Landscaping Pictures - Three Great Places To Find Online Pictures of Gardens
Posted: Monday, August 18, 2008
by Susan Schlenger
Susan Schlenger Landscape Design
Looking for good landscaping pictures is not that easy. Although I am a landscape designer, I still look around. I like to see how new materials are being used, possibly new plants, or just get some new ideas. Sometimes a plant combination will catch my eye or an interesting way to combine different paving stones.
Let me say that there are some very beautiful landscaping pictures out there, whether it be a great paving design with a top quality installation, an enchanting planting design, or just a great overall design.
Here are a few sources:
Google Image Search
I have found Google Image Search to provide some nice landscaping pictures, particularly in the beginning. I think as you move on in the pages though, the choices become more slim.
For those of you not familiar with Google Image Search, just search for a word, such as "patio designs". When the results appear, go to the top of the page and you will see some category choices. The first is Web, followed by Images. Click on Images, and pictures related to patio designs will come up.
The American Society of Landscape Architects
The American Society of Landscape Architects gives out awards each year for outstanding projects. If you like contemporary work, that is mostly what you will find, although sometimes they will feature a more traditional design. There are both commercial and residential award winning design projects.
Just like most fields, there are ranges of excellence. This holds true for Landscape Designers and Architects. Some have more expertise and creativity than others. You may like one professional's work and not another.
Famous Gardens
Well known gardens are another place to take a look. Famous Landscape Designers and Landscape Architects have often provided designs for public gardens, and some are very, very nice. Do a search for well known gardens (use whatever phrases you like). These might be in the U.S., but there are others throughout Europe. England has wonderful garden displays and designs. Some that you might take a look at are Hidcote and Sissinghurst.
Many of the concepts can be utilized in your own landscapes. Through the above sources, you can find landscape design pictures of planting designs, patios, pergolas, outdoor kitchens, driveway designs, water features, swimming pools, and so on.
You will know when you see a design that is a good one. It has that "wow" factor. But some things to analyze are:
- Do the hardscape materials go well together?
- Is the workmanship good?
- Does the planting design flow?
- What about color and textures...are the plants interesting?
- Do waterfall designs and/or ponds look natural?
- Are there any interesting garden ornaments or architectural features?
- Are sitting areas oriented to take advantage of the best views?
And most important....is this a landscape that you would like to be in?!
Susan Schlenger is a Landscape Designer with a degree in Landscape Architecture. To learn more about many landscape design topics and see pictures from her landscape design projects, visit Landscaping Pictures. You will enjoy the Garden Videos there also.
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Top-level comments on this article: (1 total)Have you tried YardShare? Another good place.
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