Question
I'm planning to landscape the whole length of the backyard with a long bed containing a combo of shrubs/ flowers.  I've read somewhere (can no longer remember where) that there is a ratio where the length of the bed determines the width in a eye pleasing fashion, something like bed should be a minimum of 1/3 the total length..well, something like that. Do you know of any such a ratio?  Would hate to put all that work in only to discover the area looks too skimpy, or way to deep. I'm a bit of a perfectionist so I'd like to at least get close to correct before I start. Thanks so much for any help you can provide.

Answer
Hello:

This is called the golden mean or golden ratio and it measures 0.618 of the total length but it can vary and still be visually pleasing. I would not take it past 0.700 or below 0.333.  Simply multiply these numbers by the total length.

Mark Harshman


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