When it comes to our gardens, many of us are guilty of barely remembering to mow the lawn and water the plants, let alone put conscious time and effort into perfecting the landscape. While it can seem like a daunting task, improving the landscape of your garden improves the overall aesthetic value of your home, making it a viable option for entertaining guests in on brighter days.
There are several ways to improve your garden landscape, ranging from something as simple as planting flowers, to more extensive projects requiring numerous resources and landscaping tools.
Container plants
Incorporating container plants to your garden is an incredibly easy way of adding colour and texture to the appearance. The initial cost is low, upkeep and maintenance costs are low and as they are in pots, plants can be moved around to suit your needs.
Flower beds
Raised flower beds are a great way of adding interest to certain points in your garden. Use around the edge to create a border which allows you to put up decorative walls, or use in the middle of your garden as a way of adding in seating.
Boundaries
Large gardens can look dull when compromising of just one stretch of lawn so adding boundaries is a great way of shaking up the landscape. Use small paving slabs, shrubs or decorative pieces to distinguish between different areas, such as flower beds, rocks and grass.
Rock garden
A rock garden is a beautiful way of adding layers into your garden. Unlike many methods of cultivation, rock gardens look extremely natural and are therefore a very relaxing piece of landscape. If possible, lay your rock garden on a sunny facing hill as the slant emphasises the different layers of rock and plants.
Arbour
Arbours act as both a visually pleasing and functional piece of garden furniture. They provide a place to sit in shade in summer and offer protection against the elements in winter. Entwine three of four climbing plants along the sides and up the roof for a truly stunning colour show.
Pathway
If your garden is particularly long or wide, a sweeping pathway can break it up and enable you to create distinct areas. It also gives a way of visiting your garden without the need for stepping on grass which can often cause damage when wet or frosted.
Summer house
A summer house, green house or shed is a big commitment so make sure it is right for you before purchasing one. The space needed means they’re not suitable for small gardens, although if you have a lot of tools and clutter it could be used for storage. When used in the right garden, they are extremely visually pleasing and can provide functional benefits which outweigh loss of space.
Water
Adding water to your garden can make the area seem more peaceful. For bigger spaces, a pond with fauna and plants is a great option. Smaller spaces can incorporate compact waterfalls or even decorative bird baths to gain the beauty of water.
Fencing
Adding fencing to your garden can redefine borders and feel less imposing than tall hedges. These can be painted to match your garden ambience and used as a boundary for flower beds and shrubs.