Southeast Living

Selecting a landscape design theme is a fun way to express creativity and add uniqueness to your home’s outer beauty. You don’t have to be a landscape architect to create your own personal Eden, but it certainly doesn’t hurt to know a few basic rules of landscape design.

Keep it Simple, Repeat

Keep your plant and flower selections simple and use repetition. Repeating flower and color patterns adds a sense of wholeness among the various plant varieties. Consider the size, texture and color of the plants and how they will compliment and contrast one another.

Transition and Flow

To avoid drastic changes in pattern you can gently transition from flower beds to shrubs and then trees. This will keep taller trees, shrubs and bushes from towering over your flower gardens. Also consider how these elements together will direct a person’s eyes. Do you want smooth, rounded lines that flow or straight lines that direct a person’s attention to a focal point? Also take into account the style of home you have when choosing a theme. If you have a modern-style home a Formal theme may look best, whereas a Garden theme might better suit a cabin or cottage-style home. Here are just a few styles to get the creative juices flowing. There are many more to choose from. Some styles you won’t see on this list — like the Tropical, Southwest and Mediterranean ­— because they are impractical. We do live in a rainforest after all.

Formal

A Formal theme uses straight lines and precise geometric shapes to create symmetrical landscape patterns. Formal themes fit well with more modern home styles. Plants used in Formal themes often require higher maintenance, particularly with pruning and shaping.

Informal

An Informal theme is more relaxed and natural by using curving flower beds placed in various locations throughout the landscape. Instead of hedges an Informal theme might use perennials to create borders. The more natural look works well with most styles of homes.

Garden

The Garden theme is without any formal borders and often features a brick or stone walkway that leads to a garden where flowers and vegetables grow.

Oriental

The Oriental theme works well in smaller yards, though this theme doesn’t mesh with every style of home. Each piece of the landscape should be unique from the rest. Don’t follow patterns or schemes found in other styles. Rock pathways, evergreens, ponds, flowing water and simplistic colors provide a sense of tranquility.

Be creative, have fun and start designing.