Design principles for a planting plan
Texture
The texture of flowers, leaves and trunks, and the overall appearance of a plant from a distance produce different moods and effects. Many Australian native plants have young juvenile leaves that can be large and broad and, as the mature leaves develop, these appear fine and delicate - completely different.
Soft, ferny or smooth weeping plants create softness and tranquillity, giving depth to a garden. The large, broad, glossy or deeply cut leaves of the fruit salad plant (Monstera deliciosa), cabbage tree (Cordyline australis) and dracena (Dracena spp.) contribute a dramatic feeling and add a special exotic touch. Large leaved, bright green plants appear closer and create more appealing shade for summer than fine, pale grey-green leaves. Large, jagged or deeply cut leaves also create interesting silhouettes and shadows on a sunny day.
In a small garden or a garden near a shopping centre or meeting place, where many people gather in a small space, the texture of leaves and flowers is even more important as they are seen nearby and can be felt. Here’s a chance to use smooth, hairy, felt-like or spiky plants of unusual shape and feel. Two favourites are mullein (Verbascum thapsus) with felt-like leaves and the silky lamb’s ears (Stachys lanata). Place these features at eye level for the best effect.
Texture is a very important factor with drought hardy plants. Many of them have special adaptations on their leaves and stems to cope with hot, dry conditions - shiny or glaucous waxy coatings protect leaves from harsh conditions - often hairy or felty, white or grey coverings are often adaptations to overcome hot, dry conditions.
Soft, ferny or smooth weeping plants create softness and tranquillity, giving depth to a garden. The large, broad, glossy or deeply cut leaves of the fruit salad plant (Monstera deliciosa), cabbage tree (Cordyline australis) and dracena (Dracena spp.) contribute a dramatic feeling and add a special exotic touch. Large leaved, bright green plants appear closer and create more appealing shade for summer than fine, pale grey-green leaves. Large, jagged or deeply cut leaves also create interesting silhouettes and shadows on a sunny day.
In a small garden or a garden near a shopping centre or meeting place, where many people gather in a small space, the texture of leaves and flowers is even more important as they are seen nearby and can be felt. Here’s a chance to use smooth, hairy, felt-like or spiky plants of unusual shape and feel. Two favourites are mullein (Verbascum thapsus) with felt-like leaves and the silky lamb’s ears (Stachys lanata). Place these features at eye level for the best effect.
Texture is a very important factor with drought hardy plants. Many of them have special adaptations on their leaves and stems to cope with hot, dry conditions - shiny or glaucous waxy coatings protect leaves from harsh conditions - often hairy or felty, white or grey coverings are often adaptations to overcome hot, dry conditions.
Harmony and balance
The success of a landscape depends on harmony. Gardens that are appealing are usually well balanced, formed either symmetrically by repeating two features such as a pencil pine or tub plant on either side of steps, or asymmetrically. The latter effect is usually obtained by a combination of a tall or large feature on one side of an area and bulky, dense, smaller plants balancing it.
The textures and colours of plants need to be considered as well as their size and shape. A gradual change from one shape or colour to the next is usually the most successful. Balance should exist from side to side on a block and from the foreground to the background of the garden.
The scale of the plants in proportion to the size of the area, its use and its architecture are also extremely important. Plants which relate to the size of the building look best. They should not be so large that they dwarf it or so small that they look insignificant.
The textures and colours of plants need to be considered as well as their size and shape. A gradual change from one shape or colour to the next is usually the most successful. Balance should exist from side to side on a block and from the foreground to the background of the garden.
The scale of the plants in proportion to the size of the area, its use and its architecture are also extremely important. Plants which relate to the size of the building look best. They should not be so large that they dwarf it or so small that they look insignificant.