Basic Design "At Home With Flowers"

UNIT 4   Fruits & Vegetables     class notes, page 3

• Design may be line, line-mass, or mass design.  If used as a mass, be sure it is full, but not crowded.  It's effectiveness should depend upon quantities of plant materials, grouping of kinds and colors and a properly formed center of interest.
• Combine fruits and/or vegetables with flowers and foliage.
• Bold flowers combine with rugged fruits and vegetables.
• Delicate flowers combine with refined fruits and vegetables.
• Either the flowers/foliage or fruits/vegetables must dominate - they must not be equal in amount.  Use the one that does not dominate as the center of interest in your design.

Texture is important in relating the plant material to the container.  It helps determine the style of the design - formal or casual.  It furnishes accent or contrast.  The skin determines the textural characteristics - shiny, downy, nubby, crisp, rough, etc.  The design can be dull unless it has strong textural contrasts.

Overlapping leaves, some objects partially hidden, nuts, fruits, gently curving, tendrils are some components to help achieve depth.  Dark and light values help achieve depth.

To secure Harmony and Rhythm, regulate color pattern carefully.  Avoid spottiness.  Repetition of the general color scheme is essential for rhythm.  Hues should be varied but compatible.

Return to Basic Design Home Page
Return to Froghaven                                                         Go to Unit 4 page 4
Return to Sope Creek Garden Club