Front Yard Landscaping Design in Kew

Your front yard is visitors' and passersby's first impression of your home, and it deserves to make a statement. Whether you want to enhance the kerb appeal, create an inviting outdoor space, or revitalise the aesthetics of your house, we have you covered. In this blog, we will explore various landscaping design ideas, tips and trends specifically tailored to front-yard landscaping in the beautiful suburb of Kew. Kew is approximately six (6) kilometres east of the Melbourne Central Business District (CBD) and is part of the City of Boroondara local government area. Kew is known for its tree-lined streets, beautiful gardens, and large public parks that offer extensive gardens, walking paths and recreational facilities. So, get ready to transform your front yard into a stunning showcase that reflects your style and enhances the charm of your home. Let's dive into the world of landscaping design in Kew.

Rendered landscape design front yard in Kew
Rendered landscape design front yard in Kew

This front yard landscape in the Kew perfectly combines softscaping and hardscaping. Both the landscape elements have been used very well, which adds to the property's aesthetic value and attracts people's eyes.

FRONT YARD HARDSCAPING ELEMENT

Concrete floating steps

Concrete floating steps are precast or poured structures used for ascending or descending in a stair-like manner. Concrete steps at the entrance of a landscape offer numerous benefits. They provide a durable and long-lasting solution, enhancing the aesthetic appeal. Concrete steps also ensure safety and easy access, especially during inclement weather conditions, requiring minimal maintenance.

Front Yard Landscaped concrete floating steps.
Front Yard Landscaped concrete floating steps.

At the entrance of this property in the Kew, concrete steps were used, which are 1.89 m long and 0.4 m wide and fifteen in number. These elegant concrete step slabs create a defined path leading visitors to the entrance. Curves are incorporated to make the entrance more interesting.

Concrete Path Design

A concrete walkway in your  landscape can be practical and visually appealing. It offers a clear path for navigating through the garden, prevents trampling on delicate plants, and adds structure to the overall design. The concrete walkway also provides a resilient and long-lasting surface that is resistant to wear and tear.

Front yard Landscaped Concrete Path Design
Landscaped Concrete Path Design

In this landscape design in Kew, the front garden is separated from the residence by a concrete walkway approximately 1.2 m wide. This white-coloured walkway presents a very beautiful scene with green plants behind it. A concrete walkway has been built along the house's outer wall, which adds to the house's beauty.

 

Driveway with dark cobblestone finish

Dark cobblestone typically refers to a type of stone with a dark, usually grey or black, colour and a rough texture. It is commonly used in outdoor hardscape projects such as driveways, walkways and patios to create a rustic or vintage look.

front yard Concrete Floating Steps and dark cobblestone concrete driveway.
Concrete Floating Steps and dark cobblestone concrete driveway.

A well-designed driveway in the front yard landscape is important for several reasons. It provides a designated vehicle area, improves accessibility, enhances kerb appeal and adds structure.

The driveway in this front yard landscape in Kew has a dark cobblestone finish, which can bring several benefits to this custom design landscape. The dark colour adds visual interest and contrast, creating an elegant and sophisticated look. The rough texture of cobblestone provides good traction and enhances safety for vehicles.

Front yard Fences

A fence is a key feature of landscaping. A fence will go a long way in keeping your outdoor space private, stylish and offer protection for children and pets, preventing them from wandering off or encountering potential dangers. Therefore it is necessary to border your front yard with stylish fence ideas that enhance privacy without compromising on great design.

Front Fence Design for the Kew landscaping design project.
Front Yard Front Fence Design for the Kew landscaping design project.

A vertical metal fence is created around this front yard garden in Kew, Australia, which provides a sleek and modern aesthetic that can complement contemporary architecture. The vertical orientation of this fence creates a sense of height and openness while maintaining privacy. Its black colour provides a striking contrast against the surrounding and enhances the visual appeal of the landscape.

FRONT YARD SOFTSCAPING ELEMENTS

A well maintained lawn

Maintaining a well-groomed lawn holds significant importance. It enhances the kerb appeal of your property, making a positive first impression on visitors and passersby. A well-maintained lawn provides recreational activities and relaxation space, boosting mental well-being. Regular upkeep of your front yard lawn showcases your pride in homeownership and creates a welcoming atmosphere for all.

Front Yard Front Lawn Landscaping Design in Kew.
Front Yard Front Lawn Landscaping Design in Kew.

This front yard landscape at Kew also features a well-maintained lawn. The lawn is designed in a slopping manner which enhances the beauty of the property. Various grasses, shrubs and trees are planted around the lawn due to which aesthetics and functionality of the front due to which aesthetics and functionality of the front yard enhances.

NATIVE GRASSES IN THE FRONT YARD

Grasses in the landscape design can be a brilliant addition to landscaping, providing structure, beauty and privacy. Grasses can help define the boundaries of the front yard and provide a sense of structure to the overall landscape design. They can be used to create borders, edges or pathways, adding visual interest and organisation to the space. Below are the grasses used in this front yard landscape in Kew.

Austrostipa scabra

Rough spear grass (Austrostipa scabra) is found in all states of Australia but predominantly in the southern half of the continent. Austrostipa scabra has a unique appearance with its slender, spiky leaves and attractive seed heads. While it may not have the lush appearance of traditional lawn grasses, it can add a distinct and natural touch to your garden. They are known for their resilience and drought tolerance, making them suitable for front yard gardens in regions with limited water availability.

Rough Spear Grass or Austrostipa scabra
Rough Spear Grass or Austrostipa scabra Tufted perennial grass with erect flowering stems. - Yarra Ranges Council

Pennisetum nafray

Pennisetum nafray, also known as purple fountain grass, is an excellent choice for a front yard garden. This ornamental grass is known for its striking purple foliage and graceful arching growth habit. The purple foliage of the Pennisetum fray adds a bold and vibrant splash of colour to your front yard garden. The grass’s arching habit creates a graceful and flowing appearance, visually contrasting other plants in your landscape.

Pennisetum alopecuroides
Pennisetum alopecuroides hameln cultivated foxtail fountain grass growing in the park, beautiful ornamental autumnal bunch of fountaingrass

Liriope royal purple

Liriope royal purple, also known as lilyturf or monkey grass, is popular for front yard landscapes due to its attractive foliage and low-maintenance characteristics. Liriope royal purple is known for its deep green, strappy leaves with a purple tinge, adding a pop of colour to the front yard. It forms clumps of grass-like foliage, creating a visually pleasing ground cover that can complement other plants and landscaping elements.

big blue lilyturf or Liriope muscari
big blue lilyturf or Liriope muscari an evergreen herbaceous perennials forming compact clumps

FRONT YARD BUSHES, SHRUBS AND GROUND COVERS

Planting one of the best shrubs for the front of the house in the front yard will imbue the entrance to your home with character and personality, creating structure, a refuge for wildlife and a frame for the front porch. Introducing greenery and foliage to the front yard will increase the kerb appeal, while adding flowering bushes will bring beauty and fragrance in equal measures. Here are the bushes used in this front yard landscape at Kew.

Myoporum parvifolium

Myoporum parvifolium, commonly known as creeping boobialla or myoporum, is a versatile and popular choice for front yard gardens. It is a low, spreading shrub with long, trailing stems and white, star-shaped flowers and is endemic to southern Australia. Its small, elliptical leaves have a glossy appearance, adding visual interest to the landscape even when the plant is not blooming. This plant can be used in various ways, such as ground cover on large areas, edging along pathways and in containers.

Myoporum parvifolium or creeping boobialla is a ground cover that makes life difficult for weeds.
Myoporum parvifolium or creeping boobialla is a ground cover that makes life difficult for weeds.

 

plants for commercial landscaping.
Myoporum parvifolium is a great plant for saving water and suppressing weeds in commercial landscaping.

Buddleja davidii

Buddleja davidii, also called summer lilac, butterfly bush, or orange eye, is a species of flowering plant in the family of Scrophulariaceae. It is known for its beautiful, long spikes of colourful flowers that attract butterflies, bees and other pollinators. It comes in various colours, adding a vibrant touch to your front yard landscape. In addition to visual appeal, Buddleja davidii emits a sweet and pleasant fragrance, adding an aromatic dimension to your front yard.

Buddleja davidii or Butterfly Bush
Buddleja davidii or Butterfly Bush is known for its beautiful, long spikes of colourful flowers that attract butterflies, bees and other pollinators.

Salvia leucantha

Salvia leucantha, the Mexican bush sage, is herbaceous perennial plant in the Lamiaceae family. Salvia leucantha is prized for its striking appearance. It features long, arching spikes of velvety purple or lavender flowers with white calyxes, adding a splash of vibrant colour to the front yard landscape and enhancing its overall beauty. Its extended bloom time ensures a continuous display of flowers, providing visual interest and colour to the front yard during a season when many other plants have finished blooming. It can be used as a focal point or as part of a mixed planting scheme to add texture and variety to the front yard design.

Salvia Leucantha - White Mischief - Mexican bush sage - Reds Landscaping and Design
Mexican bush sage, also known as the Salvia Leucantha 'White Mischief', fall bloom colour showing. Wollongbar, New South Wales, Australia.

 

Salvia leucantha purple flowering shrub
Salvia leucantha is a purple flowering shrub growing to around 1 metre tall.

TREES

The trees in the front yard garden can change a house into a warm and inviting residence. Trees have beautiful flowers in the spring, bright fruits and berries in the summer, and beautiful leaves in the fall. A tree in the front yard can also give privacy, absorb noise pollution, and attract beneficial species. Planting a tree is a great idea if you want a striking focal point in your front yard. The following are the trees used in this front yard landscape at Kew.

Olea europea

Olea europaea, commonly known as the olive tree, is a highly versatile and aesthetically pleasing tree that can benefit the front yard significantly. Olive trees have a beautiful Mediterranean elegance that can enhance the kerb appeal of any home. Their grey-green leaves and gnarled trunks add a new factor to any front garden, creating wonderful architectural interest. Incorporating a well-maintained olive tree into your front yard garden can enhance the kerb appeal of your property and increase its market value.

Olea europaea
Olea europaea growing in a growing in mediterranean plantation

In this front yard garden in Kew, olive trees are planted along the sides of the concrete path, creating a beautiful entrance to the property and adding a sense of harmony and sophistication to the overall landscape.

