Guangzhou·One Pengrui Landscape Garden Creation by GM LANDSCAPE

GM Landscape cooperated with Pengrui Group for the first time, applying the latest planting design concepts to the garden. Based on the hardscape space, using plants as the main design supporter to create spaces with different temperament and atmosphere, and bringing various natural scenes into life. When we received the commission, the construction of hardscape had been completed, the client invited us to make a second design for the overall greening effect. Compared with the conventional plant design, the difficulty this time is that we have to reintegrate the plant design on top of the existing hardscape frame to maximize the characteristics of the space.

Breakthroughs in Plant Design1:1 Implementation

Due to the lack of accurate expression of plant species, state and scale, the exaggerated proportion and spatial distortion of the rendering often lead to the “seller’s show” and “buyer’s show” after finalized. Based on this, we have improved the refinement of the rendering, simulated the completed state of plants as much as possible, accurately restored the different themes of plant design, and finally realized 1:1 implementation to ensure the final effect.

The Artistic Utilization of Plant Colors Linking Space with Plants

It’s a shortcut and security to assign all plants to a single color palette. Nature is colorful, and plants need to be shown in their truest and most fascinating colors. Like a timeless oil painting, we want to maximize the color benefits of plants, create a unique visual experience with different colors, and make color the label of the garden: bright orange and yellow, pure and elegant white, deep and elegant indigo, and passionate vermilion…… from dark green to light green, colorful plants in all shapes and sizes show up in our garden one by one.

According to different spatial situations, there are private enclosed gardens for enjoying flowers and resting, as well as semi-open spaces for parents and children to play and learn about plants, with different themes and integration with each other. Considering the artistic creation for the whole space, we combine plants with light and shadow to create a forest promenade filled with dappled shadows connecting each thematic garden, while we walk can feel time flow, plants grow endlessly, grass and trees change in the cycle of seasons.

The natural and bright Dreams and Flowers Valley + The relaxing and energetic Perceptual Garden

Light is closely related to the garden’s design. Through the careful layout of plants, the garden can show the beauty of light and shadow at different times and seasons. Warm colors create a warm and cozy atmosphere, and the setting sunlight streams down a soft and warm glow that adds charm to the plants bathing in it. Red flowers and yellow leaves contrast with each other to create a gorgeous picture that makes the entire garden sparkle.

The first viewpoint of T2 is the natural and colorful “Dreams and Flowers Valley”, a garden that seems to travel back to the Renaissance period, conversing with Botticelli’s famous masterpiece “Spring”. The plants in the painting are rich in variety and texture. We have selected foliage plants with clear outlines and arranged them mottled, different shades of green leaves contrast finely with each other. The leaves change color as the seasons change, and the red flowers in between are like stars which adding color to the garden. Different textures and shapes of leaves form a sharp contrast that enhances the interest and layers, fully demonstrating the colorful and dynamic symbiosis of flowers and leaves in the garden.

36 plant species were selected, including 16 species of foliage plants, 20 species of flowering plants, woody plants accounted for 90%, the proportion of perennial flowers accounted for only 10%. The plant design still follows the principle of long-lasting and low maintenance, there are both Guangzhou’s native plants and newly introduced horticultural species, such as Clerodendrum quadriloculare that bloom in winter like twinkling stars, cello-shaped Jatropha pandurifolia, green and yellow Variegated Lemonia, and the Mussaenda erythrophylla that is native to West Africa and whose appearance look like a miniature fan. The design shows the plants’ ever-changing charms.

There are more than 40 plant species to choose from, of which 80% are flowering plants, which is expected to show a colorful and vibrant scene and give users various plant experiences. The small and delicate Eschscholtzia, Xanthostemon youngii, Allemada neviifolia, Turnera ulmifolia with a very regular blooming time, as well as extremely Lingnan characteristics of the plant Melastoma candidum, Ochna serrulata that can attract bees and butterflies and so on.

Elegant and delicate Lace Garden and romantic and sweet Rose Garden

Monet’s masterpiece “Springtime in Giverny” captures the beauty of nature’s elegance with soft colors and delicate strokes. Combined with the simplicity of the white art structure, we use white and green as the main tone to create a simple and pure “lace garden” theme, which not only emphasizes the serenity and purity of the garden but also selects plants with a soft tactile impression, focusing on the shape, size and texture of the flowers to create a fresh atmosphere with light, soft and watercolor texture. This ultimate purity not only brings visual pleasure, but also provides psychological feelings of tranquility and relaxation, offering a dreamy world for the user.

First of all, it is crucial to select the plants, 17 white flowering plants are paired with 10 silver-leafed plants. White major plants such as Euphorbia leucocephala Lotsy, Clerodendrum wallichii and Ervatamia divaricata with bright fragrant flowers, symbolize the quality of purity and flawlessness; the midstory is considered to be Olea europaea, Rotheca microphylla, Ozothamnus diosmifolius and Pleroma heteromallum, all of which can bring a fresh and elegant atmosphere to the garden. Also add light pink and yellowish flowers, such as Leptodermis potaninii and Allemada neviifolia to form a harmonious transition with white color and add layers to the garden. The Ornithogalum umbellatum serves as an accent and becomes an essential focal plant in the mix.

