Lesson 4 - Features and Finishing Touches
After deciding what plants will be used where, you need to reconsider the finishing touches. The most stunning gardens are often those that incorporate a few well chosen pieces (ie. statues, outdoor furniture) in just the right location.

You may decide that a different type (colour size or style) of statue may look better than what you had previously envisaged.

PRACTICAL TASK
Draw two final plans of your garden to scale:

1. A plan showing your hard (non-living) components in detail (such as statuary, seats, walls, paving, water features etc).
2. A planting plan showing the location of each plant (a cross with a number beside it) with a corresponding list of numbers and plant names written beside each number. It is best to use botanical names for plants.

1. Why is it a good idea to develop a concept plan first, then move onto a final plan later on?
2. At what point along a visual axis should a piece of statuary be located?
3. Which of the following features are appropriate to use in a garden for a young family with toddlers? Explain why or why not you would include each in the garden, and what (if any) modifications would be needed.
   • a tiled courtyard
   • a small fishpond
   • a vegetable garden
   • large deciduous trees
   • a sandpit under a shady tree
   • a cubbyhouse at the bottom of the garden
   • a rockery
4. Which of the following plants should probably be excluded from a garden which is used by young children? (list the ones you would exclude and say why you would exclude each): Grevillea rosmarinifolia, Euphorbia pulcherrima (Poinsettia), Plumeria rubra (Frangipani), Pinus radiata, Melaleuca incana, Nerium oleander (Oleander), Digitalis (Foxglove), Geranium, Callistemon viminalis (Weeping Bottlebrush), Grevillea 'Robyn Gordon', Rhus, Chrysanthemum.
5. Which of the following components will increase overall annual maintenance in a small garden? (Choose either a or b for each pair)
   1. A deciduous Prunus blireana
   2. An evergreen Eucalyptus camaldulensis
   1. A lily pond without fish
   2. A lily pond with fish
   1. A brick paved patio shaded by a tall tree
   2. A brick paved area in full sun
6. Discuss why each of the following points might be valid reasons for making a change in the final design:
   1. Using brick paving instead of glazed tiles on the tread of steps beside a swimming pool.
   2. Moving a seat away from a shaded spot, into the sun so that you can see the front gate, even though the climate is sub tropical.
   3. Placing a pergola on the northern side of the house instead of a verandah.
   4. Building a picket fence at the front of the property instead of a brick wall.
   5. Sealing the driveway with asphalt instead of concrete.
   6. Using native plants in preference to a cottage style garden.