Overview
A thoughtful and well-designed landscape will
add curb appeal to and increase the value of your home. Whether you are
landscaping from scratch, designing for a new house or giving an
existing yard a new look, it's important to take the time to properly
plan your ideas for a successful outcome.
How do you begin? First, decide on what kind of space you want to
develop. It could be a better place to indulge your passion for
gardening. Or, you might want a private hideaway for relaxing and
meditation. Perhaps you've dreamt of a better place for entertaining and
a secure place for your children to play. Whatever your ideas are, you
need to consider these opportunities in order to make the most of your
outdoor spaces.Planning Your Landscape
The overall style of your new landscape should reflect your own taste and the context of your property or neighborhood. The landscape should remain in harmony with its house and surroundings. This should not limit your ideas or concepts for the new landscape; have fun and dream. Here are several landscape ideas you might choose to incorporate.- Formal gardens are composed of straight lines, geometric forms and symmetrical plantings placed around a central axis. These formal gardens have a strong sense of structure defined with hedges, walls and paths, and they remain interesting and attractive throughout the year.
- Informal gardens are designed with curving lines mimicking nature. Informal landscapes have an organic rhythm and flow. The curved lines should serve to soothe the eye with loose, flowing forms rather than tight, sharp zigzags. A rule of thumb is to group plants in clumps of three or more.
- Cottage gardens explode with flowers, fruits, herbs, vegetables and shrubs. Vigorous vines, such as climbing roses, honeysuckle and clematis may be found around doors, trellises and windows.
- Japanese gardens use three main elements: trees and shrubs, water and stone. With few exceptions, most trees and shrubs are evergreen. Typical selections will include Japanese maple, pines, evergreen azaleas, bamboo and camellias. If water isn't possible, then try making rivers with stone or gravel.
- Regional gardens could feature an irregular local-stone path lined with plants that fit the scale and style of your house. It can also include a New England-style farmer's wall with native stone and flowers. Even a pond or garden stream with wetland plants could give your landscape a calming and serene effect.
- Woodland gardens are a perfect choice for tree-filled properties. Woodland gardens use hardy native plants such as foxglove, daisies and columbine close to the house that will blend into the surrounding countryside. The success of this style of garden depends on how you arrange bold, natural groups with a free hand.
Outdoor Lighting
Outdoor lighting can transform night into an enchanting evening. Garden lighting helps prolong the time you can spend outdoors. Lighting not only makes an aesthetic change to your property, but it also makes your property safe for evening strolls and creates a deterrent to burglars.There are two basic types of outdoor lighting: spotlighting and floodlighting. A spotlight is focused so that light strikes a defined area, creating a well-defined line between light and dark. A flood light is more diffused; it will cover a widespread area with a gradual transition from light to dark. Both types of lighting are available in 120-volt light fixtures and low-voltage light fixtures.
Outdoor lighting fixtures come in a wide variety of styles, like spots, floods, up lights, well lights, bollards, wall washers, edge lights for steps and more. Many manufacturers offer these in multicolor product lines, such as black, bronze, chrome, verdigris green and more. By combining spotlights and floodlights, you can create a wide variety of decorative lighting effects. It is generally a good idea to experiment with portable lights to establish the effects you want before having anything permanently installed.
Ponds and Fountains
The landscape possibilities for water features in the garden can range from a modest miniature pond in a sealed barrel to a large reflecting pool filled with water lilies, fountains, sculpture or art. The addition of a water feature cools and humidifies the air and plants around it, creating a beneficial microclimate for your plants in summer months. Water, whether still or moving, tends to soothe the soul and refresh the spirit, as does the sound of falling water.Some of the design considerations might include a bog, water lily pond, waterfall, watercourse or moat, flowing fountain or Zen water garden. Because streams and waterfalls are ambitious projects involving water and plumbing, they should be left to professional landscape designers. However, a stone basin or a bamboo fountain is well within the reach of the home craftsman.
Vertical Elements
Landscape designs often benefit from vertical structures, like walls, fences, arches, arbors and pergolas. Walls create a sense of permanence to a landscape, as well as offering privacy and boundaries. A stone wall softened by trailing rosemary across the top and face will help define and punctuate a boring sloped terrace. A simple lattice fence and arbor can define the boundary to a garden and still let sunlight through. The arbor adds an additional element, a trellis for climbing plants or vines.There are now low-cost alternatives to wood for vertical landscape elements. White PVC is gaining in popularity for fences, gates and arbors because of its low maintenance. Other materials for you to consider for landscape walls include brick, stone, concrete block, dry-laid stone and precast stone.
Outdoor Flair
A gazebo can add a valuable element to your landscape, providing a focal point and a sheltered place to relax with others and enjoy the garden. If you're working with a small space, then consider adding a gazebo with a solid back wall against a boundary of your property.Garden sculptures are another easy way to punctuate the area. Just keep it in scale with the rest of the landscape. Sculpture elements to consider include stone or metal objects, glass spheres, sundials, topiary sculptures and specimen plants as sculpture. Even a simple garden bench or seating arrangement can act as a sculptural focal point.
Footpaths
Walkways, stairs and footpaths will allow you to direct movement throughout your garden. Footpaths create a cohesive look within your landscape that can be formal or informal, as long as they are in keeping with the architectural look and feel of your house, property and plantings.Wide, straight pathways place the focus on the destination. Curved or serpentine pathways place the focus on the journey. The straight path makes the landscape seem larger, while the curved path adds an air of secrecy to the landscape. Use paving to set the tone in your landscape. A mixture of materials can overlay a patina to the area. Consider mixing bricks and gravel or a loose laid brick pattern with moss between the pavers.
Seeking Help
Many people have a natural design sense. But if you feel you need help, then there are professional options. Landscape architects or landscape designers are who you want for design, plant selection and landscape materials. A landscape contractor is the professional who will pour the concrete, build the walls, install the irrigation and lighting, build the paths and install the plants.Landscape professionals can help design your project and complete the construction. You could also use the pros for the heavy work and finish the balance of the landscape yourself. Whichever path you choose, be certain to check professional references and look at your potential employee's past projects. This way, you can ensure a taste within your personal aesthetic in addition to a job well done.