Acer palmatum

Acer palmatum, commonly known as Japanese maple, is a woody plant species native to Japan, China and Korea. It is a popular and highly valued tree species for custom design landscapes. Acer palmatum is renowned for its stunning foliage, which comes in various colours, especially during fall. The delicate, palmate leaves and graceful branches create an eye-catching focal point, adding visual interest and enhancing the overall aesthetics of the front yard landscape. Japanese maple offers changing visual appeal throughout the year. They produce delicate, often red-tinged new foliage in spring, transitioning to rich green during the summer. In fall, the leaves undergo a captivating transformation, displaying various vibrant colours that bring autumn beauty to the landscape.

 

Stone Lantern, Pond and Acer. Kyoto garden
Stone Lantern, Pond and Red foliage of the weeping Laceleaf Japanese Maple tree (Acer palmatum) in garden. Kyoto garden London

Japanese maple offers changing visual appeal throughout the year. They produce delicate, often red-tinged new foliage in spring, transitioning to rich green during the summer. In fall, the leaves undergo a captivating transformation, displaying various vibrant colours that bring autumn beauty to the landscape.

 

Red foliage of the weeping Laceleaf Japanese Maple tree (Acer palmatum) in garden
Red foliage of the weeping Laceleaf Japanese Maple tree (Acer palmatum).

 

 

CONCLUSION

This front yard landscape design in Kew, Australia, presents a unique and exciting opportunity to blend the rich natural beauty of the region with creative and thoughtful landscape choices. The lush greenery, diverse plant life and favourable climate of Kew provide a perfect canvas for property owners to create enchanting outdoor spaces that enhance the beauty and value of their property. By incorporating native Australian plants and carefully selected exotic species, they have created visually appealing landscapes that attract wildlife and promote biodiversity. Also, thoughtful use of hardscaping elements, such as paths, concrete steps, concrete walkways and driveway, can enhance the aesthetics and functionality of the front yard. From the stunning blooms of native plants to the graceful foliage of Japanese maple, this custom landscape design in Kew offers breathtaking beauty. By adopting sustainable practices and eco-friendly principles, the property owners have created stunning outdoor retreats and contributed to the preservation of Kew’s natural beauty.

Kew front yard free landscape design plan
Kew front yard landscape design plan

With a harmonious blend of design creativity, environmental consciousness, and appreciation for the region’s unique character, landscapes in Kew are truly captivating showcases of artistry and nature’s splendour. As the community embraces these principles, Kew’s beautiful landscapes will continue flourishing as captivating, sustainable and inviting spaces for years.

3D Landscape Rendering Package

The 3D Landscape Rendering Package from Reds Landscaping & Design partners provides high quality As Built Drawings and 3D landscape rendering services in Melbourne, Australia. We have a team of highly skilled and experienced professionals who are dedicated to providing our clients with the best 3D Designs. We use the latest technology and software to produce accurate and realistic drawings and renderings of the design, and we do everything we can to ensure that our clients are entirely happy with their project before, during, and after it is completed.


Modern Alfresco Designs - Reds Landscaping and Design

Transform Your Outdoor Space with Modern Alfresco Designs

Alfresco design refers to the process of creating an outdoor living area that combines functionality, comfort, and style to convert your backyard into an appealing space for relaxation, entertainment, and dining. Modern alfresco designs focus on creating an outdoor space that seamlessly blends with the indoor living areas and reflects the homeowner's taste and lifestyle.

Importance of a Modern Alfresco Design

A well-designed alfresco space can provide the perfect place for hosting guests, family gatherings, and even romantic dinners.

Modern Landscape Design CAD - Reds Landscaping and Design
Modern Landscape Design CAD tools are used to design this outdoor eating area.

Several backyard landscaping ideas can be combined into the alfresco design to improve the outdoor space's aesthetics and functionality.

Moreover, an alfresco dining area can be created to provide an inviting space for meals and gatherings. This can be achieved through the installation of a built-in barbeque, an outdoor kitchen, and comfortable seating.

Modern Garden Design and Landscaping - Reds Landscaping and Design
Designed Backyard Garden Patio and Outdoor Party Place. Round Bench Made from Gabions with Wooden Seat. Landscaped Family Resting Area with Fireplace.

Different Types of Modern Alfresco Designs

Modern alfresco design is a multipurpose and flexible way to create an outdoor living space that suits your requirements and tastes. Here are different types of alfresco design ideas that you can include in your backyard landscaping.

Alfresco Dining Area: A dining space is a popular choice for modern alfresco design. It can be considered an extension of your indoor dining space or a separate area.

Urban Flow by Tony Woods - Reds Landscaping and Design
An outdoor kitchen design using a concrete bench with cooktop, wooden paling fence and vertical kitchen garden - Urban Flow by Tony Woods.

Incorporating features such as a built-in table, comfortable seating, and adequate lighting can create an inviting mood for meals.

Modern Pergola: A modern pergola idea is a great addition to any outdoor living space design.

Modern Outdoor Pool Side Pergola 3D Design - Reds Landscaping and Design
Modern Outdoor Pool Side Pergola 3D Design - Reds Landscaping and Design

It offers a shaded area for relaxation and can be designed to suit different styles and tastes. Plants, curtains, and lighting can add to the beauty and functionality of the pergola.

Modern Decking Ideas: A modern deck can provide a space for relaxation and entertainment. Consider incorporating built-in seating, lighting, or an outdoor kitchen to make a functional living zone.

Modern Decking Ideas - Reds Landscaping and Design
Recycled plastic composite decking looks like real wood. U.V stabilizers are added to the plastic to ensure their longevity under the Aussie sun.

Modern decking ideas can be designed with different materials, such as composite, timber, or concrete, to match your home's style.

Outdoor Lighting: Outdoor lighting is a significant part of modern alfresco design.

outdoor lighting - Reds Landscaping and Design
Outdoor lighting around garden pathway - Reds Landscaping and Design

Consider integrating lighting features such as string lights, uplights, or lanterns to create a cosy ambience.

Vertical Gardens: Vertical gardens are a great way to incorporate greenery into your outdoor space.

Outdoor Entertaining with kitchen and vertical herb garden - Reds Landscaping and Design
Outdoor Entertaining with kitchen and vertical herb garden.

They can be designed with various plants and materials, such as herbs, succulents, or flowers, to create a unique and colourful living wall.

Outdoor Fireplace or Fire Pit: An outdoor fireplace or fire pit is a great way to create a cosy ambience and extend your outdoor living area into the cooler months.

Outdoor Entertaining Area - Reds Landscaping and Design
Outdoor Entertaining Area. Good lighting design benefits both residential and commercial landscaping design.

It can be designed to match the style of your home and can be combined with seating or dining areas.

Lounge Area: A lounge area is a great way to make space for relaxation and entertainment.

Photo taken by Callum O'Brien - Reds Landscaping and Design
Top 10 best outdoor spaces and landscape designs.

It can feature comfortable seating, rugs, and lighting to create an inviting and comfy atmosphere.

How to Choose the Right Material and Furniture for Your Modern Alfresco Design

Selecting the right materials and furniture for your modern outdoor design can be an intimidating task. However, there are some key aspects to study to make sure that you select the right varieties for your outdoor space.

The weather and climate conditions in your area should be considered first. Materials such as metal and glass may not be appropriate for areas with high winds, while natural materials like wood and wicker may not be suitable for areas with high humidity.

Next, consider the style and aesthetic you want to accomplish with your alfresco design. If you want a modern, sleek look, materials such as stainless steel and concrete may be the right choice. For a more natural, organic feel, consider using materials like wood, stone, and natural fibres. Let's look at the most popular alfresco design materials.

Most Popular Alfresco Design Materials

Teak is a durable and weather-resistant hardwood that is perfect for outdoor furniture.

Teak Hardwood - Modern Alfresco Designs
Teak Hardwood - Modern Alfresco Designs

Wicker is a natural material that adds a touch of warmth and feel to your alfresco design.

Wicker - Modern Alfresco Designs
Wicker - Modern Alfresco Designs

Concrete is a multipurpose material that can be used for everything from flooring to outdoor furniture.

Concrete floating Steps - Reds Landscaping and Design
Landscape Design Melbourne Concrete floating Steps - Modern Alfresco Designs

Stainless steel is a modern and sleek material that is perfect for a modern alfresco design.

Garden Edging in Stainless Steel Grasses - Reds Landscaping and Design
Garden Edging in Stainless Steel Grasses - Reds Landscaping and Design

Aluminium is a trivial and durable material that is great for outdoor furniture.

Silicone Sealant Filling of Glass Aluminium Windows - Habitus Townhouses - Reds Landscaping and Design
Construction Worker is using Silicone Sealant for filling the sides of the Glass Aluminium Windows. Habitus Townhouses uses Awning windows on the ground level. Awning windows shield the rain better than a casement window.

With these materials, you can create modern alfresco designs that are functional, stylish, and perfect for your outdoor space.

Red's Landscaping and Design: Elevating Your Outdoor Living Experience with Modern Alfresco Design

Revitalise your outdoor space with Reds Landscaping and Design, the premier service provider for creating modern alfresco designs. Our expert team specialises in transforming your backyard into a practical and visually stunning living area that seamlessly integrates with your indoor space. By incorporating innovative backyard landscaping ideas, such as captivating water features, stylish alfresco dining areas, and thoughtfully placed lighting, we can craft an inviting haven for relaxation, entertainment, and dining.

The Way Forward

Discover the art of modern alfresco design as we guide you through the process of creating a functional and aesthetically pleasing outdoor living space. With careful consideration of materials, furniture selection, and various alfresco design concepts, our team will help you bring your vision to life. Whether you desire a tranquil oasis or a vibrant entertainment hub, our expertise and attention to detail ensure a unique and personalised outdoor area that reflects your taste and lifestyle.

With Reds Landscaping and Design, you can embark on the journey of constructing the perfect alfresco space in your backyard. Start transforming your outdoor living experience today and unlocking the true potential of your property.


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Blogs to Follow @RedsLandscaping

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Beautiful Backyard Landscaping in 10 Simple Steps - Reds

Beautiful Backyard Landscaping in 10 Simple Steps

Backyard landscaping is the process of designing and creating a beautiful outdoor space that complements your home and reflects your personal style. A well-designed backyard can transform your outdoor space into an inviting oasis, perfect for entertaining guests or relaxing with your family. With the right planning and design, you can turn your backyard into a beautiful and functional outdoor retreat.

