The landscaping industry is booming because people seek ways to spend more time outdoors. Beautifully maintained landscaping not only looks great but it also increases the value of a home or business.
Landscaping is the practice of enhancing outdoor spaces with plants and changes to the terrain, and structures. Visit https://www.yandllandscaping.com to learn some things to keep in mind when landscaping your property.
Fences can provide a great deal of privacy and security for homeowners and their families. However, people often install fences without fully thinking through how the fence will interact with their landscaping. The result can be less than ideal. In fact, a recent study found that fences can actually reorganize entire ecosystems. For example, it’s important to consider which plants should go with a fence so that the landscape will look balanced and aesthetically pleasing.
One of the best things you can do for your fence line is to create clear borders and edging. This will add to the overall aesthetic of your yard and prevent soil erosion. In addition, it will keep mulch or plants from encroaching on the fence, which will reduce maintenance requirements.
Another way to enhance the aesthetic of your fence is by adding flowers and other vegetation. This will provide a splash of color and help to soften the typically straight lines of your fence. Vines like clematis or sweet peas can make a lovely living tapestry along the fence, while hanging baskets filled with petunias and geraniums offer bursts of color.
It’s also a good idea to plant trees and shrubs that will serve as natural privacy barriers, such as arborvitae or yew. These plants are known for their dense growth and ability to withstand pruning, making them a perfect choice for a fence. Additionally, these plants are a good choice for those who are interested in creating a more formal landscape.
Many people are surprised to learn that fences do not block wind or traffic noise. In fact, airflow science reveals that moving wind easily passes through most fences, amplifying it on the other side. If this is a concern for you, consider planting a mix of evergreen and deciduous plants to absorb sound.
Ornamental iron fences are an attractive counterpoint to organic landscaping, but you must be careful not to allow the rust to stain the surrounding plants. For this reason, it may be a good idea to leave iron fencing alone and use landscaping to accent it.
Paved areas
Paved areas are typically outside spaces, but can also include courtyards, patios and driveways. They can be constructed from asphalt, brick, concrete, flagstone, cobblestone, tile and timber. Pavements may be coloured and textured to add interest to an outdoor space. Paving can be used to connect outdoor learning spaces, as pathways for physical education and recess, for arrival and dismissal areas, or to store snow in northern climates.
A great way to live more sustainably with paved areas is to incorporate permeable materials into your landscape design. This is a good idea for both urban and rural properties. Permeable paving allows rainwater to pass through the surface and drain into soil below, instead of running off into lakes or streams. It’s a simple and effective solution that’s gaining popularity as people look for ways to live more sustainably.
There are many different permeable paving systems on the market, so it’s important to do your research before choosing one. Make sure the system you choose will meet your requirements and be easy to maintain. Also, find a landscaping contractor who has experience using the type of paving you’re considering. They’ll be able to help you choose the right system for your landscape, and ensure it’s properly installed.
Small paved areas can be boring, so it’s important to make them interesting. You can do this by creating a pathway that leads the eye up to the sky, or adding plants and other features to the area. This will make the space feel bigger and more luxurious.
A common misconception about paved gardens is that they can’t grow. But if you’re clever about your landscape design, you can create planting pockets between pavers. These can be filled with low maintenance plants like creeping thyme, to give you a waft of fragrance every time you walk by. This is a win-win for your garden and the environment, as the thyme soaks up rainwater that might otherwise run off into lakes or streams. It’s an easy way to reduce your impact on the environment without losing out on the aesthetics of your landscape.
Plants
Plants are an important part of any landscape. They provide beauty, improve air quality, and even offer noise barriers. Plants are also an excellent way to add value to a property. In fact, studies have shown that well-planned landscaping projects can add 6 to 11 percent to a home’s value. However, it’s important to remember that not all plants are created equal. For this reason, it’s important to consider form, texture, and color when choosing your plant material.
Plant landscaping is a process of using trees, shrubs, and groundcovers to create a garden. It is a combination of art and science, and requires careful consideration of the growth habits of different plants. It also involves using artistic techniques to give full play to the natural beauty of plants.
Besides enhancing the aesthetic value of a space, plant landscaping can also harmonize buildings with their surroundings. This is particularly important in urban areas, where many buildings have hard contours and monochromatic palettes. Moreover, the use of plants can also soften the environment of public spaces and highlight important parts of the city.
In addition to its aesthetic value, plant landscaping is an important tool for restoring natural water resources and improving the ecological balance of an area. By providing shade and reducing evaporation, green spaces can help reduce the amount of water that is needed for irrigation. Moreover, plants can also absorb pollutants from the air and release clean oxygen back into the atmosphere.
Another important aspect of plant landscaping is determining the right scale for your planted landscape. The scale of a landscape is determined by how the plants appear to the human eye. There are a variety of factors that affect the scale of a landscape, including physiological, psychological, environmental, and regional cultural influences.
When selecting plants for a design, you should start with the shape of the plant and then consider its color and texture. For example, a tall plant with broad leaves and coarse texture has a strong visual impact. On the other hand, a plant with narrow leaves and fine texture has a more subtle effect. In addition, it’s important to take into account the size of the plant when it’s fully matured. This will prevent your plants from becoming overgrown or overwhelming the space.
Lighting
Lighting can dramatically affect the look of your landscape and bring out new features of the yard that you may not have noticed during the day. In addition to illuminating pathways and other areas for safety, it can highlight the beauty of a statue, water feature or other focal point. Properly arranged landscaping lighting can also make your home more inviting to family and guests at night.
A well-lit walkway or staircase makes it easier for people to get around your yard after dark without tripping or falling over things they wouldn’t notice during the day. This is especially important if you have young children or elderly family members living with you who might not see things in the dark. It can also deter unwanted intruders from targeting your home or property since lights illuminated in a way that’s designed to scare them away will be more effective than an unlit backyard.
There are many different landscape lighting techniques that can create unique effects and enhance the appearance of a yard at night. One of the most common is uplighting, which is ideal for highlighting specimen trees or other architectural features on a property. It can also be used to light up retaining walls and other hardscapes.
Another great technique is shadowing, which involves washing a landscape feature with light to create eye-catching shadows on a wall or structure behind it. This effect can be achieved by grazing or cross-lighting, which is done by placing fixtures on both sides of an object to cast its shadows onto the surface it’s being illuminated against.
Finally, silhouetting is a great method for playing up the shape of a landscape feature by lighting it from multiple directions to create a striking silhouette. This technique works best on a vertical surface, like a stone wall or retaining wall, and can also be used on steps and handrails.
It’s also important to note that landscape lighting can affect the growth of plants and trees by releasing heat and emitting UV and infrared light. It’s best to work with a professional who understands the effects of lighting on plant growth and can help you select a proper system for your landscape.
