Dargan Landscape Architects

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General Landscape Commentary

The Approach & Arrival Sequence: Dignity & Expectation

There are four main components to a timeless landscape design, one that speaks to us with unmistakable beauty for ages to come. The first piece of this puzzle is “the approach and arrival sequence.” This is what we call the area between the street and the front door. When thoughtfully designed, it can provide a lasting first impression while setting the tone with curb appeal that expresses personality and sophisticated style.

Atlanta landscape architects
Dargan Landscape Architects

Whether it’s a stately mansion, an expansive rural estate or a smaller urban property, the approach and arrival sequence should be designed to play on the human emotions. The aesthetic perspective of landscape forms and textures and the manner in which the driveway ribbons to the house should evoke anticipation, expectation and excitement. Landscapers, builders and architects have been creating these emotional experiences for centuries. Many nineteenth century English novels paint descriptive scenes of the emotions heroines felt while riding their carriages up a winding driveway and catching glimpses of grandeur estates amidst rolling hills, trees and shrubs.

Unfortunately, this area is not getting the design attention it deserves on many of today’s residential sites. As many homeowners direct a great amount of time and energy into the outdoor living areas where they want to relax and entertain, the front yard and entryway can be left neglected. The drive portal and corridor, the parking court and the entry node may serve very practical functions, but this doesn’t mean they should not be meticulously designed to create relationships between shapes, textures, colors and heights.

This area should be the quintessence of the perfect collaboration of owner, builder, architect and landscape architect. The ultimate goal should be to achieve a harmonious blending and balancing of elements in order to exude refined tastes and dignity.

Here at Dargan Landscape Architects, we create custom designs that tell stories and express the personal style of our clients while letting nature speak. When every design element is approached with precision and care and imbued with purpose, the landscape becomes a beautiful experience for us and a healer for the earth.

Genius Loci: Spirit of Place

Part of what makes landscapes unique is the “genius loci”, a Latin phrase we use in landscape design meaning “spirit of place.” Identifying or describing the genius loci of your property is essential to creating a timeless landscape that best suits you.

The concept of genius loci dates back to 18th century England, when it was first described by poet, classical scholar and gardener Alexander Pope. In a place and time when it was most fashionable to recreate French and Italian gardens, Pope advocated for a landscape style that considered the inherent qualities of a place first and foremost. In other words, let nature be your guide.

The easiest way to understand genius loci is to tap into your senses. Touch, taste, smell, sight and sound all contribute to spirit of place. Considering these aspects should help with more concrete parts of the decision-making process involved in any landscaping project such as Dargan Landscape Architect’s Four-Part Master Plan.

To identify your genius loci, observe your land and the surrounding area and what is naturally occurring there. Here are some things to consider:

  • What is the local topography?
  • What kinds of plants are already growing and doing well?
  • What are the prominent natural features–a creek, pasture, etc.?
  • What are some of the naturally occurring raw materials and color palettes?
  • What kinds of rock, stone and earth abound?
  • What kind of wildlife inhabit the area?
  • Are there any subtle sounds or smells?
  • How does the sunlight hit your property throughout the day?
  • What is your home’s architectural scale and style?
  • What building materials are used on the house?
  • What are the house colors, forms and textures?
  • What is the neighborhood like, and are there any vernacular building styles?
  • Does the neighborhood have lots of trees, hills, or other features?
  • Are the houses modern or traditional?
  • Are there straight or winding streets?

spirit of place in landscape design

For more information about the concept of genius loci, order a copy of Mary Palmer’s book “Timeless Landscape Design.”

Contact Dargan Landscape Architects for help identifying your genius loci and incorporating it into your landscape master plan.

The Dargan Landscape Design Process – Part 2

Recently, we began a discussion on the landscape design process that we follow here at Dargan Landscape Architects. Our landscape design process consists of 12 steps that are intended to help homeowners achieve a beautiful landscape through meticulous planning. Our previous discussion covered the first six steps in the process, which include making a survey; developing a base plan; taking an inventory of the site; analyzing the site; developing a program wish list; and creating a functional diagram. Let’s continue the discussion today with a look at the final six steps of our landscape design process.

7. Develop a concept diagram. The concept diagram plays off of the functional diagram, putting more details and ideas into the vision for your landscape design.

8. Sketch alternative plans. You may discover through creating your diagrams that some ideas you had hoped for your new landscape won’t be ideal based on site conditions, space and other factors. A sketch of alternative plans gives you a “plan B” to fall back on.

9. Verify field conditions. Verifying your field conditions is a way to test your landscape design on the site before your plan and drawings are finalized. This can be done by taking measurements of the space you’re working in and marking it accordingly. By verifying the field conditions you’ll avoid costly construction mistakes.

