Landscaping is the practice of modifying and enhancing the exterior environment of a property to achieve aesthetic and functional purposes. It involves everything from the design and installation of hardscapes like patios, pathways and retaining walls, to the planting and maintenance of lawns, trees, shrubs and ornamental plants. Landscaping aims to create an outdoor space that is attractive, inviting and aligned with the home’s architecture and surroundings.
A well-designed landscape can significantly improve a property’s curb appeal, functionality and value. Landscaping considers elements such as topography, climate, drainage and light exposure when planning bed shapes, selecting appropriate plants and determining optimal plant placement. Incorporating focal points and thoughtful vistas create an enticing flow in the landscape. The inclusion of functional features like privacy screening, recreational spaces and water features also enhances a landscape’s utility.
What Does Landscaping Include?
Landscaping encompasses a wide range of elements and practices. The major components of residential and commercial landscaping include:
Hardscaping
Hardscaping refers to the non-living features incorporated into a landscape. Common types of hardscaping include:
- Walkways and Paths: Walkways that connect areas of the landscape and lead visitors to the home’s entrance. Materials like stone, brick, concrete, gravel and wood chips are utilized.
- Patios and Decks: Outdoor living spaces for relaxation, dining and entertaining. Can be made of materials like stone, concrete, brick and wood.
- Retaining Walls: Stone, brick, concrete or wood walls that hold back slopes and change elevations in a landscape. Allow for terracing and prevent soil erosion.
- Fences and Screens: Delineate property lines, provide privacy screening and serve as wind breaks. Many materials like wood, vinyl, iron and masonry can be utilized.
- Benches, Trellises and Arbors: Furnishings and decorative structures that enhance aesthetic appeal.
- Water Features: Ponds, fountains, pools, streams and waterfalls. Provide visual and auditory interest.
- Landscape Lighting: Illuminates trees, walkways and architectural elements for visibility, accent and security.
- Driveways and Parking Areas: Paved areas for parking and circulation. Materials consist of asphalt, concrete, gravel and pavers.
Softscaping
Softscaping refers to the living components that bring color, texture and seasonal interest to a landscape. Key elements include:
- Lawns: Grass areas for recreational use and visual uniformity. Cool season grasses (fescue, bluegrass) and warm season grasses (Bermuda, zoysia) are commonly used.
- Groundcovers: Plants like grasses, sedums, creeping junipers that spread to form a dense, weed-suppressing cover over the ground. Provide erosion control.
- Annuals and Perennials: Annuals re-planted each year, perennials return for multiple seasons. Flowering plants like petunias, impatiens, hostas and daylilies.
- Shrubs and Hedging Plants: Evergreen and flowering shrubs of varying sizes that create structure and definition in garden beds and borders. Yews, boxwoods and azaleas are frequently used.
- Trees: Large woody plants like oaks, maples, palms and evergreens. Provide shade, screening and vertical design.
- Container Gardens: Plants situated in pots and planters. Allow flexibility in placement and design.
Earthworks
Earthworks and grading prepare the foundation for other landscape features by shaping the land. Tasks include:
- Excavation and Grading: Moving, digging up and recontouring soil to achieve proper drainage and desired elevations.
- Landform Creation: Constructing earthen berms, knolls and mounds to provide visual interest and screening.
- Erosion Control: Installing silt fences, re-vegetation and stabilization measures to prevent erosion and sedimentation.
- Drainage Systems: Incorporating catch basins, French drains, swales and other water management solutions.
Landscape Maintenance
Ongoing upkeep is critical for a healthy, vibrant landscape. Maintenance activities involve:
- Mowing: Regular grass cutting at proper height for the species and season.
- Pruning: Strategic trimming, shaping and cutting back of trees, shrubs and vines. Promotes plant health.
- Weeding: Removal of invasive and unwanted plants that compete with desired vegetation.
- Fertilization: Applying supplemental organic and chemical nutrients to optimize plant growth and vigor.
