The Rule of Thirds in Garden Design (2024)

FAQs

What is the rule of 3 in garden design? ›

For gardeners, Eric says, the art work you are placing in the garden should encompass about one-third of the scene you are creating and be placed in one of these prime spots.

It suggests that a shot should be divided into horizontal and vertical lines—almost like a tic-tac-toe grid—and that the subject of the shot, whether it be a flower, dog, person, etc., be aligned to either the left or right lines but not the center.

The golden ratio is 1.618, and it can be used in a myriad of ways. The “Golden Rectangle” takes it a step further: the ratio of the short side to the long side should equal to the ratio of the long side to the sum of the long and short sides.

Three plants creates balance

Though three can be tricky in human relationships, this number fits expertly in a landscape. The trick is in the arrangement. Three plants in a row is dull because you know what to expect. If you have enough space, group them in an equilateral triangle.

As a general rule, put tall veggies toward the back of the bed, mid-sized ones in the middle, and smaller plants in the front or as a border. Consider adding pollinator plants to attract beneficial insects that can not only help you get a better harvest, but will also prey on garden pests.

The Rule of Thirds is another way to look at the layout of a design (be it a web page, a painting or a photograph). The idea is straightforward; you place a simple grid overlay (divided equally into thirds, both horizontally and vertically) on the space to be used for the design.

01: OBEY THE "LAW" OF SIGNIFICANT ENCLOSURE

The law of significant enclosure says that we feel enclosed when the vertical edge of a space is at least one-third the length of the horizontal space we're inhabiting.

The 3:2 format is the most common aspect ratio used in landscape photography today and is the mainstay of 35mm digital and film cameras, a few Leica medium format cameras, mirrorless cameras as well as some high-end compact cameras. With this particular aspect ratio, the width is significantly longer than the height.

Balancing Elements: Similar to photography, the rule of thirds helps achieve balance in landscape painting. By placing key elements across the grid lines and intersecting points, you create a balanced composition that feels natural and also aesthetically pleasing.

1. Flower petals. The number of petals in a flower consistently follows the Fibonacci sequence. Famous examples include the lily, which has three petals, buttercups, which have five (pictured at left), the chicory's 21, the daisy's 34, and so on.

What is the most perfect golden ratio? ›

The Golden Ratio, roughly 1:1.618, is a principle from mathematics that describes ideal proportions. When applied to facial aesthetics, it offers a guideline for achieving facial balance and symmetry.

Examples of the Golden Ratio in nature include the spiral patterns found in sunflowers, pinecones, and seashells.

An odd number of plants can be arranged in an irregular cluster, which looks more natural than a straight line or a block shape. Using at least three plants ensures the group will have some substance. But there are times when you can't follow this rule.

It is almost always preferable to use odd numbers of plants when designing a landscape. The reason is because it appears more naturalistic. Even numbers are easier for our minds to divide into equal halves, which gives the impression of a man-made setting.

The crops of corn, beans, and squash are known as the Three Sisters. For centuries these three crops have been the center of Native American agriculture and culinary traditions. It is for good reason as these three crops complement each other in the garden as well as nutritionally.

The Garden: The First Year, Plants Sleep, Second Year, They Creep & Third Year, They Leap! A popular adage in the gardening world but I think it is a worthwhile reminder for all homeowners. The first year after planting means that the plant may appear to be sleeping but really it is the roots that matter!

The Rule of 3 is a powerful concept for chunking things down. You can take any large, overwhelming things and chunk it into 3 smaller things, to help you communicate better, organize your mind better, remember better, prioritize better, and take better action.

What Is the Rule of Thirds? In its most rudimentary form, the rule of thirds is a simple grid. It's formed with two horizontal and two vertical lines whose intersections create rows and columns of nine proportionally sized boxes.

One such rule that's well-known is the rule of thirds. The rule of thirds involves splitting the canvas into a 3x3 grid and placing prominent elements along the intersection. In graphic design or photography, this helps draw attention to the various elements and creates a sense of fluidity.