They are under the happy delusion that when the main construction is finished, only the easiest and most pleasant thing remains – the landscaping of the plot, which can be envied. Let’s not even refer to the laboriousness of the future work. Before it gets to her, many will have time to stumble more than once, especially those who naively think that, when solving the issue of planting, it will be enough to choose the most liked compositions of trees and shrubs from those offered by gardening magazines.
Indeed, now it is not difficult to find video book with ready-made options for decorative compositions from trees and shrubs. Many specific examples of combinations of different species and varieties are given. However, what catches the eye so much on the pages of glossy magazines is often an “imported product”, a reprint of a foreign article. Because the compositions that interested you can be used only with the replacement of the assortment, since the original one is not always suitable for our climate. It is difficult to choose an assortment that is perfectly similar in its characteristics to the one offered in the original version. What is more or less suitable is selected, and as a result, it is no longer the ideal composition that had well-balanced proportions, a color scheme and a coordinated plant biology.
At the same time, it is very difficult to find popular literature in which sound recommendations for creating such compositions “with your own hands” would be given. Perhaps because such a topic has long been the fate of special literature: almost all the principles used came to landscape architecture from architecture itself and were used for a long time exclusively in park construction. Many of them are really difficult to use in the design of a private garden: not the right scale, wrong assortment, but still some of them are possible.
There are different types of compositions from trees and shrubs. These are well-known avenues and hedges, as well as lesser-known solitaires (single trees), bosquets (geometrically regular, clipped hedges) and tree groups. Let’s talk specifically about tree groups (groups of trees and shrubs that are few in species composition, placed separately from other plantations in an open place). This is the most common type of compositions, one of the few that can be widely used in the design of a private home.
After you have reserved a specific place in the garden for the future group (lawn in front of the house, an island in the middle of a pond, a platform around a fountain), it is necessary to determine the so-called view points, that is, those points in the garden and in the house from where this group can be seen. Depending on the number of view points, the decorative group will have one “face” or several, up to what can become a circular view group. To determine the width of the future group, experts use complex calculations. But if it’s difficult for you, trust your intuition – the main thing is that the group is perceived as something integral and can be taken in by a glance.
Having decided on the width of the group, we will choose its height. The human eye is arranged in such a way that any vertical element is perceived properly, only when it is distant from the observer by at least two of its heights, and even better – by three. In the second case, however, the clarity of perception of some details is lost. If the observer is at a distance equal to only one height, he perceives the group fragmentarily. The main thing is to remember that on removal it is more logical to place trees with thick trunks and branches, with a clearly readable crown structure, with fairly large leaves. Graceful trees with openwork crowns, fragile branching structure, and thin trunks planted at a distance lose their charm. Their main advantages are in the details that cannot be distinguished, so their place is close to the observer. So that nothing interferes with the perception of a tree group as an independent element in the garden, it should be separated from already existing plantings and buildings by a distance of at least two maximum diameters of the projection of its crowns. Otherwise, its isolation is in question, and it is necessary either to reduce the volume of the group itself, or to change its location.
Do not rush to buy seedlings you like, even if you think that they are the best suited for decorating your plot. Assess the natural and climatic situation: what is the chemical composition and acidity of the soil, the proximity of groundwater, lighting at different times of the day, the prevailing wind direction. And only choose plants based on these indicators. Very often due to the neglect of this stage, excellent design finds die after some time, die together with plants that cannot survive in certain conditions. But even if the plants somehow continue to exist, we are not talking about any decorative effect, of course. By the way, some types of plants, in order for them to look spectacular, require constant professional care (roses, rhododendrons, etc.), i.e. imply the presence of a gardener or a fanatical attitude towards themselves on the part of the owners. If you cannot provide your pets with either one or the other, then you should limit yourself to more unpretentious species (spirea, sod). After all, even the most amazingly beautiful variety of a capricious species without care will not beautify the garden, but spoil it.
The principle of identity is based on the juxtaposition of similar features. Any symmetrical composition is a variant of identity.
The principle of similarity (nuance) characterizes very minor differences in the properties of the elements of the composition. This is one of the most difficult options, as it requires a perfect feel and knowledge of the material (in this case, plants) with which you work. In a composition based on the principle of similarity, small differences in color or size of plants are used, while it is almost impossible to use the shape of the crown.
