Amenity Horticulture

Plants and seating make this inner city space a pleasant place for office workers to relax during lunch time.

Plants should be in proportion with each other and their surroundings. Often taller plants are placed at the back of gardens, medium in the middle, and smaller ones at the front. On small sections plant smaller plants and on large sections larger plants. When you plant a tree it’s important to think about its size and shape when fully grown. Proportion is also needed when planting near buildings. A tall tree may be planted by a tall building and look good; the same tree could dwarf a small house.

This means that all aspects of the garden fit in with each other and the space created. For example you may create one of these garden styles where the plants, features and hard landscaping work in harmony together and with the environment:

 

• a lawn surrounded by trees and shrubs
• a Japanese theme with stones, raked gravel and maples
• a cottage garden with rambling roses, flower beds and herbs
• a New Zealand native low maintenance garden with trees, shrubs, ferns, gravel paths and punga fences
• some of the plants in raised beds and pots
• an unbroken sweep of lawn surrounded by shrubs, which can create interest and privacy
• a formal area with regular beds, low hedges and fountains.

Plants often look more effective if they are planted on mass or in blocks. An uninterrupted stretch of lawn looks better than one studded with trees and shrubs. It is also easier to look after.

Interest can be created in a garden to stimulate most of the senses including; what you see, what you touch and what you smell. Landscape designers need to keep in mind how a garden can be interesting all year around.

Visual interest is created by providing a focal point to attract your attention.
This includes features in the landscape that you naturally look at.
You can attract attention in a design by:

• having a specimen plant
• combining plants with different colours and shapes either to blend together or to contrast
• having features such as pools, garden ornaments or sculptures
• framing a view.

The choice of flower and foliage colour can be used to create different moods in a garden. Some plants change colour through the seasons.

A single colour gives a stronger effect. A single colour 'en masse' can make the colour more intense.

Red, yellow and orange are hot colours. These bright colours are stimulating. White flowers and variegated leaves stand out at night. Blue, white, green and grey are cool colours. Pale colours are peaceful.

Leaves and bark bring texture into the garden. For example children like to touch the soft furry grey leaves of lamb’s ears.

The scent from flowers and aromatic (scented) leaves gives a garden design extra interest especially to people who have poor sight. Examples of plants with scented flowers include roses, violets, and lilies. Examples of aromatic foliage include lemon verbena, lavender, sage and thyme.