Landscaping Stone / Boulder

There are many good reasons to infuse landscaping stones in an existing or new landscaping design project. One of the main reasons is to add a sense of natural, timeless beauty – stones are about as natural as you can get and are a good choice for adding that important three dimensional layering and depth that makes your project pop. And adding stones of varying sizes gives a sense of randomness, which is important for visual interest as well.

Stones come in various shapes, textures, colors and sizes – so you have a lot of options from which to choose. The artistic arrangement options you have at your disposal is almost endless – if you have an artistic bent, you can really get creative with your selection groupings. Some of us are not quite as artistic as others and may require a little assistance planning it all out (of course, Whelchel Landscaping is more than willing to help you with this!).

One of the obvious reasons it’s a little difficult to introduce larger stones is due to the shear bulk and weight factor – yes, stones can be very heavy, depending on the size. Don’t try to muscle boulders, you are going to need some equipment to help you – it’s not worth the risk to your back. If you don’t have the equipment on-hand, then you can rent it pretty inexpensively, or you can have and landscaping company help.

Stones don’t require maintenance – which is a real plus. You don’t have to clean them, paint them, etc. – they just lie where you place them and give out an awesome sense of stability and anchoring to your yard space.

If you’ve not considered adding stones to your landscaping project, you may want to consider it to give your yard that timeless sense of beauty for years to come.

If you are working on your dream home, you might want to install a killer patio. A Spanish word that originally meant ‘backyard’ or ‘back garden’, a well-designed patio could completely change the way you look at indoor/outdoor entertainment. Originally patios were paved backyards meant primarily for dining or other forms of in-house entertainment. However with time, patios have become an extension of home interiors, especially in warmer climates. Added to that, the home furnishings industry has created a whole niche market of furniture, rugs, textiles etc specifically suited for these outdoor spaces.

Patio Design Ideas: Make the Space an Extension of Your Indoors

The key to making any space look good, be it indoors or outdoors, is to make sure the environment is comfortable and suitable for relaxation, being well-furnished, but not cramped at the same time. And the space needs to be functional. It is important that you treat your outdoor space as an integral part of your home. So make sure the decor of the patio is not strikingly different from that inside your house. It is a good idea to keep up the same theme and color scheme unless you specifically want the patio to have a contrasting look and feel. Even if you decide to use a different theme than that which is indoors, make sure the accessories outside are well coordinated among themselves. It is a good idea to surround yourself with items that you love – this could be wind chimes, potted or hanging plants, vases, comfortable seating etc. You could also bring indoor elements like mirrors, a candelabra, drapes, pillows outside, to make the outdoor space look like an extension of the indoors.

Patio Design Ideas: Simple Suggestions #1

You could add an extra touch like a hammock, or some comfortable bean bags around a small wicker table, or even a beach umbrella to make your patio an ideal haven for relaxation. Another of the patio design ideas that has remained in-vogue for years is exotic bamboo place mats and a combination of plates and bowls in pastel colors. They add both taste and color to your patio. Depending upon the theme you have chosen for your patio you could choose between simple pavers, or decorative concrete slabs, or even flagstone for the flooring. Or you could choose to have a natural grassy flooring, and do up the patio to hold barbeques.

Patio Design Ideas: Simple Suggestions #2

A welcoming walkway designed creatively leading up to your patio could add the finishing touch. Classic patterns like a paved pathway or a wooden pathway never go out of style, and add a touch of warmth to your outdoor space at the same time. Another classic decoration is to line a collection of glass bottles or terracotta pots of various sizes along the pathway. You could fill each one of them with a different plant and create a green, healthy living space.

Patio Design Ideas: Simple Suggestions #3

Remember your styling choices will reflect your tastes, so make sure that you do not get carried away and overdo it. Remember not to use too many jarring colors except for in small items like kitchenware, because the use of too many bright colors makes the space look smaller. Stick to mostly darker or neutral shades for flooring and furniture and make sure you experiment with your patio design ideas to get the patio that you have always yearned for.

Beautiful desert landscaping is all about letting nature dictate what plants can prosper in this type of environment. There are some outstanding plants that have developed to survive in desert regions and do well with little water and few nutrients. In many areas of the United States that lie within desert regions were water usage and landscaping choices may be limited in order to conserve water. You will need to be aware of water and landscaping regulations in your area to avoid fines.

