When To Use Landscape Design
Outdoor spaces can function in a range of ways – and whether you have a small garden or a large piece of land, it could benefit from a range of landscaping ideas. But when might landscape design be necessary?
What is garden landscaping?
This method of garden design makes use of plants and structural elements to enhance the flow of an outdoor space; with the intention of framing specific focal points and preserving the natural feel of the location.
When to use landscape design for your garden
Many people choose to use landscape styles in their gardens to maintain continuity; especially when their space borders rural green areas. This means that if you have an outdoor space that meets with natural green areas or landscapes, you may want to design your garden to match. This could involve you planting native plants, trees, or shrubbery – or even developing sections or layers that meet a certain aesthetic. Creating a structural outdoor scheme can change the character of your garden and make it more functional, too.
It may be a good idea to define what you want from your landscaped garden before you consider designing it. For example, does it need to function for entertainment, or to cater to children? Should it be a low-maintenance, relaxing space? Do you want to be more active in the upkeep of your garden as it grows throughout the year? Your reasons for wanting to landscape can greatly affect your requirements.
Enlisting the help of a professional landscape architect
There may be instances where doing the work yourself can be easy enough, but as landscape design often needs to take into account a range of factors and may warrant a certain amount of skill and knowledge; hiring a professional might be the only way to ensure the right look and feel for your garden.
What to expect for landscaping
In smaller-scale (often residential) projects, a specialist designer/gardener should draft a plan for the site in question, before starting any manual work. Following a consultation, they will aim to plan for your specific needs; taking into account the topography of the land, types of soil and existing ground installations (such as gravel or concrete), your desired arrangements, features and the types of vegetation needed. Larger spaces may require subdivision and an expert should be able to work within a range of parameters to suit your needs.
Who will do the work?
It may be worth it to keep in mind that specific specialists may only do the planning and not the physical work – but most should be able to do both. There may be tasks that you can fulfil yourself throughout the project, just as there may be constructions that could require a builder or specific professional (i.e. if you are hoping to install larger structures or specialist design elements).
