Landscape Design

When we think of garden design, garden edging is often overlooked and yet done properly can make a huge aesthetic and functional difference. To enable this, the edging must be shaped to complement the architecture of the surrounding area(s) and yet strong and durable enough to stand the test of traffic and time.

This is why in the past metal bars are often the preferred edging material. The reason is not just that metal edging is durable but metal can be bent (albeit with a fair amount of force) and will hold a memory of the shape you bend it to. However, metal plate is expensive and hard to work with unless you are an engineer or boiler maker.
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The initial outlay for a garden design and properly drawn-up plan can seem prohibitive at first, but it can cost you a lot more if you overlook this important first step. Without a plan, you run the risk of ruining the appearance of your garden and ending up with an impractical, unwelcoming outdoor area.

Engaging a professional landscape designer to prepare a concept plan is a wise investment and a relatively inexpensive stage in the landscaping process compared to the expenses you can incur (for example, in work that has to be re-done) if you forge ahead without professional guidance. In short, a professional design and concept plan is the backbone of a successful landscape.
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You know in your heart when you feel welcome somewhere. Often it takes just a smile and an authentic “Glad you’re here.” But if you’re lucky, your host provides something extra – a fresh bouquet, a sumptuous pillow – that makes you feel pampered. You can surprise guests with that same warmth, too. Whether you’re looking for a place to entertain, cook for your family, or unwind alone, a secluded outdoor space is the perfect antidote for hectic days. The editors of Better Homes and Gardens® share how anyone can plan a comfy and welcoming retreat that fits any budget.

Identify goals and make a “big picture” plan. Before you add a patio or deck, determine how you want to use the space. For outdoor dining? For entertaining a crowd? Are privacy and protection from sun or wind important, or is your idea of paradise a roofless room that allows you to stargaze at night? Write down your goals, and decide your budget. Then, on your own or with a landscape designer or architect, sketch out your long-range plan. Even if you’ll be doing the job in phases, it’s important to see the final vision.
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Evergreens, this is quite a plant choice, cause it looks beautiful no matter what the season. Even in the bleakest winter, the garden looks like a garden—thanks to the conifers. Evergreen conifers can be useful in almost any garden design. You could used it as privacy screens or foundation plantings, as backgrounds for flower borders, as specimens, and as accents in the smallest rock gardens or at the edge of vast forests.

The first step in creating a conifer-rich planting is deciding how big to make the garden. Select conifers to complement its size. Small gardens or rock gardens work with small, slow-growing, dwarf or miniature trees. Larger gardens can accommodate intermediate-sized or large trees. Never allow a garden’s size to be the sole determining factor in selecting plants and also consider the role the planting will play. A wide privacy screen requires large trees, even if the planting area is relatively small. And in even the biggest rock gardens, a full-sized tree looks out of place.
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