Do you want to quickly arrange your garden, buy a lot of flowers and plant them all over the space? At this time, many of us make spontaneous purchases and bring everything we like into our garden. This is absolutely impossible to do, says landscape designer Natalia Ulyanova.
In order to avoid making a number of typical mistakes when designing a garden, you need to arm yourself with a pencil and a sheet of paper and at least roughly draw your area with the plants you want to see in it in advance. Long winter evenings are the perfect time for such an activity, and advice from an experienced specialist will help you not to miss anything.
Natalia Ulyanova is a landscape designer, a garden care specialist, and is engaged in pruning fruit trees. In the profession since 2006, he annually improves his qualifications with the best Russian and foreign landscape specialists.
Don't plan a lawn if you want a low-maintenance garden.
Photo from the archive of Natalia Ulyanova
The lawn ranks first in terms of labor costs. It needs to be watered regularly and cut once a week, otherwise it will look unkempt. But if you have already decided that you cannot do without a lawn, then make it small in area. Do not plant plants on the lawn.
It is better to separate the flower garden from the lawn. To do this, you can use plastic or metal borders.
- 47 techniques for a low-maintenance garden from a landscape designer
With proper gardening, even minimal care will be enough to maintain its attractiveness for a long time!
Functional areas of the garden plot
The design of the site of a country house fulfills not only an aesthetic, but also a practical task. With the help of decorative elements, correctly located structures, and fences, you can divide the territory into parts, identifying the main zones. Typically this is:
- the front area is the pride of the hostess, the basis of the decor. Located in plain sight, not far from the driveway, near the house;
- a recreation area containing a gazebo or covered terrace, a place for barbecue, barbecue, chairs, a hammock, an area for outdoor games, a swimming pool;
- the area of outbuildings includes sheds, a garage, a bathhouse, and a cellar. It is usually hidden from prying eyes;
- garden and vegetable garden area, optional, but quite popular. Even on the most luxurious plots you can find fruit trees and shrubs, greenhouses, greenhouses, and beds with herbs.
Do not overuse exotic plants
It will be easiest to care for plants in your own strip. But if you really want to plant something outlandish, then let it be in small quantities. In this case, it is better to allocate a separate place for plants that are uncharacteristic of your area and create the most convenient conditions for them there.
The more little things you take into account when planning your garden, the more beautiful it will be. Arm yourself with a pencil and an eraser to think through and put all your wishes on paper. And only after that go to the garden store.
Design of the main elements of the site
Each style consists of individual components. The final picture depends on how appropriate and compatible they are with each other.
Decorative coniferous trees and shrubs
In a private house on the site you cannot do without trees and shrubs. Conifers have earned special love and popularity: they are unpretentious, shade-loving, frost-resistant, they are not afraid of drought, look aesthetically pleasing and are extremely easy to care for.
They can be tall, dwarf and creeping; with their help you can zone an area, fence a site, decorate flower beds and alpine slides. The most popular crops: junipers, spruce, fir, thuja, yew, pine.
Lawn
One of the most popular design elements of a site in a private house. In the photo, green lawns look perfect. However, you need to understand that the lawn requires constant care and systematic mowing of the grass. Therefore, it is suitable in the case when someone constantly lives at the summer cottage or comes quite often.
To sow, the area is leveled and sown with a special mixture of grasses.
Ponds and fountains
Not the easiest to organize, but one of the most beautiful elements of garden decor is an artificial pond or fountain. Today, many devices are sold that allow you to make a pond on your property.
Instructions (even videos) can be found on the Internet. The costs of communication and work are worth the result.
Fence
Options for how to design a fence should be considered based on the overall style and material of the house. The fence can be made of wood, brick, stone, wicker, polycarbonate, metal profiles, boards, metal.
There are established standards regarding the height of the fence.
Paths: principle of arrangement and shape
You can get ideas for decorating paths from photographs on the Internet or rely on your own imagination.
