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Lesson 4 - Trees

In general, decide on the trees first. Do not to over-plant with trees if you want to avoid a very dark garden. Too much tree cover can also make a house dark, lawn and vegetables difficult to grow, and may cause a decline in the health of plants growing under the trees.

On an 800-1000 sq. metre property, most people would avoid any more than three to four large trees (ie. over 10 m tall). If you want a light, open garden, you are probably best to avoid large trees and perhaps stay with trees 5-7 metres tall. However, if buildings are tall (two-story), small trees can seem out of scale, in which case, you might consider tall but narrow trees such as pencil pines.

Shade - Plant shade trees where they will do the most good. Consider strength of branches, nature of root system, and their proximity to buildings and other structures. Also consider density of foliage. Some trees will provide a very heavy shade, others will only provide a light shade.

Enframement - A view or feature is framed by careful placement of trees, eg. place trees in front of the two corners of a lawn or building.

Screening - Trees can be used to block distant views, enhancing other views which are left open. They may also screen the effect of winds and other environmental conditions.

Growth Rate, Size and Feature
Always consider the growth rate and eventual size of the trees you select. How long will it be before an intended effect is achieved? What will the effect be in the meantime? (NB: With some slow-growing trees it may take 50 years for the eventual effect to be achieved). Is the tree deciduous or evergreen and does it produce colourful flowers or berries.

Enframement - Shrubs may be used with trees, buildings or fences to frame a view into or away from a landscape.

Screening - Large shrubs can screen unwanted views, either completely breaking the view (with dense foliage), or partially breaking the view (with see-through foliage).

ACCENT
Accent is achieved through a visual break in the sequence or pattern of planting. It is used to create a dramatic effect and to focus attention upon one particular part of a landscape. If an accent is to work properly, it must be strong. For example, a gap in the centre of a row of plants is a weak accent if it is only a slightly greater spacing than the normal spacing gate or narrow path providing

a doorway from one area to another.

Cost, Function and Aesthetics

Throughout this final process, you may need to make compromises in terms of cost, aesthetics and the function you want each area of the garden to achieve. It is rare that a garden can have it all, and everyone has different priorities. What suits one person may not suit another. The overall atmosphere created in a garden will be determined in the detail of between those plants, but is a strong accent if it is a much larger space. An accent is also achieved by the use of colourful shrubs (usually in flower) that are positioned next to or in front of a 'backdrop' colour of other green shrubs.

Low Plants

Low-growing plants such as perennials and groundcovers don't provide shade, nor do they screen areas, but being at eye level or lower, they can have a more obvious and dramatic effect than larger plants in the garden.

Defining Areas
An area of low plants can provide a visual break in a lawn. For example, the "open" feeling of the area of a yard can still be achieved although it may be separated into two plant garden features (lawn and low plants) without creating a visual barrier to the openness.

FEATURES
It's the low growing shrubs or flowering perennials which provide most of the obvious colourful flowers in a garden. These are the finishing touches which make your garden something special.

FEATURES AND FINISHING TOUCHES

After deciding what plants will be used where, you need to reconsider the finishing touches. The most stunning gardens are often those that incorporate a few well chosen pieces (ie. statues, outdoor furniture) in just the right location.

You may decide that a different type (colour size or style) of statue may look better than what you had previously envisaged.