I took a few pictures while visiting a local new home landscaping project today. I thought maybe I’d share a few of those ideas with you here. But be warned, you might catch Landscape Fever like I have.

Integrating Hardscape Into Landscape Design

Hardscape is a term sometimes used in different ways. To me, it’s really best used for things other than the main structure itself (the house).

Things like walks, fences, retaining walls, trellises or arbors, etc. are all “hardscape”. The best landscape jobs integrate fixed, often man-made, elements into the design.

The house in the photos above and below is brand new, so the landscaping hasn’t had time to mature, but even at this stage it looks great. Here are a couple of ideas I noticed when I was walking around.

1. Boulders Make Great Focal Points

I’ve integrated the use of large boulders into a number of projects I’ve been involved in over the years and it always makes such an impact. Just be prepared to move it around!

If you’re a proud owner of a hot-rod landscape tractor, like the ones I fell in love with at The Home Depot last month, you could probably use that to get this big rock into place. (better spring for the John Deere trailer though!) Otherwise, you might want to hire the folks who sell you the giant rock to deliver it and put it in place!

2. Accent Fences Add Interest and Structure

This particular house has a number of metal accents throughout the interior and exterior. Just in this picture you can see the wrought iron inspired coach lights (beside the garage door) and the little copper roof section over the window bump-out. (hard to call that a bay window)

This use of metal throughout the design makes the small section of short fencing a perfect accessory to the main structure and will look even cooler as the landscaping matures.

3. Think Of Pattern as Design When Using Pavers

The picture below shows a great looking marble paver walkway. (yes, I said marble pavers, these are tumbled natural marble stones) The same design principles at play here can be used with concrete pavers available everywhere.

What caught my eye was the way the way the walkway flares out as it approaches the steps, which is a nice touch. I also thought the pattern of the pavers ended-up looking pretty sharp the way it’s done.

I would finish this off with some potted flowers on the steps to make it blend with the landscape and look great.

4. Add Lots and Lots of Color!

While the top picture does show that some bougainvilla were used in this design — which will grow-up to look like these:

I would have to do a major run on The Home Depot Garden Center where I took all these pictures while wandering around dreaming of ideas…

I think all the landscape design for this new home needs to make it really rock is some flowers! There are plenty to choose from!

In fact, I think I’m starting to get Landscape Fever a little bit (or a lot). I’ll be heading back out to store very soon to stock-up and do some planting.

My travels today inspired me to do some landscaping this weekend. I hope the pictures inspire you!

– RG

Thanks to Arthur Rutenburg Homes in Punta Gorda, the builder of the fine home above.