A common mistake by those considering what landscapers include when designing a garden is that they think only of the plants such as flowers, shrubs, and trees that might be added to such a design. The truth is, often the landscapers will have been given a remit by their client that the plants are to be kept to a minimum, and that the features and structures are to be given a priority.
This brings us to the fact that landscaped garden designs are not just about what grows in that garden, but also the many other elements that go into creating it such as decking, seating, water features, walls, fences, ponds, and pools. These were but a few of the many structures and features that can be included in a residential landscape design. To give you more detail, here are nine of the most popular of these.
Services Areas: A landscaped garden may still have several practical functions, and this can include bin areas, clothes drying lines, and storage of items such as garden tools, solid fuel and maybe even children’s toys. Ideally, these should have easy access and, where possible, be hidden from the view of the passing public.
Retaining Walls: Retaining walls can serve more than their main function which is to define the boundaries of your garden. They can be made visually appealing based on what materials are used, they can be used for climbing plants, and if strong enough, seating can be mounted on them.
Lawns: Choosing to have a lawn in your design must be done with the understanding that they normally require constant maintenance. Options include using natural grass, although many homeowners now opt for artificial grass which looks increasingly like the real thing, and requires less maintenance.
Pools: Again, lots of options based on your wants and the size of garden you have. These range from a large swimming pool to a small pool, and right down to a paddling pool. Bear in mind the maintenance costs and those regulations that may apply to water usage and safety.
Hard Surfaces: Highly popular, hard surfaces can be decking made from wood or composite materials, concrete paving slabs, and stone pathways. They provide scope for including different surfaces, colours, and textures.
Water Features: Examples of these include large or small ponds, fountains, and smaller water features such as a birdbath. Water features that have running water are highly desirable due to their relaxing sounds. Again, be aware of the water usage restrictions in your area.
Plants: Given the huge diversity of these, it would likely take several books to outline each one. Key principles are to group plants of certain types together, be aware of their sunlight and water needs, and use plants to create boundaries and screens within your garden.
Containers: These can be found in all garden sizes but are often used when the garden being designed lacks space. Containers can be used for planting, but they may also have other uses such as additional seating, to define sections within a garden, or simply as storage.
Other Structures: The numbers and types of other structures and features are limited only by your imagination. Common examples include patios, entertainment areas, barbecue areas, a quiet, cushioned area for relaxation or meditation, or you might have an outdoor dining area with a removable canopy or covering.