Gardens in Hermanus can be divided into two broad design categories, formal and informal, both using plants from the same limited pallet due to environmental conditions but in different design forms so as to suit the taste and requirements of the home owner as well as complement the architecture of the house.
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| Formal Design |
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| Informal Design |
Once the keen Home Landscaper decides on the garden design style that they envisage a few important points need to be addressed before design can begin:
- Architecture of the house – the architecture of ones home does play a part in determining the design theme of the garden but does not have to deter the homeowner from achieving a garden design that they would prefer, by using a little common sense and know how one can easily combine elements of both styles to create a beautiful garden that suits both the home owner and architecture.Certain garden styles do better suit particular architectural styles e.g a cottage garden may look out of place alongside a very modern sea front home whilst an informal indigenous garden including a few simple formal design elements such as hedging backdrops to mixed informal plantings and modern contemporary features can cut the balance perfectly between the preferences of the Hermanus gardener and the architecture of the house.
Consider the Style of your home when designing your garden
- Light conditions- examine the plot during different times of the day and preferably different seasons to access which areas receive full day sun, half day sun, morning sun, afternoon sun etc. As this will dictate the type of planting that can be used in the various parts of your garden as well as where washing lines should be cited etc.
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| Sunlight in the garden |
- Wind prevalence – here the Hermanus landscaper will be confronted predominantly with either the South Easter or North West winds. How exposed are the various areas of your garden to these winds. The more wind an area experiences the tougher the planting will need to be and therefore a specific plant pallet will need to be selected. Exposure to wind will also influence the positioning of outdoor seating areas or fit pits and whether additional protection will be required.
Wind in the garden
- Coastal conditions – gardens very close to the coastline are exposed to salt and salt laden winds. Plants that are tolerant of these conditions will need to be planted in those parts of the garden that are openly exposed to these conditions.
Tough coastal conditions
- Soil conditions – the poor nature of the soil found in most Hermanus gardens will once again determine the plant pallet unless considerable time, resources and effort are employed to maintain the soil in a condition that will suit plants that would otherwise naturally struggle in this area.
Poor soil conditions
Once these practical points have been accessed we can then start dividing the garden into rooms and activity areas that will most suit the various climatic and environmental conditions found around the property.
