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Design the Perfect Mediterranean Landscape

admin — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 01:54:40 +0000

One of the most popular Los Angeles landscape design themes is Mediterranean. When it comes to landscape remodeling o......r even a kitchen remodel Los Angeles residents are going for the beautiful yet simple Mediterranean style! This is because our sunny southern California weather is similar to that of Mediterranean countries such as Rome, Tuscany, Greece, or Spain. A Mediterranean style landscape will often give a warm and inviting impression to guests, but it is also a classic style which is very elegant. Neutral colored materials are often used for paths and walkways. Smooth, light-colored stones look great with Mediterranean-style plants. In addition, light-colored stone, weathered bricks, terra cotta, and flagstone are all good examples of materials commonly used in Mediterranean landscaping.

Palm trees are an important part of a Mediterranean landscape! They greatly add to the style, and they are very drought resistant, so they grow easily in the southern California climate. There aren't many Mediterranean gardens that don't include palm trees. In addition, fruit and olive trees are common. Mediterranean gardens are designed to be not only beautiful, but also practical. Having a row of fruit trees can make your landscape look great and you get fresh fruit as well! It is often a good idea to talk to a professional Los Angeles landscape designer to find out what kind of plants will work best in your area.

Although lush green lawns are a great addition to a landscape, they aren't used as much in Mediterranean environments. Before sprinklers and hoses, people depended on the weather to keep their plants hydrated. For this reason, grass wasn't really a viable option in the rain-less summer months. Using gravel, small rocks, or ground-cover plants is often a good way to decorate a garden in drier areas. Planters with drought-resistant shrubs, flowers, or bushes look great lining the walkways and patio areas of the garden.

Many Mediterranean gardens feature water features. A pond or fountain serves as a great contrast to the warm colors of the walkways and patios. This is a good place to incorporate smooth stone and decorate with carved accents. As the Mediterranean style has become very popular in the southern California area, there are many places where you can buy suitable decorations and fountains. Another decorative touch that is very popular is a set of large decorative pots or urns with flowers cascading down the side. Finally, wrought iron or wood adds a great touch to gates, fences, and arches.

Many people opt for a Mediterranean landscape because it is very successful in the Southern California climate. Also, it is a great choice for beauty as well as minimum maintenance! When talking to a general contractor Los Angeles residents desiring beauty and functionality should ask about a Mediterranean garden.

Los Angeles Kitchen Remodeling Bathroom Remodel Landscape Design Company, General Contractor for Los Angeles Bath Remodel, Kitchen Remodeling and Landscape Design projects.

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Backyard Landscape Ideas to Accentuate Your House Like Decks, Walls and a Yardmate Shed

admin — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 02:02:31 +0000

Numerous houses have backyards which just need some backyard landscape ideas to make your backyard reach its full potential. There are a lot of different types of suggestions that are with regard to backyards and homes. These ideas involve a lot of diverse components including plants and flowers, constructions like a Yardmate Shed......

and style. Backyard landscape ideas will vary depending on the location and the natural formation of the terrain as well as the style of the residence.

Fences And Walls

Backyard landscape ideas regarding fences and walls in the back garden might have some thing to do with keeping some things in or keeping some things out. The design of the fences and walls will all depend on the homeowner's personal preferences and likes. Backyard landscape ideas using fences and walls generally utilize these to indicate boundaries and paths.

Decks And Patios

Decks and patios are great as home and backyard landscape ideas. These usually are connected to an outside part of the main home and look out to a view. Numerous home owners want to have decks and patios because these are a fantastic place to take it easy and loosen up together with best freinds and family. Decks and patios have different types of design which could enhance your attached garden. Backyard landscape ideas regarding patios and decks generally have something to do with a path or flagstones leading somewhere from the deck or patio.

Lights

Some of the more attractive backyard landscape ideas has some thing to do with lighting. Despite the fact that, back garden lighting is limited to nighttime use only, the result it has on the backyard can be spectacular.

Water And Stone Components

Constructions created from stone are usually one of the more common constructions that 1 can come across in backyard landscape ideas. These types of constructions are often created into furniture and water constructions. Natural stone furniture are sturdy items which 1 can leave outdoors in the garden in spite of the elements. These are usually produced from stone that may weather harsh conditions and can withstand the beating sunlight for a long period.

