Ornamental Horticulture

Basic components

The basic components of industrial landscape designs such as concrete benches, steps, wooden decks and stone lanterns should be mostly from the plant material as they serve definite functions. For instance, proper care should be taken while choosing and planting a specimen tree or a shrub as it is a vital component of the whole garden with regard to its position and beauty. It is also equally important to cover or conceal undesirable features in the landscape using a live hedge. Lawns need proper maintenance such as fertilizing, weeding, watering and mowing. So when planning for a lawn, the cost and efforts required to maintain it are to be considered.

Shrubs, trees, hedges, ground covers, edging plants and lawns can be used in different ways in the design of a garden for sharper accent, greater shade, or screen surfacing to give depth. In the case of mixed borders or a bed, annuals of different heights and blooms of varying colours can be raised. Mostly, ground covers with dense growth and lush foliage should be used in an area that does not have much traffic passing through it.
The main function of a path is to link up the different dominant features in a garden or to connect the wicket gate to the main entrance door or the building. The choice of material could be an informal, rectangular or oval paving or a crazy concrete paving.