BASICS IN LANDSCAPING
LANDSCAPING is a way
of arranging both plants and physical objects in an area to make it
aesthetically beautiful and practically useful.
A sample landscape exhibit from the Los Banos Garden Show in Los Banos, Laguna, Philippines
Landscaping is the art and
science of arranging softscapes (plants) and hardscapes (boulders, garden
ornaments, driftwoods, etc) in an aesthetically appealing and functional
way. The growing of ornamental plants
has become part of our culture, almost like a tradition in homes, offices and
other establishments like shopping malls, public parks, parking lots, and
resorts. With more people growing a wide
variety of plants for several objectives, a definite need arises for organizing
plants beautifully to fit a certain purpose according to some principles of
design.
Thus, landscaping was born. The purpose of landscaping ranges from
providing beauty, convenience, privacy or pleasure to a selected area. The concern of landscaping is primarily people, their activities,
their needs and comfort. In the same
way, landscaping is also concerned in providing people with emotional
satisfaction and pleasant sensory emotions in a garden. People are stimulated by pleasant surrounding
which should be kept interesting and beautiful by changes in color, line, and
form, thus a garden becomes a harbor of surprises and a haven to soothe the
physical well-being.
Some of the elements of
landscaping design includes form, color, line and texture, As you may know,
plants have different forms, shapes, sizes, color and texture, which you need
to consider in making a design. You also
have to consider the size and appearance of the plants 5 – 20 years from
now. The different elements are
discussed here:
a.
Form –
refers to the shape and structure of an object; are the plants V-shaped, rounded,
columnar, or drooping. When several
plants are grouped together, they constitute a delineating form or shape which
should be harmonious. Vertical form lead
the eye upwards, while horizontal forms pull vision to the ground.
Planning the shape of plants on Paper and how they would look like is one preliminary requirement in landscape. A landscape floor plan is another.
b.
Color
– this is the visible feature of design.
This is the visual sensation produced by the different wavelength of
light. The color of the foliage and the
flowers must be taken into consideration when making a choice. You can have color in your garden all year
round, but too much variety of colors will create visual confusion. Flowering plants are jewels of a landscape, so does colored
foliage. Place them in clumps or drifts
instead of in random fashion.
Proper placing of plants of different color in clumps or groups is an orderly way of landscaping an area.
c.
Line
– it is the function of two landscape materials such as a path and a border
plant. Straight line gives a feeling of formality, while curved lines are less
formal and radiate a feeling of gracefulness and softness.
Winding path shows an informal character of a landscape. Notice also the ground covers used and the grass as turf.
d.
Texture
– refers to visual effects of surface quality.
Texture can be smooth or rough, especially leaf size. Fine texture of the latter gives an illusion
of distance while the course texture (or large leaves) gives an illusion of
closeness
PARTS OF A LANDSCAPE.
1. Ground
covers – any small plant used to cover the soil thereby reducing maintenance,
weed population and erosion. They also
provide a background against which shapes and colors of flowers are displayed
to the best advantage. E.g. dwarf peanut plant, wandering jew, miniature Sanseviera,
Peperomia, Episcia, Flame Violets,
2. Turf
– any grass used to cover a wide open area usually exposed to the sun (e.g. in
an open field or lawn). Grasses used are usually Bermuda grass, Carabao grass,
Blue grass. Turf grasses are usually
maintained monthly with trimming, watering and fertilization.
Carabao grass is an ideal turf material to cover soil from erosion The lawn is also use as "toilet" by pets like cats and dogs.
3. Edging
–plants used to define pathways or flower beds, usually plants used are of
colorful flowers and foliage. E.g.
Desert rose, Cosmos, African daisy, Caladiums, San Francisco, Boat Lily,
Portulaca, Episcia,.
4. Accent
or Focal Point – one or more plants used as a prominent feature in the
garden. They can be used in pairs on
either side of a formal doorway or gate or at the beginning or end of a
walk. They can also be flowering plants
which provides color to a design .. like orchids, bromeliads, red palm,
Bougainvillae,
Orchids are one of the accents used as they have vibrant colors
5. Borders
, Hedges and Screens – continuous planting of any shrub or tree in which
individual plants are close together to define an area or screen off an
unattractive view. The height and
thickness of a screen depends on how much of a view you want shut off. A border or hedge separates one area from
another (e.g. your garden from the outside area). Plants used should tolerate
repeated pruning. E.g. Golden duranta,
dwarf bamboo, Santan, Yellow Bell, Tsaang Gubat, Kamuning, Pisonia umbellifera
(Lettuce tree), Polysias. some plants can be used as Topiary.
6. Barrier
– a plant used as a fence, usually which can grow thick and with thorns /
spines. – e.g. Bougainvillae, Citrus,
Kakawate, Roses,
7. Accent
/ Specimen Plant – a plant of special beauty grown to be exhibited alone. A specimen plant allowed to develop into full
natural beauty demands space to be effective.
It is charming in big gardens and usually out of place in small garden.
E.g. Magnolia tree, Orchids, Giant Foliage Anthuriums, Staghorn Fern,
8. Foundation
Plants – Shrubs of dense growth grown near or along a building. They make the transition from ground to house
gradual so that the plant may seem tied part of the house. E.g. Coconut and Manila palms, Mango Tree,
Pine trees or Cypress, Cycads,
9. Canopy
– a tree or a group of vines in a trellis used to provide shade or covering
in garden. E.g. Acacia tree, a large
boungainvillae in a trellis, flowering vines (garlic vine, yellow bell,
Thumbergia) in a long trellis along a walkway.
Trees provide a sense of age in a garden, and also shade , especially in parking lots.
HARDSCAPES (Structures in a Garden)
1. 1. Boulders
/ Rocks
2. 2. Statues
/ Religious images (eg. Mother Mary in a Grotto, Praying Jesus in a Garden; St.
Francis of Assisi, Small Dwarfes or Elves; Geron Birds, Small Mushrooms, Statue
of Dogs.
3. 3. Pathway
/ Walkway.
4. 4. Water
Feature (ponds, waterfalls, fountain, stream, small lake, bird drinking
fountain)
5. Bridges
Red colored structures symbolizes "fire" in oriental landscapes. rocks or pebbles underneath the bridge simulate water.