How can it transform your outdoor space?

With the right garden landscaping ideas and landscape design ideas, backyard landscaping can completely transform an outdoor space, turning it into a lush oasis or a functional extension of the home. Whether you want to create a space for entertaining, grow your own vegetables and herbs, or simply relax and enjoy the beauty of nature.

Garden Landscaping Ideas - Reds
Garden Landscaping Ideas - Reds

Step 1: Gather Inspiration for Your Backyard Design

The first step in creating a beautiful backyard landscape is to gather inspiration for your design. Look for backyard landscaping ideas photos online, in magazines, or on social media platforms like Pinterest and Instagram. Consider the style of your home, your personal taste, and any unique features of your outdoor space that you want to highlight. You can also take inspiration from your local parks, botanical gardens, or other outdoor spaces in your community.
Look online for landscape design inspiration. You can search using terms such as "patio landscaping ideas" or "backyard landscape design ideas" as well.

Step 2: Map Out the Dimensions of Your Backyard

Before you start your backyard landscaping, it's important to map out the dimensions of your outdoor space. Measure your yard and make note of any existing features, such as trees, garden beds, or outdoor structures. Use this information to create a 2D Landscape Design plan for your outdoor space, including any new garden landscaping ideas or outdoor structures you want to add.

create a plan for your outdoor space - Reds
Create a Plan for your Outdoor Space - Reds

Step 3: Choose the Right Plants for Your Yard and Climate

Choosing the right plants for your backyard is crucial to creating a beautiful and sustainable outdoor space. Consider the climate in your area, the amount of sun and shade your yard receives, and the soil conditions. Look for outdoor plants and flowers that are well-suited to your climate and require minimal maintenance, such as drought-tolerant plants or low-maintenance plants perennials.

Step 4: Select Materials to Complement Your Garden Design

The materials you choose for your backyard landscaping can have a big impact on the overall look and feel of your outdoor space. Consider using paving stones for patio designs or walkways, edging material options to define garden beds, or stone walkways to create a natural and rustic look. Choose materials that complement your garden design and reflect your personal style.

Step 5: Invest in Decorative Accents

Adding decorative accents to your backyard landscape is a great way to add personality and style to your outdoor space. Consider investing in decorative elements such as outdoor lighting, garden sculptures, or a water feature like a fountain or pond. These accents can add texture, colour, and interest to your backyard landscape and make your outdoor space feel more inviting and relaxing.

outdoor lighting - Reds
Outdoor Lighting - Reds

Step 6: Create a Focal Point

Creating a focal point in your backyard is a great way to draw attention to a specific area or feature of your outdoor space. Consider adding a garden arbour or pergola to create a shaded seating area, or a fire pit or outdoor fireplace for a cosy gathering spot. Adding a focal point can help tie together the different elements of your backyard landscape and create a cohesive design.

Step 7: Add Outdoor Seating

Adding outdoor seating to your backyard is essential for creating a comfortable and inviting outdoor space. Consider adding a patio or deck with comfortable outdoor furniture or creating a seating area around your fire pit or water feature. Outdoor seating can be a great way to enjoy your backyard landscape and entertain guests.

Outdoor seating - Reds
Outdoor Seating - Reds

Step 8: Incorporate a Variety of Textures

Consider using different types of plants and flowers, such as tall grasses or colourful perennials, or adding texture with outdoor rugs, cushions, or throw pillows. By incorporating a variety of textures, you can create a visually stunning and dynamic backyard landscape.

Step 9: Consider privacy

Privacy is an important factor to consider when designing your backyard landscape. Consider adding fencing or hedges to create a sense of privacy and seclusion, or using tall plants or trees to block out any unwanted views. You can also create a sense of privacy by adding curtains or shades to your outdoor seating area or using outdoor screens or partitions.

Step 10: Maintain Your Backyard Landscape

To keep your backyard landscape attractive and useful for many years to come, regular maintenance is essential. Your backyard may seem healthy and alive by giving your plants regular watering and fertilisation, pruning your trees and shrubs, and removing any dead or diseased plants. Additionally, keeping your backyard looking lovely and well-maintained can be accomplished by routinely cleaning and maintaining any outdoor features or decorative accents.

Garden Maintenance - Reds
Garden Maintenance - Reds

Final Thoughts

Transforming your outdoor space into a lovely and useful refuge can be accomplished by developing a stunning backyard landscaping idea. You can design and build a backyard landscape that expresses your individual taste and harmonises with your home by following these 10 easy steps. You may create a lovely and comfortable outdoor space that you and your family can use for many years with the appropriate planning and design.


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landscape design with wisteria

Landscape Design with Wisteria

Wisteria is a genus of 8–10 species of twining plants. It is a strong deciduous climber in the pea family. Wisteria is primarily native to Asia and North America. Still, they are also commonly planted in other parts of the world because of their lovely growth patterns and plentiful flowers. Wisteria sinenses and Wisteria floribunda are the two species of wisteria most frequently seen in Australia.

There is no other garden plant that can compare to the wisteria. It is singular in its distinctiveness. The plant is breathtaking in bloom, with its beautiful blossoms and fragrance. Its lush greenery shields you from the sun during the warmer months, yet in the winter, it lets the warming  sunlight in.

A wisteria is a great plant to grow over a pergola
A wisteria is a great plant to grow over a pergola to provide shade from the hot Summer sun and allow the sun through in winter.

Wisteria favours a temperate environment with high to moderate humidity. Although it can withstand cold and hot climates, it cannot function effectively in extreme situations. Wisteria thrives in soil that is well-drained and rich with organic matter. However, it can also survive numerous soil types. Wisteria prefers full to the moderate sun.

Is the Wisteria Toxic

Contrary to the beauty of wisteria, it is toxic to humans and pets and can be harmful if they are chewed or swallowed. The seed or seed pods of wisteria are poisonous and can cause mouth pain, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

PLANT DESCRIPTION

Leaves: Wisteria is a fast-growing, woody, high-climbing vine that grows into a stunningly beautiful plant between 12-20 metres tall. The leaves of the wisteria plant are complex, glossy, and bright green, which fall off in the autumn. There are typically 9–13 green leaflets per stem, and the leaves are divided into several pointed-oval-shaped leaflets.

Wisteria leaves and flowers
Wisteria leaves and flowers.

Flower: Wisteria is known for its stunning flowers that have a stunning violet-blue colour. They are elongated and slender, and the flower clusters grow cascades from the plant's branches. The blossoms have a sweet, aromatic scent and are frequently used in floral arrangements and as decorative accents in gardens and other outdoor places.

 

Wisteria floribunda flowers
Wisteria floribunda flowers.

CARE OF WISTERIA

Watering: These plants need constant watering to survive and thrive, especially in the hot, dry summer. However, it's crucial to avoid overwatering as this might result in root rot and other issues. Before watering, check the moisture content of the soil. Be sure to water well, but only sometimes. This will promote the plant's root growth and increase its resilience to drought. Water the plant in the morning or evening when the sun is not hot. This will help reduce evaporation and allow the water to reach the roots more effectively.

Fertilisation: Wisteria plants are heavy feeders and need fertilisation regularly to grow. Use a balanced, slow-releasing fertiliser with a 10-10-10 NPK ratio. This will offer the plant the essential nutrients that it requires. Use the fertiliser in the spring, right before the plants start to grow again. This is when the plant would be most active and can use the nutrients best. For optimum growth and flowering, fertilise the wisteria every 4-6 weeks during the growing season.

Pruning: Wisteria requires regular pruning to keep its size and shape. Pruning also promotes healthy growth and produces maximum flowers. Prune in the late winter or early spring, just before new growth appears. Remove any dead or broken branches. Remove the lateral branches to promote the development of the main stems. If you wish to limit the size of your wisteria, cut the main stem to the desired length.

https://youtu.be/GvFsfKUEsxk

PESTS AND DISEASES

Pests: Some common pests affecting wisteria plants include aphids, Japanese beetles, mealybugs, scale insects and spider mites. These pests damage wisteria by feeding on the leaves and stems of the plant. These pests can be controlled by organic pesticides such as neem oil, garlic spray and horticultural oil.       

Japanese Beetle - Popillia japonica
Japanese Beetle - Popillia japonica can do a lot of damage to leaves.

 

white waxy fuzzy mealybug pseudococcidae
White waxy fuzzy mealybug pseudococcidae sucking nutrients from a stem.

Diseases: The most common diseases of wisteria are dieback, crown gall and leaf spots. Dieback disease is caused by fungi and bacteria that cause the plant to die, starting from the tips of the leaves. A biodegradable fungicide is required for treatment. Fungi or bacteria also cause leaf spots, and you will notice dark spots on the leaves. This disease can be treated with neem oil or fungicide spray.

LANDSCAPING IDEAS WITH WISTERIA

Wisteria is a lovely and adaptable plant that may be used in various landscaping projects. Here are some ideas for using wisteria in your landscaping.

  • Wisteria can be trained to climb a trellis or an arbour, making a beautiful focal point in a garden or other outdoor space. This is a great way to give a flat or boring area some vertical interest.
  • Wisteria may be planted over a pergola to provide a gorgeous, shaded space for outdoor living and entertainment. This is a fantastic way to give a patio or deck extra privacy.
  • Wisteria can be combined with other climbing plants, such as roses, jasmine or clematis, to create a beautiful multi-layered effect.
  • Wisteria can be trained to climb an arch or gateway, creating a beautiful entrance to a garden or landscape.
purple climbing plant on a curves trellis.
A wall of colour created by growing wisteria on a curved trellis.

Why do you prefer wisteria over other vines for a pergola?

Pergola walkway with wisteria
Pergola walkway with wisteria in springtime before flowering. The wisteria will allow warming sunlight through in winter and early spring.

There could be various reasons you may prefer wisteria over other vines for pergolas.

  • Wisteria is renowned for its stunning, cascading flowers, which come in purple and blue. Numerous gardeners prefer this plant because of its huge and fragrant flowers.
  • It is a fast-growing vine that can quickly cover a pergola, creating a lush shaded area for outdoor living and entertaining.
  • The flowers last a few weeks, giving you a lot of colour for a long time.
  • These plants can flourish in a broad range of conditions, from locations with chilly winters to those with hot summers.
  • Relatively low maintenance once it is established. Regular pruning is necessary to keep it in shape, but it requires minimal care otherwise.

