Question
Good day,

My question is how to "evolve a [landscape]design that has a proportionate visual unity with the house?"John Brookes. I don't know how this works technically. I want my gardens, trees, patios, plants, etc. to be in scale(?) with my house and yard. I hope this makes sense.  I may be making things too complicated, any advice is welcome.  Thank you.

Nell Zehner

Answer
Nell - John Brookes is a prolific author, and I don't know which of his books this came out of - but I'll attempt to make sense out of this enigmatic design statement (& I hope its not your homework problem for school!!)

There are three design concepts mixed into this statement: Evolution, proportion, and unity.

The design concept of "evolve" or evolution:  When planting a tree or shrub, consider how big it will get, and also consider what it will look like as it matures.  Some pines look like little Christmas trees when young, but when they mature, look more like spreading globes.  For faster growing plants, consider their times that they display pleasing characteristics (flowers, seeds, colorful leaves) and plan their locations accordingly...for our area, evergreen plants that hold their interest over the winter-time is important.

This is where the knowledge of how big a plant will get is important, and why some landscapes look "thin" in the first couple of years, before sufficient "grow in" time has occurred.  It is a great temptation to over-plant in the first few years, only to have to take a lot of the material out later.

There is the story of a Landscape Architect who planted rows of White Oaks (VERY slow-growing trees) in a memorial garden, and was criticized for his selection, but after 20 years, the design intent became apparent (and beautiful) Isn抰 that the goal of a memorial; to remember for a long time?  These white oaks will out-live us all.

The design concept of "proportion":  This addresses your concern about "scale", which is another name for proportion.  Don't plant a large plant that will overpower a space.  The worst landscape situation is to have to remove a plant because it got too big for its space.  Many a patio has been wrecked because that shade tree starting lifting up the corner of the house!   

The concept of "unity": A mish-mash of whatever was on sale at the local Home Depot is a poor way to create an attractive space.  Ferns and Cactus are not a good match.

Hope it helps ~M