Study Guide
In this topic, we will be studying how to create sustainable home landscapes. The first step in
this process is to create a design for your landscape. Creating a sustainable landscape design
combines knowledge of both the principles of good design and the use of artistic elements.
Before viewing the video on developing a landscape garden plan, use the reading called the
Principles of Landscape Design (located in this module) and view the video on the terms used in
landscape design to answer the questions below.
Be familiar with the artistic elements that are involved in landscape design including color, line,
form, and texture. Know the difference between analogous and complementary colors. Be able
to define the following terms with respect to the landscape design principles:
● Unity
○ The visual assessment that elements in a landscape belong together. Unity
provides coherence to a landscape; it makes it understandable
● Balance
○ Equality of visual weight of elements in a composition about some central axis
which sometimes serves as a focal point
● Transition
○ The gradual change in a landscape appearance across space that is achieved
by the manipulation of the basic design elements of color, line, form and texture
● Proportion
○ the relative dimensions of an element(s) in a landscape to the landscape
composition as a whole which the eye sees
● Rhythm
○ The metered repetition of elements throughout a design brings unity to the
composition
● Focalization
○ Focalization in the landscape is achieved by use of a dominant landscape
feature. It becomes a resting point for the eye
● Repetition
○ The replication of an element(s) throughout a landscape. This is the most
efficient means of establishing landscape unity
● Simplicity
○ The visual economy of means. Communication of the maximum information and
meaning with the minimum number of elements in the landscape
You are now ready to watch the video program for this section entitled Developing a Landscape
Garden Plan. Click on the Video link in this topic module. After reading the article and watching
the videos you should be able to answer the following questions:
1. Why is it necessary to formulate a landscape plan before attempting to install a
landscape? What are the steps used to create a landscape design?
● This process integrates all the physical, biological, and anthropogenic factors of a
landscape site with how the site will be used in order to craft a visually pleasing
functional, and ecologically sustainable design plan using the very best
horticultural practices
● A good landscape plan (is not born), it evolves through the execution of a 3-step
process (which results in a type of drawing)
○ How to create a landscape plan
1. Develop a set of scale drawings
2. Make a bubble diagram drawing
3. Create the final landscape plan
2. What are some of the common mistakes made by novice designers?
● Place plants on a design plan too close together
○ A few years down the road plants will be cluttered and will need to be
removed
3. What is the definition of a landscape element and be able to recognize examples of
landscape elements.
4. What is the focal point in a landscape? What are some common focal points? What is
the difference between a landscape accent and a focal point?
● a visual interest will be, and where people will likely be within your landscape
garden site where there eyes are drawn to them
● Common focal points: Straight lines, circular form, plant forms (tre
●
5. What is the importance of simplicity in a landscape design?
● Simplicity is the concept of reducing or eliminating nonessentials to avoid a
chaotic look. This brings clarity and purpose to the design. Many designers
achieve simplicity by thoughtfully removing features from a design while still
preserving its integrity
6. What is the difference between symmetrical and asymmetrical balance? What is the
difference between a formal and informal landscape?
● Symmetrical balance is achieved when the same objects (mirror images) are
placed on either side of an axis
● Asymmetrical balance is achieved by equal visual weight of nonequivalent forms,
color, or texture on either side of an axis.
○ informal
● Formal, geometric forms include circles, squares, and polygons.
● Informal, naturalistic forms include meandering lines, organic edges, and
fragmented edges.
7. How can a theme be used to provide unity to a landscape design? Why is it important to
match the landscape theme to the style of a home?
● The simplest way to create unity is through the use of a design theme or a design
style. Design themes and styles have a well-defined set of features that have
maintained their popularity over time because they are visually pleasing to many.
8. What are the four artistic elements of landscape design?
9. What are the primary, secondary and tertiary colors used in landscape?
● A simple description of the color wheel includes the three primary colors of red,
blue, and yellow
● the three secondary colors (a mix of two primaries) of green, orange, and violet
● six tertiary colors (a mix of one adjacent primary and secondary color), such as
red-orange.
