A good landscape design combines these two approaches to create a lasting visual image of the outdoor space.
Soft and hard landscaping are terms used to describe different beautification approaches to outdoor living spaces Technically, hard and soft landscaping refers to how the designer combines plant and non-plant materials to create the visual appeal of the outdoor living spaces. Soft materials are the plants such as grass, flower beds, shrubs, and other plants such as beautification trees. Hard materials are the nonliving elements such as walk ways, retaining walls, driveways, paving, and patio sections.
Hardscapes emphasise the hard stuff. These are man-made materials such as concrete, brick, stone, or gravel as essential elements in the landscape plan. While plants can sometimes play an important role in hardscape designs, they aren't necessary as there isn't any need for soil coverage or root anchorage. When plants are used, they'll mostly serve as ornamental features. Trees and shrubs are the main hardscape elements in a softscaping design. These can be used to create several different designs, including screens, hedges, or focal points that will add variety to your garden, whether they're made from a single specimen or a group of plants. It is important to know which plant goes where before beginning any project to ensure the desired effect. If the hardscaping design calls for a series of low evergreen bushes, shrubs, or tall leafy trees, for example, avoid mixing shapes and sizes unless their height makes them too large for the space in which they'll be placed. If possible, try to use just one type of hard material, such as stone or brick. This will provide a more uniform look and give the design unity. Hardscape materials will prevent soil erosion and the degradation of the outdoor space.
A landscape can be broken down into five main categories: formal, informal, modernistic, rustic, and transitional.
Formal landscapes are symmetrical with hardscapes such as patios, paths, driveways, and walls laid out evenly on both sides of the house. The plants used here tend to be low maintenance or evergreens, so they maintain their structure year-round, even without trimming. These hardscaping designs are usually reserved for contemporary homes where simplicity is key.
Informal landscapes are asymmetrical with free-flowing elements that don't necessarily follow a particular pattern. Hard surfaces can appear in these types of landscape, but they're unnecessary as there's no need for walkways or driveways; all movement through the garden will be done by foot. The plants here tend to be either rounded or cascading, which soften hard lines and define outdoor living areas.
Modernistic landscapes are very clean cut with simple geometric shapes dominating the hardscape and softscape design. There's greater use of negative space in these types of designs, which focuses more on creating an open feel instead of a secluded one where it is easy to lose yourself in a sea of green.
Rustic landscapes are similar to formal gardens but tend to be more natural-looking since many plants found here grow wild rather than being cultivated for aesthetic purposes. Plants should look as if they're growing naturally from their surroundings without any interference from people, making this type of landscape perfect for the home environment surrounded by nature, such as those built near creeks.
Whether you're looking for foliage, flowers, or both to include in your design, there are plenty of low-maintenance plants out there that are perfect for softscaping. Alpines are small perennial flowers found throughout the world with leaves that grow close to the ground and bloom on top of their stems. These work well as ground covers preventing erosion since they grow fast and have shallow root systems making it easier to keep them under control. Some examples of alpines include Autumn Joy Sedum, Irish Moss Sedum, and Fairy Snow White Snakeroot. Trees can be used as focal points or screens depending on size, so it's important to do some research before adding one to your yard. Climbing plants can serve the dual purpose of soft and hard landscaping. You can use them to cover parts of the brick wall, helping to attain a balance between the two elements.
While many hard landscape materials can be used, some of the more common ones include stone, brick, and cement.
Stone has a timeless beauty with a traditional look that is perfect for creating a formal landscape or maintaining one that was created years ago by previous owners. It's available in many different colours to match any good landscape design theme and prefabricated patterns. Masonry materials such as brick and cement have a more industrial look to them, with sleek lines that are perfect for hiding unattractive areas of the home and giving paving work a sharp focus. They're also great choices for creating hardscapes due to their durability and minimal maintenance needs. Water rock gardens look great in this type of landscape.A hardscape is any type of structure used in the garden area with the focal point emphasising hard elements like patios, walkways, driveways, and walls. These can be made from natural materials such as stone or brick or synthetic ones like concrete if a more modern look is desired. By using these structures, it helps define where different elements such as planting beds, pathways, and sitting areas begin and end, which gives your landscape design unity, all while keeping things within easy reach.
Hardscape elements help define the location where different parts of your landscape begin and end. For example, patios commonly separate the lawn from the garden beds or pathways, paving an area where people can walk without stepping on plants. This helps create clear divisions within the garden's landscape design that also allows certain areas to be less visible if privacy is desired.
Hardscape elements are also used for practical purposes, such as creating a parking space near the front door allowing cars to go straight into garages instead of turning around in small spaces. Some hardscape elements are more visible than others, while some blend into the background.
To help emphasise the ones you want to be seen, consider using materials that contrast with nearby plants and surrounding structures. For example, if your garden features bright pink flowers growing in raised beds made of wood, brick or stone could provide a pleasant backdrop instead of choosing something that would get lost against the foliage, such as metal which wouldn't bring attention to either element.
When choosing hardscape materials for softscaping purposes, keep in mind that natural looking materials tend to work best due to their compatibility with their surroundings. In contrast, artificial-looking materials tend to stick out like a sore thumb no matter how well hidden. For more information about landscaping or garden design, take a look at the Your Home website.