Our Landscape Design Services

The 3D Landscape Rendering Package from Reds Landscaping & Design provides high quality As Built Drawings and 3D landscape rendering services in Melbourne, Australia. We have a team of highly skilled and experienced professionals who are dedicated to providing our clients with the best 3D Landscape Designs. We use the latest technology and software to produce accurate and realistic drawings and renderings of the design, and we do everything we can to ensure that our clients are entirely happy with their project before, during, and after it is completed.

 

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Hamptons Style coastal garden landscaped design 3D render.

7 Hamptons Style Landscape Design Tips

Landscape design is the key to making an outdoor garden, whether you live in a small courtyard in a city or a large estate in the country. Several landscape designs make your outside space more beautiful and appealing. Hampton-style landscape design is one of them.

Hamptons Style garden landscaped design.

The Hamptons style landscape design mixes hard landscaping, like pavers, and soft landscaping, like grass and plants. It is clean, uncluttered, and inviting, with abundant greenery and non-flowering trees and plants. The characteristics of a Hamptons style landscape have become recognisable over time. Hampton-style landscape design is influenced by English and French gardens, but with its unique elements. The Hampton style is all on open plan living, with doors connecting indoor to outdoor living. The original Hampton design landscape is vast and well-planned.

Hamptons Style coastal garden landscaped design 3D render.
Hamptons Style coastal garden landscaped design.

In Australia, particularly in coastal regions, the Hampton-style landscape design has been popular for many years. It is simple to create and maintain and helpful during the hot summer months. Australians are beach-loving people. Therefore a seaside outdoor lifestyle is lovely for them. A Hampton-style outdoor environment focuses on elegance and relaxation in the sun.

Tips for creating your own Hamptons Style Landscape Design

It is simple to create a Hampton-style landscape. Start with a white backdrop and layer in ocean blues, natural linens, and wooden furniture.

Landscaping with olives in pots on a white balcony.
Landscaping with olives in pots on a white balcony.

Some common elements of Hampton garden are hedges, open lawn areas, hydrangeas and other classic flowers, a colour palette of rich greens and muted whites, blues and bluish purple, gravel pathways and driveways, geometrically shaped garden beds, symmetry outdoor entertaining spaces and beautiful swimming pools. Here are the top seven tips for creating a sophisticated Hampton landscape design.

Murraya Paniculata hedge in pots.
Murraya Paniculata hedge in pots.

Framing your Outdoor Area.

When designing gardens, we tend to focus mainly on landscaping and plants, but how we frame our outdoor area may significantly impact how it appears and feels. Framing can also be the perfect final touch for any garden landscape.

Photo taken by Callum O'Brien I Reds Landscaping.
top 10 best outdoor spaces and landscape designs

Everything in a coastal Hampton-style garden should be well-framed and sometimes double-framed. Such as a double row of hedges around the garden because hedging provides a softer appearance, driveways with a double row of paved edging and potted plants on both sides of walks or entryways to have an enormous impact.

Custom design lap pool
A custom designed lap pool photo-realistic visualisation using landscape design tools. A pool framed by hedges.

The wide driveways are frequently bordered with hedges or garden beds because they make sense of comfortable elegance everywhere. The frame creates the impression that everything has been well arranged and also provides a touch of sophistication.

Planting in Layers

Layering is the practice of inter-planting many different species in the exact location to create a garden that retains its interest over time. As one plant reaches the end of its prime flowering season, another begins to flower to maintain the display. Layering also involves selecting beautifully integrated plants, creating visual interest from back to front and side to side. A well-designed layered garden has plants of different heights, textures, shapes, and colours that go well together.

garden layers for hamptons style garden design
Plan the plant heights to create a layered effect. Make use of plant foliage to create colour contrasts. Make trees in neighbouring gardens part of the view.

It will be a good idea to plant both short and tall plants in the layer, with the shorter plants acting as a frame or border for the taller plant. You may create a sense of balance, order, and symmetry by growing plants of various heights and in a repeating pattern in a Hampton-style garden. When boxy hedges and rambling flowering bushes are placed next to each other, it gives the appearance that things in the garden are peaceful and under control.

Colour Schemes for a Hamptons Style Garden

A garden can be created to generate a specific colour appearance by using flowers, trees, and shrubs with various shades. Much attention should be paid to their arrangement to develop an exciting design.

The primary colour green is shown in Hampton-style landscape design in the vast green lawn, hedges, box balls, and trees. The addition of peaceful white, blues, and purples adds variety and beauty while preserving the relaxing environment of the garden.

Hamptons is a classic design style. Magnolia Little Gem in a fibreglass pot. Magnolias are non-toxic to pets. The buxus however, contains alkaloids, which are toxic to dogs
Magnolia Little Gem in a fibreglass pot. Magnolias are non-toxic to pets. The buxus however, contains alkaloids, which are toxic to dogs

A repeating set of plants and a reliable colour combination that goes through your garden will help everything feel more pleasant. Hydrangeas and white gardenias are excellent flowering plants for Hampton-style landscaping.

The Creation of Hamptons Style Pathways

Pathways are essential components in Hampton-style landscape design because they split large open spaces into smaller and more pleasant areas. Paths may clarify your landscape and give focus points to any garden. They can match the style of your landscape, whether it is classy, shabby, or somewhere in between.

Garden Benches and aggregate paths.
Garden Benches and aggregate paths.

Several walkway concepts may be included in a Hampton-style garden. For example, include solid paved pathways, a creative combination of pavers with grass or stones in between, gravel pathways, or even simple grass walkways between garden beds. The installation of paths can add variety and beauty to your landscape.

Building Alfresco Areas and Patios

Outdoor living and entertainment are significant elements of the Australian lifestyle. Most of the country has great weather for being outside, and it's a part of Australian culture to spend time with family and friends in the outdoor environment. An alfresco area is a form of outdoor space where you may eat, rest, or enjoy the scenery. It is not a patio, but it might be made into one.

Shade over the outdoor entertaining area.
Shade over the outdoor entertaining area. Using the landscape design tools, the outdoor entertaining area can be checked for shade. Is the shade is insufficient, then shade cloths can be added to the design.

Alfresco areas may be built almost everywhere in a Hampton-style garden. Several seating areas around the garden create a more relaxed atmosphere, which is especially important if you enjoy outdoor entertaining. It is typical and lovely to see entire dinner parties set up in the grass or beneath a tree. Cape cod chairs are frequently seen in a Hampton-inspired garden. They offer a calm ambience to your space and are extremely pleasant. Don't forget to place a beautiful garden seat in a hidden garden area to create a delightful corner.

Adding a Swimming Pool to your Hamptons Style Garden

A lovely pool may be as peaceful for the mind as it is energizing for the body. Even a nice view of the water, whether from within your home, yard, patio, or porch, may calm the soul.

The Hampton pool emphasizes simplicity and the natural surroundings. The most recognizable characteristics of a pool designed in the Hamptons style are its absence of a deck, its incorporated spa, and the use of cobalt blue limestone.

Swimming Pool Design Hamptons style garden.
3D render of formal pool and landscape

Pools are the crown gem of the outdoor space in Hampton's gardens, frequently surrounded by beautiful green turf. Sun loungers and sun umbrellas typical of a resort provide realistic vacation feelings. Surrounding the pool with magnificent classic garden elements creates the impression of a great state, even in a more suburban setting. So, if you have a pool in your yard, try planting some hedges around it to give it the effect of a classic Hampton design.

The view of the entertainment area. 3D Landscape Design of a Hamptons style garden.
The view of the entertainment area. 3D Landscape Design

Planning your Garden Lighting

Putting lights all over the garden is a great way to make it a magical and inviting space, even at night. If you have a beautiful lighting plan, you may spend more time outside in the evenings. This could include lights for trees, lights on pathways, and lights in and around a swimming pool. Water feature lighting, as well as lighting for patios and the exterior of your home. You can hire a professional to make a lighting plan that will turn on when you flip a switch. You can install some solar lights and add more as time passes.

pool and landscape design package
Lighting business for luxury backyard swimming pool. Relaxed lifestyle with contemporary design by professionals.

Plants for your Hamptons Style Garden

Trees are a garden's most permanent feature, adding much-needed shade, privacy, colour and value to your garden. The tree sizes, shapes, and colour range are vast enough to suit any gardening scheme. The most popular planting trends in the Hampton-style garden are Tristaniopsis luscious, Lilly pilly, Agapanthus, gardenia radicans, and Magnolia. The great place to plant these is near an entrance or entertaining areas, the front part of a garden bed and around pools.

Tristaniopsis laurina luscious Trinity St Kilda hamptons style
Tristaniopsis laurina luscious Trinity St Kilda

You can take all of the features of a Hampton garden and implement them on a smaller scale if you have a small suburban yard. Even in a small area, you may build a unique plan with paths, grass, garden beds, and seating places. This will provide a sense of more space. It is incredible how much you can fit into a small space with a few straightforward ideas.

3D CAD Landscape Design for your Hamptons Style Garden

Our 3D landscape design package will allow you to collaborate your Hamptons Style Landscape Design in real time with one of our senior landscape designers. Using some advanced software/hardware we can create immediate 3D renders. This allows visual assessment of the design from every viewpoint. It will let you see and understand how all the elements are intended to come together giving an instant serenity.

 

More information on Hamptons Style Gardens

Here is one with a Modern Twist

 


Swimming Pool Design

5 Great Backyard Landscape Design Ideas

A backyard landscape is a residential garden sanctuary for relaxing, playing and entertaining. In modern suburban and gardening culture, backyard landscapes have a distinct role.

Backyard Outdoor Entertainment Area Design
Backyard Outdoor Entertainment Area Design using modern landscape design tools.

The Backyard as an Extension to the Home

The backyard has indeed grown to be a part of the house. A backyard may contribute to your outdoor living area by being appropriately landscaped, allowing you to entertain friends and family. Backyard gardens have developed into places for entertainment and relaxation.

Outdoor Entertaining with kitchen and vertical herb garden.
Outdoor Entertaining with kitchen and vertical herb garden.