Some structures introduced in backyard landscape ideas are water constructions. These kinds of backyard landscape ideas involving water constructions usually are in the form of fountains, waterfalls, ponds and pools. Many people, especially those with larger backyards and lawns prefer to include things like water structures in their backyard landscape ideas.

Yardmate Shed

Sheds should be an important component of the backyard landscape ideas. Your backyard will be a chaos before you know it and your tools will be useless in no time. Including and shopping for a Yardmate like the Duramax yardmate is one of those elements that need to be incorporated in your backyard ideas right from the start.

Backyard landscape ideas can be various and diverse. The preference of the home owners are usually the determining factor regarding the designs of the back garden and home.

The author of this article, Hank Gordon, writes at his website Gardeners Info Point. com about Yardmate shed like for example a Duramax yardmate.

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Classic Landscape Designs and Traditional Landscape Designs in Houston Texas

admin — Thu, 06 May 2010 03:01:51 +0000

In the first millennium, a wealthy Roman family would most likely have had a garden surrounding their home. In it, you might find an open-air palazzo, pergola-style structures dripping with vines and blooming flowers, a dining area with couches for relaxation, water features such as an outdoor water fountain or wall fountain, and ......walkways that led out into the garden proper, perhaps to a prized rosebush or into an olive grove. These are some of the elements characterizing what is now called classical landscape design, also known as traditional landscape design.

Classical landscape design is a subset of formal landscape design that uses linear, clean lines to develop an uncluttered look. These lines can be drawn with rows of trees and well-trimmed hedges, perfect plantings for the classical landscape design. Or perhaps a seat wall made of regimented terra cotta tiles can do double-duty. Here and there, vines, such as ivy or wisteria, can soften any harshness. In this regard, this style is similar to the Mediterranean landscape design with its Roman and Greek influences.

The History of Classical Landscape Design

Borrowing influences from previous civilizations, classical landscape design solidified in Rome and the surrounding countryside. Villas were built with comfortable courtyards, sparkling with the sound of water, shaded by large trees, fragrant with rosemary and citrus fruits. It was from this setting that we got the term "pleasure garden."

In England of the late 1700s, property owners started looking backwards, past the Baroque period and the Renaissance, to the beginnings of western civilization. There, they found classical landscapes making use of woods, water, indigenous plants and small temples. These elements were incorporated into the gardens of that day, further defining the principles of traditional landscape design.

By the way, when Rome fell to the barbarians, the gardens had become so exquisite that the barbarians chose not to ransack them. Instead they kept them up and learned from them. This development is one of the early examples of how we, as humans, learned that beauty can change the world: it can stop violence. This principle is now being used to good effect in gardens started as rehabilitation projects in prisons, inner cities and ghettos.

Choices in Classical Landscape Design

As with all landscape design, the architecture of the house needs to be considered when using a traditional landscape design. For this style, the home and landscape can be tied together through the subtle placement of a hardscape feature, such as the use of tumbled travertine for the courtyard flooring.

Because of the formal principles inherent in this style, you want to strike a balance when choosing materials between boring blandness and baroque lavishness. Think instead in terms of interesting variety. For instance, well-contained decorative gravel can provide color and texture. Courtyards, pool decking and patios should use materials that are symmetrical, in keeping with the formal style. Stone, terra cotta tiles and flagstone are appropriate choices. Granite benches, concrete grottoes and marble urns add sturdiness and reference antiquities.

Your preference for classical landscape design can also be demonstrated in the plants you choose. Your residential garden will be enhanced by fruit trees and other dwarf trees-or perhaps a stand of cypress, mulberry or fig trees. The cheery colors of marigolds, hyacinths and roses are well suited for the classical landscape design. Herbs planted in terra cotta pots scent the air and provide fresh flavor in your outdoor kitchen cooking.

Hardscapes in Classical Landscape Design

Color, form, line, scale, and texture are your means of expressing classical landscape design preferences just as they are with modern landscape design.

