| What makes a landscape design stand out from the | | | | through the garden gate. |
| usual designs you see all the time? How do you go | | | | Sculptures are nice features also. Often they are |
| about having a landscape that everyone talks about | | | | thought of as formal, but this does not have to be |
| and thinks is very special? | | | | the case at all. What about a hand carved bear? |
| First of all you have to start with a good basic | | | | There are also quite a few interesting contemporary |
| design. It must function and yet the layout must | | | | ones that just might add a twist of interest to an |
| have creativity to it. In addition, features should be | | | | otherwise very natural looking garden. Sculptures, |
| added that are not run of the mill. So...what are some | | | | fountains or even an urn on a pedestal look well, |
| of these special features? | | | | located in a special place on your property. It might |
| You can add special features to a patio to make it | | | | be in a lawn area, in an intimate small garden space, |
| special. It might be a seatwall which provides a | | | | on a patio, or tucked into some plantings. |
| vertical element and also nice seating. You might also | | | | And who can resist a garden pond? Ponds can be |
| add a circle design, depending on which material is | | | | very naturalistic with a tumbling waterfall, or they can |
| being used. | | | | be more formal with a fountain in the center. An idea |
| You also might consider adding a landscape structure | | | | that I like and one which is not used often is to have |
| to your design. This might be an outdoor pergola, | | | | "bubblers" in your pond or pool. These are subtle |
| which can be part of your patio design or it can be | | | | mechanisms that make the pond bubble in certain |
| incorporated into your swimming pool decking. | | | | areas. Sometimes there are just a few "bubbles" and |
| Gazebos are another nice feature. They can be | | | | other times there are many. |
| located in an open lawn area, integrated into your | | | | Driveway designs can be made of a simple material |
| swimming pool decking and sometimes be added to a | | | | such as loose stone or asphalt and they can be |
| large patio. | | | | edged with concrete pavers, natural stone, travertine |
| Consider creating a special entry into your back yard. | | | | or Belgian block. You can also add a circle kit design |
| A beautiful arbor will make a statement. Place | | | | either at the entry or near your walkway. A circle |
| plantings or fencing on either side of the arbor to | | | | design is a pattern of either concrete or travertine |
| anchor it. You can also add decorative fencing with a | | | | pavers which radiate from the center forming a circle. |
| lovely gate. Gates can be straigh acroos on the top | | | | Many people don't take the time to think about |
| or they can be curved. I happen to love "moon | | | | adding these features to their landscape, but by |
| gates". These interesting gates have a large circle | | | | doing so, you will most likely have a garden which will |
| typically formed from wood where you can see | | | | be greatly admired. |