Holden Beach irrigation
If we were to have a truly native landscape in Houston Texas it would look like an abandon field of various grasses, a thicket edge of tangled vines, shrubs and underbrush or a mature grove of oaks with leaf ground cover underneath. These landscapes are beautiful out in the countryside but in our suburban enclaves we seek some order and design. You say to yourself “it looks messy or it needs to be improved upon.” Let’s say that the first requirement is it should look beautiful to you. It is your interpretation of how you want natural to look. The natural landscape is really improving upon the existing natural conditions and making it even better into our own liking. On the most wooded of lots in Piney Point and Memorial the issue becomes “how to work with and plant under all this shade?” There is an aesthetic, a blend of the existing and the things we can improve upon based on the comforts, functions and the necessary uses of the site- a landscape design marriage. In the natural landscape interpretation we take the best of natural site elements and make it even better still based on the concept of form, function to house comfort and beauty. So now that we know the natural landscape is by no means native or natural what is it?
Nature as Inspiration
The natural landscape designer will first and foremost pay attention to the “sense of place” and “mood” of the site and its relationship with the house. Inspiration can come from the existing site or from vacations and travels throughout the natural world. Are there a grove of fantastic trees in the rear lawn, a view out the backyard to the Bayou that should be preserved or a large back lawn of beautiful old Pecan trees? On a new site you may borrow a nature inspired vision from a place in the wild that you want to recreate. For example a flagstone patio under a soaring oak tree that reminds you of a cliff or hillock in Ireland. Highlight the best features of the sight and down play those not so attractive. The natural landscape will be more sympathetic to working with the site rather than changing it. Work with the existing site features, trees, or existing woodland edges rather than imposing a specific “shape” or “design” as in classical landscape design or formal landscape design.
Interpreting Natures Hardscape
The landscape design for the natural landscape has the same overall approach to the form and functionality of outdoor rooms and spaces as all of the other landscape styles. The overall design can be formal or informal. One design concept for the natural is to create more formal hardscape spaces and surfaces near the home and to dissipate into more natural spaces and surfaces as you move away from the house. In this approach you are creating a hierarchy of spaces and pathways:
Luxury Swimming Pools-materials might include slate and natural stone coping and surfaces to create a refined rustic overall feel.
Walkways and pathways-materials including cut stone, wood, pavestone, gravel and cobble or small stones and boulders.
Landscape Lighting-to light up existing large trees or path lighting and accent lighting for natural flagstone pathways and features
Fencing and gates-made of split cedar for a rustic natural look
Interpreting Natures Landscape
The landscape design can reflect the patterns of natural plantings in nature. We have found that plantings in larger masses and groupings as opposed to natural associations are just easier to maintain over time. Natural patterns and plant masses can be utilized creating a natural look as follows:
Patterns of Nature. Nature groups compensating plantings in terms of drifts which can be interpreted as natural curves and arc of plant materials.
Plant Associations. Plant groupings that grow together such as grasses, roses and flowers in full sun, small ornamental trees at woodland edges such as red buds, dogwoods, and deep shade areas of longleaf pines, with ferns below. The design layout of planting is still based around the form and function of use areas and the layout of hardscape surfaces.
Conclusion
The goal of the natural landscape is truly an interpretation of nature and our attempt to represent our reality of beauty and bring about its very best features. In the traditional landscape design sense the home and landscape still function in relation to your wants and needs for form, function and your ideal of natures canvas.
There are so many possibilities when re-designing your backyard. It can be overwhelming to even know where to start, especially if you have a small space. It may be more of a challenge to re-design a small backyard and make it a real living space, but using more compact versions of what you might find in a larger backyard will give you sufficient of options to choose from. Taking the process one area at a time and perhaps meeting with a professional landscape designer, will make landscaping your backyard much less unapproachable.
When redesigning your backyard, think about how you are going to use it. Would you like an outdoor bar-b-que and sitting area? Do you need your yard to be fenced in to keep children and pets safe? Would you like to incorporate some water features or gardens?
The first step you need to make is determine your budget for the entire landscaping project. Your budget, along with your wishes, the atmosphere you want to create, and the size of the actual space you have to work with will determine what options are realistic in your setting.
No matter what your budget is, the small yard does not have to feel tight on space or uninviting. For example, an Italian grotto or Mediterranean feel can be achieved with light-colored flagstone flooring and curved garden beds that break up the boxy feel. You can add grapevines growing on a small framework. Place plants in clay or ornamental urns or other pots. Planters can be attached to the wall or hung from a trellis. Even a sandbox for young children can blend well in a backyard with a Mediterranean atmosphere. Simply fill an extra-large clay planting bowl with sand and you have created an instant sandbox for your children. A small waterfall or pond tucked into a corner, away from foot traffic, will add style to any garden.
If your dream backyard is all about creating a secluded space that will be a haven from the turmoil of everyday life, an recess with a waterfall and a chair or bench, shaded by a trellis or a tree, makes a great space to sit and read or just kick back. To create a plush feeling in your secret garden, vary the height and color of any plants. Use container gardens in pots of varying heights, vines on trellises, and planters attached to the wall, similar to the Mediterranean garden.
Would you like a place to host friends and family, complete with outdoor kitchen? Unfortunately a full out-of-doors kitchen may not be achievable because of the size limitations; however, you may have room for a top-quality grill or a fire pit. For eating and sitting, a bar with bar stools is casual and not overpowering like heavier, bulkier furniture. Add a water feature, perhaps a pond with some fish, and a variety of plants to round out your yard.
Re-designing a small backyard can be a lot of fun if you relax and are willing to adapt “big backyard” ideas to your small space. The internet is a great source for pictures and ideas to get you conceptualizing about what your options are. With the help of a landscape designer, you can create a backyard that is just as functional and stylish as a large backyard would be.
Ulitimate Landscape Concepts is a leader in landscaping for many reasons. First, their great service. Second, their wonderful and colorful blueprints; not chintzy, vague drawings, but architectural renderings. This article powered by SEO 2.0 Services
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If you had your heart set on a Myrtle Beach oceanfront wedding you should know you might have to tweak your plans just a little bit. Local regulations prevent any weddings being held on the beach front at Myrtle Beach. However, there are many alternatives to either still have your ceremony in Myrtle Beach or move your plans to a nearby beach where it is permitted. 
