Introduction to Garden Planning and Design

Week 5 – ‘Bringing it all together’ Planting plans and implementation of a design

Learning objectives

Discuss learners design choices/ layout plan. 1. At last - plants! State three ways of establishing contrast in planting State how to select plants for seasonal interest Describe how to use plant groups as units in design Calculate the number of plants required to plant a stated

area Describe how to draw a planting design 2. Time and money: budgeting, planning and

construction Finalising budget items - state the importance of identifying

budget items during the design process Describe how construction and execution can be planned

and co-ordinated. State the advantages and disadvantages of construction

choices (DIY or professional).

Plants in design

Provide part of the design – adding colour, form, texture, volume. Can be used to create rhythm, symmetry and balance.

Thousands of ornamental plants – choose the effect required and then find the plants.

The effect changes with the seasons and the plants must suit the soil, aspect etc in the garden.

Planting effects and styles

Plants in design are not considered individually.

Various planting styles – Mixed Border; Prairie; Drift or ‘River’; formal bedding; Cottage Garden.

Different groups of plants used in each style.

Some styles lend themselves more easily to formality some to informality.

Selecting combinations of plants that can be repeated simplifies planting and can add to the unity of the design

Combination planting

Drift Planting

Drawing a planting plan – mixed border Draw planting areas to scale – larger scale

than the master plan. Select and draw anchor and structure plants

to scale. Add seasonal layers of interest – do this on

tracing paper so you can overlay the seasons and check for overcrowding. Once happy draw a planting plan – as you did for the over all master plan

Draw all plant ‘icons’ to scale – create a numbered key.

Draw a scaled elevation to check heights and lay out – use your photos and draw over them or simply draw scaled triangles and fill in with suitable colour, texture etc.

Budget No such thing as a cheap makeover Can control costs if they are identified

as you move through the design process.

Research material costs and record Three quotes/tenders for all works that

are contracted out. If budget issues are identified then

either phase works or change the design (substitute materials, replace hard landscaping with soft etc).

Implementation

Double check legal and planning requirements.

Prepare detailed specification – quantity and quality.

Tendering process – if using professionals. Use the specification and master plan, invite bids.

Project management – timescales, timings of work, order of works.

Future maintenance

Learning outcomes

Discuss learners design choices/ layout plan. 1. At last - plants! State three ways of establishing contrast in planting State how to select plants for seasonal interest Describe how to use plant groups as units in design Calculate the number of plants required to plant a stated

area Describe how to draw a planting design 2. Time and money: budgeting, planning and

construction Finalising budget items - state the importance of identifying

budget items during the design process Describe how construction and execution can be planned

and co-ordinated. State the advantages and disadvantages of construction

choices (DIY or professional).