APLD 2014 International Design Conference

This year the Association of Professional Landscape Designers annual design conference was held in Orlando, FL.  You may wonder what exactly a Michigan girl like me would learn about designing landscapes from the lush, semi tropical gardens of Winter Park, but believe me when I say "Lots & lots!"  


I truly enjoy visiting gardens and landscapes in areas much different than our own. When I can recognize and identify every plant in the garden, I often get too interested in how the plants are used and combined to notice much else. Taking the plants out of the equation gives me the opportunity to evaluate the designs based on design principles alone. How did the designer address site conditions?  Does the hardscape layout make sense?  Do the materials compliment or contrast with the home?  How are the traffic patterns being controlled? How did the designer use texture, repetition, focal points, line, form, contrast & color to create balance or chaos in the space?  What unique use of materials can I take home and use in my designs?

I present to you: the world's most picture heavy post!

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I love the grotto feel of this pool, the soft curves, natural stone coping and pocket planting. It feels like a woodland spring, or swimming hole in a mountain stream.

This pool was elevated, with a large patio area between the far end and the house. I liked that this created an opportunity to screen the pool from the view, created another room in the garden, and help prevent the pool from becoming the focal point of the back patio- as is usually the case.

I'm a sucker for this style of architecture! The clean strong lines leave little room for error and allow material choices to make the statement. I wish the fountain had been running, though!

Nice use of textures in a small bed, with a painted spray of color to fill in when the flowers have passed.

So many of the planting schemes were shades of green and white variegation. I loved this shocking splash of hot pink. So very Dr. Seuss!

I absolutely love the "Pool of Lawn" concept and use it whenever I can! So often the garden beds are sculpted and shaped, with grass filling the negative spaces. I like to flip that- let's create defined edges for the lawn and use soft texture and plants to fill up the voids.

Dusk comes early in Eastern Florida, so we were able to view a variety of lighting design principles as well.

Layers & textures! Love it!

This photo is all about framing and balance, lessons picked up from our Photography seminar.

I participated in a design charette- four of us with very different design styles & geographical regions worked on a project in Maui, where none of us had every been...it was very thought provoking.

The architecture was as varied as the gardens. This sprawling ranch was nicely balanced with neatly clipped hedges and soft mounding lily turf.

And this home felt like you were stepping into the southwest with the collection of cactus and succulents it featured in the welcoming courtyard.

It's always nice to chat with vendors and suppliers to keep up with the latest innovations, trends & products.

And the opportunity to develop friendships with amazing designers from all over the country is just priceless!