- Pest and Disease Control: Managing and mitigating insect infestations, fungal pathogens and other plant problems.
- Irrigation: Watering plants on an as-needed basis via automatic sprinkler systems, drip irrigation or manual hoses.
- Leaf and Debris Cleanup: Removal of fallen leaves, branches and organic debris.
- Seasonal Care: Mulching, cleaning up spent foliage, preparing beds for winter, etc.
Benefits of Landscaping
Investing in quality landscaping yields many rewards for homeowners, businesses and the community. Some perks include:
- Increased curb appeal and property value
- Enhanced comfort and enjoyment of the outdoor space
- Improved functionality for entertaining, recreation and storage needs
- Creation of privacy, shade, and visual screening
- Noise and pollution reduction from strategically placed plants
- Better temperature moderation from trees and evapotranspiration
- Stormwater runoff capture through rain gardens and bioswales
- Erosion, dust and mud prevention through groundcover and mulch
- Augmented biodiversity and wildlife habitat with native plant species
- Air quality enhancement via filtration by trees and shrubs
- Reduced energy usage when homes are shaded in summer and sheltered in winter
- More opportunities for community green space, gardens and trees
- Improved mental health from access to greenspace and plants
Landscaping Design Principles
Successful landscapes adhere to certain principles and considerations when siting and selecting the various hardscape and softscape elements. Key factors include:
Unity
A sense of visual unity and cohesiveness is created through consistency in design style, building and plant materials, textures and color schemes. Repetition of shapes and themes provides harmony.
Simplicity
Keeping the overall design simple instead of overly busy or convoluted promotes an elegant, orderly landscape. Use restraint on variety and favor simplicity.
Balance
Balanced distribution of plants, features and open space results in a pleasing, graceful landscape. Symmetry and asymmetry both create balance when used intentionally.
Focalization
Direct attention and create visual interest by incorporating focal points like specimen plants, garden art, water features. Draw the eye to focal points via surrounding design.
Scale and Proportion
Proper scale between landscape elements creates comfortable spaces. Large open areas suit larger trees and spreading groundcovers. Small yards pair well with compact plants.
Function
Consider practical uses like play areas, entertainment spaces, storage, swimming, growing food. Meet functional needs while retaining beauty.
Sustainability
Sustainable choices include native plants, water conservation, composting, organic practices, and environmentally-friendly materials and maintenance.
Accessibility
Incorporate accessible design features to create an inclusive landscape, like wide paths, sensory elements, raised beds, adaptive furnishings.
Landscaping Steps
A successful landscape design and installation involves the following key steps:
Site Analysis
Evaluate existing site conditions like soil, topography, drainage, sunlight access and microclimates. Identify challenges to address and useful features to retain.
Needs Assessment
Determine how you want to use the space based on functional needs like play areas, parking, dining, pets, storage, gardens, etc. Decide on the overall aesthetic.
Design and Layout
Map out bed shapes, decorative features, traffic flow, utilities, sightlines, focal points. Indicate placement of hardscapes and planting areas. Consider ease of maintenance.
Material Selection
Choose suitable hardscape materials like stone, concrete, timber that fit the site and design. Select plants adapted for the region and conditions which meet the goals.
Installation and Construction
Prepare the site and install hardscaping, drainage, irrigation and utilities per the plan. Amend soil and begin planting once underground work is complete.
Maintenance and Care
Schedule regular upkeep tasks like watering, pruning, weeding, fertilizing. Address problems immediately. Replace plants and refresh elements as needed over time.
Seasonal Interest
Incorporate plants that provide year-round appeal via flowers, fall color, fruit and form. Use seasonal decor and lighting for added interest.
