Bones of a garden

1 Enclosure - A garden room defined by borders of various materials.

• Enclosures are vital elements in defining gardens as rooms× Enclosures anchor a garden to its location, giving both the house and the garden a sense of permanence and lasting beauty.
• Enclosures unify house and garden into a cohesive whole, creating a virtually continuous living area.
• Enclosures set the stage for a variety of moods and experiences.
• Enclosures add a sense of security and comfort by providing familiar structures: walls, floors, doorways and ceilings.
• Enclosures establish order by creating manageable sized spaces.

2 Shape and Form - The contour and three-dimensional qualities of individual plants or groups of plants in the garden, as well as the outline of a garden room itself.

• Basic shapes stage the look of garden rooms.
• Shapes have symbolic meanings.
• Shapes convey "personality" that creates certain moods.
• The arrangement of shapes in relation to one another defines certain styles.

3 Framing the View - Directing attention to an object or view by screening out surrounding distractions while creating a visually balanced and organized composition.

• The goal of framing a view is to draw attention to an object or scene.
• Framing the view can achieved by opening a sight line to the desired subject and screening out surrounding distractions.
• Views inside or outside the garden room may be framed.
• Windows and doorways inside the house serve as frames for outside views.

4 Entry - A defined point of entrance into a garden enclosure.

• A garden entrance is the first impression of a garden home.
• Entrances serve as preludes to what lies beyond.
• Entrances are symbolic signs of welcome.
• Garden entrances that reflect a home's architectural style create unity.
• Entrances serve as directional guides and transitional points from one area to the next.
• Certain key elements serve as components of an entrance.
• Entries should be a part of each garden room.

5 Focal Point - Positioning an object to draw the eye and to create a feature of attention.

• Focal points give space a focus and direction.
• Focal points visually organize an area.
• Enhanced perspective adds to the power focal points.
• Punctuation is another form of focal points.

6 Structures - A variety of constructed features within the garden.

• Structures serve both functional and aesthetic purposes.
• Structures add to the sense of enclosure, screen views, and provide a centre of visual interest.
• Structures represent an anchoring element, a firm point from which we can begin to absorb the richness and diversity of the entire space.
• Structures articulate the transition between the house and garden.