10. What parts of a plant contribute to texture? What is the difference between a fine
textured and coarse textured plant?
● To make a space feel larger, locate plants so that the fine textures are along the
outer perimeter, the medium textures are in the middle, and the coarse textures
are closest to the viewer.
○ The small size of the fine texture recedes in the landscape and is
perceived as being farther away.
○ The detail of the coarse texture makes the plants appear closer and
makes the space feel smaller.
11. How can color and texture be used in a landscape to make small spaces appear larger
and large space appear more intimate? How can color and texture be used to create an
accent or to create transition?
● The perceived texture of plants can also change with the distance from the plant.
Plants that are coarse close-up can look fine textured from a distance. Bold
colors increase the contrast and make the texture appear coarser, while muted
colors can flatten texture.
● A more obvious gradation is plants that transition from fine to coarse texture, or
from light green to dark green.
12. What is the difference between proportion and scale?
● Relative proportion is the size of an object in relation to other objects. Absolute
proportion is the scale or size of an object.
● An important absolute scale in design is the human scale (size of the human
body) because the size of other objects is considered relative to humans
13. Why is time truly the fourth dimension in landscape design?
Video: Landscape Design Terms Defined
1. Unity
● Definition: The visual assessment that elements in a landscape belong together.
Unity provides coherence to a landscape; it makes it understandable
● “State of singularity”- in math
● Elements (color, line, form, and texture) work together to create a common theme
that evokes singularity of meaning
2. Balance
● Definition: Equality of visual weight of elements in a composition about some
central axis which sometimes serves as a focal point
● Two types of balance
1. Symmetrical
2. Asymmetrical
3. Transition
● Definition: The gradual change in a landscape appearance across space that is
achieved by the manipulation of the basic design elements of color, line, form
and texture
● Transitions in the landscape to create movement of the eye across the landscape
should be gradual
● On the other hand abrupt transition changes in the landscape caused the eye to
come to a resting point or stop
○ Points of accent or interest
4. Proportion
● Definition: the relative dimensions of an element(s) in a landscape to the
landscape composition as a whole which the eye sees
● Ex: saguaro cacti are contextualized, the proportion of them, by the design view-
scape (front yard- residential landscape)
○ Lack of proportion is the case because they are too large for the
landscape setting
○ OUT OF PROPORTION
5. Rhythm
● Definition: The metered repetition of elements throughout a design brings unity to
the composition
● Used as a tool to bring unity
○ Promotes movement of the eye throughout the landscape
6. Focalization
● Definition: Focalization in the landscape is achieved by use of a dominant
landscape feature. It becomes a resting point for the eye
7. Repetition
● Definition: The replication of an element(s) throughout a landscape. This is the
most efficient means of establishing landscape unity
8. Simplicity
● Definition: The visual economy of means. Communication of the maximum
information and meaning with the minimum number of elements in the landscape
● Elements that are not contributing to the element or theme should be eliminated
thus simplifying the lanscape
Video: Developing a Landscape Garden Plan
Introduction
● The organization of outdoor spaces where we live and work through what we call
landscaping is one of the important ways that people use to define and portray their
physical, social, and cultural identities
● Like an artist creating a painting much can be learned about the ways that people value
who they are in relation to the world around them by how they organize the various
elements of their outdoor spaces
● In design theory, we call this creating a sense of place
Landscape designers
● Landscape designers work on a canvas that is distinctly different from other art forms
● Art is always changing
○ Plants in the landscape garden grow and mature
○ Environmental conditions within the site change
○ And as people use the space
Landscape plan
● Landscape planning is a systematic process
○ This process integrates all the physical, biological, and anthropogenic factors of a
landscape site with how the site will be used in order to craft a visually pleasing
functional, and ecologically sustainable design plan using the very best
horticultural practices
● Developing your own landscape garden plan, isn’t as hard as you might think it is
○ You don’t need super fancy tools
● A good landscape plan (is not born), it evolves through the execution of a 3-step process