Many features formerly reserved for the indoors are now included in the backyard decoration ideas, including fireplaces and fully functional kitchens. Backyard landscaping has multiple advantages, including improved quality of life in cities and other health and psychological benefits. For example, simply looking at a plant has been proven to lower blood pressure. Studies have shown that people who spend time in green areas have less stress and use fewer medical resources. Backyard landscaping can help reduce your energy bill because plants shade your property, allowing you to spend more time outside during the hot summer months.

An Outdoor Living Space

Your outdoor living area can be transformed into a multipurpose place for entertaining, relaxing, and playing with intelligent planning, design, and construction. The economic value of your house can also increase with customized backyard landscaping. It is usually ideal to start with a strategy when starting a backyard landscape project, so spend some time collecting landscape ideas and looking at photographs before entering into your backyard renovation. Here are the top five low-cost and environment-friendly backyard landscaping ideas.

Create a Vertical Living Wall

Vertical gardening is a technical term for developing a garden vertically with the help of a trellis or other support structure. These gardens adds a new dimension to growing environments. Vertical gardens are an excellent way to decorate garden walls. This form of gardening is highly economical, mainly if you use recycled items such as old plastic bottles, paint buckets, etc. Making a vertical garden can be an excellent way to save space while presenting your plants uniquely and creatively. The following are some vertical gardening ideas.

Using Old Shipping Pallets

Using wooden shipping pallets as a base for a vertical garden is one of the simplest and most successful methods. Old wellington boots attached to a wall or fence can be used to create a unique vertical garden. Make sure to drill drainage holes into the soles of your shoes to prevent waterlogging.

You can express your creativity by building a bunch of geometric-shaped wooden boxes. Colour these boxes differently, mount them to the wall, and decorate them with flower pots to enhance the beauty of your wall. Do not dispose of empty cans and paint buckets. You may reuse them by adding paint and rope and making them part of a stylish vertical garden.

Installing a Backyard Pergola

A pergola can serve as your yard's elegant and efficient focal point. They can be used to frame an entrance to a dining area or other destination and provide shade in a sunny location. Pergolas come in various forms and sizes, but they always serve the same purpose: to shield homeowners from harsh weather. Pergolas provide homeowners with more chances to enjoy their outside living space. It has organically developed into a focal point in backyards.

Backyard landscaping
Backyard landscaping. The pool is large and the second is not deep and small. Pergola with sun lounges. Trees in the background. stone tiles on the ground. 3d rendering.

Pergolas help in the Harsh Melbourne Climate

The top of a pergola is often made up of slats that provide a little shade. By planting and encouraging the growth of vines to cover them, you may create a living canopy that will make your place more natural, beautiful, and enjoyable during the hot summer months. Growing deciduous vines will save energy because they will cool your space in the summer and allow sunlight in the winter. A pergola filled with aromatic climbers such as jasmine, roses, wisteria, honeysuckle etc. will transform any yard into a beautiful area. All of these floral vines add beautiful colours to the pergola and landscape.

Add a Swimming Pool to your Backyard

Swimming is considered one of the best ways to keep the body in shape and in good health. It is a type of sport in which one can perform cardio workouts that is much easier than cycling and jogging. Swimming is also an excellent way to cool off in hot weather. Here are some swimming pool landscaping ideas for your backyard.

Photorealistic CAD design of a Backyard Swimming Pool.
Photorealistic CAD design of a Backyard Swimming Pool using Sketchup and Lumion.

 

Swimming pools are not limited to large landscape designs. You can also create a swimming pool in a small backyard landscape. For example, you can add a narrow lap pool to your backyard landscape, which is an excellent addition to a small backyard landscape. You can enhance its beauty by surrounding it with attractive flowers in pots. The wooden fences that surround the pool are sufficient to make it a relaxing area of the house.

Swimming pool designed with Sketchup and rendered with Lumion.
Swimming pool designed with Sketchup and rendered with Lumion.

You can construct a small basketball ring outside the pool for children so that they can play even while swimming. It is an excellent way to make bonding time more enjoyable.

You can also create a natural swimming pool using plants and a biological filtration system rather than chemicals to clean the water and maintain its purity. It is the same as providing nature with all the tools it needs to create an ideal and extremely secure swimming pool.

Planting Trees in your Backyard

Tree planting around the lawn is the most straightforward and sustainable approach to making a landscape more vibrant and inviting. When you plant the right tree in the right place, your tree is more likely to live a long, healthy life. The proper tree will also increase your garden's usability and benefit the environment and ecosystem. For example, for shade, you need to pick the trees with a broad canopy that will cast a big shadow. Deciduous trees are the best choice to provide shade to North facing windows in Melbourne. Manchurian Pear, Crepe myrtle, Chinese pistachio, Ginkgo biloba and golden Robinia are the best choice. This tree will protect you from the hot sun of the summer and allow the sun in the winter, which you can enjoy maximum time in your garden throughout the year.

Use a Splash of Colour in your Backyard Landscape Design.

If you want to increase the aesthetic appeal of your garden, you could plant something with bright colours or a different texture. Ornamental and flowering trees are a great start. Water gum plant, Dwarf magnolia, Griffith pink, and bottle brush are some ornamental trees you can use.

Landscaping for Backyard Privacy

Trees may also be used as a privacy screen to soften harsh landscapes. They also survive longer and are less expensive than regular fencing. Bambusa textilis ‘Gracilis’, Weeping lilly pilly, Ficus hilli ‘Flash’, Portuguese laurel, and Leighton Green Cypress are some best choices for Privacy and screening.

Backyard Landscape in South Yarra. Fast growing screening plants.
Backyard Landscape in South Yarra. Fast growing screening plants.

Easy and Simple Backyard Landscape Design

Landscaping is not rocket science. It is straightforward, and many simple designs can make your backyard beautiful and attractive. It just allows an exciting border to the lawn area with simple wooden posts laid in as a border. You can also make a stunning backyard landscape with multi-coloured fencing, gravel, beautiful lighting fixtures and multi-coloured seasonal or perennial flowers in the flower bed. In addition, the easy plants like clumping grasses and evergreen shrubs interest all seasons. The garden will look even more beautiful with the addition of colourful wooden furniture in the middle.

A Backyard Garden

Eating lunch in the sun in the winter season is delicious in your backyard garden and with greenery around you. It is just excellent and beautiful feelings. And how amazing is that to have a barbeque party in the backyard garden with family or friends on a chilly winter night, and there is smoke from burning coal around you and the delicious smell of the spices on the barbecue.

Low Cost Landscape Design Tips

A beautiful yard may look like it would cost a lot of money, but it doesn't have to be. You can make a cute, comfortable yard for little or no money by reusing an old watering can, bottles, paint buckets, putting down free mulch, hanging free string lights, and placing cheap wooden furniture. Plant perennial plants return with colour every growing season. Since you won't need to buy and grow annuals yearly, you may save money and time in the garden. Using containers to grow plants is also a cheap way to decorate your backyard. Flowers are affordable, pretty, and often the first thing people notice when they come over. Vertical gardening is also good for your wallet. So, with these tips, you can make your backyard look nice without spending much money.

Related Landscape Design information from Red's Landscaping

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5 top Landscape Design trends in 2022 – Red’s Landscaping

 

Design Packages

 

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More Information on Backyard Landscape Design

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energy saving landscaping

Energy saving Landscape Design

 

Energy saving and he cost of heating and cooling is one of the most significant expenses by any property owner. Using excessive energy indoors to maintain a comfortable temperature is wasteful, adds extra CO2 and other pollutants to the air, and puts pressure on national and regional energy resources.

With rising energy costs, people are looking for methods for energy saving.

The Rising Cost of Energy and the Need for Energy Saving.

The rising cost of energy is a significant issue for the people of Melbourne. The city is becoming hotter as a result of climate change and the urban heat island effect caused by materials such as concrete, brick, and bitumen that store heat from the sun, requiring them to use much energy to maintain their indoor temperature.

The urban heat island effect caused by materials such as concrete, brick, and bitumen keeps the CBD hotter by storing heat.  Smart landscape design can keep areas cooler and provide an energy saving.
The urban heat island effect caused by materials such as concrete, brick, and bitumen keeps the CBD hotter by storing heat. Smart landscape design can keep areas cooler and provide an energy saving.

Homeowners, commercial building owners, and public place owners are all searching for ways to save energy in their properties. Various methods can and should be used to reduce energy use. However, smart landscape design can and should make homes more energy efficient. Attractive and well-planned landscaping may do more than enhance the aesthetic appeal of a property; it can also help save money on energy bills.

Landscape Design for Energy Saving.

Well-placed trees, bushes, vines, and artificial materials may provide excellent shade and serve as a wind barrier, changing the environment that surrounds your property to limit heat gains in summer and heat losses in winter. Your property may be protected from winter winds and the summer heat by the presence of plants. Through smart energy saving landscape design, we can further enhance the energy saving of a 7-star energy-efficient home.

According to Fisher (2007), shade trees in Australian cities like Melbourne and Adelaide save about 30 kWh energy per tree, which means that Melbourne's 2.4 million shade trees save 72 million kWh energy per year, preventing 86,000 tons CO2 emissions per year from coal-powered electricity.

According to research, a good landscape design may change the temperature in and around your house by up to 12 degrees Celsius. In addition, a study revealed that a well-designed landscape results in energy savings and a return on investment in less than eight years. It has also been reported that strategic placement of trees in the landscape design may cut winter heating costs by up to 25 per cent and summer cooling costs by up to 50 per cent or more.

ROLE OF DECIDUOUS VINES IN ENERGY SAVING LANDSCAPE DESIGN

This article aims to increase the exposure of buildings to the winter sun, decrease exposure to the summer sun, and lower the surrounding air temperature during hot weather in Melbourne City. Following are a few ways to create an energy-efficient landscape design that can reduce our utility bills.

The Planting of deciduous trees for Energy Saving

Every day, urban trees offer a variety of advantages to all of us. They bring soothing shade, stop chilling winter winds, attract birds and other animals, filter the air, stop soil erosion, produce fruits, clean the water, and enhance the beauty of our homes and neighbourhoods. Planting the good trees in the proper locations conserves energy, decreases our electric costs, and helps in the battle against global warming.

energy saving skyscraper rooftop garden
Green corner with chairs and potted plants and trees on rooftop of skyscraper

In addition to enhancing the beauty of the environment, deciduous trees are very beneficial around the house, commercial buildings, and in public areas because they give cooling shade in the summer, which lowers your air conditioning expenses, and they allow the sunshine to enter in the winter, which reduces your gas heating costs.

