Whether you’re designing a new garden or renovating your existing one, it’s essential to follow a few principles of basic landscape design. After all, the garden is the first thing that most people notice about your property. Greenery not only makes our property visually appealing, but they also keep us cool from the heat and make the air around us cleaner and fresher.
But landscape design is not for the faint of heart. Many homeowners hire commercial landscaping services to spruce up their lawns and gardens. But for those who prefer to go about it in a DIY fashion, these pointers will help you boost your landscape.
1. Balance your plant selection
You need to carefully balance your plant selection to ensure your garden looks interesting all year round. The key is to have a good mix of evergreen and seasonal plants. Seasonal flowers and shrubs will give your garden a boost of color and texture during the high seasons. Meanwhile, evergreen plants retain their features all year, ensuring uninterrupted coverage and protection.
You also need to mix your evergreens and seasonals to minimize bald or dead patches. Place evergreen shrubs around corners and chimneys to reduce the effect of vertical lines. Don’t forget that most seasonal will have to be replanted after a year or two, so choose plants that have a long lifespan.
2. Connect multiple areas with a pathway
Bald or thinning patches of lawn are often caused by foot traffic. If you have multiple points of interest that are spread apart, this could lead to dead grass. To keep the grass thick and healthy, you need to provide a pathway with brick or stone. Not only does it connect your garden’s different elements, but it also protects the grass.
When designing the pathway, choose a material that will accent your home’s exterior. Avoid using loud colors as you want to keep the attention on the greenery, not the stone.
3. Keep things interesting with a rock
One quick and easy way to add visual interest to your garden is to place a giant rock. The bigger, the better. Boulders are a common part of many landscapes, so adding one or two rocks to your garden can make the design look more dynamic and energetic.
4. Use water to your advantage
A fountain, waterfall, or pond can serve as the centerpiece of your garden. But make sure that it doesn’t stand out like a sore thumb. Landscaping should look and feel natural, and you want water features to blend into the surroundings. For natural features, it could be as simple as placing a few plants around it. Artificial fixtures like fountains shouldn’t look overwhelming.
5. Avoid straight edges
Straight edges are typical in European-style estates and old houses. While they do add symmetry to landscape, it can make your home look dull and dated. Utilizing curves in landscape features seems more exciting and adds character to your garden.
These things will help you turn your garden from drab to fab in no time. Most of your energy will go into selecting and positioning plants around your yard. Don’t forget to put in a walkway to protect your lawn. Features such as curves, rocks, and water features also help keep things interesting.
