Size. Plant forms that differ from a neutral rounded form are commonly seen as accents in a design. 1. During preliminary design, many of these focal points can be established with plant materials that stand out in contrast to their surroundings due to size and form. Ornamental trees work especially well as accents based on their size and form. Ornamental trees are small — to medium-sized trees (10- to 15-feet height and spread) that have appealing form, color, and texture throughout the year, such as crab apples (Malus sp.), dogwoods (Cornus sp.), hawthorns (Crateagus sp.), or olives (Olea sp.). Figure 11-45
Accent plants should be placed at prominent points within the design. Ornamental trees can be located at strategic points such as near the entrance walk, near the outdoor living and entertaining space, or at a distant point in the yard (Figure 11-44). Complementing the House Another aesthetic use of plant materials is to complement the architectural style of the house. Focal points are most easily created by plants that are columnar/fastigiate, pyramidal, or picturesque in form (Figure 11-43). The shape of these areas (form composition) and the placement of accent plants within them (spatial composition) need to be carefully coordinated during preliminary design. Trees can act as dominant plants when they are the largest element among other plants (left side of Figure 11-41), or when they are placed by themselves in an open lawn area (right side of Figure 11-41). Providing Accents The residential site designer should have established the location of focal points or accents of the design composition while preparing the functional diagrams. Form. Figure 11-38
Plant materials take up less space than earth mounds in screening views. Tall shrubs or ornamental trees can also serve as accents when they are larger than surrounding plants in a group (Figure 11-42). Figure 11-43
Columnar/fastigiate, pyramidal, and picturesque plant forms can be used as accents in a planting composition. Plant materials can be used to provide several aesthetic functions on the residential site, including providing visual accents and complementing the architectural style of the house. Plant materials that are larger and especially taller in size than surrounding plants act as visual accents. echoed or repeated in the site with plants. As
Figure 11-41
Examples of trees used as dominant elements based on size
Figure 11-42
Plants that are larger than surrounding ones in a mass serve as accents. For example, the horizontal mass and lines of a one-story house can be carried into the adjoining site with a mass of plants that continues the horizontal line (top of Figure 11-46).