Hardscapes to include:

Outdoor rooms for outdoor living. These living areas, in effect, make your home bigger. They also serve to create transition areas that connect the indoor and outdoor spaces. Plus, they further the notion that a garden is a place of rejuvenation. In particular, outdoor kitchens are important to the traditional landscape design.

Outdoor water fountains. If you remember your ancient world history classes, you know that the Romans perfected the aqueduct. So water is prized within classical landscape design and nothing showcases it like a picture-perfect outdoor water fountain. Look for fountains in formal, Romanesque, Italianate, Mediterranean and rustic styles. Those made of tile, cast stone, cast iron and concrete work particularly well with this style.

Swimming pools. When placed within a classical landscape design, the shape of your swimming pool should tend towards basic geometric shapes like rectangles and ovals. Thus, the shape of the pool frames the water and turns it into a classical design element of the landscape. It is often efficient to combine the pool with an outdoor water fountain to eliminate some maintenance redundancies.

Landscape lighting. Landscape lighting is another important element of traditional landscape design as it creates ambiance and lets you enjoy the outdoors, night and day.

Classical Landscape Design: A Houston Setting

"We implemented a classical landscape design for one of our Houston clients, whose home was French Country. For the garden, we chose a design that closely resembles a famous garden in Florence," says Jeff Halper with Exterior Worlds. "The landscape design makes good use of gravel and limestone, which looks very natural in a Houston garden. And we planted boxwoods, which we trim and shape regularly as part of a well-thought-out residential landscape maintenance plan. It is a lovely and relaxing space."

Classic Landsape Design exterior worlds

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Classic Landscape Design and Traditional Landscape Design in Houston Texas

admin — Mon, 03 May 2010 02:48:59 +0000

The History of Classical Landscape Design

Choices in Classical Landscape Design

Hardscapes in Classical Landscape Design

Color, form, line, scale, and texture are your means of expressing classical landscape design preferences just as they are with modern landscape design.

Hardscapes to include:
Outdoor rooms for outdoor living. These living areas, in effect, make your home bigger. They also serve to create transition areas that connect the indoor and outdoor spaces. Plus, they further the notion that a garden is a place of rejuvenation. In particular, outdoor kitchens are important to the traditional landscape design.

Landscape lighting. Landscape lighting is another important element of traditional landscape design as it creates ambiance and lets you enjoy the outdoors, night and day.

Classical Landscape Design: A Houston Setting

Classic Landsape Design exterior worlds

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Garden Paving Slabs; A Great Way To Hardscape Your Landscape

admin — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 02:50:04 +0000

Placing garden paving slabs in your garden can greatly enhance the look of your yard. Paving slabs can be used for patios, walkways, or driveways. They are larger than bricks and can be textured or smooth and even have a pattern engraved on them.

There are many types of garden slabs available on the market today. T......hey can be made from either natural or man-made materials. They come in many different sizes and thicknesses and can be found in concrete, flagstone, marble, granite and sandstone just to name a few. They can exude a look of elegance or give off a rustic look to your garden.

When choosing your garden paving slabs keep in mind wear and tear and how their color may diminish with age and exposure to the elements. It is possible to re-tint the slabs after a few years if they are made from concrete, but many times that weathered look is desirable in a garden.

Garden paving slabs can become a walkway leading to your home or leading into your garden. They can be placed with large spaces in between them filled with grass or moss to create a pathway. Garden slabs make a great driveway that will be different from all the others on the block. You can also use them to create an entertainment area; a patio on which all your guests will love to gather in good weather.

Because garden slabs are much larger than bricks or other materials used to make patio floors it is much easier to install them. It does not take as much time as placing each brick or tile in place and often times it is much cheaper as well because the installation price is not as much and does not take as long. It is possible for the homeowner to install their own patio with paving slabs however, since the slabs are so heavy and take a great deal of preparation to install, it is probably a better idea to have them installed by a group of people.

Once installed maintenance is relatively easy. It is a good idea to have the slabs coated with a protective sealant that will keep them looking like new longer and enable you to remove any stains or dirt without problems. Because slabs are sometime affected by the movement of the soil under them or the expansion and contraction during cold and hot periods, they may crack or become loose. Make sure to sweep them off occasionally and a good pressure washing ever year or so will do them a great deal of good.

