Elements of Landscape Architecture 

All landscaping is concerned with human influence on the natural landscape.  This is why there is no such thing as a “natural” garden.  A garden is, by definition, man-made, though we may endeavour, and succeed, in creating a naturalistic feel to it.  Landscape architecture is, ideally, a means by which the man-made and the natural are brought together in a harmonious manner in order to create an outdoor space which is both beautiful and accessible, for whatever purpose it was designed to fulfil. 

Landscape architecture takes many forms, depending on who will ultimately be using the space, its size and geographical location, climactic conditions and the stylistic features chosen to be incorporated. 

Landscape architecture on a grand scale has a long history in England, when the owners of huge estates decided that their land should have aesthetic appeal in addition to its utilitarian function.  Landscape designers, the most famous being Capability Brown, were brought in to create an artificial landscape which would be pleasing to the eye and enhance the status of its owner and landscape architecture became important in its own right.  Structures which were purely decorative began to appear on the landscape and attention was paid to the complementary relationship between architectural features and plants and trees.  The influence of these early practitioners of landscape architecture is still seen today on the larger estates and public parks.  Nowadays, ordinary people have the opportunity to enjoy landscape architecture on this scale as well as the owners of grand country estates. 

Landscape architecture is probably more commonly used nowadays to enhance private gardens, whether large or small.  Even though it is on a much smaller scale, landscape architecture of this type has its own problems and pitfalls.  It is usually dependent on the contrast of forms and textures, vertical and horizontal features and must therefore take account of the existing planting, unless it is a totally new garden, when both elements can be planned together to work in harmony.  The greatest potential pitfall is probably in getting the scale wrong.  The architecture could totally dominate and overwhelm the planting, or alternatively could be lost amongst it.  Another mistake could be in the over-dependence on landscape architecture, causing the garden to look overcrowded, or fussy. 

Geography and climate also have a part to play in the choice of landscape architecture.  The climate and soil type of a particular location will determine which plants and trees will most easily grow there and this will, in turn, have an effect on the landscape architecture which is appropriate to that location.  For example, plants which thrive in a Mediterranean location will not generally do well in a cooler, or more temperate, climate.  The traditional English cottage garden style of planting demands a softer, less structured style of landscape architecture. The more starkly linear appearance of the huge cacti which thrive in mediterranean conditions lends itself to a more dramatic form of landscape architecture.  Some particular styles of garden, notably the Moorish style, of which there are renowned examples in Granada and Seville in Southern Spain, are designed around water and incorporate many architectural elements such as fountains, tiled paths and arches.  Here the influence of landscape architecture is at its height, as the garden would be nothing without it. 

Landscape architecture at its best should enhance the natural landscape without competing with it, in order to provide a harmonious space for the enjoyment of those who use it.  It should ideally be planned as an integral part of the space, rather than being imposed on it afterwards. Landscape architecture, like other forms of architecture, requires an eye for scale, for line and form and is therefore probably best left to an expert.