Site analysis and

Landscape Design

Catherine Wissner
Horticulturist
University of Wyoming,
Cooperative Extension Service
Laramie County,
Cheyenne, Wyoming
 True or False?
• If you want afternoon summer shade
plant a tree on the north side of your
house?
Know your Weather
• Albany County Weather.
– Average summer high temp 79 degrees.
– Average summer low temp 46 degrees.

– Average winter high temp 32 degrees.

– Average winter low temp 8 degrees.

– Annual Precipitation 11 inches.

– 50% chance of a Frost as late as June 13, as
early as Sept 2.

– http://www.climate-charts.com/USA-Stations/WY/WY485435.php
Step one
• Get a map of the
site or measure the
area to be
Landscaped.

• Locate North.
Site Analysis
• 1. Microclimates, good and bad spots.
• 2. Where is North..
• 3. Seasonal Sun angles
• 4. What Scale will you be using?
– For example: 1inch = 10 feet.
Why the scale of your plan is important
Site Analysis - Wind
•
Site Analysis
Site Analysis
Site Analysis
Site Analysis – Topography
• 0-3% flat to gently sloping, possible
surface drainage problems, soil
depth is greater here.
• 3-8% gently sloping to rolling terrain
soil concentration in low areas.
• 8-15% hilly often rocky terrain, site
modification cost increase. Soil depth
is very limited.
Site Analysis- Sun Angles
Sun Angles 41st Parallel
Site Analysis
• Identify the:
– Hot. -Sunny
– Cold. -Shady
– Dry.
– Wet.

Areas within the landscape, the

micro-climates.
Existing Plants
• Old Plantings, Trees & Shrubs.
• Size of the plants.
• Health of the plants.
• Stage of development.
• Will new plants it fit in?
• If there isn’t any plants on the site,
Why?
New Plant Locations
• What will be the mature plant size?
• Shade and sunny locations.
• Will they adapt?
Site Analysis
• Call Before You Dig.
• 811

• Wyoming One Call

1-800-348-1030
It’s the Law.
What are the Soils?
• What are your soils?
• Get a soil test.
• Has the soil been disturbed by
construction?
• Is the soil compacted?
Wildlife

• What is the existing wildlife?

• Is the existing wildlife a problem?
• Do you want to attract wildlife?
Site Analysis
• North arrow
• Sun angles
• Micro climates
• Wind direction
• Views
• Topography
• What is the goal?
Develop a Design Theme
• Such as:
– Rose Garden.
– Victorian Garden.
– Shade Garden.
– Wood land Garden.
– All Gardens Should be Water Wise.
Water Wise Garden
• 1-Plan and Design.
• 2-Create practical turf areas.
• 3-Improve the soil.
• 4-Use Mulches.
• 5-Irrigate efficiently.
• 6-Maintain the Landscape.
Design Principals
• Unity: consistent style.
• Texture: surface quality of plants &
objects.
• Balance: symmetrical vs.
Asymmetrical.
• Transition: sequential order.
• Proportion of Scale: size of plants &
objects.
• Focalization: curved lines, features.
Transition
Step Two
• Schematic Design First.
– Get your General ideas down on paper.
• Different areas around the property
have different functions.
– like play areas, bar-b-queue areas,
private secluded areas.
– Storage area for tools.
– Areas for pond, greenhouse, gazebo.
– Plant types are the last thing you do.
 Define your landscape areas
• Define a clear separation between:
– Turf* Do not do turf corner to corner.
– Shrubs*
– Trees.
– Perennial Beds.
– Play.
– Vegetable Gardens.
– Hard-scape Areas*.
• Why, for ease of mowing/maintenance.
Step Three

• Draw in your Hardscape areas

– Patio.
– Walkways.
– Decks.
– Bar-B-Que area.
– Retaining Walls.
– Pond.
– Garden Structures.
– Fences.
Step Four
• Draw in the areas for:
– Shrubs.
– Perennial Gardens.
– Vegetable Garden.
– Trees.
– Specific Plants are the last thing you do.

• Make Notations on your plans on the

heights for the above plants.
Color Theory
•There are no
bad color
combinations
in Nature.

•What colors
do you like?
However:
• In the Garden Color should:
– Be calming
– Have a sequence
– Repeat itself
Step Five
•Time to add Color
–Seasonal Color for shrubs, trees, perennials.
•Winter texture, Spring, Summer and Fall color.
–Write the colors in on your design.
Step Six
• THE VERY LAST THING

• ADD Specific plants.

Have Fun gardening