Monday, March 17, 2014

Transform Your Property With Landscape Design

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.

Landscape architecture is actually a more descriptive name for the art of planning the open spaces around a building. This is because it involves more than gardening. It requires the planning of every little detail, from the fences to the flower beds. The designer needs to have not only knowledge of plants but also of structural engineering, conservation, surveying 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.

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.

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.

Even a courtyard can do with a bit of design intervention. Potted plants are an easy fix but can take up a lot of floor space. However, the walls are like empty canvases waiting for your creative touch and can become a lush jungle with the help of creepers and hanging plants. Some beams or lengths of bamboo overhead provide even more space from which to let plants grow.

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.

To begin planning the garden of your dreams, it's a good idea to browse through landscaping magazines. They will give you ideas and even advice. A professional landscape designer will be well worth the expense too since he or she may come up with solutions you would never have thought of.




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