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3.023.02
The Elements of PlantingThe Elements of Planting
DesignDesign
The Visual CharacteristicsThe Visual Characteristics
ofof
PlantsPlants

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AccentAccent
An accent is a visual break in a sequence or pattern of plant materials.An accent is a visual break in a sequence or pattern of plant materials.
For accents to be effective, they must be eye-catching.For accents to be effective, they must be eye-catching.

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Whenever possible, accents should be visuallyWhenever possible, accents should be visually
framed.framed.
This can be accomplished by placing the feature ofThis can be accomplished by placing the feature of
emphasis in a proper position to be viewed throughemphasis in a proper position to be viewed through
a visual “window” or natural opening.a visual “window” or natural opening.
Accents in a composition may also be created withAccents in a composition may also be created with
texture.texture.
If the dominant plant pattern tends to have a fineIf the dominant plant pattern tends to have a fine
texture, another plant with a medium or coarsetexture, another plant with a medium or coarse
texture will stand out as an accent feature.texture will stand out as an accent feature.

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A change in form will create accent if one plant formA change in form will create accent if one plant form
is used predominantly throughout the design butis used predominantly throughout the design but
relieved by the introduction of a contrasting form.relieved by the introduction of a contrasting form.

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A contrast in the spacing of plants within aA contrast in the spacing of plants within a
composition will also serve as a point of accent.composition will also serve as a point of accent.

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The most vivid impact upon our senses isThe most vivid impact upon our senses is
made by an accent of color.made by an accent of color.
Line can capture the eye and demand itsLine can capture the eye and demand its
attention.attention.
Accent may be accomplished by groupingAccent may be accomplished by grouping
objects within a design composition.objects within a design composition.

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ScaleScale
Scale, or proportion, concerns the relationshipScale, or proportion, concerns the relationship
of a plant to other plants and to the plantedof a plant to other plants and to the planted
space as a whole.space as a whole.
First, scale is relative to the perceptionFirst, scale is relative to the perception
of the viewer.of the viewer.
Second, because scale is relative toSecond, because scale is relative to
perception, it can be manipulatedperception, it can be manipulated
psychologically within the space.psychologically within the space.

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The following methods may be used toThe following methods may be used to
alter scale within the planted space:alter scale within the planted space:
The size of the total space will offer certainThe size of the total space will offer certain
limitations or advantages.limitations or advantages.
A designer can cause certain planes to appear eitherA designer can cause certain planes to appear either
close or far through the selection of textures.close or far through the selection of textures.
Darker colors seems to recede and to be moreDarker colors seems to recede and to be more
distant, while lighter colors appear to be near.distant, while lighter colors appear to be near.

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SequenceSequence
Sequence is characterized by continuity andSequence is characterized by continuity and
connection from one element to another.connection from one element to another.

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The proper sequence of color or texture will allow aThe proper sequence of color or texture will allow a
viewer’s eye to move along or within the space in anviewer’s eye to move along or within the space in an
orderly fashion and heighten the visual experience.orderly fashion and heighten the visual experience.
A fine-textured tree, shrub, or groundcover should blend intoA fine-textured tree, shrub, or groundcover should blend into
a medium-textured plant, which in turn should blend into aa medium-textured plant, which in turn should blend into a
coarse-textured - - or the reverse.coarse-textured - - or the reverse.
Color supports design harmony when there is a blending ofColor supports design harmony when there is a blending of
colors from dark to medium to light, or light to medium tocolors from dark to medium to light, or light to medium to
dark.dark.
Spacing, which is relative to a plant’s ultimate growingSpacing, which is relative to a plant’s ultimate growing
capacity, should also have transitional order.capacity, should also have transitional order.

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BalanceBalance
Balance is the state of equipoise between planting design elements.Balance is the state of equipoise between planting design elements. InIn
planting design, we consider two basic types of balance: formal orplanting design, we consider two basic types of balance: formal or
symmetrical, which is the repletion of features on each side of the centralsymmetrical, which is the repletion of features on each side of the central
axis.axis.