If you're putting your house up for sale, you'll want to increase its curb appeal. If you're moving into a newly built house, you'll want to soften the starkness of the building. Or you may just want to improve your backyard haven. For any of these purposes, an understanding of the basics of landscape design will help you achieve your goals.

Elements of Landscape Design

The five basic elements of landscape design are line, form, scale, texture and color. "Line" refers to the way the viewer's eye is led around the area. For instance, walls and walkways may lead the eye to focus on a lovely view or a water element such as a koi pond or fountain.

Form refers to the overall shape of a plant. A poplar, for instance, has a straight vertical line, while a willow is soft, rounded and drooping. Scale refers to the size of landscape elements. To maintain the best proportions, vary the sizes of your elements, and provide transitions between those of widely varying scale.

Texture refers to the surface of the plant, or its leaves. Contrasting textures, such as lacy foliage next to a flower with thick, shiny leaves, adds interest to your plantings. Line, form and texture can be used regularly for a formal look or rhythmically for a more casual, organic appearance.

Color is the final touch, and to many the most important. Don't limit yourself to flowers when thinking of color. Shrubs with foliage that changes colors, for instance, provide one excellent means of maintaining interest through all seasons.