The materials used are wood, stone, gravel, and ready-made pallets. Color, shape, texture depend on the chosen style.
Design of flower beds and flower beds
Making a flower garden at your dacha with your own hands is not difficult. The main thing is to decide on the plants that will be planted in the flower beds, as well as the shape and location.
In addition to the usual flower beds, there are also tall, vertical ones. You can plant flowers for one season or plant perennials; give preference to one culture or create a composition of several. If you set a goal, the flower beds on the site will bloom from early spring to late autumn.
Areas with uneven terrain
Natural unevenness and height changes can be used as decorative elements by designing alpine slides, streams, waterfalls, stairs and platforms.
Lighting
Lighting plays a huge role on the site. From the point of view of convenience and safety, lamps and lanterns are necessary, but fitting them into the design and creating a special atmosphere with the help of light is a real art.
In a summer cottage, practical lanterns with sound and motion sensors and solar-powered lamps are convenient, but closed candlesticks, old-style lamps (if suitable), and individual spotlights in recreation areas are beautiful and cozy.
Garden figurines
Figures made from natural and artificial materials add color to the area and make it more alive. In addition, with their help you can distribute accents in the desired way or disguise flaws.
Dry stream in landscape design
A dry stream is a real find for those who, for some reason, do not want to deal with water or combine both types on the site. On the slopes, the imitation of flowing water, created with the help of stones, looks very original.
Benches and swings
It is impossible to do without benches on the site both from a functional and decorative point of view. High and low, with or without a back, made of wood, metal, plastic, scrap materials, benches fit into any style.
The swing is also a good detail; the choice of model depends on the chosen design style.
Flower beds and flower beds
Depending on the general style, flower beds are designed. The choice of crops depends on personal preferences and the ability to care for them.
Gazebos
A gazebo on a summer cottage must meet the following requirements:
- to be beautiful;
- functional;
- reliable.
This design is often the center of the area where you can relax, wait out bad weather and have a snack. The size of the gazebo and its shape must correspond to the general style and meet the requirements of the owner. Most often, gazebos are made of lightweight wooden structures. The gazebo can be made with glazing or using blinds to protect from wind and rain. The lattice walls of the gazebo are used as load-bearing structures for climbing plants. You can install a decorative lamp in the gazebo.
Open-type summer kitchens can also be classified as gazebos. In such kitchens, a stove is often installed, equipped with the necessary communications, and decorated. You can read more about summer kitchen projects here.
Lawns and flower beds are the basis of the landscape
If the landscape of a suburban area looks chaotic, a lawn will save the situation. It will become a unifying background for the entire composition and will delight the eye with its well-groomed appearance. Many tricks to help create the perfect grass carpet relate to the selection of grasses and the type of lawn:
- The type of lawn is selected according to the method of use. An English or meadow lawn looks the most picturesque, but such a carpet can only be admired, you cannot walk on it.
- If you're looking for a lawn that's perfect for a fun game or picnic, consider a sports turf that can withstand heavy use.
English lawn
Playgrounds
The children's playground is an independent area of the summer cottage. There are many ideas for organizing and decorating playgrounds. Here you can use characters from your favorite cartoons and books. You can make the play structures yourself, but it is better to give preference to purchased products. Children's slides, swings, small carousels and climbing walls are made of bright, durable and non-toxic materials. Products from some Chinese companies are not recommended. They are not very reliable and do not always meet environmental requirements.
Ponds, waterfalls
Ponds, waterfalls and fountains have become an integral part of landscape design. It is very beautiful, the water moisturizes and refreshes the air, and the murmur of the waterfall has a calming effect, which is why they try to place hydraulic structures in the recreation area. To organize a waterfall or fountain, you need two reservoirs, at different levels, and a hydraulic pump. You can make simple designs of stepped waterfalls yourself. More complex systems will require the involvement of specialists.
If the area of the plot allows, you can install a swimming pool. How to do this - building a pool is described in this article.