Some of the better choices for Garden paving slabs are as follows: Concrete slabs are best when it comes to patio or driveways. They can be poured on site or pre-made ones can be brought in. These are probably the least expensive and if you want to give them color they can be tinted in any color you like. Slate slabs are a bit more expensive but they are beautiful. They have a non slip surface and resist moisture. Granite will make an elegant patio but be aware that granite slabs are much more expensive than the others. They also may not be as durable as others that look more rustic. Sandstone and limestone slabs are an economic way to use natural substances in your garden.

Whether you have your garden paving slabs installed in a group or as a pathway through your property, they will greatly enhance the aesthetic beauty of your yard. You can have them installed by a contractor or do it yourself with some help. Either way Garden paving slabs is an economical way of increasing value and beauty to your yard.

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Winter Landscape Suggestions: Preparing For The Spring Color Burst

admin — Sun, 28 Mar 2010 02:53:10 +0000

The holidays are over. Guests have gone home. Family is back to work and school. It’s 12 degrees outside. Now is not the time most people consider their landscapes. But avid gardeners are searching seed catalogues and dreaming of that first nice day in spring when their gardens can be tilled. And then, as it hap......pens every year, catching those off guard who love to work in their yards…that initial warm up when you realize you could be wearing just a tee shirt and working in your yard. But, you’re still inside doing spring cleaning. You’ll know it when you smell it. The smell of the thawing ground.

Along the Front Range here in Colorado, our weather can be fickle at best. Very strong Arctic cold snaps can linger through February and even into March. But our altitude and the increasing sun angle will quickly melt even the heaviest of snows in March and April here. Don’t be caught this year unprepared. If yard maintenance is your only outdoor chore this year, then a few things can be done in late February or early March. Cut back ornamental grasses to 6 inches using pruning shears, scissors, or if you have a lot of grasses you can use a string trimmer. The string trimmer leaves a bigger mess to clean up though. I burn mine, but you’ll have to do that at your own risk and in accordance with local laws. Prune back any perennials you didn’t cut back in the fall, and take Russian Sage and Butterfly bushes down to about 12”-18” if you didn’t do that in the fall. You can prune out any evident winter-kill after they begin to leaf out. You’ll want all perennials cut back before they begin to leaf out so you don’t have to prune around delicate new growth in March and April.

If you have larger landscape projects in mind for the year, January and February are the times to start planning. The absolute best thing you can do NOW is to get a plan on paper and a loose budget in place. If you are having a landscape contractor do some or all of the work, talk to them now to solicit ideas and get a bid in place before they get too busy in the spring. Before you know it, their time frame for installation will be August. Have a budget range to work with. There is no sense in designing a 1000 sq. ft. flagstone patio and walkways if your budget is only $5,000. Talk to your landscape designer to get an idea of what things cost and to get your ideas into a drawing. They can give you a ball-park idea of what various projects cost so you can plan accordingly.

That “water feature” that everyone dreams of….? Let’s just say that they are not inexpensive to install correctly. You certainly do NOT want one that leaks. I’ve seen so many that were out of place, empty after three years, the wrong scale for the landscape, or just plain ugly. Remember---water features should blend into the landscape in most situations. Sure, there are those next to pools and spas that have that modern, angular feel, and those should be a focal point. But most water features should be designed to provide a quiet and tranquil oasis in the landscape. And, if you are ready to start, hardscape features such as retaining walls, patios, walkways and water features can be installed in the winter months as long as the ground isn’t frozen solid. Along the Front Range plains, the ground is workable for all but a few weeks of the year depending on exposure. In fact, some areas never freeze at all. So, for your hardscape projects, call your landscaper anytime. If they start and it snows too much, they’ll simply be that much more ahead of the game when the snow melts. We can even shovel off the landscape so it is workable much sooner than if left to thaw naturally.

