How to think Design

Drought Tolerant Gardens

List needs & wantsUses, Activities?Vegetables, Flowers, Potting bench? “Low Maintenance”?Formal or Freeform?Patio Gatherings? Start with paper & draw Lines & Circles

Step 1: Functions you want

Sun and wind greatly influence the workability of functions

Good design considers what the sun and wind do at different times of the day and year.

Step 2: Study Sun & Wind

Live with your ideas for a whileYour brain will sort ideas, options, toss

out designs that will not work Coming to quick conclusions about your

yard can lead to choices that don't work in the long term

Step 3: Think on it for a While

Good garden design has a focal point or series of focal points

Maybe a sculpture or a stunning plant, a tree, or a series of shrubs

What might draw your eye & move it through the landscape?

Step 4: Create a Focal Point

They give a pulled-together lookTricky principle in landscape designInvolve variations in size, shape, & color: e.g.,

tall plants against a building or fence, and paths that lead people through the space

Repeat some elements for cohesion: a certain plant, a common color, a shape

But don't be monotonous: add an element that's different & will stand out

Step 5: Scale & Pacing

Go slow & enjoy the process Start with a small flowerbed. Work on it

for an hour or two, when have the timeWorry less about filing everything up

right awayAllow time to see how things develop.

Plants grow and things fill in. People forget that

Step 6: Be Open to Change

(Step 6, continued)

Do it in pieces so you are happy with the final results

Quick thought & implementation can lead to shortcuts, not allow for a change of mind, disappointment

With time, you may change your mind about something: a particular plant or theme. Rip out and do over

Step 7: Gardens Evolve

Design, garden booksWebsitesTalk w/ nursery people about plants that

work/don’t workDon’t let landscaper do all your thinking

Help Desk

Following are included to help stimulate design ideas in Solera

Settings are not important but the design elements demonstrated are: e.g., shapes, lines, themes, focal points, mixes of plants and other architectural elements

There are many suitable plants beyond succulents!

Landscape Photos

Mix: Grass, Drought T.

Pots, Wooden Walkway

Pots

Art, Stream, Grass, Nature

Shapes

Shapes, Angles, Art

Simple, Eye to Yellow Pot

Plants intrude on Path

Rock Variety

Rock: Square & Round

Plant Color

Fill in with Wildflowers

Combine: e.g., Vines & Trees

Southwest 1

Southwest 2

Veggies, Fruit, Roses, Wildflowers

I Put the Yard on the Payroll