simple solutions a visitor’s fi rst impression. Garden entrances that refl ect a home’s ar- chitectural style create unity. They serve as directional guides and transitional points from one area The 12 to the next, and should be a part of each garden room. Gates, arbors, containers containing masses of colorful fl owers or a water feature Principles are all ways I defi ne an entrance. P. ALLEN SMITH P. FOCAL POINT: Positioning an object to draw the eye and to of Design create a feature of attention. The simple way to designing a garden Focal points give space focus and direction, helping to visually organize an area. It’s amazing to see how a single object can trans- form the entire area. When a single PHOTO COURTESY OF HORTUS, LTD. OF HORTUS, PHOTO COURTESY object dominates a space it has a Photo: The west end of the lower terrace garden at the Garden Home Retreat is anchored with a large 19th-century cast-iron urn fi lled with Proven way of radiating its own energy. Winners® ‘Sweet caroline’ sweet potato vine and colorblaze® Royal Glissade® coleus that creates a stunning focal point in the circular space. The Birdbaths, statues and urns are columnar arborvitae evergreens that fi ll the outer ring of the space contribute to both framing the view and creating a sense of enclosure. items we typically think of as focal points, but I also design the shape, or many of us, design of of the garden. certain styles. To try to “see” the color or materials used to make a any kind is a daunting basic shape and form of a garden, trellis or tuteur so they can also ENCLOSURE: A garden subject; it’s often intimi- imagine looking at it and drawing become punctuation points in my dating because we are room defi ned by borders of various materials. it through a child’s eyes. A house garden. Punctuation points are like afraid to make a mistake, whether would be a rectangle and the trees I think that you should live in understated focal points. fit’s choosing a new wall color for would be “lollipops” around the your garden somewhat as you do the living room, planning an addi- house and people would be stick STRUCTURES: A variety of your home—by creating a series of tion to our home or creating a gar- fi gures with round heads. Now constructed features within the rooms so that the garden becomes den. Whatever the project, if you imagine your garden room in the garden that serve both an extension of your living spaces. functional and aesthetic purposes. are like me you need a particular same manner. While we tend to Enclosures are vital elements in Structures add to the sense of set of tools and certain knowledge look at fl owers, foliage and color, defi ning garden rooms, anchoring enclosure, screen views and pro- to complete the job. To help sim- try to see the basic shape of the a garden to its location and giv- vide a center of visual interest. plify designing a garden, I regular- room and the items that are in it. ing both the house and the garden Structures also represent an an- ly rely on 12 simple steps anyone Are the plants columnar or weep- a sense of permanence and lasting choring element, a fi rm point from can use to make creating a garden ing? Is the space square or round? ‘less daunting.’ beauty. They unify house and gar- which we can begin to absorb the The early spring is a time to den into a cohesive whole, creating FRAMING THE VIEW: Directing richness and diversity of the entire take a closer look at our land- a virtually continuous living area. attention to an object or view. space. In my garden, structure can scapes, gardens and outdoor living They also set the stage for a variety Directing attention can be turn out to be almost anything—an spaces. So these principles are the of moods and experiences, adding achieved by opening a sight line interesting bench, a pergola over “set of tools” I use to create gar- a sense of security and comfort by to the desired subject and screen- a walk, a fi replace in my outdoor dens I design for clients, friends providing familiar structures such ing out surrounding distractions. “living room” or espaliered trees and associates, even when plan- as walls, fl oors, doorways and ceil- Think of it as creating a beautiful along the sides of my sheds. Any- ning out my own garden. They ings, and establish order by creat- “picture.” Be creative when focus- thing goes. are key elements I have garnered ing manageable sized spaces. ing on an object and deciding the COLOR: Orchestrating the color from some of the world's greatest SHAPE AND FORM: The contour border. And don’t forget any view palette in the garden through the landscapes and scaled them to suit and three-dimensional qualities of from inside the home; windows selection and arrangement of plants an individual's site, preferences individual plants or groups of plants and doorways inside the house can and objects. and budget. When woven into the in the garden, as well as the outline also serve as frames for outside A green framework holds the plan of the garden, they are unify- of a garden room itself. views. garden together and serves as a ing components that transform the Basic shapes stage the look of background, allowing other col- space into a place of enchantment garden rooms, and have symbolic ENTRY: A defi ned point of entrance ors to create moods and illusions. and beauty. meanings. Shapes also convey per- into a garden enclosure. I could write volumes about us- These principles divide natural- sonality that creates certain moods, Entrances are symbolic signs of ing color—as an artist it’s one of ly into two categories. The fi rst six while the arrangement of shapes welcome, serving as a prelude to my favorite things. I like to use focus on building the framework in relation to one another defi nes what lies beyond. And this is often one color theme for each garden Visit P. Allen Smith online at www.pallensmith.com. 18 ce!ebrate ARKANSAS FEBRUARY 2011 room, with greens and grays acting objects placed closely together tend wrong with some bare dirt now and they will anticipate that somewhere, as harmonizers between contrasting to quicken the rhythm and the same again, after all it is one of, if not the lurking in the unknown of the gar- colors. My fountain garden, which objects spaced farther apart slow it most important parts of the garden. den is a surprise—so don’t disap- I liken to the foyer or entry hall of down. I am continually drawn to the And in nature’s designs, these areas point them. Use plants or objects my home, is carpeted with neutral way my tended borders look when add to the overall composition of that play on the senses, as sound, colors to make the transition from I have placed an evergreen alternat- the garden. sight, smell or touch stimulate emo- the east side “cool” colors to the ing with the large, fountain shape of tional responses and instill a sense west side “hot” colors. A garden’s an ornamental grass. The ornamen- WHIMSY: Elements of of wonder. lighthearted fancy. color scheme should be in tune with tal grass softens the solid, static ev- the house and other predominant ergreen and keeps the visitor mov- Whimsical touches personalize TIME: Well-designed gardens have features of the landscape, although ing forward around the curve to see the garden, and humor in the garden features that are consistent with the age adds enjoyment to the outdoor expe- or style of the house and surroundings. growing conditions may also influ- what is next. ence color schemes. rience. Themes of whimsy running As you design your garden, try ABUNDANCE: An ample to through a garden can add harmony, to assemble plants and materials TEXTURE, PATTERN & RHYTHM: overflowing quality created by the wit and surprise. I think whimsy is that are appropriate to the age of Using surface characteristics, generous use of plants and materials. really based on and speaks of the the property or architectural style of recognizable motifs and the personality of the gardener. This is cadence created by the spacing of Plants growing in a large drift your house. Plants can go in and out objects as elements of design. of colonies appear more sponta- where you can really make the gar- of fashion as much as our clothes. den your own. Texture, pattern and rhythm add neous and natural and give age to Gardens have certain “spirits of a new garden. Generous use of a the age” that need to be met to feel layers of richness and interest to a MYSTERY: Piquing a sense garden. few workhorse plants will establish of curiosity, excitement and right. Unless materials can comfort- Contrasting surface characteris- abundance without excess and al- occasional apprehension ably wear the presence of time, they tics of plants and materials heighten low for areas to create focal points through the garden's design. remain foreign objects in the land- the visual impact in garden rooms. or add something fun. Planting Mystery in a garden uses the un- scape, not really blending in with Repeating motifs create a feeling flowers for cutting in abundance al- known, the unseen and the imagina- everything around them.