Landscaping: Much more than planting flowers

Landscaping is much more than planting a few flowers and shrubs in your yard. It is the design and creation of the environment that you enter with great ease and leave with great difficulty. The first step is to be inspired. It can be a movie, an exotic flower or a plant you can't resist. You can also find inspiration in different gardening styles. Just find the ideas you love and go from there.

First choose flowers that thrive in your geographic area. One way to do this is to consult your local nursery. You can also hire a professional of this kind. He will help you get to know the technique as well as the pitfalls to avoid.

With the right information, inspiring ideas and the right professional, you are on the right track to creating a beautiful environment with lush vegetation and coloring your yard in the most wonderful colors.

Useful tips for landscaping

The beginning is half the battle You already have a plan in mind and you have found the right professional to help you make it a reality. Now, you are ready to start the transformation. Before taking the next step, check out the following tips to avoid the most likely mistakes:

1. Always have a plan: you need to know what you want when consulting a professional. The relationship works best when he knows your style and needs.

2. Do not infer: do not conclude that the landscape you admire in your neighbor's yard will be suitable for your own yard. The best garden design is the safe combination of the natural space you have, your house and the elements that are already there. The professional you work with will help you decide on the best design that fits what already exists in your space.

3. Commit: the most beautiful gardens require year-round care. Of course autumn and spring are crucial seasons for garden design, but your commitment to maintaining the beauty of your garden must be consistent throughout the year.

4. Strive for balance: don't eschew functionality for the sake of beauty. The best gardens have an excellent balance of these two elements. Professionals will help you find the right way to achieve this balance.

5. Consider a design suitable for your own home: avoid blocking the natural landscape and make sure the sizes and styles are right for your own home.

6. Use trees and shrubs to border your home. 

7. Use historical facts as focal points: for example a family heirloom could make an excellent centrepiece.

8. If your goal is to create a beautiful garden, make sure streets and paths are part of the plan. So visitors will be able to enjoy the garden without damaging it.

9. Don't forget the seats: the benches and furniture create the right place to relax.

Common garden design mistakes

How hard could it be? You plant some trees, shrubs and flowers, then add some compost and the garden is set, right? You may think this is true, but common mistakes are very easy to make. Take heed of the following and be on your way to a wonderful garden.

Bordering the lawn 

Garden edging is functional because it keeps gravel and soil within the flower beds and prevents grass and weeds from overflowing and growing into the garden paths. Traditional techniques for this are metal, cement, stone, wood, aluminum or plastic. Although most of these materials are installed by professionals, you could also do it yourself saving money and time.

Colors and shades

Different shades of the same color can be used to visually emphasize the different textures and in combination with the height of the plant to give a more intense image. For example plants fences. They can be planted to fit any design and trimmed to any shape, size or height needed. 

Rocks and stones

Rocks are another material that can be used for edging. In different colors they can be used to create a natural finish in flower beds. Round granite pebbles can also be used for the same reason. Flat stones such as limestone can be placed on top of each other and create a wonderful visual effect.

Mistake #1: First impressions

Although back gardens are usually where we relax with family and friends, keep in mind that front gardens are what make the first impression of our home. By spending time and money on them, you can make your home more attractive.

Mistake #2: Don't block traffic

Before you put your garden design into action, consider the travel habits of your friends and family. The layout of your space should enhance your lifestyle, not create obstacles. Carefully plan roads and paths for vehicles to pass and areas for children to play. First, write down on paper what you are thinking of doing. Show it to your family and make sure it meets everyone's needs.

Mistake #3: Looking for straight lines

Don't go crazy trying to create solid lines in the garden with plants and stones. In nature there are no perfectly straight lines. Soft curves look more natural and are easier to maintain. The central idea is for them to be functional with the space, not to create a problem. Create a space that you can enjoy!

Mistake #4: Living for today 

One of the most common mistakes we make is not realizing how big a plant can get or how to maintain it in the future. Will we be able to prune that bush? Will these flowers thrive in our climate? Is it a perennial or an annual? Do your research on the plants you choose, read the labels and talk to the nursery staff. Allow plenty of room for your plants to grow. Landscaping is a form of investment. Choosing your plants with care will lead to more enjoyment in the future and less maintenance.

Plants and trees

Plants and trees offer your garden beauty and protection from prying eyes. If you have plants tall enough they will give you a lot of privacy. But plants must be chosen wisely. Try to find ones that require less maintenance. For example, don't choose large deciduous trees to place near pools, because you'll need to constantly remove the leaves from the water. Even evergreen trees could pose a problem. Also avoid fruit trees as they not only create clutter but also attract bees. The same can be created with flowers because they can be beautiful but they are also a magnet for bees. Also, watch out for plants with very penetrating roots, because they can create a problem in pools and the area around them.

Lawn

It is extremely interesting that something so common as a lawn gives so much beauty to the garden design. The shade of the lawn is beautiful and its soft feel always brings back memories of our childhood. It is also extremely beneficial for the environment, as it absorbs rain and prevents corrosion. The location of your home will determine the type of lawn you choose. But you will certainly be influenced by your personal preferences such as the color, hardness and roughness of the grass. You also need to consider the shade and water that some types of lawns require.

Streets

One of the main reasons gardeners and homeowners choose to install paths or walkways in their lawn or garden is to provide better access to hard-to-reach places such as the garden or flower beds. The walkway can prevent accidental damage to flowers, vegetables or other plants in the garden. A simple way to build these streets is with cement slabs. Alternatively, you can make them entirely out of pebbles or gravel.