(which results in a type of drawing)
○ How to create a landscape plan
1. Develop a set of scale drawings
2. Make a bubble diagram drawing
3. Create the final landscape plan
Using software
● Many people find it convenient to use computer software to put together a landscape
garden design
○ They are powerful tools but convenience does not mean that one can truncate or
leapfrog the design process
○ It also doesn’t mean that using a computer program will make your garden
design plan automatically better because the software allows you to virtually
experience your design plan in 3d
● Developing a landscape plan is still a deliberate and organic process even if you end up
using a computer program to create one
● To do it successfully still requires that you intimately engage the landscape garden site
at some point
● In this video the old-fashioned method of pencil and paper will be used as a model for
teaching about the 3 phases of creating landscape garden plan
Phase 1- developing a set of scale drawings
● A scale drawing is a two-dimensional representation of your new landscape garden site
as it exists before your garden is installed
● A good scale drawing will accurately define the spatial dimensions of your garden site
● Accurately shows the (present) location of all existing features that are above and below
ground in your garden site
○ Regardless if you decide to incorporate them into your final landscape garden
● Existing buildings, trees and shrubs, walkways, and all underground utilities and piping
● Scale drawing is called a “plot plan”
● To start your scale drawings it’s very useful to obtain a deed map
○ Property deed maps are available online from your local county records office
● A deed map…
○ Accurately shows measurements and directional orientation of property
○ As well as the location of any existing structures
● Sustainable tip
○ Call 811 or visit Arizona 811 online to schedule a free e-stake assessment of
your landscape site
● Scale drawings are usually done on graph paper
○ Give a measurement to each square. For example, each square can be 4 ft
○ Will need to do the physical dimensions with a tape measure
○ Then scale those dimensions down so they’ll fit in a piece of graph paper
● Tips for developing a scale drawing
○ Document the spatial relationships of your landscape garden site
○ Use a measurements scale that best suits the size of the graph paper that you
are using for your scale drawing
● A common drawing scale
○ 8 feet of distance at your landscape garden site equals 1 inch of your graph
paper
■ Referred to as 8:1
○ At this scale (8:1) you can present a landscape site with dimensions of 60 by 80
feet on a common 8.5 to 11 piece of paper
● What about larger landscape sites?
○ Adjust scale to 10:1 or 12:1
○ Or use a larger sheet of paper
● How to use a tape measure
○ Determine length of all site boundaries in each direction
○ Measure the length and width of any existing structures
○ Measure the location of any trees or shrubs that you will keep in your design plan
○ Really important to establish precisely where these are located in relation to your
landscape garden site or property boundaries
○ Get at least two points of reference for each site element that you are measuring
■ The further you proceed with this project, the easier it gets because you
acquire more and more fixed points to use as points of reference
○ After measuring translate your date to your scale drawing
● Make several copies of your finished scale drawing
○ You’ll be using them in phase 3 to produce the final version of your landscape
garden plan
○ If you mess something up on it you won’t have to start all over again
Phase 2- Making a bubble diagram drawing
● Designing your own landscape may seem difficult but it’s not
● The best way to start the actual design work is by creating a bubble or functional
diagram
● Purpose
○ To help the designer study the relationships of spaces and the movement or
(visual) connections between them
○ Bubble diagrams are used to define spaces within a landscape and their
functional relations
● Helps one conceptually organize the space within a landscape garden site without a lot
detail and drawing investment
● When designing your landscape garden, its vitally important to first arrange your spaces
using a bubble diagram
○ This is very conceptual and deductive process
○ Later on you can more towards adding all the details of your design in phase 3
● How to create a bubble diagram
1. Identify your landscape garden design them
● Remember that a sustainable garden in the desert southwest is one that
will grow well without using an excessive amount of water and can
withstand the high heat of summer
2. Make a list of all planned activities and uses of your landscape garden
● Can include functional uses
○ Ex: patio for entertainment and relation, a vegetable garden,
compost area, etc.
