrasting colours create more excitement.

The colour wheel

Complementary or contrasting colours are opposite each other on the wheel

Harmonious colours are next to each other

Texture in garden design

Textures refer to the feel of a surface and how it looks. So a shiny leaf and a matt leaf may feel the same but have contrasting visual ‘textures’.

Texture can come from hard landscaping materials, planting, water (still or flowing), buildings etc.

Keeping the number of different textures in the garden limited keeps the design simple and promotes unity

Foliage texture

Almost an object lesson in how not to plan planting (can you see why?), this picture does show how plant leaves have very different textures.

Shape and line

Strong shapes work best – circles, rectangles, squares or triangles. Organise the design around linked strong shapes (even if they will not be obvious once the garden is completed).

Avoid wiggly edges – large curves are sections of a circle or an ellipse.

Flowing lines give a sense of movement; angles in lines make the eye pause.

Formal and informal gardens

Formal Garden Informal garden

Follows a strict symmetry Not necessarily symmetrical at all – though balance is still important

Strong shapes in planting and formal features – topiary and monumental sculpture

Planting is loose and features are quirky or casual.

Often public or semi-public spaces

Private and personal spaces.

Structure of design is clear and apparent e.g. knot gardens.

It may not, at first glance, look deliberately ‘designed’ at all.

Formal and informal garden features

Formal garden features Informal garden features

Representational statutes; dressed stone walls, clean lines

Abstract statutes or use of feature stones etc, rustic fences or arches

Box (Buxus sempervirens) or other clipped hedges

Wild or native hedging (Cratageus monogyna)

Straight stone lined water features, formal fountains

Wildlife ponds or streams

Knot Garden

Landscape Garden

Cottage Garden

The loose planting and lack of obvious symmetry give this garden a pleasing relaxed feel.

The white fence and the white flowers help to unite the design.

Learning outcomes

1.1 Describe the relevance of garden planning principles to the production of a garden design that ‘works’, - one that follows accepted ‘rules’ or ‘conventions’, and which is pleasing to the eye

1.2 State the meaning of the following terms: symmetry; asymmetry; colour; focal points

1.3 Describe how to achieve unity in the overall layout through rhythm, balance, proportion, scale, colour, texture and form.

1.3 Describe the difference between formality and informality in garden design.

1.4 Describe the main characteristics of a knot garden, a landscape garden and a cottage garden