Landscaping is the process of changing the visible features of a piece of land to create a more pleasing and functional environment. It involves everything from mowing the lawn to installing trees, shrubs and flowers.

Landscaping requires regular maintenance like watering, fertilization, mowing, and mulching to keep the plants healthy and looking their best. A thriving landscape adds value to the home and increases your enjoyment of outdoor living spaces. Visit https://www.ecograssnwa.com/ to learn more.

Color is one of the most rewarding and challenging elements to work with in landscaping. It can create a sense of energy, draw the eye to important areas and features in your landscape, or provide a tranquil spot for quiet reflection and relaxation. Understanding color theory and incorporating the principles into your own garden can elevate your landscape design from just “pretty” to truly impactful.

The basics of color theory include hue, value and intensity. Hue refers to the purity of a color (red is pure, while blue is neutral). Value is how light or dark a color is (the lighter a rose is, the higher its value) and intensity is how bright or dull a flower is.

Each landscape design should have a dominant color that sets the tone for the whole space. From there, accent colors can be used to add a bit of personality or create contrast. A popular accent color scheme is a monochromatic one, which uses variations of the same color. For example, you might use a canary yellow rose and various shades of violet in your garden.

Another color scheme that is popular in the garden is an analogous one, which combines colors that are found next to each other on the color wheel. This is an easy way to add variety to your garden without going overboard with different colors.

It is also common to have a focal point in a landscape, which is usually something that is different from the surrounding plants and draws attention to itself. Focal points can be anything from a water feature to a plant with unique coloring or shape.

Landscapes are not just a beautiful addition to a property; they can also increase its value and make it more livable. When used correctly, landscapes can encourage people to spend time outdoors and receive the health benefits that come from it. A well-designed landscape can help reduce stress, improve mood and even boost the immune system. To learn more about the power of landscaping, contact a professional today.

Form

A well-designed landscape makes your property more attractive, livable and lifestyle friendly. It also increases the resale value of your home. In addition to the colors of flowering plants and the textures of hardscape, form is an important element of your landscape design. Line, shape, size and placement are the basic elements of form, which creates a theme in your landscaping.

When a person looks at your yard, they will first notice the lines that flow through it. Straight lines and hard angles will yield a more formal look, while curved lines will be less structured. The lines you use in your landscaping can be perceived as a guide to the eye, or they can simply highlight specific features of your garden.

Circles, arcs and ovals are a strong shape that will draw the eye. Circles can be whole or partial, and they can also be combined with other shapes to create a unique design. Circles can be used for focal points, to connect different areas of the landscape and for visual harmony.

Shrubs are available in various forms that give them a distinctive appearance. The shape of a shrub influences how it fits into the surrounding environment and how it will complement other plant species. The shape of a shrub can be upright, vase, cascading or rounded. The shape of a shrub can be accentuated by using different pruning techniques to alter the structure of the shrub.

When planning a landscape, the shape of an area should be a priority. If you have a large area that needs to be landscaped, consider ways to make the space feel connected and cohesive. A landscape designer can help you plan a cohesive landscape by creating an overall design for your yard.

A landscaping company should have a team of professionals that include certified designers and horticulturists. These professionals should be knowledgeable about all aspects of the landscape, including the different types of flowers, trees, and hardscape materials. They should understand the way that different weather conditions can affect the color of plants and the effects of lighting on hardscape materials. A landscaping company should focus on cultivating unity in the landscape by using a color palette that is consistent throughout the yard.

Texture

While color is probably the most well-known design element, texture is equally important in creating an eye-pleasing landscape. Plant textures differ from fine to coarse and, like colors, can create contrast that makes your garden visually interesting. Texture also softens spaces, fashions backdrops and sets moods. Incorporating texture into your landscaping will transform an ordinary garden into a living work of art that engages the senses and draws people in.

Whether your landscape features plants, flowers, or hardscape materials such as pavers and walls, all have their own unique texture. By thoughtfully combining different types of plantings and using lines to create visual movement, you can add depth and dimension that will capture the imagination of all who visit your garden.

The size and branching structure of a plant determines its texture. For example, needle-leaf evergreens have a dense, fine texture that produces a solid appearance when viewed from a distance. Conversely, open-branched shrubs such as honey locust and royal fern produce a lighter, airier feel. A landscape designer will consider the textures of all plantings in a garden to ensure that the overall effect is cohesive.

Although it’s often easy to overlook, a plant’s texture is not something that can be easily changed or replaced. However, a hardscape feature such as a paver patio can be altered by adding an accent stone or changing the surface material. In addition, a simple change in the positioning of a tree or shrub can completely alter its visual impact.

In a garden, the most effective use of texture is to layer it. Incorporating a variety of plants with different textures in the same planting bed creates an eye-catching interplay of light and shadow. Plants with similar textures, such as soft ornamental grasses and delicate ferns, pair nicely together while those with contrasting textures—coarse foliage like cannas and elephant ears and fine textures such as lilyturf and coleus—provide dramatic contrast.

Texture also affects how a garden looks from different vantage points. To make a garden appear larger, arrange coarse textures in the background while placing fine textures closer to the viewer. The perception of depth created by these textures will make a garden appear larger and less cluttered.

Lighting

A well-planned lighting plan adds a whole new dimension to your landscape at night. It not only illuminates essential structures like paths and stairs, but also enhances your home’s architecture, draws attention to special features of the garden and yard, and creates a cozy atmosphere for evening gatherings with family and friends.

Outdoor lighting options generally fall into three categories: security, safety, and accent. Security lights protect your property from intruders by extending your range of vision and deterring prowlers, while safety lighting prevents trips and falls on walkways or stairs by illuminating them. The largest category, accent, is used to draw attention to outdoor features such as statues or garden beds.

To determine your lighting needs, walk around your outdoor spaces at night to see how the light affects them. A sketch of the layout, including any structures or decorations you want to highlight and their heights, will help you visualize the effect from different angles. Once you know what kind of illumination you need, it’s time to choose the fixtures that fit your design scheme.

Most lighting is powered by 120-volt household current that’s transmitted over low-voltage cables to each fixture. The cables are typically buried under ground to keep them safe from damage and to minimize their appearance. A hub system with a waterproof junction box and equal lengths of 10- or 12-gauge wires to each fixture helps achieve consistent brightness, and it’s important to keep cable runs under 50 feet for best results.

Spotlights are the superheroes of landscape lighting, casting a wide beam that’s perfect for drawing attention to focal points like garden statues or your house’s facade. Downlights are used to accentuate tree trunks, branches or the foliage of large plants, and wash lights envelop smaller areas with soft illumination that’s similar to natural moonlight.