3. Create and arrange the bubbles on your site in ways that makes sense to you
● Don’t be afraid to take your time figuring out what bubble spaces should
be adjacent to one another
○ Ex: compost area and vegetable garden should be close
● Don’t forget to include existing elements
4. Consider how your bubbles of functional use will connect and relate to one
another
● Will they be connected with a physical path? Or will they simply relate to
each other with an imaginary axis
● Represent these functional connections on your bubble diagram with solid
or dashed arrows
● Be sure to anticipate where the accent and focal points a visual interest
will be, and where people will likely be within your landscape garden site
where there eyes are drawn to them
● Create symbols on your bubble diagram for these points of visual
focalization
5. Assign every portion of your landscape garden site a particular use
● DON'T LEAVE BLANK SPACES
○ Otherwise you’ll struggle with its use later one
6. Create your bubble diagram using a free hand, informal graphic style
● Remember these are rough sketches- feel free to go through many
options
● Several bubble diagrams are completed before the best one is selected
● Rarely is your first diagram the best one
● Even once a bubble diagram has been chose it will continue to be refined
a develop
● The sizes and shapes will change and some bubbles may divide into
more than one while others may converge
7. Don’t include individual plants or materials on your bubble diagram
● Keep your bubble diagram conceptual
● Goal at this point is to simply figure out the relationship of functional
spaces within your landscape garden
● You can add all this detail later on in phase 3
● Sustainable tip
○ Use disposable tracing paper to draw your bubble diagram over a copy of your
scale drawing
■ It’ll allow you to brainstorm landscape site and functional areas that have
rhythm and design unity
Phase 3- Create the final landscape plan
● On one of your copies on your scale drawing, transpose the final measurements you
arrived at for your bubble areas in phase 2
● Now its time for fitting actual landscape elements onto your scale drawing
○ Don’t need to name each type of tree or shrub
■ Much more important to adhere to scale
○ Make sure to include the size a plant will reach at maturing. Not it’s baby size
■ This will allow for adequate plant spacing and in doing so you’ll avoid that
classic mistake that rookie landscape designers
● Rookie design mistake
○ Place plants on a design plan too close together
■ A few years down the road plants will be cluttered and will need to be
removed
● Sustainable tip
○ For details and useful information about southwest landscape plants consult Dr.
Martin’s virtual library
● Landscape design experts
○ Use letters or symbols to designate landscape elements
○ Ex: P for pool
● Make sure on the side to draw a table legend that translates the abbreviations that you
choose to use for the elements on landscape garden plan
●Keep a notebook to keep important notes about any special features and nuances of
your landscape garden
○ You can note
■ Shady areas
■ Dry and wet areas
■ Different soil types
■ External views or obstructions
■ Water and power sources
○ All of these will be important factors when it comes time to go out and purchase
the plants for your new landscape garden
● Sustainable tip
○ Always fit the plants to the landscape plan at the end of the design process and
not the other way around
● Once you got everything right, take a blank sheet of paper and place a piece of old
fashioned carbon paper
○ Next place updated scale drawing on top of the carbon paper and trace over
everything on the updated scale
○ Creating of your final plan this way, your simply getting rid of grid lines of the
graph paper
○ Use colored pencils to highlight design elements
○ Choose appropriate colors to highlight elements of your landscape garden plan
○ Color makes a design easier to read and understand
○ Keep your scale drawing for future reference
■ You may want to consult it for precise measurements
Its up to you as the designer to make sure that your landscape plan is clear, accurate and easily
understood by others
Having a well-conceived landscape plan is critically important to installing a sustainable
landscape garden that evokes meaning, creates a sense of place and grows well within the
context of the surrounding environment
