At the most basic level, it's the difference between the lawn and the patio. Garden services cover elements that use heavy materials, such as stone, rock and slab, while gentle landscaping covers trees, flower beds, gardens, grass and shrubs. There are two main components in landscape design: hardscape and softscape. Hardscapes are design elements that are solid and immutable over the years.
These include pavers, rocks, concrete, fences, doors, fountains, and more. Soft landscapes are elements that are fluid and change as they mature. These include grasses, flowers, vegetation covers, shrubs and trees. The ideal landscape is a balance between hard landscape and soft landscape. The outdoor living space offers an oasis in which to enjoy life.
Your exterior design must include both hardscape and softscape elements to make it a comfortable place. Since the hardware functions are a bit more technical, they usually require the help of professionals. An expert landscape architect will be able to help you decide which hardscape features work with your outdoor space, along with the softscape features that will complement them and add color and life to your garden. A design that focuses mainly on rocks, gravel, a large paved road and other stone features is the exaggeration of the harsh landscape, which is difficult to see. Instead of letting that grass continue to die and depress everyone who drives or passes by it, think about incorporating at least a couple of forms of hardscape in your front and back yards.
A front yard with a lot of hard scenery could have a circular paved road, similar to a hotel. With intelligent planning, even the smallest patio can be well designed and incorporate areas of hardscape and softscape. Hardscaping is a benefit for a garden because it reduces potential erosion and keeps the soil intact. Flower pots and raised pedestals (hardscape) with potted gardens (softscape) attract attention upwards and save space. Many types of hardscapes, such as patios and paths, create a space that tells people where to meet or walk. Now that you understand the two most important features of landscaping - hardscape and softscape - let the Pahl Landscape Department help you create the patio of your dreams with the right balance of hardscapes and softscapes.
