Essentials to Consider in Landscape Design

There are at least four essentials to consider in creating a landscape design: aesthetics, function, balance, and sustainability. All four essentials are harmonized to achieve a landscape design that is cohesive and beautiful.

Aesthetics
Let’s face it. When people have their property landscaped, they assume it will project a sense of beauty in its own unique way. The flowers should be lovely and stunning, the trees majestic or sheltering, the pergolas romantic, and the pond or fountain or statue should be breathtaking. The overall effect is expected to elicit an exclamation of delight.

This is why it is important to thoughtfully and carefully select each flowering plant, each tree, each set of garden furniture or garden décor for your landscape design. They should not be chosen simply on a whim but by careful preparation and consideration. A beautiful landscape design is not created overnight. It takes careful planning.

When people look at a landscape, they should see harmony between all choice elements. For example, does the gazebo lend an aura of romance to the landscape design or does it ruin it by looking contrived or out of place? Most landscapers advise to think of the landscape like a house having many rooms. Each room should smoothly blend or flow into the next.

Function
As much as possible each landscape design element shouldn’t simply “stand there just looking pretty.” The group of plants, set of flowers, rows of shrubs or trees must serve a function. As should the pond, statues, urns and other garden décor. Are the trees for shade or for fencing? Is the fountain somehow connected to an irrigation system? Of course, the bamboo bench under the pergola provides a place to relax.

Balance
Behind all the beauty and functionality is balance. A good landscape design must have balance. This involves not only the obvious ones such as the complementary colors of blooms and greenery or the symmetry of the garden furniture or stone paths. Each one should be positioned in the landscape so as to contribute to the healthy existence of the others.

Sustainability
With all the plants, trees, garden décor, outdoor furniture, pond or fountain that you plan to include in your landscape design, you must consider sustainability. Simply put, will you be able to maintain the whole thing? Will you be able to keep it together as the seasons change?