This document discusses principles of garden design. It describes how unity can be achieved through balance, rhythm, proportion, scale, color, texture and form. Formal gardens use symmetry and strong shapes, while informal gardens are asymmetrical with loose planting. Different garden types are also described, including knot gardens, landscape gardens and cottage gardens. The goal is to design a garden that "works" and follows accepted design conventions to create a pleasing space.

1. RHS Level 2 Certificate
Year 1 Week 27 –
Garden Planning.
Principles of Design

2. Learning objectives
1.1 Describe the relevance of garden planning
principles to the production of a garden design that
‘works’, - one that follows accepted ‘rules’ or
‘conventions’, and which is pleasing to the eye
1.2 State the meaning of the following terms:
symmetry; asymmetry; colour; focal points
1.3 Describe how to achieve unity in the overall layout
through rhythm, balance, proportion, scale, colour,
texture and form.
1.3 Describe the difference between formality and
informality in garden design.
1.4 Describe the main characteristics of a knot garden,
a landscape garden and a cottage garden

3. Principles of garden design
 The main aim is to achieve unity (harmony) in the
design.
 The garden should look like it ‘belongs’ with the
house and the wider environment.
 It should be an enjoyable space to be in – whether
designed for excitement or calm contemplation.
 It should look as though each element was ‘meant’
to be where it is.
 The simpler the design the more effective it is likely
to be.

4. Is your garden well balanced?
 Balance can be achieved
through symmetry – repeating
the same feature on either
side of a dividing line. This is
used in formal gardens
 Or through balancing volumes
or shapes on opposing sides
of the garden (but with less
attention to the strict centre
line of a space). This is used
in informal gardens

5. Scale and proportion
 It is important to keep the features in the
garden to a human scale and in proportion to
each other. Paths need to be wide enough
and spaces large enough for people to move
about freely.
 For example very tall planting in a small
garden could make the space feel very
claustrophobic.
 A tall tree with only short planting in the rest
of the garden may look out of place.

6. Has your design got rhythm?
 Rhythm refers to the effect of repeating
design features or effects regularly to give
the whole a unified feel.
 Use of long lines punctuated with uprights or
green colours punctuated with bright colours
can give rhythm to a design.
 Formal gardens may use the same feature
repeated to give rhythm; informal gardens
perhaps the same shape but in a different
material or colour.

7. An example of rhythm in a formal
design

8. Colour in design
 ‘Hot’ colours advance – they seem closer
than they are
 ‘Cool’ colours recede – they seem further
away.
 Harmonious colours create a peaceful, calm
feeling.
 Contrasting colours create more excitement.

9. The colour wheel
 Complementary
or contrasting
colours are
opposite each
other on the
wheel
 Harmonious
colours are next
to each other

10. Texture in garden design
 Textures refer to the feel of a surface and
how it looks. So a shiny leaf and a matt leaf
may feel the same but have contrasting
visual ‘textures’.
 Texture can come from hard landscaping
materials, planting, water (still or flowing),
buildings etc.
 Keeping the number of different textures in
the garden limited keeps the design simple
and promotes unity

11. Foliage texture
 Almost an object
lesson in how not
to plan planting
(can you see
why?), this picture
does show how
plant leaves have
very different
textures.

12. Shape and line
 Strong shapes work best – circles,
rectangles, squares or triangles. Organise
the design around linked strong shapes
(even if they will not be obvious once the
garden is completed).
 Avoid wiggly edges – large curves are
sections of a circle or an ellipse.
 Flowing lines give a sense of movement;
angles in lines make the eye pause.

13. Formal and informal gardens
Formal Garden Informal garden
Follows a strict symmetry Not necessarily symmetrical at
all – though balance is still
important
Strong shapes in planting and
formal features – topiary and
monumental sculpture
Planting is loose and features
are quirky or casual.
Often public or semi-public
spaces
Private and personal spaces.
Structure of design is clear and
apparent e.g. knot gardens.
It may not, at first glance, look
deliberately ‘designed’ at all.

14. Formal and informal garden features
Formal garden features Informal garden features
Representational statutes;
dressed stone walls, clean
lines
Abstract statutes or use of
feature stones etc, rustic
fences or arches
Box (Buxus sempervirens)
or other clipped hedges
Wild or native hedging
(Cratageus monogyna)
Straight stone lined water
features, formal fountains
Wildlife ponds or streams

15. Knot Garden

16. Landscape Garden

17. Cottage Garden
 The loose planting
and lack of
obvious symmetry
give this garden a
pleasing relaxed
feel.
 The white fence
and the white
flowers help to
unite the design.

18. Learning outcomes
1.1 Describe the relevance of garden planning principles to
the production of a garden design that ‘works’, - one that
follows accepted ‘rules’ or ‘conventions’, and which is
pleasing to the eye
1.2 State the meaning of the following terms: symmetry;
asymmetry; colour; focal points
1.3 Describe how to achieve unity in the overall layout
through rhythm, balance, proportion, scale, colour, texture
and form.
1.3 Describe the difference between formality and
informality in garden design.
1.4 Describe the main characteristics of a knot garden, a
landscape garden and a cottage garden