Soften Your Landscape with Hardscaping
Attractive
plants are just one factor in the equation for attractive landscaping. Hardscaping
is what beckons us to while away lazy summer days inside the garden. Here’s
a brief look at hardscaping options beyond flower beds, and what they
can offer:
- Decks and patios are invaluable when it comes to
summertime entertaining. They also add to the value of your home. They
can be constructed of wood, stone, tile, concrete or landscaping blocks. A
wooden deck can wrap the perimeter of your entire home, or a modest
concrete block patio can add a little oomph to your small urban lot.
- Seating can range from rustic hand-hewn wood to
formal wrought iron. Of course, seating is a must on decks and
patios. But you can also nest benches, swings and hammocks into
specific areas of your garden. These cozy little nooks lure us
to relax with a glass of sun tea.
- Walkways and paths invite guests to enjoy a leisurely
stroll, leading them from one beautiful planting to the next. Walkways
can be as simple as handmade stepping stones, or as elaborate as brickwork. They
can be constructed from stone, brick, tile or concrete. More
artistic designs include mosaics fashioned from rocks, tile, or found
objects embedded in concrete. Straight walkways bring structure
to a formal garden, and curved pathways lend a more informal meandering
mood.
- Barbecue pits and grills are for you if you love
to cook and eat outdoors in summer! Your deck or patio may not
be complete without a barbecue pit or grill for entertaining. Some
homeowners opt to install roofed open-air outdoor kitchens, complete
with counters.
- Lighting sets the mood on your patio or deck for
evening entertaining. It’s also an important safety measure. You
can choose from overhead or in-ground lighting fixtures; solar-powered
fixtures will save you money and decrease air pollution. In-ground
fixtures light walkways most efficiently and probably produce the least
light pollution. Be sure to check about light pollution ordinances
in your area--besides, you wouldn’t want to interfere with your
dreamy stargazing on those warm summer nights!
- Water features such as ponds, waterfalls and fountains
are an instant relaxation magnet in any landscape plan. People
are naturally drawn to the soothing sound of trickling water. Water
features also provide water for our feathered friends--not to mention
other critters, if your goal is to provide backyard wildlife habitat. If
you’re planning a pond, you must first check with the proper
local authorities to check for buried cables. You can stock your
pond with koi fish or goldfish, or you can simply provide a water source
for wildlife. You can purchase a pump that’s suited to
the size of your pond and pumps an adequate number of gallons per hour
to keep the water properly circulating. You can also purchase
mosquito dunks to place in the water; they kill mosquito larvae but
are harmless to wildlife. Many smaller pumps and fountains can
be solar-powered, saving you money.
- Fences and walls define your overall garden space,
perhaps even the entire perimeter of your property. Picket fences
evoke a cottage feel, privacy fences transform the most inner-city
of urban lots to relaxing retreats, and hand-fitted logs lend a rustic
air. Walls can be constructed of brick or stone, they can be
straight or curved, and they can be short or tall. Stone walls
can be made of stacked stone, or mortar can solidify the structure.
- Screens and gates help define smaller areas within
the garden. Screens can be used to define a cozy seating area. Gates
beckon us to follow pathways into the garden. Screens and gates
can be purchased or handmade from natural materials. Some gardeners
enjoy using unusual found objects, such as antique doors or car hoods,
or fashioning them from vines and large branches.
- Trellises provide a place for climbing plants such
as clematis, morning glories, grape vines, climbing roses or ivy. But
be careful not to plant ivy on a trellis attached to your home, as
it is very destructive!
- Arbors, pergolas and gazebos provide much-needed
shade. They also offer cozy little seating areas. Arbors
and pergolas are attached to decks, whereas gazebos are free-standing. Gazebos
can be screened if you live an area where the mosquitoes are as large
as hummingbirds! Arbors and pergolas can become living roofs
and walls, where their lattice work provides growing space for grape
vines.
Hardscaping
makes your garden inviting, shows off your green thumb, and adds solid
value to your home!
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