HARDSCAPES

One of the most important parts of landscape design is hardscaping. It arrives before the planting schedule. The way the external hardscaping interacts with the house should be carefully considered. It should be regarded an integral component of the overall design package in new construction or large remodeling. It is not unusual to have some of the same components utilized on the exterior incorporated into the interior in the shape of stone flooring, countertops, and the like in many of today's house plans. The use of hardscaping connects the home to its surroundings. It serves as a unifying "backbone" for the gardens and external landscaping. The gardens lack structure without the integrity of competent hardscaping design. Hardscaping is defined as "anything not living in the garden." Concrete, asphalt, clay, rubber, wood, metal, fabric, glass, lighting, pottery, and rock are examples of such materials. It secures, maintains, paves, encloses, protects, transitions, accentuates, and beautifies. Garden hardscaping might include safety elements such as rails and lights. Hardscaping includes resting areas in the form of furniture. Water elements in hardscaping also offer a sense of inward contemplation. With appropriately constructed sports courts, pools, and play fields, a garden may provide places of play and activity.