Landscaping Materials
Referring back to the diagram of space needs, begin
finalizing the
plan by refining the spaces into definite shapes. Now you
are
ready to choose materials. Try to choose materials that
satisfy as
many of your need as possible.
Sometimes non-living materials such as fences are a better
choice
than living materials such as a hedge. Both materials should
provide privacy, but the hedge may require considerable time
to
grow where the fence provides immediate privacy. Also, if
space is
limited a fence may be the best solution. Maintenance is
also
frequently a concern. Usually non-living materials (brick,
wood,
etc.) require less maintenance than living materials which
may
require watering, trimming, etc.
One of the major objectives of good landscaping is to create
a
visual relationship between the house and the site. If your
house
is already constructed, you can still do a fine job of
relating it to
the site. Some of the ways this relationship between house
and
site may be achieved are:
-
Use plants that are found growing naturally on or
near the site.
-
Repeat architectural lines of the house in the
landscape - either with plants or construction such as
walls, fences, etc.
-
Use building materials that blend well in the natural
environment or may be found there (for example: a
wood shingle roof for a home on a wooded site or
stone retaining walls in an area where the stone is
found naturally).
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