Landscape & Garden Design Tips
In today's economy, it makes sense to ensure you do your landscape once and do it right. Here are some tips from The Garden Place – we hope they help inspire you!
Front Yards
Your front yard is the first impression of your home. It has high value and should look good all year round. In our neck of the woods (south-eastern Ontario) we don’t have anything in leaf or bloom from November to May – that’s a whole six months – so when we design the front of a home, we use a minimum of 50% evergreens to ensure there is 12-month interest. Evergreens add a sense of permanency and come in so many shapes and sizes. With clear garden outlines, a variety of colours and textures, the area kept neat and tidy - your home will have wonderful curb appeal all the time.
Scale and Balance
Balance the amount of garden area to the house. Too little of a garden will diminish the property, too much will overtake the house. At this property we really liked the existing Pyramidal Boxwoods and they are valuable plants, so we kept them and continued the look. The existing walkway and gardens were too small for the property so we designed a more "welcoming" and updated walkway with gardens to match.
Elements and Focal Points
Statuary, arbours, benches and bird baths all add interest and finishing touches to the landscape. They provide a focal point, usefulness and a completely different texture. Suit the element style to your garden, and keep the quantity to a minimum. Give light coloured focal points a darker background, and vice versa, to ensure they keep their value.
Backyard - before photo.
Backyard with nice garden.
Backyard with arbour and birdbath – looks completed,
adds interest and introduces a new texture – perfect!
Plant Sizes, Shapes, Colours and Textures
In designing a landscape, the multitude of available plants can be mind boggling! To help choose the right one, break them down into categories such as evergreens, deciduous trees, shrubs, perennials, annuals, etc. Then look for the features that suit your needs such shape, height (at maturity), colour, bloom period, texture, and fragrance. Think about the largest items first and work from large to small. Then source the type of plant that fits your requirement. The end result will be well-chosen items, coherent for your garden, a good investment and the best plant for your location!
How to Hire a Landscaper
Your home is your castle. Whether you want to create a backyard retreat or update the front of your home – protect your investment. Shop around, get quotes and ask the questions. After all, this is your property, money, and daily enjoyment. To help you, here are some suggestions:
How plant knowledgeable are they?
How long have they been in business, do they have certification and insurance?
When can they begin, how long will it take and will the manager be on site?
Will your lawn get damaged with equipment, if so, are repairs included?
What materials and plants are used and where do they come from?
Do they provide written quotes with details such as drawings, plans, photos?
Will there be any changes to the final costs?
Ask them for 3 local references and call the references.
Do they have a clear understanding of your needs?
Did they listen to you and take note of your preferences and budget?
Are they easy to reach, and do they return your calls/emails/texts?
Before
After - great curb appeal!
adds interest and introduces a new texture – perfect!
