Flow is quite an important element to consider when planning your garden, it can be what holds it all together and is often about how we move people through the space. Whether we know it or not regardless of the style of garden people like to know the rules for example, where to enter, how to get around, where to look and where to sit. As humans we relate to order, we find comfort in that and a smooth transition of these areas creates a comfortable and enjoyable flow through the garden to a destination.
To create flow you would need to firstly look at the garden entrance, it is here that we need a bold statement which should say ‘this is the way in’ it must be extending the invitation to us to enter. This can be created with elements such as arches or pergolas which are obvious and can’t be missed or even clever planting either side of the entrance can also encourage us to enter.
Once inside the garden we need to know how to navigate around it and how to get the most out of the space; this could be in the form of pathways. Depending on the mood of the garden the pathways could, for example, be a loose material e.g. gravel or bark which would create a slower pace; or if you wanted people to speed up a lawn with its even surface invites a quicker pace taking us to the next garden area. A lawn is often used as a unifying element as it offers a calming effect with its restful green colour which leads us on through the garden.
Focal points that draw the eye to different areas within the garden create interest but also by keeping a similar theme will unify these elements and help the garden to flow by tying those spaces together. It can be in the form of repeat planting for example, box balls (Buxus sempervirens) can be used in this context; or it could be a repeat of the hard landscaping materials throughout the garden. Continuity is critical; by using the same paving or gravel in different garden sections it will stop the eye from jarring at the varying colours and textures. Instead it will allow the eye to relax and the order and transitions to flow more smoothly.
Creating a little mystery in a garden makes it more interesting but it needs to relate to the rest of the garden. By teasing people with a desire to find out ‘what’s around the corner’ we elicit a positive interaction with the garden and a more diverse experience – through a different perspective – of the space.
However large or small your garden is you can create a good flow through the space successfully by following these few rules.