Note that, in a landscape design context, “balance” refers to the consistency of visual attraction or lack thereof. Consistent visual attraction is achieved through symmetry; if the designer’s intention is to avoid the monotony of this kind of balance, asymmetrical plans will be implemented, instead. While it may seem a contradiction in terms to novices, landscape designers do speak of “asymmetrical balance,” as well as of “symmetrical balance.” It is easy to achieve focalization on an uncluttered lawn. Simply adorn it with a suitable accent. There is nothing to compete with the selected feature for attention, so it automatically assumes focal-point status. Again, either a specimen plant or an inanimate object can do the trick. While you may think of such focal points as thoroughly optional, sometimes they are, in fact, more or less necessary. Indeed, supplying such visual resting places is one of the roles that a focal point can play. A focal point can also be used to highlight a particular location in your landscaping. For example, you might wish to highlight the intended entrance to your backyard garden with a garden arbor, under which visitors are invited to pass. The presence of such a structure makes it less likely that visitors will enter the garden where you do not want them to. It is easy enough to remember the definition of “focal point” if you associate it with the word, “focus.” An item that is distinguished from the other items in a group as being the “focus” (noun) is the center of attention. Likewise, when you “focus” your thoughts on something, you are directing your attention to that particular thing, to the exclusion of others.
What Can Serve As A Focal Point
With the movement and sound they provide, garden fountains are one of the best hardscape features to use in creating focal points, capturing one’s attention on a number of levels. But on a purely visual level, many homeowners prefer yard art. Quality is obviously a consideration here; tastes, however, will vary. You will see both tasteful garden art and far-out garden art used as focal points. When using plants as focal points, color is a powerful weapon. The effect of so-called “warm” colors is explained in this article on color theory. Do not underestimate the value of working with plant form and texture, too. Combine all three properties, and you may get a scene that will turn heads.
When Intended Focal Points Do Not Work
When a landscape plan is a jumble of accents (each installed with the intention of creating a focal point), the purpose of creating a focal point is defeated. By definition, focalization involves discrimination. You will not draw much attention to A if you have indiscriminately set up B, C, and D as competition. The human eye can dole out only so much attention at any one time. Sometimes, an intended focal point does not work because it attracts too much or the wrong kind of attention. For example, a tree that is not in-scale with a home adjacent to it will attract excessive attention. We certainly do notice the tree, but – in so doing – we also notice how small the house is (which is not a property feature to which one normally wishes to call attention).
