Landscaping encompasses a broad spectrum of practices and techniques aimed at enhancing the aesthetic appeal, functionality, and ecological sustainability of outdoor spaces. It involves an arrangement of natural elements such as plants, trees, water features, and terrain, as well as constructed elements like pathways, fences, and outdoor structures.
Here, Manoj Malde, an award-winning garden designer writer and public speaker, shares his insight into the basics of landscape design, how landscaping works for different homes and its importance.
What are some key considerations for designing a garden?
The fundamental principles of garden design are composition, proportion, order, repetition, and unity, creating an organised arrangement that is aesthetically pleasing. Nature has a calming influence on our senses which is fundamental to our health and well-being and the garden must be made part of the home. Extend the styling and colours of your interiors into your outdoor space. This will create a harmonious link between the indoor and outdoor spaces. In all cases of garden design, you must consider your soil type. Is it neutral, acidic, or alkaline? Which aspect does your garden face? Where are the sunny and shady spots in the garden? How does the sun travel around the garden during the day? All these questions and more will impact both the design of your garden and the plants you choose for it.
How does landscaping vary for different types of homes, such as urban apartments, suburban houses, and rural properties?
When designing your garden, it is important to think about the style of your home, its location, the space you have and how you want to use it. This will influence not only the overall design but also the choice of materials. An urban apartment that has a contemporary feel will require slick modern lines and materials. In a limited space, think about utilising the vertical space for planting. This frees up the ground space for seating. Suburban houses can vary in style. Suppose the property is of a historical period, in that case, it is worth staying true to its style. For instance, if you have a Victorian house then look at elements of that period such as rope edging and Victorian tiles for pathways. With rural properties, look at the surrounding landscape and local materials. Incorporate these into the design so that your home and garden blend rather than jar with the environment around it.
Can you discuss the importance of incorporating elements like plants, hardscapes, and outdoor amenities into a cohesive landscape design?
When it comes to choices of plants, hardscape materials and other elements of the garden such as furniture, we are spoilt for choice these days. Try and work to a colour palette and do not make this very extensive. Limit your materials to a maximum of three i.e. gravel, clay pavers and timber. Extending your interior flooring outdoors can help create a seamless look. This can be done through material type or colour.
Before designing, consider what activities you would like to use your garden for. This will help to decide where you create your social spaces and what materials you would like to use. When choosing materials, it is important to consider how they fare in the weather outside. For example, timber decking will not last long if it is installed in a damp shady place. Maybe a composite deck is a better consideration in this situation.
When choosing plants, it is important to know your soil type and the aspect of your garden. Some plants perform better in the sun and others need shade. Maybe consider bringing some of the colours of the flowers into the selection of soft furnishings outside.
How does the surrounding environment, climate, and topography influence landscape design decisions?
The surrounding environment can have quite an impact on your garden. City and suburban gardens can be overlooked by neighbours so you may want to try and create privacy by planting trees and hedges or covering it with climbers. On the other hand, if you have a beautiful view, consider making it a part of your garden. Your garden may back into woodland and by planting a few more trees and shrubs you blur the boundaries and suddenly your garden feels bigger.
The topography can also influence your design. If you have a steep slope, think about creating terraces which can be used for different purposes. Doing this not only provides a practical solution but it can help to create a dynamic design and you create a journey through your garden.
The climatic conditions that your garden experiences will dictate what sort of plants you can plant in your borders. If you have a very hot sunny garden, then you do not want to be planting anything that requires damp shade. If you have a windy garden, then you want to choose plants that can cope with these conditions.
What common mistakes do homeowners make when landscaping their properties, and how can they avoid them?
One of the biggest mistakes that I see all the time is homeowners having no garden design plan in place, and then the result is disappointing. Apart from that, homeowners often have no idea of the soil type and then issues arise when plants do not establish and often die. It is really important to understand what type of soil your garden has and plant accordingly.
Another common thing is that homeowners often try to emulate the gardens they see in magazines without understanding the hierarchy of plants. To create that level of impact, plants need to be planted in groups of 3s, 5s and 7s. Only specimen plants should be planted as a singular plant. Plants should also be repeated through the garden to create repetition and rhythm, making the eye travel through the garden. It is important to put structure in your garden through trees, hedges, and shrubs. When the perennials go dormant in winter, these are elements that you will be able to appreciate.
Using the right skill sets is a must. My advice would be to use a landscape contractor who will know how to construct the appropriate foundations and who will know about creating correct haunching.
Manoj’s book ‘Your Outdoor Room’ is due to launch on 21st March 2024 and offers a detailed insight into landscaping and much more. Find more about it at https://geni.us/YourOutdoorRoom and www.manojmaldegardendesign.co.uk.
