Wednesday, March 19, 2014
An oasis of green at your home provides the perfect place to escape to and recharge your batteries. No matter where you live, whether it's a little cottage in Portland OR or a rambling mansion in Helotes TX, a garden will truly make your house a home. Even the ugliest, concrete-paved space can become a veritable Eden with the help of some creative landscape design and this will also do wonders for your property's value.
The design of landscapes is about more than just gardening. It is about planning exactly what to do with the space, from choosing the plants that should grow there to where fences and garden paths are placed. It involves several disciplines, from horticulture and botany to engineering, surveying, conservation and architecture.
Many architects enlist the help of a landscape architect to come up with a holistic design that includes all the buildings on the property but also the spaces between those buildings. An example of how this was done on a grand scale is the city of Brasilia, which was entirely planned and designed by an architect, an urban planner and a landscape architect. Some architects even try their hand at designing more than buildings. One such a success story is Barcelona's Park Guell, which was designed by the famously innovative architect Antoni Gaudi.
For something on a smaller scale, like your garden, you can keep things much simpler. If your budget doesn't allow extensive renovations just yet, don't despair. Start with the basics, such as a path or walkway and some beds of striking flowers. Be creative with the fencing and the gate and the battle is half won already.
For a stunning way to transform any space, just add water. A small pond or a swimming pool can give your garden a completely new look and feel. However, if your budget doesn't allow this, a quick fix is adding a small fountain or other water feature. Even something as simple as a bird bath will turn your garden into an oasis and may attract some birds too.
Many people think that if they only have a small courtyard, there is nothing much that they can do with it. However, strategically placed potted plants can do wonders to transform a small space and there's no reason why you can't use the walls too. Plant a few creepers that won't take up surface area on the ground. Alternatively, add some beams overhead from which to hang potted plants.
The natural environment around your property will help you decide how best to create your garden. For example, maybe there are some large trees already and you can easily incorporate these. Even big rocks don't necessarily have to be removed but can become a feature. Work with the natural topography and also think about the climate to ensure that your garden will be sustainable.
There are different ways to go about planning your dream garden. If you're creative, you may want to browse through gardening magazines for ideas and come up with your own design. However, it's well worth spending a little bit of extra money on a professional landscape architect who will help increase the value of your property.
The design of landscapes is about more than just gardening. It is about planning exactly what to do with the space, from choosing the plants that should grow there to where fences and garden paths are placed. It involves several disciplines, from horticulture and botany to engineering, surveying, conservation and architecture.
Many architects enlist the help of a landscape architect to come up with a holistic design that includes all the buildings on the property but also the spaces between those buildings. An example of how this was done on a grand scale is the city of Brasilia, which was entirely planned and designed by an architect, an urban planner and a landscape architect. Some architects even try their hand at designing more than buildings. One such a success story is Barcelona's Park Guell, which was designed by the famously innovative architect Antoni Gaudi.
For something on a smaller scale, like your garden, you can keep things much simpler. If your budget doesn't allow extensive renovations just yet, don't despair. Start with the basics, such as a path or walkway and some beds of striking flowers. Be creative with the fencing and the gate and the battle is half won already.
For a stunning way to transform any space, just add water. A small pond or a swimming pool can give your garden a completely new look and feel. However, if your budget doesn't allow this, a quick fix is adding a small fountain or other water feature. Even something as simple as a bird bath will turn your garden into an oasis and may attract some birds too.
Many people think that if they only have a small courtyard, there is nothing much that they can do with it. However, strategically placed potted plants can do wonders to transform a small space and there's no reason why you can't use the walls too. Plant a few creepers that won't take up surface area on the ground. Alternatively, add some beams overhead from which to hang potted plants.
The natural environment around your property will help you decide how best to create your garden. For example, maybe there are some large trees already and you can easily incorporate these. Even big rocks don't necessarily have to be removed but can become a feature. Work with the natural topography and also think about the climate to ensure that your garden will be sustainable.
There are different ways to go about planning your dream garden. If you're creative, you may want to browse through gardening magazines for ideas and come up with your own design. However, it's well worth spending a little bit of extra money on a professional landscape architect who will help increase the value of your property.
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