LandscapExperts Tip of the Week, May 30

An exciting Principle of Landscape Design is Contrast. Examples are a bed of bright flowers among a green landscape, or a free-form Japanese Cherry amidst tightly sheared, pyramidal, broad leaf evergreen forms. Contrast is the enlivening spark and draws attention to itself and elements nearby.  

LandscapExperts Tip of the Week, May 23

The Principle of Design known as Rhythm is created when one or more elements of the design are repeated to create a visual path or reoccurring visual pattern.  Most often we think of a repeated beat or accented refrain in music or poetry, but the rhythmic visual repetition of columns, or evergreens, curved borders or flower colors is also pleasing in the landscape.   

LandscapExperts Tip of the Week, May 16

Proportion is another one of the Principles of Design, and considers the ratio of areas and amounts; length, width or volume, comparing one part of the design to another. If a sculpture or birdbath is too small or too large for the design, it is out of proportion. Similarly, a tree that towers over a structure or a walkway appears too small for the front door are both out of proportion.

LandscapExperts Tip of the Week, May 9

Balance is another principal of design used in the landscape. Formal landscapes depend on mirror image, where one side of the garden looks similar to or identically matches the other side. Asymmetrical balance is also important, lending a more informal feeling. With this type of balance the components used on one side of the design are different from those on the other side, but are about about the same in terms of mass and interest.

LandscapExperts Tip of the Week, May 2

Principles of Design contribute to great landscapes just as they do to breathtaking paintings.
The principle of Dominance, is one of the stronger, drawing the viewer's attention. An example might be an imposing statue, the architecture of a great house amidst lawns, or a bold specimen plant in a garden.