If you are looking for a way to improve the overall design of your garden, hardscaping is an excellent option to consider. As opposed to the softscape, or natural areas of your garden, the hardscape consists of a variety of elements that are carefully designed and constructed to complement the garden and home. Examples of hardscape elements include paths, bridges, shaded patios, trellises, retaining walls and arbors. The various hardscape pieces can be made from many materials including brick, stone, pavers and wood. The following paragraphs will outline more about the exciting possibilities of hardscape and how it can improve your overall landscape design.
With a wide variety of elements and materials that can be used for hardscape design there is an enormous amount of opportunity and possibility. Common uses include areas for moving, sitting and relaxing, and for complementing the landscape. Paths are often constructed to connect different areas of the landscape, such as the driveway to the home, or the patio to an arbor or pond. Patios and deck areas provide space to cook or relax and socialize in comfort. Retaining walls can beautifully separate different levels of the garden and establish a boundary between a garden and path or patio. A variety of material possibilities give you many options for blending and combining materials with your garden. Stone, wood, concrete, stamped concrete, pavers, and flagstone all have different textures, colors and qualities. Many of these materials, such as stone and wood, can elegantly complement one another and sit beautifully in your garden.
Hardscaping can improve the design of your landscaping in several ways. At a fundamental level, it helps to define spaces within the landscape and establish different functions within it. The various elements and materials can provide an accent and contrast to your garden and home, and changes in materials can help to dictate a flow of events and changes in function. For example, a stone path may lead through a wooden arbor and to a patio of pavers. Careful integration of the hardscape into the landscape will create functional spaces that enhance the aesthetics of the whole area. For example, good patio design may include a retaining wall to separate the patio from a garden, a unique material to establish the patio and its boundaries, as well as ample room for seating. Hardscaping enhances the design of your landscape while adding function, value and enjoyment.
