Designing the Landscape

Key Questions What are the three major areas of a residential

landscape? What are the elements that make up the three

main areas of design? What family activities occur in the three areas of

design? What rules of landscape design apply to the

public area? What landscape design rules apply to the outdoor

living area? What are points of emphasis in the design area?

The Major Design Areas The public area

Portion of property that is in full view of the public

Area between the house and the road Landscaping should improve appearance of the

house and focus attention on the front door 3 main goals

Soften the architectural lines of the house Frame the house with trees Maintain open view areas

The Public Area Architectural Features

Use plant materials to soften the lines of the house

Repeat the dominant lines of the house with plant materials/”lines of influence”

Sketch the house out in elevation view Locate the windows, doors, and porches on the

drawing Indicate the dominant lines and masses on sketch

with colored pencils

Landscaping to meet Architecture Dominant lines of house should be

repeated in plant materials Use trees and shrubs with horizontal branching

if house has dominant horizontal lines Use trees with pyramidal growth habits for

houses with peaks and dominant pyramidal forms

Only use these type of trees to houses with peaks Use plants to balance the house If house has many details, then use simple plantings

with neutral green colors and rounded forms

Walks, driveways, and parking areas should blend into the landscape Walks should follow a direct line, be

parallel to the house and be wide enough for 2 people to walk side by side

Drives should not be excessive and detract from house Single car- min of 10’ Double car- min of 18’ Drives that double as walk- 11’ 8” wide Circle drives- 14-18 ft wide

The Role of Trees Frame house in public area Select trees whose mature size match the

size of the house Can provide shade Can mask awkward architectural features

Shrubs Tie house to the landscape Hide foundation of house Use foundation plants at corners and

doorways Should not cover windows, walks and

doors Do not over prune plants Locate plants at least one foot beyond the

drip line of the house

Corner Plantings Use plants with rounded forms and

arrange them in group plantings Should consist of several different plant

species that complement each other Should not grow high taller than 2/3 the

distance from the ground to the eaves Help unite the house with the landscape Hide the foundation of the house Helps draw attention to the front door

Doorway Plantings Use different plantings on either side of the

doorway Use shorter plants for doorway plantings

Determine the height of the plants, follow a line fro the threshhold of the door to a point at the corners of the house that is 2/3 the distance from the ground to the eaves

Chose plants below this line Should be no taller than ¼ to 1/3 the distance from the

ground to the eaves Use specimen plants to pull viewer’s eye to the

door Can create entry garden Lawns unite all areas of the public area

Outdoor Living Area Includes all property to the rear of the

house except service area View tend to be away from the house Design focus on utility and beauty

Focus on gardening interests and entertaining Enclosures- fences, wall, plants Surface areas- walks, patios, decks Plantings- shrubs, trees to enhance Garden accessories- add interest,

sculptures, pools, fountains, etc.

Ceiling in OLA Involves overhead features Design to view sky Trees provide shade and overhead

protection Patio umbrellas

Walls in OLA Define space Screen views Provide privacy- 6ft high Serve as backdrop for plants Can use plants

Cheaper than hardscape but take up ground space- limit to large spaces

Use hedges Fences- different types, top must be level,

2 types should not meet at a corner

Floor of OLA Grass, ground cover plants, mulches,

concrete, stone, brick Base on function Patios and decks serve to transition from

inside to outside- put near kitchen Put high interest plantings within view of patio

Walkways- connect public area to private area

Planting for OLA Provide pleasure Borders, annual & perennial gardens

(color), trees High interest plantings to capture

attention from patio and inside

Garden Accessories for OLA Add interest, use as focal points Sculptures, pools, fountains Locate within high interest planting

Service Area Areas to the rear and side of house Garbage cans, storage sheds, clotheslines,

compost piles, vegetable gardens Screen from view of public area and

private area

Play Areas Design to blend in Place where they are less noticeable Locate within an open line of site from

patio and indoors Use shade trees for overhead protection