In the previous lesson, we talked about harmony and balance, and how you can easily achieve these two requirements by differentiating spaces, and by playing with the various sub-elements of landscaping (e.g. color and texture). In today's lesson, we are going to zero in on the different parts, or elements, of a landscape, so you will understand why professional insist on a particular organization when they are doing their work.
Know The Parts of a Landscape
In a previous lesson, we compared outdoor spaces to indoor spaces, and discussed how you can create "outdoor rooms". The big difference between indoor rooms and outdoor rooms, or spaces, is that you can be more creative with outdoor rooms, and you can easily make substitutions and improvements based on your creative vision. An outdoor space has three basic elements: flooring, ceiling, and walls (just like an indoor room!). These three elements help differentiate outdoor spaces.
As we have already discussed, you can use different materials and plants to achieve the differentiation. Don't like Bermuda grass? Use a thick patch of clover to create the perfect flooring. Need to keep the sun away from your eyes when you are relaxing in your mini rock garden? Install a large, stylish umbrella, so you will have an instant ceiling and you won't have to worry about the glare
of the sun.
What about walls? Walls are used to create physical demarcations between different outdoor spaces. What's interesting about outdoor walls is that you can use different kinds
of plants and materials to create the same effect. For example, if you need a privacy screen for your poolscape you can install wooden fences so that people won't be able to see you or your family when you are out swimming. Hedges can also be used to create a sense of separation/ differentiation.