| For centuries, one of the most popular things to | | | | attract attention, while cooler colors are likely to |
| do around one's home was to create a garden. | | | | have a relaxing effect (perfect for a mediation |
| Gardens were filled with flowers, plants, or food, | | | | garden!). |
| and they provided enjoyment and sustenance for | | | | Another classic element of architecture that |
| the homeowner. | | | | gardening requires is attention to the line. The line |
| The tradition of gardening continues to this day as | | | | of a design relates to the way a viewers eye |
| gardens of all types and shapes can be found | | | | follows the groupings of plants and border areas. |
| around nearly every home. Some gardens are | | | | Smooth flowing lines or abrupt straight lines can |
| small and might even fit on a windowsill. Others | | | | impart a different feel and elicit a different |
| are much larger and can occupy a significant | | | | response from those who are viewing the garden. |
| portion of the property. | | | | Texture and form are closely related to the |
| Some gardens are obviously more than a | | | | concept of the line. |
| haphazard collection of plants and flowers, they | | | | Form relates to the prevalent shapes in your |
| are planned, organized, beautiful, and often | | | | garden, such as triangular conifers or rounded |
| thematic; and those gardens are the product of | | | | bushes, and texture is predicated by the way |
| landscape gardening. | | | | various plants work together to create a look, |
| Landscape gardening has origins that go back | | | | whether that look is soft, course, or something in |
| centuries and to different continents. English | | | | between. |
| gardens of the 18th century had many elements | | | | Once you have established your selection of |
| that are associated with modern landscape | | | | plants and flowers, and your textures and forms, |
| gardening. | | | | you can compliment those items with a hardscape |
| English gardens (or landscape gardens as they | | | | that is fitting with your tastes. |
| were known in England) often revolved around a | | | | Fences, walls, stonework, fountains, statues, and |
| pond, and would have small bridges and pavilions | | | | gazebos, they are all hardscape items that are |
| that were used as vantage points. | | | | integral to landscape and they will help provide |
| In the Far East, Japanese and Chinese gardens | | | | your theme and focal points. Install those items |
| were prevalent, and remain popular to this day. | | | | first and then fill around them to create a |
| Eastern gardens typically had stone features, and | | | | wonderful garden. |
| like English gardens they often feature water, | | | | Landscape gardening remains popular not only |
| bridges, and a pavilion. | | | | because of its beauty but its function as well. Not |
| However, landscape gardening is not limited to | | | | only can a garden provide solitude and harmony |
| those styles, and the evolution of the craft has | | | | to your home, it can help augment the best parts |
| taken many turns through the decades. Modern | | | | of your property such as a great view or |
| gardens may incorporate the features of their | | | | wandering creek. |
| ancestors, but they can have a personality of | | | | A landscape garden can also be used to block out |
| their own as well. | | | | undesirable views, or to cover parts of your |
| Landscape gardening not only embraces elements | | | | property that are not as appealing. Ultimately the |
| of gardens past, but also demonstrates many | | | | direction you go with landscape gardening is |
| aspects of architecture as well. Attention to color, | | | | entirely up to you. |
| line, scale, and texture all must come together to | | | | By adhering to the classic lements of landscape |
| create an aesthetically pleasing garden. | | | | architecture, and finding a theme and texture that |
| Good color schemes typically match similar colors | | | | compliments your home, your foray into |
| to other similar colors, such as warm reds to | | | | landscape gardening is sure to provide you with |
| warm yellows, and cool blues to cool greens. | | | | enjoyment, relaxation, and added value to your |
| Warm colors tend to excite the senses and | | | | home. |