8 Strategies for a Smart Landscape Design

8 Strategies for a Smart Landscape Design Plan for Equipment Access "It's important to anticipate future access, whether it be mowers or stump grinders, or future building projects such as a porch or patio." At some point in the life of your home, you will be faced with a project or repair that requires some loud, monstrous machine to get into your backyard. Plan for it in advance, or be faced with having to tear out some of your precious plantings. Start With (and Maintain) the Focal Points Stated simply, a focal point is something that "makes you look," says Dr. Pat Lindsey, a landscape design professor at North Carolina State University. At its best, however, "it directs you visually and makes you feel surprised, moved or engaged, moving you through the garden experience." The trick is to make them stand out, yet not stick out. It should be somehow connected to the rest of the landscape, either through a repeated shape or color, or a connection to the overall style of the landscape. Scale is also important. If your landscape is several acres with broad vistas, then perhaps an ancient oak would play the role quite well. In a small urban lot, an ornate garden bench or small statue might be the perfect size. Leave Formal Landscapes to the Rich and Famous A formal landscape is one of the most challenging to create, and the upkeep can be arduous. "Symmetry is very difficult to maintain," notes Dean. If, for example, you have two identical evergreens at the corners of the house and one dies, it could be very difficult to find a matching replacement. "Sometimes," she continues, "the only choice is to replace both, which adds to the expense." One of the most common dilemmas is the hedgerow or foundation planting where one or two shrubs have succumbed to a plague. Be wary of putting all your eggs in one basket. Keep Curves in Check Incorporating curves will add interest to your garden, but don't overdo it. A collection of amoeba-shaped beds would be overkill, as would a curvy path that takes you far out of the way of your destination. Long, subtle curves are often best. Add Movement A landscape without movement is like a painting. Paintings are fine for hanging on a wall, but a garden needs movement to add life and interest. No garden is complete without some ornamental grasses to sway in the breeze. Add flowers to attract hummingbirds and butterflies, and several berry producers for the birds. Accent Your House Unless your house is an architectural masterpiece, it could benefit from some thoughtful plantings to soften the edges and help it blend with the surroundings. But take care not to end up at the other extreme, a house that is hidden by overgrown shrubbery. Even the smallest starter home usually has some interesting architectural feature. The best design will highlight that feature. Take Nothing for Granted When you live in a place for a while, you tend to accept existing features as obstacles, sometimes without completely noticing them. Rather than designing around the overgrown shrubbery, established trees, or worn-out deck, consider removing them. You may discover new possibilities, such as a sunny spot for a vegetable garden or rose bed. Right Plant, Right Spot On the outside chance that someone reading this has not heard the old adage "right plant, right spot," I urge you to adopt it as your personal gardening mantra. The phrase should be repeated constantly during each visit to the nursery. In addition to knowing the full-grown size, Liz Dean cautions us to consider growth rate as well. Since they get large more quickly, fast-growing plants may seem like a bargain. In the end, however, time and money spent on pruning and other maintenance may outweigh the initial savings. Dean also observes that "proper spacing allows air circulation to prevent fungal and insect problems." But won't the finished landscape look sparse? Easy, she counters, simply "fill in with annuals." Finally, keep in mind that you needn't have a five-figure budget to achieve an exceptional landscape..