Landscaping Tips Newsletter #309
Simplicity - Gravel Paths - Bareroots

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Landscape Design and Gardening Newsletter
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Issue#309
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Written by Steve Boulden
Owner of S&S Designed Landscaping,LLC
*****************************************

Welcome to another great issue of your landscape design and gardening newsletter.

I believe we're back on track now. I sincerely apologize for the wait and appreciate your patience.

This will be the last issue for the year. I'll be trying to finish a lot of other projects before the end of the season. Again, thanks for your patience and understanding.

Also, I wish for you a warm, spirit filled Holiday season.
=========================================

If you're new to this newsletter, you'll notice that I don't follow any specific format or outline. Trying to be specific for do it yourselfers around the world, different climates, and different growing conditions is nearly impossible.

I bounce around a lot depending on questions I get both online and off and I honestly wish I could answer them all.

I do hope you enjoy and get something useful out of this one.

Steve Boulden - Owner and Editor

*****************************************
IN THIS ISSUE
*****************************************

*****************************************
LANDSCAPE TIP - Simplicity In Design
=========================================

Simplicity, believe it or not, is one of the basic principles of landscaping and garden design. However, simplicity doesn't mean you have to be totally simplistic.

In the last issue we looked at and did a walk through of how I come up with a specific design idea (shape) out of the necessities that a design calls for. This was in response to a question from one of our readers.

You can see that issue at:

Landscaping Newsletter 09-26-03

Now we can look at how to fill up your idea or shape.

For beginners and do it yourselfers, trying to place too many objects, plant varieties, and elements can lead to confusion and a distorted perception of the outcome or finished landscaping plans. Keeping the design simple in the beginning will help keep things clear and in perspective. You can always add more later.

The best example I can think of is in garden plant selection and color combinations. Plant selection is usually a biggie obstacle in landscaping ideas for most people. You can get more impact from a simple selection of a few varieties and color combinations than you will from a large mix match of different plants.

Pick two or three shades or hues and repeat them throughout the landscape or garden. Repetition is also a principle of landscape design.

Here's a neat design "trick" to try:

If you want make a bold statement and create a lot of impact try building a few beds or borders using several different shades of the same color. Do this using several different species and you'll also create a contrast of texture. Contrast and variation of texture are also principles of design.

Keep your design simple but not simplistic. You can use boulders, gravels, mulches, and such. Just don't use ten different colors of boulders and three different colors of gravel.

Every good garden design displays simplicity.

Also see:

Principles Of Landscaping

Garden Planting ideas
or:
Encyclopedia Of Plants

=========================================
Read more of issue 309
Part 2 Landscaping Tips 309

View back issues at:
Landscaping Article Archives