Costs of Landscaping
Landscaping costs vary significantly based on the size and scope of the project, the materials and plants selected, and the amount of professional vs DIY work. Some typical costs include:
- Site evaluation and design fees – $1,500+
- Grading and excavation – $2,000+
- Sod installation – $0.30-0.60 per sq ft
- Seeding a new lawn – $0.20 per sq ft
- Mulch beds – $2-4 per sq ft
- Basic planting – $100-200 per 100 sq ft of beds
- Trees – $250+ depending on size and species
- Shrubs – $25-75 per shrub depending on size and type
- Hardscape materials and installation:
- Concrete pavers – $5-20 per sq ft
- Flagstone – $15-25 per sq ft
- Interlocking brick – $5-15 per sq ft
- Asphalt paving – $3-7 per sq ft
- Gravel paths – $1-3 per sq ft
- Wood decking – $15-30 per sq ft
- Timber retaining walls – $25-100 per linear foot
- Landscape lighting – $100+ per fixture
- Irrigation system – $2000+ for 1/4 acre yard
- Water features – $1000+ depending on scale
- Landscape furniture – Varies, $100+ per piece
- Ongoing maintenance – $100+ monthly
Professional installation yields longer-lasting hardscapes and properly sited and planted beds for healthiest plants. DIY projects can significantly reduce costs but require expertise.
Typical Landscaping Mistakes
Some common landscaping mistakes to avoid include:
- Not preparing soil properly before planting
- Selecting plants not suited for the sun/shade exposure or climate
- Overplanting without allowing adequate room for growth
- Improper pruning that harms plant health and shape
- Forgetting to irrigate adequately, especially with new plantings
- Using excessive mulch that piles against plant stems
- Lack of edging resulting in bed lines that disappear
- Weed and pest problems from insufficient prevention and control
- Choosing fast-growing trees that quickly overwhelm planned space
- Poor drainage from flat grade or bad design
- Inadequate lighting that creates dark, unlit areas
- Lack of cohesion between elements with no common theme
- Thoughtless plant placement that obstructs views or access
- Using low-quality hardscape materials that deteriorate quickly
- Not cleaning up properly each season and removing spent plants
Careful planning, high-quality installation, and vigilant maintenance prevents these issues and results in a polished landscape that fulfills the design intent.
Responsible Landscaping Practices
Sustainable landscaping takes environmental stewardship into account. Methods include:
- Selecting native plants adapted to the region – require less water, fertilizer and care
- Minimizing or eliminating pesticide and herbicide use
- Conserving water through rainwater capture, efficient irrigation, drought-tolerant plants
- Composting yard waste and using organic fertilization techniques
- Reducing lawn areas which require significant water and maintenance
- Installing permeable hardscapes to allow water infiltration into the soil
- Using integrated pest management (IPM) techniques for non-toxic solutions
- Avoiding invasive plant species that can escape gardens and spread into natural areas
- Providing habitat with food sources, shelter, nesting sites, and pollinator-friendly plants
- Using landscape features like rain gardens to filter and absorb runoff
- Choosing local materials with low embedded transportation energy needs
Career Paths in Landscaping
Landscaping offers diverse professional options for creatively minded plant and nature lovers. Some top landscape careers include:
Landscape Designer
Creates aesthetic designs, selects materials and plants, produces drawings, collaborates with clients. May have degree in landscape architecture or horticulture.
Landscape Installer/Contractor
Constructs and installs hardscapes, structures, irrigation, drainage. Background in construction or landscaping. Physically demanding.
Grounds Manager/Park Manager
Oversees maintenance crews and operations for public parks, college campuses, zoos, resorts, sports facilities. Manages budget and staff.
Landscape Maintenance Technician
Performs regular upkeep like mowing, pruning, planting, watering. May have formal training or learn on the job.
Arborist
Focuses on diagnosing and caring for trees and woody plants. Requires ISA certification, tree climbing experience.
Irrigation Technician
Installs, repairs, programs irrigation components like heads, pipes, timers, sensors. Background in landscaping or construction.
Horticulturist
Propagates, cultivates, and studies plants. Works in nurseries, botanic gardens, labs. Requires degree in horticulture.