Landscape design of the courtyard of a private house
A beautiful yard sets the tone for the entire property. If the space is limited only to the yard, then it can be decorated in accordance with the criteria of any style you like.
It is problematic to make a fountain or pond in a small area, but
- tiered flower beds,
- vertical gardening,
- original paths and decorative elements,
- pots of flowers near the porch,
- a small corner for drinking tea in the open air
no one canceled. By using every centimeter of space wisely, you can make your yard an example to follow and the envy of your neighbors.
Tips for Newbies
Russian universities train certified design specialists. But design is not science, but creativity. Creativity, as everyone knows, is unique and unique in its manifestations. In other words, every person who creates landscape objects contributes a drop of their own, unique and one-of-a-kind soul. Only by listening to the prompts of their subconscious, famous designers created historical architectural compositions that have survived to this day. But they were not recognized immediately; time had to pass. Therefore, there is no need to be afraid to take the initiative in arranging your site. Sometimes, the most extraordinary and strange decisions create a unique atmosphere of the territory and reveal the true beauty of the human soul.
It takes a lot of work to create a practical place for the whole family to relax
In order to learn the basic lessons of landscape design, advance preparation is required. At this stage, it is necessary to take time to study reference books, manuals and magazines dedicated to the design of suburban areas and their gardens. Fortunately, the Internet is generous as always. In these books you will find tips from designers who will share secrets with you, show you the most common mistakes of beginners, and direct your aspirations in the right direction.
Always start small and realize your ideas slowly, enjoying the process itself, and not just its result
Of course, nothing can replace live communication with a person. But if you find a suitable book written by a competent author, you will absorb the makings of a true landscape master.
A good garden design has several compositional centers that attract attention. It can be anything - a tree, bush, pond or bench
Usually two or three books read within a week inspire the newly minted creator to such an extent that he immediately runs to the nearest gardening supply store and buys everything he thinks he needs. Starting from decorative elements and ending with flowers and trees. This is strictly prohibited. Rushing will not lead to success; you will only forget what little you have learned. First you need to figure out the order, following which you will be able to choose the right material for the fence and gazebo. The further choice of elements of small architectural forms, trees, flowers and plants depends on this.
Start your path to your dream garden with one small flower bed or mixborder
Go out into the garden when you have time and desire, work and don’t try to do everything at once and in one day
See alsoDesign of gazebos in different styles.
Lighting systems
Garden lighting systems can be basic or decorative. In the first case, fairly bright lamps illuminate the entrance to the house, paths in the garden, barbecue area and children's playground. In the second case, designer lighting of small architectural forms, arches, fountains and waterfalls is used. For all lighting systems, it is best to use LED lamps.
Despite their high cost, LED lamps consume little energy, are durable and safe because they do not heat up during operation.
About the tricks of the color palette
The space of the site is much larger than the space of the home, which makes it tempting to fill it with a variety of decor. But for decorating a site yourself, the basic requirement is simplicity of design; this also applies to the color palette of the landscape. The site will make a favorable impression if the colors of the composition are chosen correctly. It is useful to use the following color selection techniques:
- Buildings on a site (house, gazebo, garage) are rarely made in the same color, and there is no need to try to make them the same. To make them look cohesive, it is useful to use some common architectural element. This could be shingles on all roofs or wood trim throughout.
- One of the buildings can be made the center of the composition. Then it is highlighted in color using contrast.
Gazebo Source peredelka.tv
Grills, barbecue
Owners of suburban areas must provide an area on their territory for installing barbecues and barbecues. This place should be located away from other areas of the site. The site must have a level surface, which can be made of concrete, brick or stone. The barbecue area does not have to be surrounded by walls, but a decorative rain canopy on poles is a must. Only a professional can do the brickwork for the hearth on his own, which is why purchased barbecues and barbecues are popular among owners of summer cottages. They are made of metal, have an attractive appearance and are easy to use.