Finally, the last things you can do in winter is talk to your local nursery to find out what new plant cultivars (hybrids, or new sub species of plants) have been introduced this year, what they are going to carry, and about any deals you may be able to get on last years over-stock. Plant material that didn’t sell last year will be more acclimatized and have a stronger root structure than plant material fresh in from other states. Walking into local nurseries in winter will allow you to get to know their personnel better than during the spring mad-house rush. And last, but not least, please DO NOT FORGET to water trees and shrubs in the winter months. If we go 3 weeks without snow on the ground, give everything a soak on any day when the air temperature is above 45 degrees. Do this once a month at most, and your plants will thrive in the spring. Getting an early start will let your landscape burst alive with color, even through the March and April snows!

Glacier View Landscape & Design, Inc. is a family-owned residential and commercial Boulder County area landscaping contractor. Dave White, Owner/Designer, started the company in 2008. Dave has 20 years experience in the landscape and nursery industries both in north Florida and Colorado and has been a Boulder County Colorado resident for 25 years. Honesty and integrity have enabled Glacier View Landscape & Design, Inc. to continue exceeding customers' expectations. See http://www.glacierviewlandscape.com

Formal Landscape Design, Residential Landscaping and Installation in Houston Texas

admin — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 06:24:04 +0000

Formal landscape design invokes order and balance. Think of the gardens of Monticello, the landscaping of Versailles, and, closer to home, the gardens of Bayou Bend, which is part of the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston.

The hand of the gardener is clearly in evidence in formal landscape designs as the pathways an......d plantings are controlled along crisp lines. It is this discipline that gives a sense of peace and order. Formal landscape design is our attempt to exert our control over nature, to create our idealized version of it.

Throughout history, formal gardens have evolved. Traditional, or classic, landscape design, for instance, is a type of formal garden that uses linear walkways and clipped shrubbery. In the 16th and 17th centuries, knot gardens and parterres were in vogue. Originating in England, a knot garden is a square made of low, clipped hedges. Within the "knot", a variety of blooming plants and herbs grow. Parterres developed in the formal estates of France and are four squares laid in a symmetrical pattern separated by gravel paths. The planting that makes the outline of the parterre is an evergreen shrub trimmed into a pleasant, sometimes intricate, shape. Parterres are designed to be viewed from on high-from the crest of a slope or the balcony of a chateau.

Like language, the term "formal landscape design" continues to change with time. There are few hard and fast rules-but the main constant is to use the principles of formal landscape design to create a landscape that is beautiful and supports the things you love.

Creating Your Formal Residential Landscape Design

Formal gardens need not be boring. They can be quietly dramatic or outright bold. While there are many kinds of formal gardens, they have two qualities in common: balance and symmetry. These attributes are best exemplified by the way the structural lines, called axes, bring the eye to rest where they intersect. Axes are straight lines of sight that lead to a prominent feature, usually the house. Typically a formal residential landscape has two axes perpendicular to one another. Called the main axis and the secondary axis, they often double as paths.

The main axis is usually wider than the secondary path that crosses it. The extra width gives the main axis visual prominence and directs the eye. Thus the eye travels along the main axis, then stops when it reaches the intersection with the secondary axis, which joins it at a 90 degree angle. This joining is a good place for a focal point, such as an outdoor water fountain, that creates interest.

As opposed to an English garden design that uses curved borders with undulating edges, in formal garden design the edges and borders are laid out in neat, geometric shapes-rectangles, squares, triangles or circles. Along with the decisive contouring of the plant materials, these shapes accentuate the stability and serenity of formal landscape designs.

Because of the acute geometry of formal garden designs, some house styles are better suited for formal gardens than others. Colonial and Federal-style houses built of brick or stone work well with this style of garden. Formal gardens nicely complement urban townhouses, especially those constructed in formal architectural styles such as Second Empire, Georgian or Greek Revival. Contemporary designs, with their spare and unadorned lines, also support formal garden design.

Other Features in a Formal Landscape Designs and Formal Garden Designs

Luxury swimming pools. The water is the whole point of a formal pool. You want to create a frame for the water that turns it into a design element within the landscape. To that end, a rectangular shape of water looks inherently formal. Round, oval and square work well, too. Within a formal garden, the pool should be placed where it geometrically fits into the overall design. It can be situated in the middle of the space or unconnected to the other immediate features or structures. The pool is meant to stand out and be noticed. Be mindful of your choice of materials with a pool. You want to stay within the formal realm. Flagstone, tile or brick all work well.

