Garden design is not an exact science and the principles used may be called by various names. The 3 categories below contain the basic elements that, when combined together, constitute the generally accepted version of good garden design. Keep in mind that garden design is personal and rules are meant to be broken

1. PRINCIPLES OF GARDEN
MAKING

2.  Garden design is not an exact science and the
principles used may be called by various names.
 The 3 categories below contain the basic
elements that, when combined together,
constitute the generally accepted version of good
garden design.
 Keep in mind that garden design is personal and
rules are meant to be broken.

3.  Order/Balance/Proportion
 The basic structure of the garden. Order can be
obtained through symmetry, as in a formal
garden, through repetition of plants or colors or
through balancing bold or bright features with a
comparable weight of fine or muted features
(generally in a 1/3 to 2/3 ratio).

4.  Harmony or Unity
 When the parts of the garden work together as a
whole. This can be accomplished by using a
limited color palette, repetition of plants, colors or
structures and a clear focal point. Themes
gardens have built in unity, like: all white gardens,
butterfly gardens and cottage gardens.
 Flow, Transition or Rhythm
 Keeping the eye moving and directing it where
you want it to look Gradual changes in height and
color prevent the eye from making a sudden stop.

5.  Entry – A defined point of entrance into a garden
enclosure.
 A garden entrance is the first impression of a garden
home.
 Entrances serve as preludes to what lies beyond.
 Entrances are symbolic signs of welcome.
 Garden entrances that reflect a home’s architectural
style create unity.
 Entrances serve as directional guides and transitional
points from one area to the next.
 Certain key elements serve as components of an
entrance.
 Entries should be a part of each garden room.

6.  Focal Point – Positioning an object to draw
the eye and to create a feature of attention.
 Focal points give space a focus and direction.
 Focal points visually organize an area.
 Enhanced perspective adds to the power focal
points.
 Punctuation is another form of focal points.

7.  Line is impressed upon all of us from earliest
childhood --remember defining objects with
connect-the-dots drawings, or the burden of
having to carefully color inside the lines?
 Later one had to learn to write letters on a
straight line as well as discovering just what the
horizon line meant.
 In garden design, the form of a line creates a
sense of direction as well as a sense of
movement. The eye automatically follows a
garden line, whether it be the edge of a walkway,
the curve of a flower bed, or the outline of plant
materials.

8.  The character of a line yields specific responses.
Gentle, slow curves and horizontal lines tend to
be experienced as restful while jagged diagonals
or vertical lines create more excitement and
tension.

9.  Form, the shape defined by line, is probably the most
enduring element in garden design.
 It is what is seen when first looking at a garden from
a distance.
 Every plant has a distinct growth-habit, a unique
mass and volume which develops and changes as
the plant matures.
 These shapes, whether pyramidal, weeping,
columnar, spreading, or round, divide and define the
spaces in the garden. Some forms are more dramatic
than others and so attract attention.
 The siting of a specific plant may block a view, or
open a sight-line, or alter the view depending on the
maturity and growth-habit of the plant--open or
compact, herbaceous, evergreen or deciduous

10.  These plant qualities often change with the
seasons and restructure the lines of the garden.
The form of the plants selected and their
placement are critical to creating comfortable,
dynamic spaces and pleasing silhouettes.

11.  Texture in the garden creates sensual and visual excitement. It
is generally read as the mass and void of foliage, bark, or
flowers and changes with the light during the day and with the
seasons. Up close, the size and shape of the leaves and twigs
become the predominant textural elements of a plant.
 From a distance, it is the quality of light and shadow on the
entire form, the patterns of light and dark, that translates as
texture.
 Rough, coarse textures tend to create an informal mood and
are visually dominant, while fine, smooth textures are
associated with formal, elegant, subdued moods and are
visually more passive.
 Fine-textured plants are visually translated as being farther
away, so fine textures can be a tool for providing a sense of
perspective in a small garden and making the space appear
larger.
 On the other hand, the predominance of coarse-textured
plants make a garden space appear smaller.

12.  Strong textural contrasts add drama and interest
to a garden. Bark and foliage are two ways of
adding textural interest to any space. Foliage and
Spring flowers, with both textural and color
interest, are shown in a May garden.........

13.  Scent in a garden is often neglected. Introducing a
variety of fragrances will bring an extra dimension to
the garden by expanding sensory awareness.
 If the garden is exposed fragrant plants may need to
be located in a sheltered location.
 The scent of delicately fragrant plants is also more
appreciated if they are located near a path or at the
edge of a patio or entry area.
 Specific fragrances, like colors, evoke emotional
responses and can help create a certain mood or
sense of time in the garden.

