General forms are rounded or globular, conical, oval, pyramidal, weeping, spreading or irregular. Horizontal and spreading forms add width to tall structures. Weeping forms tend to create soft lines and tie the building to the ground. Round and globular plants are good for creating large plant masses for borders and enclosures. Plants that are similar in form tend to create harmonious planting compositions, while the use of a contrasting form can create interest within the same composition.
Texture is the surface quality of any plant material that can be seen or felt.
It is an element that is often overlooked by designers. Texture can be used to create interest and variety. Texture is primarily used in comparison between plants in a landscape design. For example, a honey locust tree may have a fine texture when compared to a read oak, but when compared to a smooth wall or path, it may appear very coarse. In plant design, texture is the arrangement and size of leaves, twigs, bark, and is described as coarse or fine, rough or smooth, heavy or light, or thick or thin.