A truly stunning garden should bring together structured elegance with tailored architectural features. This balance is achieved through the artful combination of soft and hard landscaping elements. As an experienced leader in the landscaping industry, we excel in delivering these services, to create outdoor spaces where these two components complement each other perfectly.
Understanding Soft and Hard Landscaping: What’s The Difference?
Soft landscaping refers to the living elements in your garden – trees, shrubs, flowers, grass, and other plants. It’s all about colour, texture, and the natural flow of your outdoor space.
Hard landscaping, on the other hand, involves the non-living elements that provide structure and form. This includes paths, walls, patios, decks, rocks, and other hardscape materials.
1.Starting with a Solid Foundation: Hard Landscaping
Eden Gardens recommends beginning with hard landscaping as it forms the backbone of your garden layout. This could involve laying down pathways, building retaining walls, or constructing a patio area. These elements should be placed thoughtfully to create a flow through the garden, guiding movement and framing the soft landscaping elements. The choice of materials – be it natural stone, brick, or concrete – can greatly influence the garden’s overall feel and should complement the architectural style of your home.
2.A Luxury Touch with Soft Landscaping
Once the hard landscaping is in place, Eden Gardens focuses on integrating soft landscaping elements. This is where your garden comes to life with a variety of plants. Consider using a mix of perennial and annual plants to ensure year-round colour and texture. Layering is a key technique – start with taller trees and shrubs as a backdrop, then add mid-height plants, and finally, incorporate ground cover and smaller flowers at the front. Remember to consider the specific needs of each plant, such as sunlight and water requirements, to ensure a thriving garden.
3.Creating Harmony and Contrast
The magic of combining soft and hard landscaping lies in creating harmony and contrast. For instance, a rugged, natural stone path can be softened with flowering ground covers or grasses spilling over the edges. Conversely, a sleek, modern patio can be warmed up with lush, overflowing planters. Eden Gardens advises playing with colours and textures – the roughness of bark against smooth paving, the play of light on different foliage types, and the juxtaposition of geometric hardscape lines with the organic forms of plants.
4.Focal Points and Features
Every garden should have a focal point or a feature that draws the eye. This could be a hard landscaping element like a sculpture, water feature, or fire pit, or it could be a stunning plant or tree. The key is to create a point of interest that ties the soft and hard elements together.
5.Practical Considerations
While aesthetics are important, practical considerations are key to a functional garden. Think about maintenance – both plants and hardscape materials. Also, consider the usability of space. Do you need a play area for children, a vegetable garden, or a quiet spot for relaxation?
Balancing soft and hard landscaping is something we specialise in. By thoughtfully combining these elements, we can help to create a garden that is not only beautiful but also a functional extension of your home. It’s about finding that perfect equilibrium where nature and structure come together to create a completely unique landscape. Get in touch for more on our hard and soft landscaping services today.
