What is Hardscape Landscaping?
Most people have a clear idea of what landscaping is, yet most people are unfamiliar that there are different forms of landscaping. When most think about landscape design, they naturally think about what is known as softscape. Softscape is all the living components that go into a yard or garden.
What is hardscaping? If softscape deals with all the living components of landscape, then in its simplest form hardscape deals with all the nonliving structural components. Hardscape can consist of driveways, patios, decks, stone and gravel walkways, water fountains, windmills, retaining walls, gazebos, existing housing, storage and entertainment structures that are already on the property, or that are built. Most importantly, it is all of these things and how they are used artistically to create an experience.
What is hardscaping? If softscape deals with all the living components of landscape, then in its simplest form hardscape deals with all the nonliving structural components. Hardscape can consist of driveways, patios, decks, stone and gravel walkways, water fountains, windmills, retaining walls, gazebos, existing housing, storage and entertainment structures that are already on the property, or that are built. Most importantly, it is all of these things and how they are used artistically to create an experience.
Why Is Hardscaping Important?
To be honest, it is nearly impossible to create an attractive yard or garden without having proper hardscape. Hardscape can define an area better than any plant or flower could ever do. Human dwellings and buildings are hardscape, so it is inevitable that any yard or garden will have a hardscape to contend with. More importantly, hardscape is used to create an experience that you cannot tell with flowers and plants alone.
Hardscaping Allows For Greater Creativity
In many ways, hardscaping allows for greater creativity. Integrating statues, flags, walking paths, water fountains, and all those little extras that make a yard pop are always the providence of hardscape. It is far easier to get creative with hardscape than with flowers.
Hardscape As The Ultimate Form of Personal Expression
When it comes to personal expression, far more people show off their personal expression with hardscape. Many forms of landscaping are defined by hardscape, think about Japanese rock gardens and koi farms. Think about creating hidden spaces that run a long a little wandering path-- the path is the hardscape.
Hardscape vs Softscape
These two forms of landscaping are not at odds, they are actually complimentary. Many landscape designs start with the hardscape in mind, if only because many hardscape structures are already in place. Some start off with softscape knowing they want very specific types of plants in specific areas. Starting with either is fine, but they must work well together.
Hardscape As An Extension of Existing Structures
Making what you already have beautiful is an overarching theme in landscape design. There are usually a few known elements that happen when tackling a landscape project. These known elements are there will be a house or building, there will likely be a driveway, there will likely be some sort of pathway, and any softscape design will have to work well with these structures that already exist. Beyond getting creative, hardscape simply comes with landscape projects.
Integrating Hardscape and Softscape
Integration is the key. How do we tell the best story with soft and hard elements? What type of experience are we seeking? Is this a hidden oasis, a zen garden, is it a place to hide and read, is it an entertainment focal point, are we trying to outdo the neighbors? All of these elements matter and require integrating hardscape and softscape design principles.
Not All Landscapers Focus On Both
Some landscapers only focus on softscape, and do not go too deep into the world of hardscape design. Some companies do not do any design work, but will simply plant flowers. There are a few full service landscapers who can do everything from routine maintenance, sprinkler installation, hardscape installation (fountains, walk ways, paths and everything in between), plant/flower installations, as well as actual landscape design work.
What Is Hardscaping?
Well, it is everything that we've talked about, and one of the most important aspects of many landscaping projects. It consists of all the nonliving hard materials and structures that are places, installed or already exist on a property. In many ways, it is inevitable that hardscape will already exist on most properties. A bigger question often deals with, "How do we use hardscape on this project?" Hardscape can lend itself to individual taste and artistic expression beyond what simply planting something in the dirt can. When hardscape and softscape are brilliantly combined, we reach landscape nirvana.