What are Hard Landscaping Items and How to Use Them in Your Garden

Hardscape is the “tough feature” of its landscape. They are the heaviest, most immutable and inanimate objects composed of gravel, pavement, stone and wood, walkways, patios, driveways, retaining walls, swimming pools, water fountains, pergolas, stone benches. The term hard landscape refers to all non-living elements of landscaping, such as a brick patio, stone wall, or wooden tree. It is one of the two main subcategories of landscaping, the other being soft landscape.

Softscape includes all the living and organic elements of a garden or lawn, such as trees, flowers and grass. Durable stone patios provide years of enjoyment for friends and family with every comfort you can imagine. Adding a custom backyard to your landscape design is a low-maintenance element you'll often find yourself in. Some customers know that this is the last house they are going to build; it is a generational legacy that will be part of the family heritage for an indefinite period of time.

Whether you describe this or not, it's undeniable that hardscapes create an “outdoor appeal” for you or your buyers. In a state with 15,000 lakes, don't forget to consider the same outdoor appeal from the water side. Your dream landscape starts with an initial consultation; schedule yours today through our contact form or by phone at (23) 348-2624 business hours Monday through Friday, 7 to 5 Saturday through Sunday (closed). Now that you know what hard landscaping is, the word makes a lot of sense.

Hardscape is the term for hard gardening materials. Concrete, asphalt, stone, glass, brick, metal and gravel are all hard landscapes. In general use, “hard landscape” means materials placed by human design. The hard landscape contrasts with soft materials such as vegetation and soil, which are known as soft landscapes.

Together, the hard landscape and the soft landscape form the landscape. Hard landscaping is the non-living elements of the landscape made of stone, bricks, concrete or metal. Soft landscaping is living elements such as soil, trees, flowers, grass and shrubs. A well-balanced landscape design will include an attractive combination of gardening elements and gentle landscaping.

Hard landscaping is the basis of softscaping. Hard-landscape elements are generally considered to be the hard or structural elements of a garden. These materials include concrete, brick and stone. Hardscape refers to the solid and hard elements of landscape design that stay the same for years.

Some examples of hard landscapes are rocks, walkways, retaining walls, cobblestone patios, outdoor kitchens, water fountains, decks and paths. Belgard hardscapes offer an extremely durable and affordable alternative to natural stone designed to withstand the elements and last a lifetime. The hard landscape must move from solid concrete to a permeable grid to support and protect the tree's root system. Simply put, landscaping is a technique that uses durable materials to retain the surrounding soil or water and maintain the desired landscape design.

Add in a landscape that mainly includes rocks and gravels; some architectural light poles; maybe a stone retaining wall; and it's an overload of hardscape. Now that you know the two most important features of landscaping let Pahl Landscape Department help you create the patio of your dreams with the right balance of hard and soft landscapes. Hard landscaping is a benefit for a garden because it reduces potential erosion and keeps the soil intact. Some garden projects are too complex for DIYers; if this is your case contact us for professional help.