Hardscapes are important features of any landscape design. They offer benefits such as erosion control, less maintenance, increased property value, increased accessibility to gardens and water conservation. How do you go about integrating hardscapes into your landscape?
To achieve a cohesive and harmonious look between your hardscapes and landscape, use these helpful tips:
1. Use traditional design principles in non-traditional ways – While most of us don’t have very large properties or formal gardens anymore, techniques used in these types of spaces can still guide you today. When it comes to integrating hardscapes into your landscape, seek symmetrical balance, a timeless design principle. Create a generous path and place an equal number and type of plants on either side. The formal lines and balance of the arrangement can be updated with new materials and less formal plants for a more modern look.
2. Use repetition and rhythm to achieve balance – We’ve emphasized the importance of repetition and rhythm before, but it’s worth mentioning again because it’s a great technique for creating unity and cohesion. For example, to complement a linear hardscape, such as a sidewalk with a fence, place several different plantings at measured intervals to create rhythm. This will make the setting appear harmonious. Such a technique can also be used on walkways and stairs with plantings on two sides. By using the same plants on both sides, you achieve repetition and rhythm.
3. Let plants spill over onto the hardscape. Nothing makes a deck, patio or other hardscape look more natural than draping plantings around them. This technique also softens the harsh lines of hardscapes. Just be sure to maintain plantings, so they don’t become too overgrown!
Looking for more hardscape inspiration? Check out photos of some of Dargan Landscape Architects’ hardscape projects on Facebook, and let us know which ones are your favorite.
If you’re in need of assistance in creating a new look for your landscape, contact us. Whether you need a master plan for your property or just a tune-up, Dargan Landscape Architects can help you find the timeless look you’ve always wanted for your landscape. Contact us today to learn more about our services.
I really like the idea of having plants draped over my patio or walkway. It definitely adds character to the landscaping. I just wonder how you control the plants so that they don’t overgrow the hardscaping. I know that it comes down to pruning, but how do you make the plants look natural while cutting them away from the patio or path?
I would have never thought to use Hardscaping as a major design option in our backyard. Since moving into our new home, we have been overwhelmed with all the work landscaping takes. Making the backyard have a harmonious feel with bringing in several heights of plants to blend our sidewalk with the fence is a genius idea.
I really love the structure Hardscaping can give to a landscape. Building terraces can give a garden so much depth, yet maintain its livability! Thanks for these tips, do you have any more about how to find a hardscaping architect?
Sometimes figuring out how to put a hardscape into the landscape can be difficult. If the landscape already has a nice flow to it, the hardscape can distract rather than add. These tips are great!