The Rose Garden is located on the central axis of the entire project, where the riverfront terrace is decorated with Jeff Koons’s world-class sculpture “Sacred Heart”, a heart-shaped sculpture that interprets the shape of romance and love to the world. With art as the carrier, a fragrant rose theme garden is arranged around the Sacred Heart sculpture. Nearly 40 kinds of imported European roses are selected to create an elegant and romantic atmosphere unique to European estates. The colorful rose flower sea is matched with scattered shrubs and green trees, and the unique fragrance of the flowers is long-lasting and refreshing as you stroll through the garden. The magnificent and colorful flowers show the beauty of the four seasons, in which love and romance stand vividly to convey good feelings to every visitor.

There are many different types of roses: Austin rose series such as Juliet, Mrs. Charlotte, etc., aroma series such as Ally, Aroma Garden, Respride Fille, Japanese Rose Blue Storm, Masora, Corail Gelee, Cut Rose Louise, Dutch Cut Rose Fire X-pression, Brass Band and so on.

The warm and dreamy Azalea Garden

The Starlight Wandering Garden and the Light and Shadow Forest connect five core gardens

The wonderland-like image of the Impressionist master Renoir’s painting “Women in the Garden” with its unique “shimmering” brushstrokes in the light and shadow exercise inspired the creativity of the planting. We designed a forest trail full of natural style to connect the five core gardens, with lush grasses and flowers on both sides, just like stepping into a touching oil painting. The trail is not only a simple walking path but also an intimate conversation between the soul and nature, which makes people feel like walking under the stars, to feel the wonderful blend of light and the forest.

The slowly spreading scroll of stars, skillfully blending the layered design of meandering paths and topographical vegetation. Choosing plants with rounded corollas creates a flower field that seems under a starry sky, every moment of life full of poetry and romance. The color palette is fresh and natural, different plants intertwine with each other to present a delicate texture. The combination of light pink flowers and silver-gray leaves achieves harmony and unity in contrast to light and dark and color saturation, creating a relaxing and pleasant atmosphere. While those plants with mist-like leaves add a layer of mysterious and hazy beauty to the space. When the gentle afternoon sunlight falls, the whole scene becomes softer and cozier, perfectly fitting the garden theme of “morning light and starlight as if a dream, romance is the stars and the sea”.

There are about 30 kinds of plant varieties, among which the flowering plants are dominated by Gomphrena ‘Fireworks Coated’, Otacanthus caeruleus, Agapanthus africanus, and Dietes iridioides, and new superior varieties in Guangzhou in recent years such as Tibouchina granulosa, Dombeya, Barleria cristata‘Lavender Lace’, and Cats Whiskers Grass are selected, and also applied to the South China native plants like Desmos chinensis, Asystasia gangetica, and Vitex trifolia. Plant design should take into account the adaptability and locality but also some new superior varieties should be applied in the project to promote the development of the horticultural market and the popularization of the varieties.

The sparse arrangement of the upper vegetation makes the light and shadow sprinkled on the winding path through the leaves, the white area with creeping blue angel flowers paved the ground with vivid and lovely blooming flowers, green branches and leaves and red fruits. Plant species selected sparse, elegant tree-shaped as the major, the upper layer used in the Adenanthera microsperma, Cassia bakeriana and Handroanthus albus, etc., the middle layer selection of the Cornus hongkongensis Hemsley, small sizes of the Huanghua Pear, modeling Rhaphiolepis indica, modeling Jacaranda, Clerodendrum quadriloculare, etc. to express the beauty of the branches and trunks. In the background, large leaves dense flowering plants such as Dombeya, Clerodendrum paniculatum are selected as a shade.The lower levels are mainly focused on low-growing plants, such as the Premnaserratifolia, Ficus rumphii Blume, Evolvulus nuttallianus, and Ficus tikoua Bur., etc. The planting method is slightly different from the other core gardens, while the Light and Shadow Forest planted in the form of a dotted planting which is sparsely in clusters when viewed from afar. Creepers viewed from a nearer view soften the borders, which are perfectly blended with the garden.

Private Feast Garden

We leave the plants to time and nature and let them bloom in the garden with various colors and shapes. Here, every season exists surprises waiting for the owners to explore, the alternation of the flowering period sometimes always brings us surprises. To meet that unexpected beauty together with nature, to feel the art and life.

Control the details during design and construction of the whole process

To ensure that the project can be perfectly completed, from the program design to the construction drawings and on-site construction process, we followed the whole process of the project. From the control of the drawings, plant selection and refined the construction process, also formulated a detailed plan for the plant transportation and construction. The plant design team supervises the planting works on-site to ensure that each plant is accurately positioned according to the design drawings and that the plant roots are protected from damage during the process. In addition, soil conditions are regularly checked to create the best environment for plant growth.

From the perspective of long-termism, to ensure the healthy growth of plants after planting, we have developed a detailed maintenance manual, covering all aspects of watering, fertilizing, pruning, pest control and so on. The manual not only contains specific maintenance standards and operation procedures, but also provides solutions to common problems, helping maintenance staff to quickly respond to possible problems. At the same time, we will also organize regular Q&A sessions to help the developer improve the professional skills and level of the maintenance team.

After the project is completed, we will also keep following up on the maintenance work, including regular site inspections and customer feedback collection. Through on-site inspections, we can find and solve problems in the process of plant growth in due course to ensure its healthy growth. The feedback from the client is an important basis for us to continuously optimize our design services to ensure that each project achieves the best results and brings lasting natural and artistic enjoyment.

Painting natural poetry with the heart of artisans.

Returning nature to its reality with the skill of craftsmanship.

Planting a flower and a tree, dancing with the spirit of life.