Desert Lanscaping Ideas – #2

Desert landscaping does not have to be difficult and, when done right, can be tranquil and serene. Plants in the desert can include cacti, succultents, different yucca plants, and assorted desert grasses and flowers. You may want to take a walk around a natural area in your location and try to use as many local species as possible when landscaping your yard. This will create a natural setting that matches your area’s natural beauty. Desert landscaping can also benefit from non-plant landscaping ideas such as rock gardens.

Desert Lanscaping Ideas – #3

There can also be room in desert landscaping for some tree varieties such as willows, scrub oaks, and some palm trees. Keeping your desert plants watered should not be difficult as the plants you will want to use have evolved to survive with limited resources, including water. One way to help make use of every drop of water is to create groupings of your plants. These may be grouped in areas that receive rain run off and follow natural patterns. If you are installing a irrigation system you will only want to use it at night to prevent evaperation, which would render it pointless. It is best to use this only as a back up in extra dry times.

Desert Lanscaping Ideas – #4

Rock gardens and other natural looking non-plant options work well with desert landscaping. These can add a dramatic effect and at the same time will not compete for limited resources. Well placed rocks can be used to create pathways for water run off to areas in your yard that may need it. A nice grouping of rocks on a edge of a low area can be situated so the bigger and heavier rocks are on the bottom of this spot. You can edge this part with some desert flowering plants and grasses to create a layered effect. Another popular option in some places is the use of adobe for small decorative fences that seperate different areas of your yard or garden.

Desert Lanscaping Ideas – #5

Working with your natural resources will make desert landscaping easier and you may have to experiment a little to find out what works. The internet has many resources for those who want to look up local information. You should also use your local nurseries and garden centers to ask for advice on what plants do best in your area. They should also be able to help you look up any local regulations concerning water and land usage. The more informed you are before you begin the better chance you have at creating a long lasting desert garden for you and your family.

Landscaping can be a costly project. It may seem to be an overwhelming task and you might feel more comfortable hiring a landscape designer to plan and do the work for you. But if you feel up to it, it’s not a bad idea to do it yourself. Here are a few tips and tricks to help you plan your landscaping project.

Front Yard Landscaping Tips #1 – Fill It With Flowers

Fill it with flowers. Planting some colorful blossoms is sure to make your yard more visually appealing. Bold bright hues leave a big impression, even in small spaces. But be sure to check your community’s rules for planting on the parking strip (the grassy area between the sidewalk and street). Some cities may have restrictions on plant height or how close they can be to fire hydrants.

Front Yard Landscaping Tips #2 – Leave Some Space to Entertain

Leave some space to entertain. You don’t want to overcrowd, and adding a patio is a great way to give your yard a more welcoming feel. You can add a small hedge or a skirt of flowers around the patio to make it seem more enclosed and intimate without appearing unfriendly to your neighbors.

Front Yard Landscaping Tips #3 – Spruce Up the Walkway

Spruce up the walkway by planting some easy-care plants along the edge. Putting a slight curve in the path will give it a pleasant appeal. Use materials like flagstone, cobblestone, or bricks to give it a little more charm as opposed to plain old cement.

Front Yard Landscaping Tips #4 – Use Evergreen

You can use evergreens to keep the yard looking classy for all seasons. Groundcovers, large trees, and dwarf shrubs work well for landscaping. Remember to choose evergreens that mature to the size you want to avoid an overgrown mess.

Front Yard Landscaping Tips #5 – Put In a Decorative Fence or Archway

Single-story homes and ranches can sometimes get lost in the shuffle. You can bring attention to it by emphasizing the entrance with a decorative fence or archway. White fencing stands out against colorful flowers and non-white homes.

Front Yard Landscaping Tips #6 – Put In a Decorative Fence or Archway

Create a fork in your walkway. Splitting the path invites visitors to inspect the landscaping. Be sure to include some fragrant flora to enhance your yard’s sensory appeal.

Front Yard Landscaping Tips #7 – Put In a Decorative Fence or Archway

Plants like spiral junipers add a sense of grandeur to your property. Potted plants work well for properties that are mostly paved.

Front Yard Landscaping Tips #8 – Use Native Plants

Let Nature be your guide. Choose plants that are native to your area to decorate your yard and give it a homey feeling. This will also attract butterflies and birds to your property, especially if you add a bird feeder or bird bath.

Front Yard Landscaping Tips #9 – Use Native Plants

Grassy knolls can be hard to maintain, so be sure to include plants that are easy to care for in those areas to avoid creating extra work for yourself in the future.

Front Yard Landscaping Tips #10 – Put In a Flowerbed

If you put in a flowerbed, it’s a good idea to plant the tallest flowers in back and work your way to the shortest ones in the front. This will make the plot look more attractive and make it much easier for you to maintain.

