What Landscape Designers Must Know: The Numbers and Techniques of Planting

As a landscape designer, understanding the basic requirements of plant arrangement is not enough; it is best to also know the "numbers" and "techniques" of plant planting.

"1" Is Not a Lonely Number

In landscape design, "1" no longer represents a musical note, nor is it a symbol of the highest honor, and it certainly does not mean loneliness. If a single plant is used as the focal point or marker of a landscape, then you must ensure that the plant's various botanical characteristics are sufficient to consolidate its important status.

"2" The Mark of a Traditional Pattern

Like the gatekeepers in front of a palace, the number "2" represents a strict set of rules and regulations. Therefore, planting one plant on each side of a garden entrance or building entrance or exit can give people a rigorous and formal first impression. Trees and shrubs are often used in pairs, but perennials appear in pairs less frequently. Generally, some larger perennials and annual grasses, as well as some annuals and weakly formed perennials, can be planted in pairs at doorways or entrances and exits.

"3" Represents a Kind of Balance

"3" can be used to represent a kind of human social relationship, and this numerical pattern often appears in garden landscaping. This pattern requires reasonable arrangement to achieve the expected effect. For example, if 3 plants are planted in a row, it will appear rigid and uninteresting; if there is enough space, planting them in an equilateral triangle pattern will produce a landscape effect far more graceful than linear planting. This pattern is suitable for upright plants. Sufficient space should be left between plant materials, especially when the plant species are different. Sometimes, you can even use some garden ornaments to replace one of the plants, such as a basin-shaped ornament for birds to drink from.

"4" Even Distribution Produces Good Results

"4" can be distributed in different ways, such as evenly divided into two groups and planted at the entrance. In fact, there is also a very good method, which is to plant 4 plants separately in each small area of an evenly divided circular or square plot, and with this approach there is no need to consider whether the plant varieties are the same. In addition, "4" can also be distributed as 3+1 and then planted separately at the entrance or on both sides of a path; this method is mostly used for arranging evergreen plants. However, when arranging this scheme, the group of 3 and the group of 1 should be basically equivalent in overall structure and weight level, otherwise the harmony of the landscape will be damaged.

"5" Creates a Good Visual Experience

"5" is a number used very frequently in landscape design. The conventional design pattern is to divide them into two rows for planting, with 3 plants in the front row and 2 plants in the back row. This pattern is very suitable for rectangular planting beds and is also applicable in irregular planting beds, but it is not suitable for plant arrangements on both sides of a path.

"6" Evenly Divided into Two Groups

Evenly dividing "6" into two groups is a very good choice. This pattern can be used to fill garden corners, and the 3 plants in each group can be planted in a staggered arrangement or in a triangle. However, do not distribute the plants in a 2+4 pattern, so as not to damage the balance of the plant landscape; nor should you arrange them in a single row, because then they will not attract people's attention.

"7" or More Forms a Group Effect

If there are 7 plants, you can plant them together to achieve a stronger visual impact; or arrange the same plants in one group and distribute them as 3+3+1, but never distribute them as 3+4, as this will affect balance. If the number of plants is an odd number greater than 7, you can divide them into several odd-numbered combinations, such as 3+3+3=9; but do not divide them into a combination of one odd number and one even number, such as 5+4=9, as this will also damage the balance of the landscape. As a quantitative limit, if 12 plants or more are reached, then the role played by plant form in the landscape will be greatly increased and will exceed the landscape effect formed by quantity, and at this point planting them in masses is sufficient.