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Landscaping as it is done for larger estates or public parks can also be implemented in a tasteful and artistic way for a small home ground, though on a smaller scale.
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The simplest definition of “small”, as suggested by some authors quite appropriately, is an area which can be effectively managed and maintained physically as well as financially by the owner and his family with occasional hired labour for such hard work as digging, mowing, and shearing of hedges.
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Here, ways will be suggested for landscaping only small residential houses. For larger estates, a combination of landscaping effects suggested for parks and home landscaping may be followed.
Basic guidelines for a home landscape
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The personal preference plays a considerable role in developing a home garden.
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The home including its surroundings should be an outward expression of the inner personality and individuality of the owner.
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It is advisable to think a lot before even a single digging work starts.
Basic Principles: Before actually drawing the master-plan the following points should be kept in mind in home landscaping.
Background: The background in a garden, whether a wall, tall trees or a hedge should be neutral in nature; that is to say this should not become a distracting feature over the main features of the garden.
Contrast: The design should be such that it should break monotony. To achieve this, variation in form, texture, or colour has to be brought in.
Balance or Proportion: A balance has to be maintained between different components (masses, forms, colour, etc) of a garden. Overcrowding of plants or other garden features should be avoided.
Open Centre: The central area of the garden should be left out of any items of major interest. The best way to achieve this is to have a lawn, which also gives an effect of largeness to the property. A specimen shrub in the centre of the lawn is unsuitable as this counters the principle of spaciousness, but a tree branching at higher levels from the ground could be planted.
Repetition: The repetition or duplicating some features of a garden helps achieve rhythm, balance and unity. In a formal garden, generally the same feature is repeated. But for an informal design this need not be so. Here one may repeat the colour tone without disturbing the texture, form, or quantity. If there is a circular path this can be repeated by having two or three consecutive circular shaped beds of annual flowers, hedges, and shrubbery border. Thus, though the shape is repeated, the variation in texture, colour and form ensure that the design does not look monotonous.
Rhythm: A landscape designer should have an artistic sense to understand how to bring in rhythm in the design. Arranging the different elements haphazardly, without harmony, does not enhance beauty. Harmonious lines, often artistically curved, bring in rhythm to the landscape. A group of shrubs in front of a rockery breaks the rhythm. Repetition of certain elements, such as form, enhances the rhythm.
Variety: To break the monotony in a garden, variety is essential. This is achieved by contrast of colour, form, and texture. Besides these, design should be simple, easy to maintain and provide comfort for inmates.
Making a Plan
If the garden area is sufficiently large, this can be divided into three areas.
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Approach or Public Area
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This is the area from the street side extending to the entrance of the house. The approach area should not be overcrowded with large trees. It is better to have doorway or “foundation” plantings with low growing shrubs and evergreens.
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Big trees, if space permits, can go in the backyard but should not be overcrowded in the front. But a few low-growing trees can be accommodated at the appropriate places as next to entrance, if space is available or somewhere in the front lawn.
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An open spacious lawn with some annuals (zinnias, salvias and petunias) or herbaceous perennials (chrysanthemum, canna and Impatiens in shade) can be planned in addition to the foundation plantings.
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Work or Service Area
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Wherever feasible this and the living area should be situated at the back of the house as these need privacy.
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This area includes the kitchen garden, compost bin, nursery, tool shed and garage.
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Private Garden Area or Living Area
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In the western countries, this is generally termed as the outdoor living area, where people sit out in the winter to enjoy the sun or rest in the summer under an arbour or shade of tree.
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This area should be easily approachable and visible from the living (drawing-room) or dining-room, screened from unsightly objects and for privacy. In the western countries people prefer a terrace and this is the place where it should come.
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There should be some shaded sitting spot such as a tree or arbour with garden benches. A wide stretch of lawn with shrub border or few annuals beds or a rose garden can also be included in this section. A tennis court or a play area has to be included here, if there is enough room.
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A doorway near the house needs special attention as this is the place which receives maximum attention from a visitor. Depending upon the approach a doorway can be planted informally, formally, or in a semi-informal pattern.
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Many people advise not to include any pool or formal rock garden or the kind in a home garden. But there is no harm if a formal or informal lily pool can fit in with the overall design, with or without a fountain or a rock garden. A statue or sun dial can also be well fitted in some spacious compounds.
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It can be arranged with a garden-type design consisting of an ornamental shade or flowering tree perennial and annual flowers, climbing roses, some bulbs such as Zephyranthes, Amaryllis, and daffodils (for temperate regions).
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A bed of roses can also be a spot of beauty provided it receives the morning sun. Symmetrical plants with pyramidal form such as Thuja, Juniperus chinensis, and Cupressus macrocarpa are preferred by many near the doorway for a formal treatment.
Trees suitable for Small Gardens
Bauhinias in different species are quite suitable. Bottle brush is suitable for many situations. Tecoma argentea, Cassia fistula, and Cassia spectabilis, Cherries, (Prunus sargentii), Weeping willow (Salix babylonica) and S. purpurea var. pendula are also very ornamental. Some shrubs Ixora singaporensis, Mussaenda philippica, Azalea etc.
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