10. Create a master landscape plan. The master plan shows the locations of the project and boundaries of the area to be designed. It also includes features to be built like walkways, buildings and other structures, as well as flower beds, focal points and more. Your master plan should include the approach and arrival sequence, hub, perimeter and passages to destinations.

master plan

11. Make implementation drawings. Making implementation drawings is one of the final parts of the landscape design process. These final drawings will guide the contractors and designers that will build and install your new landscape. 

12. Get it built! Now it’s time to get started on your property’s new look. Once you’ve signed an agreement with your contractor and set the date, construction can begin.

For more information on our landscape design process, purchase a copy of Mary Palmer Dargan’s book, Timeless Landscape Design. If you would like to discuss a master plan or a tune-up for your property, contact Dargan Landscape Architects for more information.

Historic Sources of Landscape Design Inspiration

Part of creating a timeless landscape is looking to historical sources for design inspiration. Some of our sources for inspiration are the gardens of England, Scotland and Wales, as we’ve mentioned before in our post on Hidcote Manor & Garden. In this post, we will discuss the allure of several other properties and what aspects you might incorporate into your own landscape. These include The Laskett in Herefordshire, England; Sissinghurst Castle Garden in Sissinghurst, Kent; and Stourhead near Warminster, Wiltshire.

The Laskett
Known as the largest private formal gardens created in England since 1945, The Laskett Gardens were designed by Sir Roy Strong, a historian, and his wife, Dr. Julia Trevelyan Oman, a set designer. The couple transformed the property, which boasts some 30 garden rooms, over nearly 40 years. What makes it special is how personalized the landscape is, featuring inscriptions of meaningful phrases and handmade garden ornaments, for example. It also undeniably beautiful, showcasing the artistic principles of balance, repetition, rhythm, focalization and light and shadow. In the end, the gardens make a strong statement about who the owners are.

The Laskett Gardens
The Laskett Gardens
(Screen Shot of Image Taken at www.thelaskettgardens.co.uk)

Sissinghurst Castle Garden
Another couple, Vita Sackville-West, a poet and writer, and Harold Nicolson, a diplomat and author, cultivated the Sissinghurst Castle Garden, which features a collection of enclosures laid out around the surviving parts of an Elizabethan mansion. Each room has a theme with specific plants and colors supporting the theme. Besides being a study in color and plant selection, the garden also shows how layering can create seasonal interest.

Sissinghurst
Sissinghurst Castle Garden

Stourhead
Also built around a historical home are the better known Stourhead gardens, created in the 18th century. The centerpiece of the grounds is a man-made lake, which serves as the backdrop for well-placed features such as classical temples, a fabulous grotto and majestically mature trees. This property reminds us of the power of a circular walk and the use of architectural elements as focal points in the landscape.

Stourhead
Stourhead

Feeling inspired to get to work on your own landscape? For more ideas and help transforming or planning your property, contact Dargan Landscape Architects.

Protecting Your Landscape from Winter Weather

Winter weather can wreak havoc on your landscape and hardscapes if they’re left unprotected. But a little maintenance can help prevent serious damage to plants, pathways and more.

Houzz
Source: Personal Touch Lawn Care, Inc. via Houzz

Here are some tips:

Landscape

First, you need to determine which of your plants are the most sensitive to cold and frost. Many plants are cold-hardy and don’t need special care, but some species such as gardenias, aucuba and lantana do, according to gardening expert Walter Reeves.

To keep plants frost-free, you can place old towels and sheets over them with tree stakes or poles. The idea is to keep the materials from resting directly on top of the plants while still keeping them covered. This preserves air flow to the plant. During the day, covers should be removed to allow plants to absorb sunlight. Hedges or shrubs can be wrapped thinly with burlap, just not directly on top. Be sure your mulch is deep enough to offer adequate insulation as well. Potted plants should be brought indoors.

Black plastic sheeting can also be used to cover and protect plants from cold. Similarly, evergreens can be wrapped in twine prior to a snow or ice event to offer additional protection. Smaller trees can be anchored to taller, more sturdy trees with rope.

Hardscapes

Hardscapes are just as important as landscapes when it comes to cold weather protection. Be sure to seal and reseal your hardscapes such as driveways, paths and patios to prevent damage from the freeze/thaw cycle. You should also paint or seal any wooden hardscape features such as arbors and decks for the same reason.

Be sure all patio furniture is covered, and watch out for rusting metal, which can stain hardscapes in damp weather.

Draining out water in your swimming pool and above ground ponds will help prevent damage from the freeze/thaw cycle. Pools should also be professionally winterized and covered for the season.

For more landscaping tips and ideas, follow Dargan Landscape Architects on Twitter and like us on Facebook.