Landscape design refers to practical and aesthetic improvements one makes to a new or existing property, most specifically the garden and any of the other external components. This includes the flora component, as well as any other design elements, including paving, walls, pathways and water features, amongst others.

Knowledge of plants and their characteristics is fundamental to successful landscape design. This includes their individual water and soil requirements, size at maturity, seasonal leaf variation, flowering, fruiting as well as their tolerance to heat, cold and wind. Local nurseries or landscape design consultants will be able to advise on the appropriate plants for your particular climate zone. This will ensure that your plants survive throughout the year.

Follow these simple guidelines to help make your landscape design project a success:

• Creating a theme is the primary goal of successful landscape design. This applies to all the different elements that make up a garden, including the plants and any décor you may have planned.
• Use colour, specifically try utilising plants of a similar shade to create a sense of harmony, with bright colours adding a completely different dimension
• Repetition of colours or plant species throughout the garden, enhance the simplicity and enforce the theme you are attempting to achieve
• Create contrast by alternating the form or colour of the various elements, including the plants, paving or external décor
• Maintain proportion throughout, by always considering how the size of different elements relate to each other