In contrasting compositions, on the contrary, the shape of the crowns – pyramidal, conical and columnar, contrasting with spherical, weeping and slaty – is the most used feature, since the principle of contrast is based on the complete opposition of the properties of the elements of the group to each other. This is a very sharp technique: they can easily achieve an effect and easily spoil everything.
Contrast or nuance can be present both between elements within a group and between them and the environment. For example, the sharp towers of the building – and the spherical crowns contrast with them, the cream walls of the buildings – and the use of golden-leafed, variegated and white-bordered forms of trees and shrubs according to the principle of similarity, the horizontal surface of the water – and the weeping crowns contrasting with it.
The same principles will help to decide on the color of the elements of the group: contrast, nuance, identity. However, in addition, you need to take into account the prevailing colors of the surrounding landscape. On the territory of private home ownership, the house is often the dominant color, especially if it is painted in warm tones. This should be taken into account. If you want the wooden group to contrast with the color of the house, use complementary colors (red – green, blue – orange, black – white, etc.). Remember that both the color of the plants and the color of the wall will become more intense. And you can use the principle of similarity and play on the nuances. Be consistent: if you chose forms for the group based on their contrast, then emphasize the already existing contrast by using contrasting colors. Consider the following points known to all designers: plants with warm colored leaves in the shade seem juicier and fresher than in the sun; plants painted in light colors visually increase the space, and dark ones reduce it; plants painted in warm tones seem closer than they really are, and in cold ones – further away; if the foreground of the group is dominated by dark tones, then it generally seems stable and stable, if it is light, then there is a feeling of instability and suspension, which creates discomfort. then it generally seems stable and stable, if it is light, then there is a feeling of instability and suspension, which creates discomfort. then it generally seems stable and stable, if it is light, then there is a feeling of instability and suspension, which creates discomfort. visually increase the space, and dark ones reduce it; plants painted in warm tones seem closer than they really are, and in cold ones – further away; if the foreground of the group is dominated by dark tones, then it generally seems stable and stable, if it is light, then there is a feeling of instability and suspension, which creates discomfort. then it generally seems stable and stable, if it is light, then there is a feeling of instability and suspension, which creates discomfort. then it generally seems stable and stable, if it is light, then there is a feeling of instability and suspension, which creates discomfort. visually increase the space, and dark ones reduce it; plants painted in warm tones seem closer than they really are, and in cold ones – further away; if the foreground of the group is dominated by dark tones, then it generally seems stable and stable, if it is light, then there is a feeling of instability and suspension, which creates discomfort. then it generally seems stable and stable, if it is light, then there is a feeling of instability and suspension, which creates discomfort. then it generally seems stable and stable, if it is light, then there is a feeling of instability and suspension, which creates discomfort.
The species composition of the decorative group must certainly be diverse. However, as practice shows, when creating a small group in the garden, it is enough to use 2-3 types of plants. At the same time, their forms and varieties can be any.
When choosing specific breeds, it is first of all important to take into account the stylistic direction of the planned garden or built house. Different breeds have different artistic image, give birth to different associations in us. Indeed, if the style chosen by the owners is Mediterranean, then vertical dark coniferous trees that resemble cypresses and abundantly flowering shrubs are best suited for such a garden.
If the owner of the plot is a fan of the oriental style, traditionally oriental plants will be used – peonies, hydrangeas, forsythia, decorative plums, pine trees, formed in the form of bonsai. So, decide for yourself whether you are creating a garden in the Art Nouveau style or an overgrown Chekhovian cherry orchard, and you will immediately have a sharply limited assortment that corresponds to the chosen artistic image.
For a long time there have been disputes about what to give preference to, coniferous or deciduous: both have their pros and cons. Of course, conifers are decorative throughout the season. But over time, this can become a disadvantage: who will be happy with a static picture from the window that does not change over the years? It is correspondence that brings that “highlight” to the landscape, when they begin to change their outfits before your eyes, while often not repeating themselves from year to year. The best option is mixed compositions. Dark conifers are an ideal background for deciduous trees, which, even though they are green, clearly stand out against this background, not to mention the autumn colors. Also, many deciduous trees are beautiful during the flowering season, which cannot be said about conifers.