Urban Planner/Design
Develops master plans for green space, parks, streetscapes. Background in landscape architecture, urban planning.
History of Landscaping
People have shaped exterior environments for thousands of years. Key developments include:
Ancient Times
- Mesopotamian gardens featured water features, exotic plants
- Egyptians created walled gardens with shaded walkways, trees, ponds
- Roman villas included pavilions, sculpture, water features in planned gardens
- Persian paradise gardens integrated water channels, geometrical layouts
Middle Ages
- Monastery cloister gardens provided secluded open greenspace
- Cottage gardens were informal plantings of herbs, vegetables and flowers
- Knot gardens displayed intricately trimmed shrubs in geometric patterns
Renaissance
- Italian Renaissance gardens had geometrical shapes, sculptures, ornate fountains
- French Baroque gardens followed a formal, axial, symmetrical style with parterres
19th Century
- English landscape gardens by Capability Brown featured vast lawns, serpentine lakes, trees
- Public parks grew in popularity in major cities as recreation spaces
Modern Times
- Suburban expansion led to increased focus on residential landscaping
- Environmental design and sustainable practices gained prominence
- Technology integration improved irrigation, lighting, gadgets
Today’s landscapes continue to evolve with contemporary styles, customs and ecology-minded practices suited to modern aesthetics, lifestyles and values.
Specialized Landscape Styles
Landscapes can take many different forms depending on client needs and preferences. Some popular styles include:
Japanese Gardens
Serene spaces for meditation featuring stones, moss, bamboo, bonsai, and water elements. Built based on Zen principles of minimalism and introspection.
Cottage Gardens
Casual, informal plantings with an abundance of flowers, herbs, and vegetables. Eclectic mix of colors, textures, and plant heights.
Xeriscaping
Landscaping focused on drought-tolerance and water conservation. Showcases native plants suited to arid climates and limits turf grass.
Tropical Landscaping
Lush, exotic designs using palm trees, vibrant flowering plants, and bold foliage. Evokes a resort-style ambiance.
Woodland Gardens
Mimics the essence of a natural forest with shade plants, trees, organic shapes, and natural stone. Peaceful plant palette.
Mediterranean Landscapes
Incorporate elements common in the Mediterranean like stone, tiles, herbs, cypress and olive trees. Pots and urns also featured.
Contemporary Landscapes
Sleek, geometric-inspired designs with hardscape as a focal point. May incorporate modern art, lighting and furniture.
Frequently Asked Questions About Landscaping
What are the first steps for a new landscape project?
The initial steps involve measuring the site, understanding drainage and sunlight patterns, analyzing existing vegetation and structures, determining how you want to use the space, and deciding on a style. Visit gardens for inspiration. Work with a professional designer if undertaking a major renovation.
What’s the best way to save money on landscaping?
Strategic DIY efforts for tasks like building garden beds, laying gravel paths and mulching; buying smaller plant sizes that take less time to install; spacing projects out over time; learning to maintain the landscape yourself; and sticking with a cohesive plan all help reduce costs.
How much sun does a typical garden need?
Most flowering plants and vegetables require 6-8 hours of direct sun per day. Leafy greens and groundcovers can tolerate partial shade. Very few plants aside from moss and certain woodland wildflowers thrive in full shade. Evaluate the sunlight patterns before choosing plants.
Should I put landscape fabric under my mulch?
Landscape fabric can suppress weeds and reduce the need to replenish mulch. However, it prevents water and air from reaching plant roots and impedes soil health. Using 2-3 inches of leaf litter or pine straw instead allows moisture and gas exchange while deterring weeds.
When is the best time to lay sod?
Cooler months in fall and spring when grass enters prime growing seasons are ideal. Avoid summer heat. Sod requires substantial watering for several weeks after installation. Prepare soil fully prior to laying sod.
Can I do landscaping myself as a DIY project?
The amount of landscaping you can take on depends on your skill level. Simple planting, mulching and installing elements like stepping stones or benches is very do