Personality of a garden

1 Color - Orchestrating the color palette in the garden through the selection and arrangement of plants and objects.

• • A green framework holds the garden together and serves as a background for other colours.

  • Colours create moods and illusions.

  • The intensity of light affects colour.

  • Use no more than one coluor theme for each garden room. Greens and grays act as harmonizers between contrasting colours.

  • A garden's coluor scheme should match the house and other predominant features.

  • Growing conditions of gardens may influence colour schemes.

  • Broad sweeps of coluor are more effective than dabs and patches.

2 Texture, Pattern and Rhythm - Using surface characteristics, recognizable motifs, and the cadence created by the spacing of objects as elements of design.

• • Texture, pattern, and rhythm add layers of richness and interest to a garden.

  • Contrasting surface characteristics of plants and materials heighten the visual impact in garden rooms.

  • Repeating motifs create a feeling of continuum within a garden room and give harmony to the design.

  • The cadence created when three or more objects are equally spaced in an obvious pattern implies rhythm, order and dependability.

  • Repeated objects placed closely together tend to quicken the rhythm and the same objects spaced farther apart slow it down.

3 Abundance - An ample to overflowing quality created by the generous use of plants and materials.

• • Plants growing in a large drift or colonies appear more spontaneous and natural.

  • To gain its full effect, abundance has to be contained to the point where it is not a distraction.

  • A few "workhorse plants" used generously establish abundance without excess.

  • Generous plantings allow selective cuttings without diminishing the overall visual impact.

  • Staggered bloom times extend the impact of the display while maximizing the use of the bed space.

  • Ample plantings provide enough to share.

4 Whimsy - Elements of lighthearted fancy.

• • Whimsical touches personalize the garden.

  • Humour in the garden adds enjoyment to the outdoor experience.

  • Themes of whimsy running through a garden can add harmony, wit and surprise.

  • Serendipity can also serve as a form of whimsy.

5 Mystery - Piquing a sense of curiosity, excitement and occasionally apprehension through the garden's design.

• • Mystery in a garden uses the unknown, the unseen and the imagination as elements of design.

  • Mystery heightens the imagination of visitors, setting up the anticipation of surprise.

  • Intriguing paths invite exploration.

  • Various devices in a garden room that play on the senses-sound, sight, smells or touch-stimulate emotional responses.

6 Time - Various garden styles representing certain ages of design.

• • Garden styles reflect eras of design.

  • Well-designed gardens have features that are consistent with the age of the house and surroundings.

  • Manufactured reproductions of original materials often fail to blend in with the natural ageing of the garden. The choice of materials is as important as the appropriateness of the object.