Evergreen trees cannot provide this shadow contrast. Because of the deciduous trees, you may spend more time in your outdoor garden.

The priority in energy-saving landscape design is tree placement. Where would you want to grow trees and shrubs? And what are you hoping to achieve by increasing these trees and shrubs? The answers to these questions determine the project's significance and effectively describe what you aim to achieve.

Energy saving landscaping with the use of deciduous shade trees to the North and West.

Deciduous trees are excellent for windows facing north, northeast, and northwest. These trees are ideally placed in these positions because of their ability to be packed in the hottest months of the year and barren in the coldest months of the year. Allowing in winter light while shielding the home from the hottest summer rays in summer is the perfect energy saving situation.

It is best to avoid unshaded pavement to the north, east, and west, as hard surfaces reflect heat upwards through windows. Lawns and low ground covers are great options for such spaces if you can't avoid paving. Deciduous trees with good shade and a wide canopy can help if you already have a driveway.

Energy saving with deciduous trees.
Energy saving with deciduous trees. The trees allow sunlight through in Winter, late Autumn and early Spring. With smart landscape design, the deciduous trees can reduce radiant heat heat from the sun heating up your home.

East and west-oriented windows are difficult to protect from the severe summer heat because of the angle of the summer sun and its location higher in our sky. The covering of deciduous leaves to the ground on the eastern and western sides can prevent the summer light from reaching the walls or windows at low angles, but you will still need to invest in exterior shade systems. Vertical screening is the best option for blocking the sun at these angles.

It is more challenging to protect North-facing windows from the extreme summer sunlight. Planting deciduous trees near the home might provide much-needed shade, especially if your outdoor gathering takes place in this direction. Here are the most fantastic deciduous trees to plant in commercial landscape design to save energy or to employ in your home to build a 7-star energy-efficient house.

GINKGO BILOBA

Ginkgo biloba, often known as ginkgo, is a tree species native to China. It is a large and beautiful deciduous tree that grows slowly and lives for a long period. It has unique leaves that look like a fan and have veins that spread out from the leaf stalk. The foliage is a deep green that becomes golden yellow in the autumn. This tree has an excellent shape and offers beautiful colour in the autumn. According to studies, the ginkgo tree might help urban areas to survive climate change by creating a huge amount of oxygen. Because of their summer shade, ginkgo trees are popular among landscapers.

gingko tree, maidenhair tree
Ginkgo biloba tree in yellow , golden leaves of Ginkgo Biloba autumn colours (gingko tree, maidenhair tree)

GOLDEN ROBINIA ‘Frisia’

Robinia pseudoacacia 'Frisia,' also known as golden Robinia, is a beautiful deciduous tree that grows quickly. In the spring, it displays bright yellow or golden pinnate leaves that turn green in the summer months. Late spring brings clusters of pea-like flowers that are creamy white and slightly fragrant. Because of its beautiful leaf colour and dappled shade, Robinia 'Frisia' is an excellent home feature tree. This tree may also be used for street planting and in gardens.

If planting the Golden Robinia in bushland areas, take care that the plant does not escape and become an invasive weed. It can be spread very easily by suckering.

HONEY LOCUST

The Honey locus (Gleditsia triacanthos), also known as the thorny locust, is a deciduous tree in Fabaceae, native to Central North America.

It is a beautiful tree with a vase-shaped canopy and soft weeping habit. It has gorgeous, fern-like, dark green leaves that turn yellow in the autumn and produces white flowers in the spring.

Gleditsia triacanthos will grow as a big tree, providing excellent shade in the summer. Because it is deciduous, it will let in the winter sun and warmth.

CHINESE PISTACHIO

The Chinese pistachio is a beautiful little and medium deciduous tree cultivated as an ornamental shade tree. This plant's leaves turn lovely orange and crimson colours during the autumn season. It has panicles of greenish flowers in April and May but is unattractive.

Chinese Pistachio
The Chinese pistachio This plant provides great Autumn colour for your Melbourne garden, with leaves turning beautiful shades of orange and red

The bark of a Chinese pistachio tree is greyish brown, and if you peel it off, you'll find a shocking salmon pink colour inside. It is a beautiful feature tree for parks and gardens. Pistacia chinensis is excellent for street plantings that offer shade and is ideal for gardens of all sizes.

Chinese Pistachio (Pistacia chinensis)
Chinese Pistachio (Pistacia chinensis) is drought tolerant and has a neat hemispherical appearance. Chinese pistachio grows well in full sun to partial shade on moderately fertile, well-drained soils.

ULMUS PARVIFOLIA (BURNLEY SELECT)

This tree grew from a seed collected in Burnley College, University of Melbourne. It is a lovely little to a medium-sized semi-deciduous ornamental tree with upright branches. Attractive, tiny, glossy green leaves turn golden and scarlet in autumn and remain on the tree until winter. It is ideally suited as a shade tree for parks, street planting, and large gardens.  As a windbreaks or shade trees, it is great for energy saving landscape design.

Ulmus parvifolia 'Burnley Select' 40cm - Photo The Advanced Tree Company.
Ulmus parvifolia 'Burnley Select' 40cm - Photo The Advanced Tree Company

SILVER BIRCH

Betula pendula, commonly known as silver birch, is a tree in the family of Betulaceae. It is a magnificent tree with a white trunk, well-known for its white trunk, vibrant green leaves, and weeping habit.

Betula pendula
Spring in the birch grove. Beautiful sunny day in the forest. Spring landscape with green birch trees.

When the tree is young, the bark is brown, but as it matures, it becomes white. This beautiful deciduous tree gives lovely dispersed shade in the summer, and the bare trees show off the beautiful bark in the winter. When planted in odd-numbered clusters, silver birch looks fantastic in gardens to form a lovely forest.

Betula pendula Silver Birch
The diamond shaped leaves of the European silver birch turn yellow in Autumn then drop to the ground to reveal more of the stunning silver-white trunk and branches.

ORNAMENTAL DECIDUOUS FRUIT TREES

Ornamental deciduous fruit trees make the perfect multi-functional addition to any garden. There are many benefits to growing these fruit trees in your garden, such as they can increase the garden's aesthetic value. You can get delicious fruit from them, and they can also save your energy. Pears, nectarines, cherries, apricots, peaches, persimmon, blueberries and plums are deciduous trees you can grow in your garden.   

Manchurian Pear Pyrus ussuriensis can be used for energy saving landscape design
Flowering ussurian pear (pyrus ussuriensis) against the blue sky.

Energy Saving Landscaping with Deciduous Climbing Plants.

Vines are excellent for growing over a structure to provide welcome shade during the warmer months. This provides excellent protection from the sun, and privacy from neighbours.

Tuscan garden landscape design style.
Tuscan garden landscape design style with vines growing over a rustic pergola.

Deciduous vines are the most incredible option. They offer excellent protection from the sun during the warm months with their thick, lush foliage.

Natural Evaporative Coolers

Vines work as an evaporative cooler for the environment, delivering fresh cool air to your property. They provide the most beautiful display of colours in autumn before losing their leaves. Then, during the winter, they will allow free heat from the sun to enter your property.

Deciduous Vines

Most climbing plants grow relatively quickly. Plant them in a sunny location near the uprights of your pergola, and spin their tendrils upward. Deciduous vines are a unique and exciting way to save energy. By allowing the sun into your property, they can reduce the demand for air conditioning in the summer and gas or electric heaters in the winter. This is an excellent method to save energy while also improving the beauty of your outdoor area. Planting deciduous vines is the best technique to save not only the energy but also increase the aesthetic value of your property. In addition, you can spend maximum time in your entertaining outdoor areas through vines above the pergolas. Here are some vines that you can use in your garden.

WISTERIA TO AVOID HOT PATHS AND FOR ENERGY SAVING

Wisteria is a gorgeous deciduous climber with a great perfume that flowers in the spring. The flowers are mauve to violet and smell very good, giving your outdoor space a fresh smell. However, it is an all-season climber, with summer shade, fall golden leaf colour, and winter tracery that allows winter sun. Wisteria on pergolas makes a gorgeous outdoor area that everyone wants to share with you in any season.

Pergola walkway with wisteria
Pergola walkway with wisteria

ORNAMENTAL GRAPE

The ornamental grape is a deciduous climber that is a decorative kind of grapevine with some excellent characteristics. The Vitis vinifera is robust and lives a long time. Featuring a dense, lush cover of green leaves in the summer, then a beautiful red and orange autumn colour before falling off in the winter. In the right conditions, it spreads rapidly and must be controlled with pruning during the dormant winter. Train it to climb during the winter season to achieve the best energy saving results.

CLEMATIS                                        

Clematis is among the most fantastic climbing plants for a pergola in a garden. They are among the most ornamental and magnificent flowering vines. Except for a few, the are the majority of deciduous vines and can be used for energy saving landscape design. Depending on the kind, its flowers come in stunning forms and colours. Climbing roses and clematis are ideal companion plants. They can happily share the same pergola, arch, or doorway, reaching for the sun and displaying a magnificent vertical floral display.

Using 3D Landscape Design for Energy Saving

Using advanced 3D design tools, we can develop a landscape design plan to reduce energy usage in most landscape designs. The landscape design software allows us to check for the position of shadows for any given day of the year.

The position of the sun in the sky varies with the season. The tilt of the earth means the sun is much lower in Winter as you move further from the equator.

North facing Pergola with a deciduous vine is a quick solution to reduce radiant heat in summer in Melbourne.
Energy saving landscape design requires an awareness of the position of the sun at various time of the year. Using 3D design software, the landscape can be designed to reduce the radiant heat though windows and in entertaining areas.

 

Melbourne Solar Noon sun elevation angles for North facing windows. The landscape design should maximise winter sunlight and provide some shade against summer sunlight.

Melbourne's location at 37.8 degrees south means that the sun is at around 76 degrees at solar noon on the summer solstice. To provide Summer shade to North facing windows a pergola with a deciduous climber is quick solution to reduce your house's heat load. Deciduous trees planted to the North west can help to provide shade in the hot late afternoons and evenings.

North facing Pergola with a deciduous vine is a quick solution to reduce radiant heat and provide energy savings 
in summer in Melbourne.
A North facing Pergola with a deciduous vine is a quick solution to reduce radiant heat in summer in Melbourne.