14.  Specific fragrances, like colors, evoke emotional
responses and can help create a certain mood or
sense of time in the garden.

15.  Color is often a confusing and puzzling design
element for many gardeners.
 On the other hand it seems to be the one and only
element some gardeners consider when planning a
garden.
 Although color is a key element in the design of a
garden, many give it too great an importance and fret
continually about the often complex rules which some
designers have propounded.
 One of the following three widely employed formulas
for planning color in the garden are best used:

16.  1. Design in a green monotone with only an
occasional splash of another color, as exemplified
in traditional Japanese gardens.
 2.Translate from nature, using harmonies of
colors, or kaleidoscopic patterns as might be
found in a wildflower meadow.

17.  3. Use the artist's color wheel and paint pictures
in the palette-gardening approach made famous
by Gertrude Jekyll.
 The gardener's final choice of a formula is
dictated by location, the size of the garden, and
the kind of garden wanted.

18.  To create a garden space satisfying to the senses
and imparting a feeling of unity with the
environment, gardeners must also consider six
basic principles of design: repetition, variety,
balance, emphasis, sequence, and scale.
 Repetition is the continuing thread in a garden
and is generally defined as duplication. When any
design element is repeated the mind is better
able to understand the composition as a whole
and so a sense of order is introduced..

19.  It is the qualities or character of an object--line, form,
texture, scent or color- that are usually repeated.
 Repeating finely textured plants in a garden helps to
unify the design and impart a powerful sense of
simplicity.
 Repetition is simply a matter of holding one design
quality constant while varying the others.
 A word of caution: If repetition is carried to extremes
the garden will become either monotonous or so
subtle that the viewer only sees disorder.

20.  Variety is the life of the garden. The design
qualities of line, form, texture, scent, and color
are changed and contrasted to provide diversity
and avoid uniformity. Diversity develops a tension
which helps to hold the observer's attention while
creating excitement and enjoyment.

21.  Variety is the opposite of repetition. But when it is
overdone by adding too many elements, chaos
results, so a very fine balance between repetition
and variety is needed to achieve unity in a
landscape.

22.  Emphasis refers to those garden elements which
initially seize attention and to which the eye
continually returns.
 It is the creation of the more important and the less
important elements in the garden.
 The parts of any composition should not be equal in
their visual interest.
 Certain parts should be different, perhaps larger, of a
contrasting color, form, fragrance, or texture than the
rest, depending on the function of the design.
 Again, if too many elements are introduced the effect
is lost. Emphasis can be achieved only by limiting the
number of dominant design elements.

23.  Sequence is the movement of the garden. It is
the rhythms that develop when line, form, texture,
and color are changed in a consistent way to lead
in a particular direction or to a point of focus.

24.  Whimsy – Elements of lighthearted fancy.
 Whimsical touches personalize the garden.
 Humor in the garden adds enjoyment to the
outdoor experience.
 Themes of whimsy running through a garden can
add harmony, wit and surprise.
 Serendipity can also serve as a form of whimsy.

25.  Time – Various garden styles representing
certain ages of design.
 Garden styles reflect eras of design.
 Well-designed gardens have features that are
consistent with the age of the house and
surroundings.
 Manufactured reproductions of original materials
often fail to blend in with the natural aging of the
garden. The choice of materials is as important as
the appropriateness of the object.

26.  Mystery – Piquing a sense of curiosity,
excitement and occasionally apprehension
through the garden’s design.
 Mystery in a garden uses the unknown, the
unseen and the imagination as elements of
design.
 Mystery heightens the imagination of visitors,
setting up the anticipation of surprise.

27.  Intriguing paths invite exploration.
 Various devices in a garden room that play on the
senses-sound, sight, smells or touch-stimulate
emotional responses.

28.  Structures – A variety of constructed features
within the garden.
 Structures serve both functional and aesthetic
purposes.
 Structures add to the sense of enclosure, screen
views, and provide a center of visual interest.
 Structures represent an anchoring element, a firm
point from which we can begin to absorb the
richness and diversity of the entire space.
 Structures articulate the transition between the
house and garden.

29.  Scale within the garden, as distinct from the overall
scale of the garden as discussed earlier, refers to the
harmony of the garden.
 That is, all the elements of a garden should agree in
the sense they convey of the size of the whole.
 The actual size of an object is different from its
relative scale or proportion in relation to other
neighboring objects.
 So scale is concerned with the relationship between
the size of an object to the size of the other objects
within the same composition.

