From paths to trees, to flowers and fountains, planning out exactly how you wish your Burlington outdoor space will look – and then executing on that vision – can be a lot of fun. But sometimes, what you see in your mind’s eye, and what you actually end up with after a couple of years don’t quite match up.
Knowing a few simple principles of smart landscape design, however, can help you avoid some common mistakes and ensure that your outdoor space will be a place that you and your family can enjoy for years to come.
1. Plan for equipment access.
At some point, you may likely need to hire contractors to come to your Burlington home to build a deck, remove a tree stump, or perform some other service that requires equipment. And for this, you need to have access. If every inch of your property is covered in flower beds, some of your hard work will be destroyed. Plan to have a way to get into your yard where there is little that can be damaged.
2. Choose your focal points.
A focal point is something that draws the eye. That can be a tree or perhaps a water feature, but it can be other things as well. A focal point should be something that varies somewhat in texture or colour from the rest of the landscape. The idea is that it will stand out from, but still “go” with, what you already have.
3. Pass on the “formal” look.
Those formal landscapes that you see in magazines that celebrities have may look amazing, but they are notoriously difficult to maintain and require a big budget to do so. For example, if you have two trees positioned to provide symmetry and one dies, you may not be able to find another close enough to replace it, and you may have to replace both to maintain that formal look.
4. Go easy on the curves.
A long curving pathway can be very elegant but overdoing it on the curves can leave you with an undesirable result. Subtle curves are often the best choice for landscape design.
5. Add some movement.
You might like to have an outdoor space that is as beautiful as a Monet painting, but you shouldn’t have one that is as still as a painting. Make your landscape look and feel alive with movement! Consider adding some tall ornamental grasses that will sway in the wind or some native plants that will attract hummingbirds and butterflies.
6. Right plant, right spot.
When you are choosing your plants, remember to keep in mind their full-grown size. Too often, homeowners position shrubs too close to their windows because they don’t realize they will block their view in a few short years. Or they place plants too close together because they haven’t accounted for how big they will get.
Contact Evergreen Landscapes today!
Are you planning a landscaping makeover for your Burlington home this year? If so, contact Evergreen Landscapes today to arrange for a consultation and estimate.