Outdoor water fountains. Fountains fit beautifully in formal landscape designs. Just remember to keep them in the style of the garden and house design. A simple garden design with lots of open space and spare lines can take a more complex water fountain. If, however, your garden is more intricately designed or tightly planted, a simpler fountain works best.

Landscape lighting. Use the different types of landscape lighting-down-lighting, up-lighting, architectural lighting, incandescent lights-to play up the theatricality of a formal landscape design.

Residential Landscape Maintenance is the Key

An ongoing feature of formal gardens is maintenance. Regular and conscientious maintenance will keep your formal landscape design formal. "After spending a lot of money on your landscape installation, it only makes sense to protect it and make sure it develops as designed. And that's where a landscape maintenance program comes in," says Jeff Halper with Exterior Worlds. "As part of a thorough landscape maintenance program, hedges as well as other shrubs and bushes should be trimmed regularly to maintain the desired contours. Ground cover and vines should be edged to maintain a neat appearance. This regularly-scheduled attention will ensure that all elements conform to the overall plan of the formal landscape design."

Formal Landscape Design Exterior Worlds

English Garden Design and Residential Engish Landscape Designers in Houston Texas

admin — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 02:01:40 +0000

You know one when you see it. The English garden design is all about curved beds, winding paths, riotous color. The gardener's hand is light. There-but just barely. It lets nature do its own thing. You might even say that the English garden design is controlled chaos.

The history of English garden design began...... with the revolt against the constraints of formal landscape design and classic landscape design. These two forms, with their appreciation of balance, symmetry and geometry, sit on the opposing end of the spectrum from English garden design. Where formal gardens find beauty in linearity, English gardens use undulating lines. Where formal gardens seek right angles, English gardens use few, if any, angles. The words of the English poet Alexander Pope (1688-1744)-the "amiable simplicity of unadorned nature"-describe this style.

Impressionist painters were key influencers in the continuing development of the English garden design. Claude Monet (1840-1926) claimed that painting and gardening were his only two interests in life. When he first moved to Giverny, where he would build his famous water gardens, his first concern was to arrange the garden in a rampant, naturalistic explosion of color.

The residential English garden design has since become hugely popular in the United States. Houston's semi-tropical climate is well suited for vine-covered pergolas, sunny rose gardens, dazzling azalea beds and bursts of seasonal color-all plant materials that fit well within the English garden's concept of abundance.

A Quick Study of English Gardens

The English garden design is the essence of an informal garden. The different colors and textures of the plant materials-the profuse wildness-draw the viewer in, creating a feast for the mind's eye. However, while it has elements of a naturalistic garden, it is not considered of this style. Instead, flowering plants are arranged in a seemingly haphazard arrangement that merely recalls a natural landscape.

The general characteristics of an English garden design fall along these lines:

Plants are chosen out of personal preference or connection. It is common to find cuttings from the gardens of family and friends.

Regional plants have prominence because they enhance the naturalistic feel.

Plants, especially flowering ones, are grouped into smaller clumps-not drifts. The desired effect is for the garden to appear somewhat random, but not messy.

Many different kinds of plants are used-annuals, bulbs, herbs, perennials, shrubs and vines.

Scent is very important in an English garden design. Hence, the prevalence of roses and herbs.

Often the garden is enclosed by a picket fence or hedge to help bring some additional order.

Strong mix of colors.

Colors of an English Garden: Evoking the Emotions

English garden design uses plants to reach the viewer emotionally rather than intellectually. Primarily, it is done with color.

Different colors affect people differently, but generally each color has its own psychological appeal. Green is the most restful color. Pale greens and yellow-greens are perfect for an English garden design because they feel lighter, brighter and more informal. White creates a sense of space in a garden. Red calls attention to itself or what it surrounds, making it perfect for planting near focal points. Apricot, salmon and peach tints are friendly and welcoming.