30.  Thus, a tiny alpine plant is out of scale among tall
trees, just as it would be planted next to a large
building.
 With these general principles in mind, applied in
connection with the elements of line, form,
texture, scent, and color, a simple garden space
can become a work of art.

31. NIDHIJA SREE MOHAN
TYPES OF POTS and
CONTAINERS

32. PLASTIC POTS
 Pros –
 They are cheap, unbreakable and heat and cool
quickly so plant roots and microorganisms are not
damaged as easily even when in a sunny
location.

33.  Generally have more drainage holes than
terracotta, ceramic and concrete pots.
 Easy to drill additional holes in base if needed.
 Lightweight, so suitable for balconies and decks
where weight is a consideration
 Cons -
 However, plastics are petroleum based products.
They drain our natural resources so consider the
environmental impact

34. Terracotta,ceramic and concrete pots
 Pros –
 These materials generally offer more visually
appealing options in terms of color and design.
 Concrete pots are a good insulator so suits
climates with severe changes in weather because
it helps buffer plants and soil from extremes in
temperature
 Clay has been used for thousands of years and is
generally considered to be a sustainable
resource.

35. terracotta

36. Ceramic pots

37. concrete

38.  Cons -
 Provide inadequate drainage for most species of
plants.
 You have to drill additional holes in the base
without breaking the pot
 Prone to cracking when soil freezes and expands
in cold-weather zones

39. Self watering pots
 Pros –
 More suitable for hanging basket situations that
receive ventilation and are likely to dry out quickly
 Are usually lightweight so may be useful where
pot weight is a consideration
 Handy for people who are busy, away a lot or
forgetful gardeners
 Can be more expensive for the initial outlay but
benefits may outweigh this cost.

40.  Cons –
 Again, these containers are most often made of
plastic so consider the environmental impact of
this choice


42. Hanging and wall mounted pots
 Pros –
 Generally inexpensive to buy, the framework is
usually made from plastic-coated wire which makes
them light and rustproof
 Available in a wide variety of materials including
coconut fibre, synthetic, wrought iron, coated wire and
metal that come with natural liners often made out of
coir (coconut fibre) or sphagnum moss
 After watering, water may drip out the bottom onto
another surface so need to be located above other
plants to maximise watering or positioned over a
surface that does not matter if it gets wet

45. Wooden window and planter boxes
and containers
 Pros –
 Are very functional when combined with other
garden features like bench seats, trellises and
storage
 They are very attractive, provide good heat
insulation for the soil and can be easy and cheap
to make to the exact size you need
 Cons –
 Untreated wooden planters will lose their visual
appeal and eventually rot in time

48. Metal containers
 Pros –
 Are usually attractive and very decorative.
 Are durable – won’t chip, crack or break.
 Often used as ‘cache pots’— decorative
containers which hold a plant in a plastic or less
attractive pot inside – also prevents the heat from
directly affecting the plant roots
 Cons –
 Metal is non-porous so drainage is a major
consideration. Make sure you are able to drill
adequate holes in the container.

50. Fiberglass
 Fiberglass planters are used widely in commercial
plantings.
 The surface is durable and easily formed into different
custom shapes for any look.
 They can be given many different surface textures
and painted any color or pattern imaginable.
 They are water-tight; ridges are often built into
bottom surfaces to provide drainage isolation.
 Fiberglass planters are available to the homeowner,
but primarily through designer outlets and catalogs.
They are considerably more expensive than plastic
planters.

52. Floor planter and table planters
 Floor Planter: Floor planters are available in
cylinders (short and tall), squares, rectangles, half
rounds, triangular and hexangular shapes. The
most common planters are cylindrical.
 Table Planter: These are planters which are
placed on tables, counters, sills, ledges or any
surface above the floor. They are usually shorter
and generally available in the same colors, styles
and varieties as the floor planters.

55. Terrariums
 Terrariums: Terrariums are gardens displayed in
glass domes, bowls, aquarium tanks and other
clear glass or plastic containers which hold soil.
 These can be enclosed or open and create an
environment which is partially self-sustaining and
moisture retentive.
 These displays can be very interesting, but do
require general knowledge of care.

