Creating a Fully Functional Landscape
Hardscaping and softscaping are the two most important features used in landscaping. A well-designed outdoor living area incorporates hardscape and softscape components to ensure you have a unique landscape design in place. Let’s take a deeper look to understand the distinction between the two.
Hardscape Components
Hardscape is anything used in a landscaping design that can be natural or man-made materials, especially any masonry work or woodwork. They are solid and unchanging items that make up the structure of the landscape design.
Examples of hardscape features include:
- Parts of the landscape such as gravel, paving, and stones
- Decks and gazebos
- Driveways
- Retaining walls
- Pavers for paths or patios, walkways, and water features
- Outdoor kitchens
Hardscape elements help to prevent excess water absorption. Also, installing paved walkways and stone benches contribute to reducing soil erosion, while fences ensure privacy.
Softscape Components
Softscape is the living part of the landscape. They change and evolve continually, and are easy to move. Examples of softscape features include:
- Flowers
- Trees, perennials, shrubs
- Grass, vegetables, vines
- Turf and color schemes.
Softscape elements are necessary to maintain the ecological balance of the natural environment.
The idea is to create a balance between hardscaping and softscaping. Mix them together in a way that incorporates the best aspects of both worlds. This helps to bring out the beauty of the living elements and give the entire landscape project a unique shape and diversity of texture, with more of a three-dimensional look.
If you want to have a great looking outdoor living space and a healthy garden, trust the experts at All Around Soil & Stone who carry the best landscaping supplies in Colorado. We are a member of the Broomfield Chamber of Commerce, well-known for our prompt delivery, unique customer service, and quality products.
