In landscaping, lines can be used to control movement, such as a walkway, path, or flower bed. They can also highlight a design feature like a pond, pool, or fire pit.

Lines add visual interest because they can take various shapes – straight, curved, horizontal, and diagonal. Straight lines tend to create a more formal design, while curved lines fit well with an informal landscape. They can be created with hardscape materials (pavers, natural stone) or vegetation.

Form refers to the shape of the plant or hardscape feature. Plants are available in many forms – upright, groundcover, round, and freeform.

Hardscape forms can be in various heights and shapes: think stone paths, retaining walls, and pergolas. A balanced landscape design carefully considers the use of form. For example, a more formal garden could include more structured, trimmed shrubs, while an informal yard would feature more natural and flowing plants.

The combination of forms is what helps lay the foundation for landscape design.

Color is a key element in landscape design.

When incorporating color, it is important to consider the four seasons. While flowers and plants in varying hues make a wonderful summer garden, you will also want to be sure to include vegetation that will offer color during the other seasons, such as evergreens, conifers, and holly.

The color of the hardscape also plays a role in the design.

Texture applies to both softscape and hardscapes. By texture we mean whether the plant or design feature is hard, soft, fine, course, heavy, light, rough, smooth, etc.

Leaf structure, flowers, bark, and stone surface all have texture. Incorporating a variety of plant and hardscape textures adds a layer of dimension to the design.

Varying heights and widths enhance the overall design composition. The scale of your hardscape and softscape additions must also complement and fit with the size of your home, yard, and existing landscape features.