Landscape DESIGN The goal of landscape design is to connect a house, fence, water feature, commercial building, or any permanent structure to the environment. Landscape plants and other materials should aesthetically enhance the environment, creating a setting that unites and balances the structure with its surroundings. Planning is important. The landscape according to use — public, private, utility, designer should carefully consider the play, borders, foundations, etc. This enables beauty and science of plants to be used as working with smaller sections while well as the following site features. following an overall plan. Evaluate the direction the structure Drainage is critical for plant growth. faces from all sides. Sun exposure is a Few plants grow well in wet or soggy critical plant requirement. Generally, the soil. Water should drain away from north side will be shady, the east will get the structure. Downspouts should be morning sun, the west afternoon sun, and extended and buried under landscape the south will be sunny most of the day. beds to prevent erosion around plants. Sun exposure can vary depending on trees Excess water must go somewhere, so or other structures that may shade an excess free-moving water may need to be otherwise sunny area. Structure orientation diverted away from structures, neighbors, also predicts wind flow. Hot winds blow or landscapes. Before excavating, identify from the southwest and cold winter winds and avoid underground utilities, water and from the northwest. sewer lines, and septic laterals by calling How will the family or those working 1-800-DIGSAFE (1-800-344-7233). in and around the structure use the The designer should sketch a plot landscape? Does the family have young drawing using accurate measurements. It children? Will they entertain frequently should indicate parameters such as the using the outdoor areas? Do they plan foundation of the structure, windows, to have a vegetable garden? Need a place doors, driveways, sidewalks, utility boxes, Kansas State for fireplace wood? Does the yard need marked utility line locations, patios, air University privacy? Understanding the uses will conditioner, playground equipment, pools, Agricultural determine what plants should be used. and existing plant materials to be kept. Experiment Station It is useful to divide the landscape into Plant symbols should be drawn to scale. A and Cooperative functional areas and landscape areas common landscape scale is 1/8 inch is equal Extension Service Landscape DESIGN 1 to 1 foot. See the landscape plan on landscape design should have a point of pages 14-15. interest during each season. Look for Think about how the design will plants with beautiful foliage, bark, berries, function now and in the future. Will a and flowers. There are plants for all seasons pathway be needed for access from one with appealing, unique qualities. area of the yard to another? Pathways Plan for the full-grown size. The should be wide enough for two people most common landscaping mistake is to to walk together or pass each other. The plant too many plants too close together pathway should to be at least 3 to 5 feet in too small an area. When designing wide and sloped at 1 to 2 percent grade so the landscape, the first consideration is water does not stand or puddle if using a the sun requirement of the plant. Size solid surface. Avoid a path that feels closed is equally important. Give plants ample in or restricted. The closer plants are to the room to exhibit unique characteristics. walkway, especially larger plants, the wider Crowding plants may provide immediate the path requirement. gratification, but will overgrow in as few Will the elevation require steps in as three years. For a sustainable landscape, the landscape? A 6-inch rise (the height) pick plants that are within the hardiness is comfortable for most people. The run zone for your area and pick the perfect (depth of the step) plus twice the rise plant for the spot. Always consider should equal 26 inches. If multiple steps ultimate size, sun, and soil requirements; are needed, include a landing every four or geometric shape; bloom, berry, or foliage five steps, making a gradual stairway. The timing; and compatibility with other surface used for stairs and pathways should plants, while keeping in mind the overall complement landscape materials and be site design. structurally sound so nothing wobbles The landscaped area should be when used. contained in beds. Planting a single Include GFC outlets where electricity shrub in the middle of the lawn creates will be needed. Areas may require outdoor a mowing inconvenience, and the plant lighting, water pumps, holiday lights, must compete with grass for survival. or lighted accent pieces. Plan for future Because competition is strong and neither irrigation lines. PVC sleeves for irrigation will thrive, it is best to plant where and electrical lines are simple to install similar plants can be cared for together. during the initial planting and should For example, acid-loving plants that be part of the landscape plan, even if prefer shade can be grouped for similar completed later. Leave access for hydrants requirements and maintenance. and outlets. Mulching landscape beds helps If the landscape is not new prevent weed growth, insulates soil from construction, evaluate existing landscape temperature fluctuation and conserves plants to determine whether they are moisture. Organic mulches — cypress, worth keeping or should be removed. cedar, or pine bark, for example — actually Although established plants can add to the improve the soil. Underlaid fabric is not design, old, diseased, or overgrown plants required with organic mulch, and weeds can dominate a new landscape. can be controlled by hand or by using a Plan for year-round color and preemergence herbicide. interest. In the Great Plains, there are As mulch biodegrades, it becomes four complete seasons. Each area of the organic matter for soil conditioning. Inorganic mulches such as rock or rubber 2 Landscape DESIGN Left: Natural edging for landscape beds. See diagram below for installation of natural edging. need underlayment to prevent the mulch can be rolled into a circle, it will be too from sinking into the soil. Mulch in a weak and have a short life. Secure the landscape bed should be approximately edging every 3 feet to prevent it from 2 to 4 inches deep. heaving as the ground freezes and thaws. Edging the landscape bed defines the Rubber will not withstand mower blades, planting area from the turf and decreases so it must be installed below mowing maintenance. A natural edging is used height. frequently because of ease of installation Other types of edging require more and flexibility. It can be enlarged or installation and will need to be part of the decreased depending on the bed and plant plan. Stone and concrete edging require a requirements. Install a natural edging by digging a 6-inch-deep trench straight down on the turf side. Angle the trench at 45 degrees toward the landscape. The top of the 6 inches trench should be 6 inches wide. Fill the Turf bottom two-thirds with sand and the top Mulch Landscape bed one-third with mulch. See diagram, right. Edging will need to be cleaned out and re-dug every 2 to 3 years to keep a sharp, Soil Sand Soil clean edge. Be sure drain tubing is buried 6 inches below the edging. Steel and rubber edging are frequently used and readily available. If using rubber edging, be sure to buy a heavy grade. If it Drain tubing Landscape DESIGN 3 solid surface, accomplished by excavating, back, increasing depth and dimension. An leveling, and then forming a base with a exception would be a pastel color theme. compacted layer of crushed rock. There are Softer colors such as pink, lavender, soft many decorative edgings available to suit yellow, blue and white are used throughout different styles and to match well with the to create a calming environment, ideal for structure. a serene garden room. Warmer, brighter colors of red, orange, bright yellow, and hot Elements of Design pink cause more excitement for the viewer. Whether decorating a home, arranging All the colors of nature are compatible. flowers, or landscaping a yard, the elements A simple trick to add color to the of design hold true in creating an artistic landscape is to extend the landscape bed design that is pleasing to the viewer. by approximately 3 to 4 feet and border it This series of design elements is written with flowers. The border can be a solid bed with the landscape in mind, but can have or arranged as color spots — small areas of multiple design applications. flowers spotted throughout the landscape that can be changed with the seasons. Color Try to stay away from alternating mirror images. If using only two colors — Color adds excitement to the for example, red and yellow barberry — landscape. While the many shades of green grouping the plants three or more together are beautiful, they can be redundant. Color, tends to look better than alternating red, size, and contrast are used in creating focal yellow, red, yellow. Something with color, points for the landscape and developing a even if it is a temporary seasonal plant, theme. will add the pizzazz needed to brighten Color can be added by using plants the landscape and make the most of its with colored foliage, flowers, or berries. counterparts. Accent pieces will bring out color in other One last note on color: Do not try ways that compliment the use of plants. to put color in the landscape by leaving Variegated foliage can be used to break tags on plants. It is like wearing the price up colors and add variety to basic green.