Hardscape- An Essential Element of the Garden by Paul Fields, President of Lambert Landscape Company
Our first thought when hearing the word “garden” is to think of lush lawn, trees, flowering shrubs, perennials and annual color accents; these elements, of course, make up the more natural or “softscape” components of a garden. A garden certainly isn’t a “garden” without plants. However, the primary importance to the structure and symmetry of a garden is provided by the hardscape elements, i.e., walks, walls, terraces, pools, fountains, decks, fences and arbors.
Envision your garden as you would a room inside your home. It has walls, a ceiling, a floor and even windows. The space is defined by the unique blending of the hardscape items, softened and complemented by plantings (softscape).
In order to incorporate hardscape elements into your garden, it is critical to first develop a design that will blend well with the architectural style of your home, preserve the integrity of the total property, and respond to the functional program of your outdoor spaces. The uses for the space should be well defined, allowing for proper circulation, seating or congregating, and screening of unsightly views. Other primary elements should provide shelter, enclosure, shade and texture.
Hardscape elements are more costly to install, but the lower long-term maintenance costs and increased home value can make them worth the initial investment. Consider a quaint wood arbor in addition to a shade tree, or a brick terrace for entertaining with adjacent lawn panels as an extension of space when large parties or more play area is required. Including exterior fans in an arbor not only aids the cooling effect of a breeze, but also helps keep mosquitoes away. Mosquito misting systems with safe organic additives are also very worthwhile as opposed to those that use chemicals or pyrethrum based products.
Other hardscape elements that are extremely popular include swimming pools, spas, water features, ponds, decorative walls and fences, trellises for climbing vines, pergolas, exterior fireplaces or fire pits, outdoor kitchens, Bar-B-Q counters, urns, seat walls and benches and, of course, sculpture and statuary.
Introducing some elements of hardscape into your garden will reduce the amount of time it takes you to maintain the garden and increase your usage, making the space more enjoyable to you and your family for years to come. The investment in good design, quality construction and installation along with unique materials will not only improve your appreciation, use and enjoyment of your gardens, but add significantly to the marketability of your home and the value of your property.
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