Have you ever wondered why space is important in gardening? Even in miniature
landscaping, space is a crucial element of design. It defines importance to
objects, provides areas that make the design interesting, and leads the eye
through the garden. The tip to bringing a sense of order to garden spaces is to
add negative and positive features by using hardscape.Since positive space
refers to the area that an object occupies, negative space is the open area
between the design elements. When planning a miniature garden, consider negative
areas of design that contain pebbles, sand, stepping stones, or lawn. With these
elements in the garden, the eyes will be able to rest and notice the important
visual accessories.Let's start with the "importance of objects." Look around
your neighborhood and notice how many homes have sidewalks leading up to the
front door. The negative space of the sidewalk gives importance to the homes.
This same concept can be applied to miniature cottages. Create a pebble pathway,
design a stone sidewalk, or add stepping stones that lead to the front door of
the fairy cottage. Immediately, the cottage becomes a central feature of your
mini garden.Next, consider the layout of the walkway, because it will define how
the positive space is filled. A smooth transition between the two spaces is
desired, so begin lining the walkway with edging plants and gradually increase
the height of the plants. Remember that the number and size of objects affect
the space. A group of odd-numbered plants in a miniature garden provides a Plastic sprayer
bottle pleasing design effect. Many plants scattered throughout the garden
take away from the unity or balance of the space, while groupings make the
design interesting.Finally, the mini gardener needs to consider how the correct
use of space leads the eye through the garden. Study your landscape.
What
features and accessories are going to be the important items in your miniature
garden? A cottage, bench, or gazebo may be focal points in the garden. Many
times a pond or waterfall can be an important element in your garden. Those
items will fill the positive spaces. Now think of what types of hardscape could
be used to lead the eye from the negative space to the items of interest. A lawn
planted with Baby Tears or Wooly Thyme gives an open feeling to the mini garden
and leads the eye to notice the plants bordering the lawn.Mini gardeners can
find much satisfaction when experimenting with space, since it is a crucial
element in design. Miniature gardens need negative and positive spaces to make
the landscape interesting. Take time to create a plan that makes space a
significant aspect of the design.
|