Landscape architecture sounds like something that has to be done by experts on a large scale. That can be the case, with projects like public parks and estates, but the principles of landscape architecture can be applied even to the smallest back garden.
Planning Your Garden
The key to landscape architecture is planning, whether you have an extensive garden or a tiny patch, and Liz Lake Associates, landscape architect practice in the UK, are always happy to offer tips to homeowners.
If you have space to divide your garden into sections, think about what you need those sections to do, just as you would with the rooms indoors. A patio made with paving or decking provides the perfect place for chilling out or entertaining, the flowerbeds or urns offer beauty and colour, while a lawn is essential if you have children wanting to play.
With a bit of ingenuity, you can create ornaments like sculptures and water features without breaking the bank. A found sculpture can be made into interesting forms out of discarded items, and the BBC website shows how to make a small water feature that can attract wildlife.
Lawns and Flowers
A lawn looks great, but it needs a lot of maintenance. This can be reduced if you keep the shape regular, without awkward little crannies to get the mower into. Alternatively, you could invest in artificial turf. The higher-quality brands look just like from the real thing and need no maintenance.
Flower beds can be as simple or as elaborate as you have the time and inclination for. Remember, though, that flowers bloom at different times, and you want to make sure that your beds are providing colour for as much of the year as possible, so put some thought into your choices. House to Home has some recommendations for easy-to-grow plants.
Suppose I Have a Small Garden?
You may not have room in a small garden for everything you want, but this makes planning even more crucial, and garden designer Joe Swift offers advice on this in the Telegraph. In addition to his tips, you can make the most of your limited space by allowing every part of your garden to double or treble up its functions. For instance, instead of flower beds, you could position flower urns around the paved area close to the house.
Anyone who’s willing to put a bit of thought and imagination into their garden can be an amateur landscape architect.
