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Design Ideas

Different Styles of Landscaping

The three most important words in developing a good landscaping strategy are plan, plan, plan! A good design is based not only on your personal tastes but also on the existing layout of your property and the limitations that exist in your region’s climate.

You can find landscaping advice or locate professional landscape designers through local nurseries or through cooperative extension or conservation services (often affiliated with state universities).

When planning a landscape, you need to:

* Choose a Style. Decide what look you want. Numerous landscaping styles exist or you can be creative and incorporate elements from these styles to create a look of your own:

English. The English Garden Style utilizes many shrubs and perennials in a design that complements the architectural style of your home.

Oriental. The Oriental Style uses water, rocks and evergreens with a variety of plants to create distinctive perspectives.

Woodland. The Woodland Style works best to blend your landscape with a wooded backyard and often incorporates waterfalls.

Formal. The Formal Style follows symmetrical patterns, straight lines and precise geometric shapes with orderly, well-pruned plants.

Informal. The Informal Style uses beds with curved edges. Plants are arranged in seemingly random patterns.

* Identify Problems. Identify what problems areas landscaping can help alleviate.

If there are rooms in your house that get hot in the afternoon sun, consider planting a shade tree to minimize the sun’s impact. If there are uneven slopes on your property, work your design around them to make them less obvious. If there are bare spots in your lawn, consider planting greenery that thrives in conditions of that area (for example, shade- or sun-loving plants).
* Maintenance. Determine how much maintenance you are willing to devote to the landscape.

If you don’t want to spend hours watering, weeding or pruning, choose plants wisely and incorporate other landscape design elements, like reflecting ponds or rock gardens. If you live in an arid climate and want minimal work, your landscape should include drought-resistant plants.