Six Elements to Complete the Garden Design

Structure and Ornament for the Finishing Touch in the Landscape Plan

Oct 20, 2009

A simple garden design can be given a finishing touch with structures, hardscapes and ornament. Learn how to use these elements effectively for a pleasing outside space.

There is more to garden design than the planting of flora and fauna. Gardens have structures, hardscapes and ornament. These things complete the garden design and give substance and style to the garden.

Pathways in the Garden

Pathways in the garden separate the space. They draw the visitor in, showing them where the flowers are or which way to turn. They lead the visitor to places the garden design directs. Pathways are usually of stone, bricks, cement, gravel and even grass. They are an important element in garden design. To make the paths more inviting, line them with lavender or a mixed flower border for more interest. Let the odd flowering shrub fall over the walk. Add an arbor, or widen it out in one spot for the place of a sundial, urn or cement birdbath.

Using Garden Ornaments

Garden ornaments include concrete statuary, urns, birdbaths, dovecotes, bird houses, and anything else that inspires the gardener.

Statuary looks best when placed as a focal point in the garden, in front of a dark green hedge or in the shadows at the base of a tree. Consider the size and placement carefully with stone statuary.

Garden Sheds

Garden sheds need to be away from the main space. If it's incorporated, consider charming it up with window boxes or camouflage it with fast growing vines. The vines will soften any unsightly lines that spoil the affect of the garden design. The right vine could enhance it.

Garden Enclosures for Privacy

Consider garden enclosures for privacy in the space. Privacy is important to the garden design and is gained with fast growing hedges, close picket fencing, tall vine-covered trellises or boundary marked with trees and shrubs. If the gardener has the funds, a tall fence with trellis along the top is instant privacy and she can dress it up with vines and hanging plants. Boston Ivy or Climbing Hydrangea will quickly take hold to soften the space.

Pots and Urns in the Garden

Pots and urns in the garden can be placed anywhere to fill a need for color or balance. Consider placing two large urns filled with flowers on each side of an entrance or gate. This is a welcoming feature to the garden design and adds relaxed elegance.

Arbors in the Garden

The careful placement of arbors in the garden will add old-world romance, especially when covered with climbing and rambling roses or wisteria. Rustic arbors are free if the gardener has access to a woodland. Otherwise, consider a more graceful arbor with trellis and fancy woodwork. If it's painted white, the plants will stand out even more.

There is a lot to consider when designing a garden. The elements listed above are the basic elements seen in most gardens. The gardener should be creative when designing a garden. It's a blank canvas waiting to be painted and to complete the garden design.

There are number of garden design projects, gardeners can do before the snow flies.

The copyright of the article Six Elements to Complete the Garden Design in Landscaping is owned by Lorraine Syratt. Permission to republish Six Elements to Complete the Garden Design in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.