Space and Elements of the English Garden Design

The arrangement of elements within the English garden space is very important. Whereas the modern garden design uses a philosophy of "less is more", the English garden simply says "more."

Some elements to consider for an English garden:

Gates. The garden entryway can become an important element of an English garden design. Plants can soften the garden gate, making it even more inviting.

Hardscapes. Hardscapes are non-plant material features of landscape design. Popular residential hardscape structures made of wood that work well in an English garden design include arbors, pergolas and gazebos. In an English garden, walkways meander through the landscape while providing easy access to your home and other structures. Perhaps a retaining wall, a short wall used to hold the soil in place, is needed as part of a proper landscape drainage system. If so, good landscape designers and landscape architects will construct it so that it fits the design.

Material choices. Just as flagstone and travertine work well in a Mediterranean garden design, brick and gravel complement an English garden design.

The Ever After of an English Garden

While English gardens are lower in maintenance than a formal landscape design, a landscape maintenance program is still required. Especially it will involve the systematic feeding of flowers, bushes and trees. Since trees are a vital part of the English garden, make sure proper tree preservation methods are used during installation. "A temporary irrigation system and hand-digging to minimize damage to trees and their root systems are a very important part of tree preservation," explains Jeff Halper with Exterior Worlds. For the longer term, a permanent irrigation system is also a plus for the entire landscape since it will increase the ease of the required regular watering.

English Garden Design exterior worlds

Mediterranean Landscape Design and Garden Designers in Houston Texas

admin — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 05:18:22 +0000

Every garden has a bit of fantasy in it and, for Houstonians longing for the look and feel of, say, Tuscany or the Italian Renaissance period, no garden fills that desire like a Mediterranean landscape design.

Combining elegant elements of nature with the relaxed Mediterranean culture, the Mediterranean landsc......ape design can go from simple, yet cultivated to elaborate lavishness. Crystal clear water and outdoor water fountains, sweet herbs right off the vine to be used in outdoor kitchens, relaxed spaces for entertainment, and lush, practical vegetation characterized the Mediterranean landscape design.

Just as a rose by any other name smells sweet, so too the Mediterranean landscape design. It is known variously as Andalusian, Santa Barbara Revival, Tuscan and Moroccan styles. Primarily taking its name from the climate of the Mediterranean region and southern Europe, it falls midway between the broad formal and informal garden design categories. The influences of classic landscape design can clearly be seen in this style due to the proximity and prominence of ancient Rome.

Mediterranean Landscape Design-Through History

The Mediterranean landscapes originated in ancient Arabia and evolved, as all garden styles have, throughout the centuries. Major influences were the gardens of Greece, Rome and Italy.

Since it is so closely associated with the warm, sometimes arid, climate of the Mediterranean region, this style has little in common with English garden design, largely due to plant material choices. Because of its evocation of another time and place, the Mediterranean landscape design stands apart from modern landscape designs with its emphasis on contemporary choices and imagery.

Features of Mediterranean Landscape Designs

You can pick and choose among several different striking features suitable for residential gardens done in the Mediterranean style. The byword to remember is "Old World ambiance."

Stone, weathered bricks, terra cotta tiles, flagstone, tumbled travertine
Wooden beams
Wrought iron
Classical statuary and Roman columns
Outdoor furniture that evokes Arabian, Moroccan or Italian sensibilities

The architecture of the house needs to be carefully considered when using a Mediterranean landscape design. Actually the house dictates this choice, as some architectural styles-Colonial and Federal-style come to mind-would jar the senses if paired with a Mediterranean garden. The intelligent placement of a hardscape feature, perhaps a wrought iron garden gate in the curvaceous style of Barcelona, can be used to solidify the connection to your home.

When this style is appropriate, the home and landscape can also be tied together through selective use of plantings. Your choice of plants, in fact, further defines your Mediterranean design:

Trees and shrubs. Given the hot climate from which this style arose, shade is extremely important-making it perfect for the Houston area. Live oaks, with their twists and turns, look lovely in this garden. Also, Italian cypress, olive trees and fruit trees such as orange and lemon trees.

Vines. Use creeping vines like wisteria and grapevines.