 

computer landscape design
Computer landscape design and horticultural plant selection. Shade predictions are part of the design.

ENERGY SAVING WITH LIGHT COLOURED EXPOSED AGGREGATE CONCRETE FOR DRIVEWAYS

Dark coloured concrete can absorb heat from direct sunlight, store the heat and release it slowly and create thermal mass, which increases the temperature of your home, and it takes a lot of energy to lower that temperature. Changing colour is the easiest way to make exposed aggregate concrete driveways cool. Driveways having light colours will reflect more sunlight and absorb less heat. Fortunately, exposed aggregate concrete is available in many colours. So choose and install light colour concrete for driveways. 

Landscape design packages

Our 3D landscape design package will allow you to collaborate your design in real time with one of our senior landscape designers. Using some advanced software/hardware we can create immediate 3D renders. This allows visual assessment of the design from every viewpoint. It will let you see and understand how all the elements are intended to come together giving an instant serenity.

Our software can create an artificial sun and project light and heat on any given day or time. This ability to replicate the exact angle and temperature of the sun rays projecting on the building prior to construction is  why this package is the peoples favourite. With this amount of influence and control over your future outdoor space, it is easy to see how this package will drive confidence, clarity and transparency into the build and assure all trades and parties are moving towards the same goal.

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Landscaping Melbourne with Climbing Plants

 

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landscape design plans

9 tips for Landscape Design Plans

How to Draw Plans for Landscape Design

The drawing of landscape design plans might take a little bit of time and effort. You have an idea for a landscaping project, but the thought of it makes you feel unsure and nervous. A basic sketch is all that is necessary most of the time, unless you desire a highly intricate design.

A basic sketch landscape design plans
A basic sketch is often all that is required for simple landscape design plans.

If you are relocating to a new location and want to design a whole new landscape or make adjustments to the one you already have, Red's Landscaping Designers can provide you with the right guidance for both of these endeavours!

 

Here are our nine tips on how to draw plans for landscape design:

How do I create a landscape layout?

1. Get the right drawing tools for landscape design plans

 

Obtaining the appropriate tools should be your first step; in order to design the perfect landscape arrangement, you will want paper (ideally tracing paper), a ruler, and a drafting compass. Include some coloured pencils in the kit so that you may sketch and colour in images of plants and trees.

Backyard garden and patio design plan.
Backyard garden and patio design plan using basic drawing tools and highlighters or marker pens.

2. Examine your site before starting your plans

When you bought your property, you may have acquired a map that showed where the boundaries of your land were located. Verifying with the council responsible for the plans is a good place to start, but there are also various softwares applications available online that can do the same thing. This might prove to be fairly helpful in figuring out various landscape opportunities given that the design often involves particular measurements. You may check the accuracy of any missing measures right there and then by using a measuring tape.

google earth landscape design
Using Google Earth to start your landscape deign plans.

 

measuring landscape with google earth
Measuring the landscape with google earth.

 

It is essential to take accurate measurements of your property since doing so will disclose the locations of important aspects of your landscape design. Throughout the whole of this process, it is essential to determine the dimensions of the main building as well as its position on the site.

3. Determine the scale at which you wish to work on your garden ideas

 

To decide how to organise your design on the paper, pick the units that you choose to use in relation to the size of the site. Pick a scale that's either 1:500, 1:200, or 1:100, depending on the overall surface. Since one centimetre on paper is equivalent to one hundred centimetres in real life, the ratio of 1:100 is the easiest to understand.

landscape design plans
A scale ruler and a calculator help with your landscape design plans.

5. Use tracing paper

 

After the basic drawing is finished, position the tracing paper so that it is on top of it. It is sufficient to copy the contents. Don't forget to print additional copies so that you may come up with original modifications for the perfect landscape design later on! Having different variants for the landscape could be a good choice.

4. Determine the locations of the different elements

During the process of landscaping, it is necessary to create gaps and add any rocks, streams, buildings, terraces, etc. that either will not be moved or will not be able to be relocated. You have the option of using a legend or symbols if it simplifies the process. After the primary design of the plot, including the boundaries and the structure, has been constructed, you will then be able to determine the exact location of the components on your plot. At that stage, the ratios between the sections are very important because they enable the right quantity of land to be allocated to each element.

drawing landscape design plans
Drawing landscape design plans. Locate all of your existing hardscaping features on your plan.

6. Don't be afraid to utilize color!

 

Include new landscape design components. However, before starting the process of designing plants, gardens, and patios, it is important to apply the colours and tie each one to just one of the characteristics (you can use one colour for furniture for example) . Because of this, it will be much simpler for you to discern, on a more general level, which section of the site is dedicated to what content.

drawing landscape design plans
Use colour codes when drawing landscape design plans.

7. Before placing plants, take into consideration the surrounding environment.

 

Every single landscaping design should include both softscape and hardscape elements. Determine which aspects of each you wish to incorporate in the strategy, then select those components. Hardscaping components are the ones such as gravel, stones, outdoor furniture, driveways, and other similar features. Before outlining your planting strategy in depth, you should first do research on it. Your design will benefit in several ways from all of this information. Softscape is instead related to plants. The next step is to start integrating the plants into the overall strategy.

landscape designer creating a concept sketch
A landscape designer creating a concept sketch. Graph paper can also be used to help with scale and proportion. Consider both hardscape and softscape elements in your landcape design plans. Use coloured pencils to colour code your plans.

When picking between plants and flowers, you are free to be as picky as you want; nevertheless, it is essential that you include information on the plan on how these elements could evolve in the future. You have the option of using either a text or a legend to assist you with anything you need.

8. Retrace your previous plans.

 

When creating the final layout, tracing paper should be used. This will be your finished drawing, which will include the volume of the structure as well as your own original landscape design.

9. Keep your landscape design plans as detailed as possible.

 

Always keep in mind to add colour (you may do this with pencils), texture, and explanations in order to make the concept as understandable as it can possibly be. That way, not only will you have a plan, but you'll also have a better grasp on the opportunities that are available in your location. In addition to this, it may come in handy when presenting your ideas to a professional.

Landscape design
Landscape design plan ready for the colour to be added.

When painting a landscape, remember that you should always start by sketching the contour first. After that, you may begin to add elements to the landscape drawing, such as rocks and buildings, for example. You don't need to be an expert or have wonderful drawing ability to come up with a plan; you just need to keep in mind that your plan may be as diagrammatic as you want it to be.

 

Are you ready to begin drafting the designs for your landscaping project? Leave a comment below and tell us what you think!

Landscape Design Sample Plans

Landscape Design Sample Plans.
Landscape Design Sample Plans

 

Landscape Design Sample Plans
Landscape Design Sample Plans

 

Landscape Design Sample Plans
Landscape Design Sample Plans

 

Landscape Design Sample Plans
Landscape Design Sample Plans

 

Landscape Design Sample Plans
Landscape Design Sample Plans

About Red's Landscaping 2D Landscape Design Packages

Our 2D Landscape Design Package is very similar to a house plan, showing a ‘birds eye view’ of the property. Our 2D package contains detailed plant schedules, quantities, spacings and placement location in accordance with a set of irrigation and hydraulic drawings. The collaboration and synergy of these two documents is fundamental to your landscapes success, it will ensure that no plant goes through its establishment period without consistent daily watering.

Our 2D package also comes with a landscape lighting plan, which will allow you to turn your focal points into a lit up a solar powered feature a night, adding interest and security to your outdoor space. If you are considering constructing this design as it may not require licensing or engineering this package is all you need to get from start to finish. These plans contain all information required to start and finish the build.

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Related Landscape Design Articles for Garden Design Plans

 

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Using 3DWarehouse furniture like tables and chairs.

Landscape Designers Top 11 Tips

Landscape designers rely on several landscape design techniques to create inviting and vibrant outdoor spaces.

Whether it's a small courtyard in the city or a large property in the country, creating an outdoor space is essential when it comes to landscape design.

You may have heard landscape designers talk about the two categories of softscape and hardscape when discussing landscaping design.

The non-plant parts of your garden's hardscape include things like paths, decks, patios, retaining walls, sculptures, and fountains.

Garden Fountain
A fountain is a great focal point and a great way to hide traffic noise in a small inner city garden. Fountains and retaining walls are part of the landscape design hardscaping.

Softscaping, a component of landscape design, refers to the live, horticultural elements used in landscaping. It is a straightforward reference to plants. Softscape elements include things like flowers, plants, grass, soil, flower beds, and ground cover. Despite their names, mulch and prickly trees are not always soft to the touch, and neither are softscape components. Landscape designers employ a range of softscaping techniques to design outdoor spaces that feel warm and natural. But bear in mind that you should start with the hardscape when planning your front yard, backyard, or garden. Boundaries and a softscape will be produced as a result.

landscape Designers Softscaping
Landscape Designers Softscaping installation. Softscaping is the live, horticultural elements used in landscaping

 

Here are some of the best expert tips for creating a stunning environment.

 

  1. Sketch your landscape design concept on Graph paper

 

Graph paper might assist in putting your thoughts onto paper and out of your mind. Starting from scratch is usually a smart idea when designing a landscape.

Use your drawings to illustrate the themes of your thoughts. Learn about your surroundings and determine the size of your garden before introducing any items.

landscape designer creating a concept sketch
landscape designer creating a concept sketch. Graph paper can also be used to help with scale and proportion.

Select an angle. Your garden might be imagined as a viewpoint or an elevation.

 

  1. Landscape Designers employ geodata

 

Geodata is used extensively by landscape designers and may be used with CAD. A really correct scientific analysis is presented. Every project may benefit from it, and it can provide access to some of the open source and internet-inaccessible data.

Landscape Designers use Geodata
Geographic data can be sourced from telematics devices, Global Positioning System (GPS) data, geospatial satellite imagery, Internet of Things, and geotagging. (Source Heavy AI)

Trimble Sketchup has a built in tool for bringing terrain data into your landscape design.

SketchUp’s Geo-location tool and bring in exact terrain imagery with the click of a button.
SketchUp’s Geo-location tool and bring in exact terrain imagery with the click of a button. (Source Sketchup.com)

 

  1. CAD programs for Landscape Designers

 

Landscape designers and anyone planning to create a landscape need CAD software. CAD garden design software is an essential component of the landscape architect's toolkit in today's competitive market, allowing teams to interact easily and providing customers with a better visual understanding of the finished product. Autocad, Archicad, and Trimble Sketchup are just a few of the many software programs that may be used for landscape design.

