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.
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