Pool Landscaping Tip #1: Pool Area Security

The most influential factor to consider when selecting a pool landscaping design is pool security. It is essential to make sure your pool area is safe for children; and in many countries, you are legally obliged to fence your pool, which can help to prevent unauthorized child access. Safety compliance does not mean that your pool has to be an eye-sore, however, a quality pool landscaping design can and should incorporate the security fence into your existing, overall theme.

Pool Landscaping Tip #2: Pool Surrounds

As the name suggests, it is the immediate pool area surrounding the swimming pool which in turn, links the pool with the rest of your existing landscape.  Stone, as an example, is an excellent material for use in your pool surround area.  For a more classic look with stone, you might consider using limestone and if you’re aiming for a luxurious feel, travertine marble is an option to consider.  To enhance plain concrete, you might consider interspersing and embedding decorative stones throughout – your imagination and budget is your only limitation here.

Selecting the right plants as part of the pool landscaping work will create a magnificent, natural ambience. You should avoid deciduous plants and trees that will litter the pool area – you don’t want to create a maintenance nightmare.  Adding a cast of fragrant plants could also be a nice touch and they appeal to two senses at once – sight and smell.  If you choose substatial vegetation, you also gain the added benefit of added privacy.

An attractive water-feature can also be a nice touch too – either directly integrated with the pool itself or nearby.  A water feature, with the sound of moving water will add a peaceful and tranquil ambiance to the area.  As far as water features go, you have several options.  A waterfall circulating the existing water and draining directly into the pool, if done well, is lovely.  A water fountain in the middle of the pool can be a nice touch, although, that does impact the functionality of the space.

Pool Landscaping Tip #3: Pool Lighting

Proper lighting can really enhance your night-time pool experience.  With under-water lighting you have many choices of shapes and colors from which to choose.  And there are numerous garden lighting options to consider – well placed garden lighting can bring alive your well-placed pool surround plants.  LED or light emitting diode lighting seems to be the trend of the future for outdoor lighting because of its lower power consumption – something for you to consider using in your pool landscaping area.

Hardscaping Ideas #1 – Hardscaping Makes Space More Livable

Hardscaping does not only beautify a space – it can also make it more livable. Effective hardscaping can enhance privacy, provide shelter, create pleasing boundaries and level the topography of an outdoor space. For example, a well placed fence can not only create solid lines between your property and that of your neighbour’s, it can also segregate grassy areas from cultivated gardens and hard surfaces, thereby reducing the chances of your dog digging up a flower patch or children hurting themselves by falling on paved surfaces. Walls can also be used to improve the topography by dividing slopes from flatter surfaces (which also prevents soil erosion). Sheltered hardscaping like gazebos can provide shade on hot days and protection from light rainfall. Also, hardscaping inevitably reduces the amount of yard maintenance you’ll need to do because it cuts down grassy areas in the lawn.

Hardscaping Ideas #2 – Strike a Balance Between Hardscaping and Softscaping

When thinking about the design elements of hardscaping, try to strike a balance between hardscaping and softscaping elements in your lawn. For example, urban residences are probably more suited to patios with little softscaping, whereas a house with a large yard and plenty of softscape will need hardscaping to accentuate the vegetation. It is important to have a focal point – like a fountain, a gazebo or a rock formation – that forms a focal point for the onlooker. Also remember to incorporate the overall style and color scheme of the house into the hardscaping to achieve a smooth transition from the outside of the house to the inside.

Hardscaping Ideas #3 – Choose the Right Materials for Your Hardscaping Design

It is important to choose the right materials for your hardscaping design. Concrete, brick, stone, wood and pavers can all be used on their own or in a combination to achieve the desired effect. Consider the merits (and the cost) of each of these materials while making a choice. For example, concrete is cheap and versatile, while wood or brick is suitable for classic finishes. If you’re on a tight budget, consider using a few garden ornaments strategically within the lawn’s softscape. For instance, placing a fountain or a wall in the center of a heavily planted area allows the eye to alternate between the complexity of the vegetation and the stability of the hardscape.

Hardscaping Ideas #4 – Patio Hardscaping Considerations

As far as patios are concerned, there will almost always be more hardscaping than softscaping. Think about how and when the patio will be used – for entertaining guests, barbecues and/or relaxation of family members – and allocate seating space accordingly. Using bright colored flooring or a few potted plants will add warmth and character to the space. Remember to add a gentle slope to the patio floor to allow rainwater to drain away easily.

Hardscaping Ideas #5 – Hardscaping – Best By Professional?

