Design

Information gathered in the site inventory is used to diagram existing conditions and identify functions of various spaces. To better visualize how things appear, drawings and/or design plans are developed to assure that each space gets specific attention and to determine relationships between spaces. The number of steps, or preliminary drawings, necessary to complete a landscape design is dependent on the size and scale of the project and the amount of detail incorporated at each stage of the process.

Landscape Design Sequence

1. Bubble Diagram

Identify site attributes that affect landscape function. Use simple shapes to represent features or conditions such as a dog kennel, RV parking, turf area, perennial garden, sun exposure, or views. It is important to identify areas with different maintenance requirements.
 

2. Concept Plan

Individual shapes begin to take on a greater level of detail, and relationships between spaces evolve. Large areas such as prairies, parking lots, lawns, and water features should be considered first. Smaller areas and shapes, such as planting beds, decks, and walkways should be integrated in and around the larger areas. The concept plan shown here was created as a CAD graphic by Miquel Camacho Serna, University of Arizona, but hand-drawn plans work just as well.

3. Preliminary Designs

Plant material is assigned to a space by specific characteristics or function. Important and large-sized plants or groups of plants are located first. Trees, mass plantings, and stand-alone gardens are examples. Actual dimensions of patios, sidewalks and other hard surfaces may be represented.

4. Completed Plan

A bird's-eye view of the final design. The completed plan specifies the identity, location, and proper spacing of all plants. It contains all the information necessary to implement and install the landscape. Construction drawings may be necessary for building or installing other elements in the design.

The use of color principles, based on the distinction between warm and cool, is a good guide when designing floral displays. Red, orange and yellow are warm colors that attract attention and seem to advance toward the viewer. Blue and green are cool colors that tend to recede from the viewer. Color combinations can be contrasting (yellow and blue) or complimentary (red and orange).

Rules of Thumb

• Along borders, short-statured plants should ideally be placed in the front and taller-statured plants toward the back. In small areas, borders are best maintained if no wider than 4 to 8 feet.
• Borders and edges that curve are more natural looking than those with rigid, straight lines. The width of a perennial border should be proportionally about one-third the height of the background.
• In stand-alone, island planting beds, place taller plants near the middle and decrease height toward the edge. The most pleasing effect is achieved if the bed is twice as wide as the tallest plant.
• Group plants into zones according to their needs for sun, water, and soil.
• Utilize plants so they are visible and colorful throughout the year.
• Know a plant’s stature and size at maturity.
• Design with your surroundings in mind; consider using plant screens or barriers as necessary for privacy.

USDA Winter Hardiness Zones

If you encounter any problems with the file provided on this page, please contact Technical Resources at 406-587-6822.

This information is also available for downloading as Chapter 3 of the publication, Creating Native Landscapes in the Northern Great Plains and Rocky Mountains. This document requires Adobe Reader.

Design (PDF; 4.5 MB)

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