By Gregory M. Pierceall
Professor of Landscape Architecture
Purdue University/HLA

(Photos courtesy of Greg Pierceall)

To recap, this three-part series is meant to bring you a view of residential landscape design in "three easy pieces."

Circulation, open space and bed mass are the macro aspects, or "building blocks" of landscape design. These large pieces need to be defined before incorporating the smaller aspects such as plant layers, the canopy, understory and ground plane.

Within a landscape design, the five basic elements that are often included or considered are, 1) the landform, 2) pavements and surfaces, 3) plants, 4) the constructed features, and 5) water elements.

Ground plane design balances the positive and negative spaces, defined in front of the home here between planting beds, lawn and hardscapes.

Let's get grounded

The planted layers within a landscape include the tree (canopy) and understory layers as well as the ground plane, the most important layer. As this is the layer that individuals and activities interact with most, we need to consider it as the stage or foundation for all other layers of plants and related activities.

Now that we have defined both the circulation and open spaces (in parts one and two of this three-part series of articles), we may outline the beds for the addition of plant materials.

Creating and planning for the necessary "room to move" is essential; in this design the front entertaining area beckons from the driveway area.

The most immediate physical aspect of a site, as we just mentioned, the ground plane, gives us the lay of the land and influences all other site design. The grade or topography of the site is the canvas for both activities and plants.

The existing form of the site surface influences existing and proposed uses and plantings. Remember that the grade or levels/areas of the site can be manipulated through grading. The balance between the existing grade and proposed uses and need for specific grades is, of course, a site planning issue.

Aesthetically pleasing views from various perspectives (as in this image, taken by the front porch) are among the pay offs of a properly scaled and balanced landscape design.

Ground floor opportunities

Such as it is, buildings, paved surfaces, drainage, walks, steps, ramps and retaining walls are all ground plane issues. Circulation is the critical aspect as associated with the ground plane and plants.

I review people and vehicular movement, both existing and proposed, prior to any site design. If the movement on the site doesn't work, the design won't.

Low plantings, colorful potted plants and higher flowering bushes meander along a very accommodating and visually appealing back garden path and passageway.

With circulation comes the standards and dimensions as to how and where things will move and work; a primary front walk should be five feet; side yard walks should be at least as wide as a wheel barrow and the gate, wider than knuckles pushing a wheelbarrow...basic functional things.

Associated site uses have dimensions, too, areas for a table and chairs equal how many square feet, and to that you might need to add enough room to park a car, and open the doors, have functional play areas that allow for lawn games, etc. These are the programmatic issues in site design.

Pleasing to the eye from ground level up this detail, taken in the back garden, is a testament to integrating planting materials for texture/color, scale and balance.

Keeping things positive and negative

After we are able to define the ground areas as to site uses and make sure that the grades are appropriate, the next issue is paths, walks, etc.

Realize the paths are negative spaces when the garden is full and the paths become the positive spaces in the winter. The ground surfacings can be lawn, ground covers, planting beds and the like.

The ground plane is obvious and visible, especially if viewers can get above the ground. Remember to look onto the ground surfaces. Pattern and edges should be aligned to create a composition; just as you look at site designs in plan view you can see the relationships between built elements and your proposed site features.

Subtle low-voltage landscape lighting and attractive fixtures to do the job literally set off the design as well as provide illumination for enjoying the area at night.

Planning before you plant helps you see interrelationships that are not obvious when you walk the site. Being on site only allows you the view of the space you are in (micro), not the overall (macro) view that is the designer's insight.

The development of the ground plane contains the most details, and as it is the most "intense" layer, it takes more time. Think about seasonal changes in the ground surfaces, management edges, and by incorporating both functional and aesthetic aspects, we will achieve design that provides both form and function.

Plantings, pots, and an attractive custom design create a head-turning focus area in the motor court/side-yard fence area.

Scale matters

Ground plane plantings can range from three inches to three to five feet, depending on the scale of the site situation. In a smaller site the scale may be such you have only understory and ground plane layers of plantings.

In a larger site, you may have only the canopy and understory with minimal need for ground plane and details. Plants at the ground plane influence circulation and what can be seen. These plants do not screen but separate site areas and create visual interest at a one-to-one scale of design.

Just wide enough, a curving sidewalk serves as another passageway, guiding guests through a landscape garden to the front porch.

Remember you start your review or planning at the canopy and work down to the ground plane and finally, the bed edges, once the layers or at least the canopy and circulation areas are defined.

Site design is a layering of information and an understanding through observation, evaluation and discussion of issues...it encompasses and embraces a life time, learning to refine one’s art of seeing and depth.

Good design extends to details, such as this paver band in the concrete, which creates an aesthetically pleasing transition from the front patio and walkway to the front porch.

Editor's note: How does he do it? We don't know but LandsscapeNetwork.com is proud to point out that Greg Pierceall was recently given the Illinois Landscape Contractors Association's award for outstanding service -- and he lives in Indiana! Greg can be reached at pierceal@purdue.edu.

Click here to read Part 1

Click here to read Part 2