Herb gardens. Basil, rosemary, sage and thyme enhance the Italian influence and create enticing smells. Herbs are especially attractive in terra cotta planters.

Vegetable gardens. Since authentic Mediterranean gardens are practical, heralding back to their roots in farming cultures, a vegetable garden fits right into the landscape. A vegetable garden not only provides sustenance, but also color.

The Spaces of the Mediterranean Landscape Design

The residential garden with a Mediterranean flair is beautiful and relaxed, capturing the easy living of the outdoors. In choosing the spaces and hardscapes to further augment that tone, consider these options:

Outdoor kitchens. A focal point of outdoor entertainment, a summer kitchen provides a natural gathering place. Its design should tie the house and the landscape together and must, above all, be functional.

Outdoor water fountains. Water is a critical part of the Mediterranean landscape design, so consider fountains done in an Italianate, Romanesque or rustic style. Be mindful of scale-you want the fountain to be in proportion to the rest of the landscape. Also consider the sightlines of the shooting water from your favorite viewing spot.

Luxury swimming pools. Within the Mediterranean landscape design, classic shapes, like rectangles and circles, work well. Which, given the versatility of basic forms, means the pools can be simple and austere-or eye-catching and mesmerizing. Often, you can combine them with an outdoor water fountain that eliminates some redundancies while adding vitality to your overall design.

Walkways. Gravel, stone, bricks and flagstone work well for paths in the Mediterranean landscape design. Neutral colors are preferred.

Final Thoughts on the Mediterranean Landscape Design

Jeff Halper with Exterior Worlds says, "Our clients travel to Europe and come home wanting to emulate a scene that they fell in love with in Italy, Tuscany, Spain or Greece. As the name implies, Mediterranean gardens are usually formal, dry-climate gardens. They have the same attributes-linearity, use of axis and central focal points-of formal landscape design. I think their most distinguishing feature is in their use of materials: limestone or gravels for paths, junipers, Italian cypress, dwarf yaupons and other blue-green or grey dry plants. Think of the dry, rocky hills of Austin with olive groves."

He goes on to say, "What surprises people most with this type of design is the amount of math and order that it takes to create chaos in a garden."

Mediterranean Landscape Design Exterior Worlds

Constructions For Garden Landscape Design

admin — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 00:17:21 +0000

A garden is usually the aim of a landscape architect for the homeowner. Most owners also like to have a beautifully landscaped garden which was created by a landscape architect. Most cases of a garden landscape design consist of plants unless it is a rock garden which may have little or no plants at all.

Pathways>

A pathway is something that leads a person from one part of the garden to another. Most garden landscape designs have this to be able to protect the grass from being trampled and to ensure that the people using the path will not run into puddles or mud. A garden landscape design with a pathway will usually utilize this pathway to make the garden more beautiful or to enhance the beauty of this.

Pathways are usually made of stone slabs or flagstones for the convenience of the users. There are many different kinds of stones that can be used for the purpose of a garden landscape design. Some stone slabs are made up of whole slabs which are thick enough to withstand the pressure of several people walking over them. Flagstones may be made up of smaller stones which are joined together with cement to make a flagstone. Many landscape supplies stores have a variety of stones to choose from.

Water Structures

Water structures are popular structures commonly used in garden landscape design. Many home owners like to hear the tinkle of water while they relax or entertain their guests near the garden. A garden landscape design using water structures may have some aspects that need to be considered such as a water source, and electrical source and the kind of water structure the client wants. Water structures consist of fountains, waterfalls, ponds and swimming pools.

These can be very interesting to have in your garden landscape design since many possibilities await these water structures. Each water structure can also be integrated into each other to make them bigger such as a waterfall leading into a pond or a fountain beside a swimming pool. A garden landscape design can have several water structures but in most cases one or two will suffice.

Plants

Plants are probably the most essential part of a garden. In a garden landscape design, plants are usually featured and chosen depending on their appearance and purpose. Many different varieties of plants are available for most homeowners to choose from. Landscape architects can also recommend varieties that will thrive well in your area.

A garden landscape design usually consists of the aspects mentioned above. These factors make up a beautiful garden that the homeowners will appreciate and visitors will admire.

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