Rock & Flagstone So often we think of rock as the crud we dig up in our garden soil. I changed my mind on that years ago when I started using rock as another element in the garden and discovered the beauty of stone. Take a trip to a stone yard and you will discover the rainbow of colors that are available. Everything from granite, green, craggy, tumbled, browns, grays and everything in between. Try a flagstone walkway, or surrounding a clump of grasses with some river rock or hiding a drainage problem by creating a dry creek bed. Soon you will be collecting the stones that you find in your garden as using them to add a new dimension. |
Hardscaping refers to the 'hard' elements the we put into our gardens. These hardscape features would include: Rockeries Pathways Patios Arbors Trellises Fencing Gazebos Pergolas Ponds Retaining Walls...and many more. |
Need More Ideas? Below are more great hardscape ideas from other gardens |
Photos of some of the rock work in our garden. They appear to be dry creek beds but serve as drainage during heavy rain storms. |
Another example of the beauty that dry creek beds can add to your garden. The impression of a creek adds depth. Once the plants fill in to soften the fence, this will become a beautiful focal point. |
A well done rockery softened nicely with plants flowing over the wall. |
Wow...st |
Wow...steps that don't rot and won't ever need replacing... Best of all they look as if they have been there for decades. |
This pathway draws you into the garden and frames out the green foliage. |
Trellises All of us have space limitations so when you can't go out...go up! Vertical gardening with vines is a lot of fun and can add height in the garden, on the patio and in container plantings. Here are several options for 'vertical gardening'. |
Fencing I included this photo for several reasons... 1. The raised beds is great for those that are disabled and love to garden. A pathway would be needed for mobility. 2. This is a good design for gardens with active kids raising the plants out of harm's way. 3. The fencing adds privacy from a busy street. Here is a good spot for some vines on the fence! |
A good example of a well done fence design that adds style to an entryway. |
Pathways What better way to lure people into your garden than down the garden path. They can lead to a bench, to a water feature...or draw the eye to garden art. I personally prefer wandering paths... |
Some suggested materials for pathways are: Brick Flagstone Gravel Concrete Tree chips Step stones |
Water Features You don't need a big garden to include many hardscape elements as you see here. In this picture the water feature is the focal point but if space is limited a simple basalt bird bath ot water garden in a container will do nicely! |
