Focus On The Non-Living Parts For Good Landscape Design
When it comes to landscape design, many people focus on the lawn and garden plants and then feel disappointed when the final product isn't exactly what they envisioned. There is more to good landscape design than just the greenery. The non-living aspects of your yard are just as -- if not more -- important than the plants you choose. The following are three things to focus on before you begin planting anything in your yard.
Hardscaping
Hardscaping includes all the hard, non-living surfaces in your garden. Patios, arches and pergolas, pathways, and retaining walls are all examples of hardscaping. These items will provide the "bones" of your yard. When deciding on the types of hardscaping to include, first determine how you want to use your yard. If you want a vegetable garden, an area for play, and an area for entertaining, then your main hardscape features may be garden walls and paths, a playground area, and a patio. These need to be constructed first, before you even begin to consider what plants to grow.
Lighting
Don't overlook lighting, since this is what can make your yard a more pleasant place to hang out on those long summer nights. Pathway lights are a must for safety as well as visual interest. You may also want to include some uplights aimed at garden statues or interesting architectural features on your home. If you have a patio, then strings of fairy lights permanently installed over your patio area may be just what you need. A landscape designer can help you determine what types of lights and how many of them you need to create a yard that is just as attractive after the sun goes down as it was at midday.
Anchor piece
Every landscape design needs an anchor piece to draw the eye and provide that "wow" factor. It can be a beautiful fountain, a bubbling garden pond, a statue, or a rose-covered arbor with an inviting bench beneath. Generally, all paths lead to the anchor piece, whether these are the actual garden paths or just the path one's eyes naturally follow when looking over the yard. Water features are often chosen simply because running water can promote relaxation, but any large item can be used instead.
Once you have the above things determined, you can finally start to play around with plant and flower ideas. Your finished landscape will seem much better laid out by first developing the structure.
For more information on landscape design and lighting, contact a contractor in your area.