Simple outdoor living landscape design elements can turn your garden from pretty to extraordinary.
Taking an ordinary garden to extraordinary is rooted in the details. Whether you are working with a couple of small planting beds or a large estate, getting your landscape to standout from the rest can be achieved by incorporating creative design elements. These are easy landscape ideas that you can add to the garden. From a visually intriguing garden structure that provides a shady area to unwind to a calming water feature, or even a strategically placed piece of garden art; the options are endless. To help you weed through these options, here is a list of five design elements to consider when creating your own unique outdoor space: Natives, Alternative Color, Water, Garden Structures and Sustainable Products.
Natives
What if you could have beautiful plants, ideally suited for your planting region that require little to no maintenance at all … well you can and it is called Nativescaping. Native plants evolved to grow in your region’s weather conditions, which means that once they are established they don’t need watering and require very little maintenance. While many native plants tend to be larger and maybe not as showy as their ornamental cultivars, they are tough, long lasting and can be used in all types of gardens. A sprinkling of natives can help your garden stand out from the neighbors and help educate people in how to incorporate these plants into their own landscape. Consider adding some natives such as sporobolous (prairie dropseed), wild indigo (baptisia), purple coneflower (echinacea) or schizachyrium (little bluestem).
Color
In any garden color is one of the most important design elements. Whether it is an abundance of color in flowering plants or a sea of green it’s important to take all of the colors into consideration when designing. The majority of a garden’s color theme comes from the plants chosen, but there is also the option of using alternative color items – furniture cushions and garden art. These items can really add another dimension to your garden, especially while your plants aren’t blooming or don’t have a lot of interest. If you have a large patio, beautiful cushions on the furniture or a colorful birdbath can repeat the bloom colors you have in the surrounding garden. By adding garden art, you compliment the surrounding plants and give a pop of color all year round. These little details can really make a garden your own. If you have a large patio, beautiful cushions on the furniture or a colorful birdbath can repeat the bloom colors you have in the surrounding garden. By adding garden art, you compliment the surrounding plants and give a pop of color all year round. These little details can really make a garden your own.
Water
Water features are always an interesting element to add to any landscape. The sense of tranquility they provide within your outdoor space appeals to three of the five senses – sight, sound and touch. Incorporating a water feature into your garden doesn’t have to be a hassle; it can be as simple as a small stand-alone fountain placed on a salvaged wrought iron table rescued from your local flea market. Placed near the front entrance of your home, the soothing sounds of trickling water can serve to welcome your guests upon their arrival. Water features can also be the elaborate focal point of your design. From waterfalls and streams to koi ponds and reflecting pools. Whatever the size of your project, water can be utilized to create visual appeal and stimulate the senses.
Structures
Structures worked into a space can make any landscape feel luxurious and special. Gardens throughout the ages have used prominent structures to add form and function to their designs. Be it the visual appeal of increased height as a climbing vine ascends a trellis, or the architectural beauty of a shade yielding pergola, structures reflect the style of a garden and help tie the entire space together as a complete outdoor room. This pergola shades the outdoor kitchen area of this patio. It creates a great focal point above the bar island. Structures can be all shapes and sizes.
Sustainable and eco-friendly products
Sustainable and eco-friendly products are hot, hot, hot! While it is very trendy to be green, there is a great deal of practicality in searching out alternative products that are better for the environment. There are many options to make your yard or garden more eco-friendly. If you are planning on building a patio or walkway consider using permeable pavers. They help replenish the groundwater supply by allowing water to drain through the surface as opposed to running off into your cities sewer systems. Fertilizer and pesticide treatments have introduced various organic options void of the harsh chemicals found in traditional products. Additionally, you can start a compost bin to create your own free garden soil or install a rain barrel on your downspouts to collect free rainwater. These green options often act as a conversation piece with guests or neighbors.
How will you transform your garden from nice to extraordinary?
