For example trees planted on the south and west in the
northern hemisphere and on the north and east in
the southern hemisphere
can help with shading your house, which helps cut down
on air conditioning. If these trees are the kind that
shed their leaves (deciduous trees) during the fall, it
will allow more light and warmth into the house during
the winter when it’s most needed. Shrubs planted a few
feet away from the foundation also help keep the warm
air in and the cold out, therefore helping with the
heating bills.
Hardscape And Softscape
Hardscape refers to the “non-plant” parts of your garden
(deck, patio, statues, fountains, walls, etc.).
Softscape refers to the plants and the lawn.
If you’re just starting out, lay out the hardscape first
before you work with the plants. This way, the plants
aren’t in the way when you’re installing the necessary
hardscape materials.
Walls have the option of being treated as hardscape or
softscape. If you want total privacy, you may want to go
with a hardscape wall using materials like wood or
masonry. Otherwise, shrubs and trees make for a more
natural wall that give a more open look while still
closing the view to other people.
Find A Central Focus For Your Yard
This can be anything from a statue, to the play set or
even a single tree. Finding a focus for your landscaping
gives you a point of reference so that you give your
design a better sense of order rather than just having
plants scattered everywhere.
These are just some tips to get you started. As you
continue working on your landscaping, you’ll be able to
come up with more ideas that are distinctively yours,
making your home as unique as you are.
Return to top
|