You must have asked yourself a hundred times what makes a particular landscape or garden so beautiful. If you made notes about landscapes that you liked, you may as well reached the conclusion that there are some common features that stunning landscapes share. This short guide is about to bind them together and offer a few practical ideas.
Everything in Place
The first detail that you may notice with an amazing landscape is that it is in a harmony with the house. If they don’t they look artificial and somehow out of place. Plant’s leaves should complement the color of the façade, for example if the house is painted red or a shade of blue green, you may ask about trees and shrubs that bear similar leaves. Another point is that a landscape should reflect your home’s style. For example, your Spanish-style home can get a beautiful touch of surroundings if you enhance it with cactuses and succulent plants.
The Right Size
Another feature of harmonious landscape is the scaling. Since most plants won’t be taller than 2 feet, adding a few small trees or large shrubs can make wonders in retaining the proportionate look of the front of your home. You can additionally soften the edges of your home by adding these near the far right or left side of the house. The flatness of the landscape can be broken with a few selected fake boulders or mounds. It will create a sense of elevation and add to the uniqueness of the garden.
Carefully Chosen Trees
Trees are the brick and mortar of every garden. Only one wrong planted tree can mar the whole appearance of your garden. One of the most important parts of creating an amazing landscape is choosing the right tree. And every type has its purpose; some of them are great for making subtle shades, while others are purely ornamental.
To Each His Own
If you are looking for a shade tree, bear in mind that it will be located close to the home, and that it needs to be safe and storm proof. According to a Sydney-based company specialized in tree services, oak is one of the sturdiest and safest choices as a shade tree, while crepe myrtle with its smooth shades of purple flowers has a long blooming period, from mid-summer to fall.
Trees that grow large are not ideal for landscaping. On the other hand those that are too small tend to blend in with the shrubs, leaving barren landscape. A well-chosen and smartly planted tree blends perfectly in the landscape complementing the overall surroundings while remaining in scale with the rest of the landscape.
An Eye Simply Loves Curves
Only a small proportion of homes are based on geometrical architectural features that can be successfully reflected in the landscape. Otherwise, if you arrange the plants in perfect rows or squares, you get a midget cornfield. Unless that is your point, feel free to think in curves. They are more organic and break up the square outline of the house and its features.
Finally, the adage “less is more” has always been praised in landscaping. While simple designs tend to look more attractive and serene, complex and detailed landscapes seem confused and restless. And if you start simple, there is always space for a little chaos in the future.
