Landscape and Garden Design Tip #3

Where do you enter the garden? Give your main entrance top priority. Where will you spend most of your time? Is there a large picture window that looks into the garden? Do you enjoy a morning cup of coffee on the balcony overlooking the garden? After deciding how the space will be used, it’s time to walk around and survey the views.

You may want to construct an arbor with trumpet vine planted close enough to climb the sides and eventually provide a cool, natural canopy. You may opt for an umbrella in a bright yellow fabric to add drama to your favorite corner. If you spend most of your time in this location you may want to address the view from this vantage point. Maybe you’d like to see a tall fountain in the opposite corner, the sound would be a bonus. A well-planned design will incorporate pleasant views from all angles while traveling the garden. You might ask “how do we create focal points?” In theory, anything that captures your attention is a focal point. For example, a rich red Japanese maple tree hovering over a mound of pale green pachysandra could be a focal point. Contrast is the key here. Height, shape, color, size, depth, texture, light, shadow or any combination could create a focal point.

As the garden evolves, you can optimize all of the areas. Maybe your focal point is a reading corner with an old wooden bench. Is there too much sun to read comfortably in the afternoon?