Many a home owner do not have easy access to the heavy equipment often required to handle much of large hardscaping projects – you may want to consider hiring a landscaping firm who specializes in that end of the process.

In conclusion, a well-landscaped area is going to contain a blend of hardscaping and softscaping – but, the exact interrelationship between the two may not be obvious – especially with the hardscaping aspect. As you go around town or visit friends, keep a notebook with you to jot down different hardscaping ideas and softscaping ideas that you see where you are out and about.

Backyard Landscaping Ideas #1 – Adding Vegetation

Consider adding some vegetation like trees, bushes, or flowers. Plants can be a lot more colorful than simple grass, and even a few simple flowers can considerably brighten up a lawn.

Backyard Landscaping Ideas #2 – Adding Patio or Deck

Think about adding a patio or deck. A patio can be attached directly to your home, and it makes a great place to entertain guests. Many people find patios to be useful for either grilling out, getting a tan, or just relaxing in the warmer months of the year. Patios can come in a wide range of materials and styles, and can fit in almost any backyard.

Backyard Landscaping Ideas #3 – Adding a Pond or Fountain

Maybe you could have some nice scenery like a pond or fountain. Fountains tend to look very impressive, and the tinkling sound of water can be a very pleasant background noise.

Backyard Landscaping Ideas #4 – Adding a Garden

A garden can be a wonderful idea. Food is always better when it is home grown. When neighbors see the rows of vegetables you planted, they might be a little jealous. Do not be surprised if your great looking garden results in some requests for tomatoes, peas, or carrots.

Backyard Landscaping Ideas #5 – Adding a Stone Pathway

If you have sufficient space, a stone pathway can be great. If you can get it to combine well with other things, that is even better. Imagine the stunning result that paved walkway would have if you lined it with vibrant flowers and shrubs. And at the end of the path would be your gorgeous fountain, pond, or garden.

A Warning About Overdoing It

Every yard is different, and not all ideas are suitable and practical for everybody. If you try to do too much with a particular lawn, it is going to look crowded and crammed together, no matter how big the area is. You should always be aware of how large the total space you have to work with is. There are some techniques that you can use to maximize smaller and larger lawns.

Make Your Space Count

If your lawn is small, you are not going to get any sweeping or panoramic views. Focus on things that will look good from anywhere, not just a distance. If you have less space, make it count. Buy quality materials that are designed to last, and that will provide more aesthetic appeal. Granite or stone is superior to simple concrete.

Create Focal Points

In large yards, you want to try and create focal points that draw the eye. The middle could be something like a tree or gazebo, or perhaps a fountain. Many people like to use a zone technique when landscaping. The first zone might be a patio area, where the family dines and entertains. The second is the lawn, where the children can play, and the third is the garden. Clearly having borders and designs for the zones makes the overall effect more visually appealing.

In conclusion, to get a some good backyard landscaping ideas, you might find it profitable to spend some time going out and looking at various options – ideas that you’ve never even thought of will come to you.

When landscaping a small backyard you have to have a clear idea or theme in mind before you get started. Small backyard landscaping ideas should be simpler than those you would create for a large space because of the limited space you are dealing with. The one thing that you can do, is to add plants and features in a higher price range since it will not take as much to decorate the area.

Small Backyard Landscaping Ideas – Add a Water Feature

No matter what theme you use for your landscaping, one simple yet elegant element that can be added to any landscape is a water feature. You can purchase a premade fountain, or create your own. Either method is inexpensive and easy to accomplish.

Small Backyard Landscaping Ideas – Tropical Landscaping

Let us take a look at some specific small backyard landscaping ideas. First is the tropical backyard, if you want a taste of warm weather and the tropics all year long this could be the perfect idea for your landscape. Tropical landscaping will feature plants with bright colors and shapely leaves. You can also add vines, plants with thick roots, or large leaves to give it a tropical feel. The tropics are damp so this is where your water feature can be put to good use. The sound of flowing water will fit into a tropical theme perfectly.

Small Backyard Landscaping Ideas – Bonsai Garden

Another idea on the list of small backyard landscaping ideas is to create a bonsai garden in your yard. Since you have a small area to fill, using small plants will fit into the scheme of things easily. You will not get too much argument on the fact that bonsai trees are beautiful; after all, they are full size trees grown in a small area. Bonsai trees are a miniature of the full size tree, so if you have a favorite tree, look for one that has been grown in a bonsai pot. This will allow you to enjoy the beauty of your favorite trees right in your backyard. The only drawback is that bonsai trees take a lot of careful tending to stay healthy. If you live a busy lifestyle this may not be the best landscaping idea for you.

