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Garden Design – Considering Hard Landscaping Features
It’s not until you know a garden that you really know a garden, if you understand my meaning. It’s almost a year since I bought my latest house and allowed gardening dreams to expand from the tiny postage stamp plot I’d had in London. My new oasis is one third wider and about three to four times as long; LOTS more planting room. I had grand plans of course; a Mediterranean garden, the aviary and bird house, a sweeping gravel path to the lawn, tropical border and cutting garden and then, finally, the vegetable patch. However, as any gardener knows, it’s not until you’ve actually got down and dirty in a patch of earth that you begin to establish what works – and what doesn’t.
Twelve months have past and A LOT has been completed. But some things aren’t working. The oval lawn, for example, is a mess (ruined by chickens and dog wee). The yew tree at the bottom of the garden casts too much light over the raised beds. I also don’t have enough vegetable beds either. So, at this time of the year when garden planning is rife, I’m considering new options, including some design changes.
When it comes to garden design, it’s essential to think about hard landscaping. This term isn’t applied to the planting design, position of flower beds or the shape of your lawn, but to the fixed, non-moving structures; paths, ponds, rockeries and patios, for example. Okay, so you might think of a shrub as a ‘non-moving structure‘ but you can lift that and put it somewhere else pretty easily if you wanted.
Paths
Paths are one of the most important aspects of a garden and, to my mind, don’t get the attention they deserve. All too often they’re an afterthought, getting plopped down to link one area to the next. But with the right time and planning, you can create a journey through your garden, leading people from one area to the next.
This path and retaining wall draw you into the garden.
Paths can curl out of view to create some mystery. They can provide a stepping-stone hop across a lawn that’s not only practical during the muddy winter months, but fun too. You can have a main path for all to see and then some hidden nooks and alleys to tempt people to explore. And, you’ll also make life far easier if paths are in the right place to help you access all areas.
Patios
Patios, decked area and gravel bays are also extremely important in the garden if you’re ever to take a seat and relax. I’m normally rushing around dead-heading, digging, chopping and taking pictures. I rarely just got and sit. Why? Because I don’t yet have a patio area to recline in!
When you’re thinking about patios, it’s vital to consider the aspect of your garden. The future design might look sublime but you don’t want to have the expense and hard labour of putting in a patio only to discover it’s in full shade all day. Think carefully about where the sun is and what you want to use the area for. For example, I don’t really like sunbathing. My patio, therefore, will be in partial shade, providing me with a warm but shady area to relax, read and drink wine in!
Once a patio or decking area is installed, it’s not easy to alter. So get it right the first time around!
Ponds
I love water in a garden and always advise fitting a water feature in somewhere, even if it’s just a tiny tub pond or a solar-powered fountain. You could, of course, go to the opposite extreme and install a huge pool instead.
Again, placement is crucial. I see a lot of ponds pushed into shady, funny shaped corners that people haven’t quite known what to do with. A pond will never succeed in such an aspect, though a small brook or pebble fountain might work with the right planting. To get the best from a pond, you need sunlight for the water plants which will, in turn, aerate the water, keep everything clean and create a thriving eco-system. Also, site it away from trees where possible as you’ll spend the entire time clearing out leaves and trying to deal with the huge build-up of sediment.
Other Hard-Landscaping Considerations
As well as some of the obvious hard-landscaping structures, there are few others you might need to consider when you’re planning your garden. For example, you might require electrical fixings and cables installed. There might be drainage pipes in the ground. Even your boundary fencing and any additional pergolas can be considered hard-landscaping features and will have an affect on the atmosphere, shape and overall garden experience.
The materials you use will also have a massive affect on a garden. For example, you could use crisp new steel and brightly painted fencing for a modern look. Alternatively, turn to reclaimed materials for a rustic and more bedded-down style.
Whatever you garden design, hard-landscaping is extremely important. So, before you whizz into the garden and cut two vertical flower borders on either side of your lawn, take time to consider some other features and how they’d add interest to your oasis.
One Response to Garden Design – Considering Hard Landscaping Features
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