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Doing it Yourself

The first decision you have to make about landscaping is whether you’re going to do it yourself, like my father, or hire a professional. It’s a little like building a house, unless you have native ability, you’re usually better off hiring an architect. But, if you do want to take on the challenge, and you want to end up with more than just a haphazard collection of plants and flowers, it’s best to prepare a basic plan before planting anything.

Before you start digging and planting, it’s important to know what types of plants suit your climate, when they will flower, and what your water supply is like. You don't want to end up in the winter with only dormant and dying plants, or discover there’s not enough water to make it through the heat of summer. In fact, you’ll probably want to consult an expert about building a suitable irrigation system that will keep your plants well fed and your workload to a minimum.

Color Schemes

Color is dramatic and good color schemes typically match similar colors to other similar colors, such as warm reds to warm yellows, and cool blues to cool greens. Warm colors tend to stimulate the senses and attract attention, while cooler colors are more relaxing and make good background for mediation and reflection.

The Line of the Design

Another important element of an attractive garden is its line. The line of a design relates to the way a viewer’s eye follows the groupings of plants and border areas. Smooth flowing lines create one kind of mood, abrupt straight lines, another. The line imparts a feel and elicits a response from those who are viewing the garden.

Texture and form are closely related to the concept of the line and attention to color, line, scale, and texture must all come together to create an aesthetically pleasing garden. Form refers to the shapes in your garden—the triangular conifers and rounded bushes. Texture is the way various plants work together to create a look, whether that look is soft or course, or somewhere in between.

Garden paths also add to the line. They may be gravel, stepping-stones, dirt, woodchips or grass.

Ornamentation

Once you have established your selection of plants and flowers, and your textures and forms, you can compliment those items with ornaments that are fitting to your garden. Fences, walls, stonework, water features, statues, and gazebos can provide your garden with a theme and with wonderful points of focus.

By adhering to the classic elements of landscape architecture, and finding a theme and texture that compliments your home, your garden is sure to provide enjoyment, relaxation, and added value to your property. Just remember, the perfect garden is one you’ve designed and created with your own hands and your own imagination.

By: Jerry Alexander

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