56.  Plants suitable for this include
 African Violet (Saintpaulia ionantha) ...
 Air Plant (Tillandsia) ...
 Bloodleaf Iresine (Iresine herbstii) ...
 Button Fern (Pellaea rotundifolia) ...
 Dragon Tree (Dracaena marginata) ...
 Earth star (Cryptanthus bromelioides) ...
 Flame Violet (Episcia dianthiflora) ...
 Friendship Plant 'Moon Valley' (Pilea involucrata)

58. Sealed planters
 Sealed Planters: It is recommended that inner pots be
used when displaying plants in sealed decorative
containers.
 If plants are planted directly into sealed units, there is
no escape for excess water. Water may build-up in
the soil and may encourage fungal root rot and decay,
damaging or even killing the plant.
 A common idea and practice for plant growers has
been to put gravel or sand at the bottom of sealed
planters, to provide a pocket for drainage to
accumulate.
 This is not an effective approach to proper drainage
and aeration, as stagnation and rotting is not avoided

59.  Plants used are
 Lemon Button Fern
 Maidenhair Fern
 Artillery Fern
 Baby Tears
 Aluminum Plant
 Mini English Ivy etc

61. Water tray planters
 Water Tray Planters: Many planters available to
the homeowner have built-in water trays which
catch excess water.
 Plants may be planted directly into these
containers or greenhouse pots may be dropped
into them.
 These planters are effective in providing an outlet
for drainage, but care should be taken not to
overwater as the trays can overflow and cause
damage to surfaces.

63. Wrought iron
 Wrought Iron: Wrought iron is widely used as a
classic planter style with charm and elegance. It
is very durable when painted and protected
against rust. These planters are usually equipped
with aluminum or plastic liners.

64. Tubs and troughs
 These containers can be made from many of the
materials we have discussed, wood, stone, concrete,
terra cotta, ceramics and metal.
 Excellent plastic and fiberglass units are now
available.
 Wooden “whiskey” barrels or half-barrels have been
widely used as planters for many years and are still
popular, though harder to acquire and expensive.
 Unseasoned wood should be treated with a
preservative which is not harmful to plants.
 The inside of the barrel should be charred to reduce
rotting. A blow-lamp is ideal for this purpose.

66. Improvised and unusual containers
 Anything which holds an adequate amount of
compost, provides ample planting depth, drainage
and does not expose plants to toxic chemicals, may
be used to display plants.
 Old tree stumps can be hollowed out and planted.
 Also, large diameter hollow log sections cut in lengths
of about one foot give ample planting depth and make
interesting planters.
 Rotted material should first be removed and only
solid wood should remain after cleaning. Charring will
reduce rotting.

67.  Wooden wheelbarrows and carts provide excellent
display space and allow for easy movement into and
out of the sun.
 Strawberry jars provide an interesting display for
flowers and vining plants and are available in a variety
of clay and ceramic materials.
 Now that you understand the basic requirements for
growing plants in containers, you can begin to look for
potential imaginative containers for display of your
plants.
 There are no rules for style, and creativity adds
interest

70. Coconut husk
 Renewable alternative to plastic and peat pots
with visibly better, faster plant growth
 Moisture is maintained in the soil
 Easy to be transplanted into ground after 2
months
 Higher resistance to mold
 Environmentally-Friendly
 100% biodegradable

72. Coconut shell pot
 Has natural drain
A garden pot needs to have drainage holes and the shell has
these pores, sometimes called "eyes", where water can drain
out. In germination, the functional pore in the endocarp allows
sprouting of the coconut shoot from inside the seed.
 Tough shell
The shell being referenced in the illustration above is called the
endocarp. The endocarp is the tough covering of the coconut's
meat. Unlike the husk part, or the mesocarp, the endocarp is
very hard and will not rot as quickly.
Size is right for most small plants
The shell as a garden pot measures anywhere from 5 to 8 inches
in diameter and can easily contain most small plants.
 Natural color
The natural earth color of this garden pot lends a rustic color to
any garden. It doesn't need to be painted and may be used as is.

74. Paper pots
 Pressed paper containers are a great choice when dealing
with vegetables.
 These containers breathe well, promoting healthy root
growth and improving aeration, as well as insulating the
roots from temperature changes that might otherwise harm
or stress your plants.
 These planters are biodegradable, which is great for the
environment but means that you will need to replace them
every single year.
 Since the cost of these is low, usually around two dollars
per pot, the pots are still an economically sound choice.
 Some pressed paper pots are now being lined with a wax
coating, which gives them a slightly longer life span

76. Bushel baskets
 Bushel baskets from the garden center make
charming and inexpensive containers for a mix of
annuals, including Angelonia, Lantana, and
Plectranthus.
 Their wooden slats provide built-in drainage, and
they can be recycled after the plants have had
their season in the sun.
 As autumn draws to an end, the entire basket can
be composted once the wire handles are
removed.