Thursday, March 20, 2014

Landscape Design Can Give Your Property A New Look

By Luisa Sharpe


There are few things quite as good for the soul as a haven of green on your property where you can escape to. However, creating that little Eden can be quite a challenge, especially if the property isn't in the best of shape to begin with. Luckily a trained eye will see endless possibilities where others just see a heap of rubble. Whether you have a family home in Helotes TX or a small condo in Palm Beach FL, with a bit of clever landscape design you can turn your property into something extraordinary.

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.

The designer often works closely with the architect. The planned city of Brasilia, the Brazilian capital, is almost entirely the product of a collaboration between architect Oscar Niemeyer, urban planner Lucio Costa and landscape architect Roberto Burle Marx. Sometimes the roles even merge into one, for example when architect Antoni Gaudi designed the Park Guell, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and urban park in Barcelona.

You would probably need a design on a smaller scale than a public park, though. There are many different ways to create a fantastic garden and it doesn't have to be complicated. A bit of paving in strategic places, some trees and colorful flowers are good items to start with. Even something as simple as a gate can become a beautiful focal point.

Another easy way to turn a garden from something ordinary into something spectacular is with the help of a water feature. This can be in the form of a large item like a swimming pool or fish pond, or it can be a small fountain or bird bath. The sound of the gurgling water has an instant cooling and calming effect.

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.

When you plan the design of your garden, it's important to take the natural environment into account. If there are plenty of large old trees already, you may want to create a shady, forest-like space rather than having to chop down these old beauties. A steep and uneven topography may require the use of terraces. You also need to think about the natural climate. A garden full of tropical plants simply won't be sustainable in a dry desert climate.

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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