Small Backyard Landscaping Ideas – Other Dwarf Plants

There is a dwarf form of most every tree imaginable. If you cannot do a bonsai garden then another of the small backyard landscaping ideas would be to use dwarf plants and trees. Dwarf trees and plants do not require the specialized care that has to be given to bonsai. Although use caution because even dwarf plants and trees can get quite large. For instance some dwarf peach tress still attain a height of 12’ feet or more and can become 6’-8’ around. If you like pine trees there are some beautiful dwarf pines on the market that stay under 6’ feet tall and less that 4’ around.

Small Backyard Landscaping Ideas – A Combination

These are just a few of the small backyard landscaping ideas that are available. There are many more ideas that can be found and used in your small backyard. You could even create your own unique backyard by combining elements of all of the different ideas that you find.

Before working on your home’s landscaping, you should decide on the area that you want to work on first. Other factors to consider are your needs, wants or personal taste. It is essential for your home to have curb appeal and you can use the following landscaping ideas to make that happen.

Landscaping Ideas #1 – Formal landscape

This is a landscape style that uses perfect geometrical shapes and primary straight lines. It also involves the formal arrangement of plants while being attentive to balance, details and symmetry instead of positioning them randomly. It often includes features such as topiaries, paved walks, pruned hedges, patios and pools.

Landscaping Ideas #2 – Informal landscape

This is a style that favors borders and flower beds that have curved edges. It also involves placing plants randomly and the planting of masses of colorful perennials. Home owners can also choose to use attractive planters, rock gardens and urns that are placed strategically in order to add to the random casual look. This landscaping idea works well with country cottages and smaller houses.

Landscaping Ideas #3 – Oriental/Asian

This landscaping style involves the use of water, rocks, evergreens and mosses in a balanced and idealized manner. With artistic planning, it is possible to reveal miniature vistas as someone walks through the garden. It is a suitable style to use if your home has a small backyard.

Landscaping Ideas #4 – Woodland

This style of landscaping involves the use of rockeries, evergreen shrubs, native plants and shrubs. It also involves the use of shady areas and natural pathways where you can locate a rustic bench. It is essential for the plantings to appear completely natural and they should have groundcovers around them. This is a good landscaping idea for homes that have large yards that back onto woods and that have sloped areas.

Landscaping Ideas #5 – The English Garden

This style of landscaping brings about harmony between the home’s architecture and that of the garden that surrounds it. It also involves the planting of huge perennial borders that are full of colorful perennials and flowering shrubs. The paths are natural and covered with brick or flagstone.

Before planting or adding anything to your backyard, you should ensure that the basic landscaping features are as attractive as possible. Your shrubs, lawns and trees should be in good condition. You should also repair any walkways or patios that are damaged and pull up the weeds that are growing in or around them. In order to achieve a look that is more finished, you should install edging around your flower beds or lawn for a look that is neater and more finished.

In order to enhance the appearance of your backyard, you should minimize or improve the appearance of common items such as stumps, propane tanks and sheds. You can also choose to hide or spruce these items by installing a fence panel or trellis in front of them and then plant a climbing vine such as clematis or sweet pea to block the view.

In summary, there are many landscaping ideas that you can act on to add value to your house.

Formal Home Landscaping Ideas

I suppose you could say what sums up this style is order and neatness.  A formal landscape is not to everyones taste or style but many homes often incorporate small areas of “formalness” without actually knowing it, such as the main entrance to the home. Features of this style often include neat straight lines and geometrical patterns. Something else to bear in mind with this style is that it could involve high maintenance – have you ever seen an untidy formal garden?

Casual Home Landscaping Ideas

This is probably at the opposite end of the scale to the formal garden mentioned above. This is one of those home landscaping ideas where you can let your imagination go to work; where you can construct flower beds with sweeping curves and random planting, as opposed to straight lines and neatness.

The English Backyard Home Landscaping Ideas

If you live in a house that has a small backyard and possibly with walls on all sides. Then try to find a style that will harmonize with the architecture and the natural colors of the facade of your home.

A Formal and Casual Approach Home Landscaping Ideas

If you don’t like the prospect of a formal garden and a casual style doesn’t really suit your tastes, then how about mixing the two. This style could make use of brick walkways which give that formal appeal and they could lead through to an area consisting of more rounded or even circles of flower beds without any formal borders.

Hopefully, with a brief glimpse of these four home landscaping ideas / styles, this will fuel your imagination to start thinking and visualizing what your yard space could be.