Swimming pool designed with Sketchup and rendered with Lumion.
Swimming pool designed with Sketchup and rendered with Lumion.

 

  1. A concrete step that floats

 

Your landscape design might seem more contemporary and opulent by using floating concrete stairs.

Some ideas include building stairs with grass inserts, balancing steps to provide aesthetic interest, or adding lighting to the steps.

Floating concrete steps
Floating concrete steps will add a modern look to your landscape design.
  1. Insitu concrete walls

 

On the construction site, in-situ concrete walls are poured directly into formwork. This approach is intriguing because it produces landscaping options for homes and public areas that are long-lasting, beautiful, and affordable.

 

  1. Design of landscaping infrastructure

 

There is a degree of complexity in designing landscape infrastructure that has to be considered. In this situation, parks may make the most of the frothier natural environment's resources. Sustainability is a further consideration since every landscape project should mimic biodiversity. Ecosystem advantages are provided through landscape infrastructure. The boundaries and secret to building sensitive and effective developments that adapt to their environment are defined by landscape architects.

A boardwalk runs past the yoga mat and the urban wetlands. Balwyn Community Centre.
A boardwalk runs past the yoga mat and the urban wetlands. Balwyn Community Centre.

 

  1. Themes and layering

 

Landscape layering seeks to provide a well balanced scene. Repetition, size, depth, and balance are some fundamental methods.

These landscape design techniques can be used to great effect in the landscape design of smaller gardens to make the gardens appear larger.

 

  1. Focal Point in Landscape Design

 

In landscape design, it's crucial to draw attention to certain components and focus areas. The eye is naturally attracted to that area. One of the greatest hardscape components to use to create a focal point is a garden fountain. Working with the colours and previous texture of the garden, one may create some intriguing focus spots.

 

  1. Vertical Space

 

One of the ideas that has recently developed is vertical gardening. Even if they have been there for a while, they might be fascinating since you can grow anything there, from veggies to perennial plants. The wall may be used in a variety of ways, including as a garden screen!

 

  1. The importance of horticulture

 

Horticulturists manage plants while researching factors that impact their development, such as plant diseases or cross-breeding, in an effort to increase plant production. Landscape architects utilize computer modeling tools to create gardens. Maintaining the landscape's quality requires horticulture.

Designers of landscapes are aware that placing trees properly is crucial. When planting trees, provide adequate space around each one to account for the size and area that a fully grown tree will need. To assist soften harsh corners and other sharp lines, you may plant trees around the perimeter of your garden.

Books and publications are also useful resources when seeking ideas and inspiration for landscape design. Designing a landscape while keeping material, cost, and efficiency in mind.

Landscape Designers' Top Tips for Softscaping

Landscape design is essential for establishing an outdoor space, whether a little courtyard in the city or a large property in the country. Softscape and hardscape are two fundamental components of landscaping design. These essential components work together to create a functional, comfortable, and visually pleasing front yard or backyard for you, your family, friends, and visitors to enjoy. The hardscape elements are the non-plant parts of your garden, such as driveways, walkways, decks, patios, retaining walls, statues, and fountains. In contrast, "softscaping" is a component of landscape design that refers to the living, horticultural elements involved in landscaping. Softscape elements include flowers, plants, grass, soil, flower beds, and groundcover. Despite the name, softscape elements are not always soft to touch; thorny trees and mulch are also considered part of the softscape design.

garden layers
Plan the plant heights to create a layered effect. Make use of plant foliage to create colour contrasts. Make trees in neighbouring gardens part of the view.

The perfect softscape can do much more than create a beautifully fragrant outdoor environment. It can create a sanctuary to return to at the end of every day. In a space moulded to your needs, softscaping adds a unique personality to every design. Softscaping is much more affordable. The cost of seeds, plants, mulch, and decent soil is much less than that of artificial materials. Softscaping is used to fill in the gaps in your landscape design. However, unlike hardscape, it requires regular maintenance, and regular watering, fertilizing, trimming, and weeding are necessary. Experienced landscape designers know how to design gardens to minimise this maintenance and suppress garden weeds.

 

Weeding a Dandelion
Weeding a Dandelion. Dandelions have a long tap root which must be dug our to prevent the weed returning.

 

Landscape designers rely on several softscaping techniques to make outdoor spaces feel natural and inviting. But remember, start with the hardscape when designing your front yard, backyard or garden. This will provide boundaries and structure softscape around. Here are some top tips for softscaping for designing a beautiful landscape.

Creating a Garden Lawn

Lawn grass is essential for a beautiful landscape and is a design feature often used by landscape designers. A landscape is incomplete without lawn grass. With their visual appeal and texture, native and ornamental grasses are popular in modern landscaping ideas. There are many benefits of lawn grass, such as that it controls erosion, improves soil quality, reduces water runoff, reduces noise pollution, and creates a cooling effect during warm weather.

Landscape designers Classic English garden lawn and hedge.
Lawns and a circular Yew hedge.

Many types of grasses are used as lawn grass, but buffalo grass, couch, Queensland blue couch, Kikuyu, and Zoysia are the popular lawn grasses used in Australia. Buffalo grass (Stenotaphrum secundatumis) is native to Central and North America and is a tough turf grass. Couch grass is a warm-season grass that thrives in the Australian climate. The couch is highly sought after for its delicate leaves and lush, deep green colour. Zoysia is inadvisable for Melbourne yards, whereas Buffalo, Couch, and Kikuyu are best for Melbourne climates. Landscape designers aiming for a more sustainable solution will use eco gardening techniques like mass plantings of lomandra instead.

Landscape Designers Love Flowering Plants

Flowers make any landscape more beautiful. Beautiful and colourful flowers will add aesthetic appeal to your yard. Choose a small number of plants of contrasting colours when you add flowers to your landscape. Avoid adding too many accents, as this can spoil the look by creating a riot of colours. Your landscape can still look good and inviting, even with a few flowering plants.

landscape designers azalea toxic
Beautiful vibrant azalea flower tree blooming in the botanical garden, in Kyiv. Bright flowers Close up. Botanical greeting card.

You can add flowers close to the edge of a patio or walkways. By doing this, you can make your outdoor feel cozy and welcoming. Edging with one flowering species is also really attractive. You can choose a cheap and densely growing flowering plant for this purpose, such as marigold, asters or chrysanthemums. An oval flowering bed in the centre of a well-maintained lawn is often attractive and popular. The flowers inside a round bed can be a single colour, a random mix colour of two or more or in several colours which follow the round pattern.

Landscape Design with Aquatic Plants

Decorating the water feature, such as a fountain in your garden, with aquatic plants will completely change its appearance. Many aquatic plants can be grown in the fountain and transformed into a more natural water feature. The garden fountain plants might be shallow, deep, or floating, and each has a distinctive look.

Nymphaea violacea – Blue Lily This floating perennial herb with magnificent blue-violet blooms is native to northern Australia
Close-up of a native Australian water lily (Nymphaea violacea) in the wild, Fogg Dam, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia

Water lilies are another aquatic plant that will win your heart with mesmerizing blooms. With the proper care, you can enjoy the beautiful array of lovely colours and fresh fragrances almost all year. Water Iris is an aquatic plant that can thrive in a small fountain. Water Irises vary in colour and are easy to take care of. They thrive in warmer climates and are the first to bloom in spring.

Landscape Design with Shrubs

Choosing suitable shrubs adds visual interest to the landscape. They can be used to divide areas that are often easy to hardscape. Plant a row of shrubs as a privacy fence. They also make a great backdrop for other plants. Flowering shrubs provide colour and structure and can be used as groundcovers, hedge plants, or eye-catching focal points.

plants for commercial landscaping White flowers of Westringia fruticosa
White flowers of Westringia fruticosa

You can fill your garden with ornamental shrubs that bloom from early spring through late autumn and winter. Many flowering shrubs add extra colours and perfume the air with their signature fragrance. You can give them various shapes you like. For example, balls shape are ideal for line garden paths. Planting shrubs in front of your yard will create a refuge for wildlife and a frame for your entrance. A wide variety of shrubs are used in Australia, perfect for filling the gaps in the garden and making your garden bright, colourful and fragrant as azaleas, bottlebrush, Lilly pilly, Rhododendron, cheesewood, Westringia etc. are famous.

Landscape Designers tips for creating vertical space

Landscaping with climbing plants

Using hanging and climbing plants is a simple way to combine hardscaping and softscaping elements. Pergolas and gazebos are great places for hanging and climbing vines, which give the wood and metal structure a more natural look. Climbing vines are also highly beneficial and may provide a more natural aspect to garden surfaces and retaining walls.

Climbing Fig Glen Iris
A Climbing Fig (Ficus pumila) growing on a brick wall in Glen Iris.

They may also be used to fill up gaps in conventional fencing. You may add flowering vines to build a colourful, diversified, and beautiful environment. Plant vines that flow over retaining walls, pergolas, or fences to add a wild character to your front or back yard. This simple technique covers man-made components while giving your yard a rugged appearance for the whole season.

Climbing Clematis
Climbing Clematis ads a splash of colour.

Walls are often used to provide privacy in the landscape. Colourful vines are an effective technique to dress up regions unsuitable for producing beautiful greenery, such as wood, natural stone, or concrete block walls.

11. Planting Trees 

Trees are lovely landscaping features. In addition to improving the aesthetic appeal of your garden, they may also offer excellent shade on sunny days. Many kinds of trees can accomplish a wide variety of looks and functions. Pine trees might meet your demands if you need an evergreen tree that is full and lush. If you are seeking unique designs, palms may be a good choice. In short, whatever your desire, there is definitely a tree that can fulfil it. Several trees might work well in your backyard.

Corymbia ficifolia or red flowering gum is native to southern Western Australia.
Corymbia ficifolia or red flowering gum is native to southern Western Australia.

If you live in a warm region, you will likely prefer a shade tree that is typically tall and has densely clustered, brightly coloured branches and large leaves. Many trees produce more gorgeous flowers than others. Your property's flowering tree will provide magic in early spring and a much-needed touch of colour after the winter. Flowers are not the primary decorative element of trees. Some trees are beautiful due to their attractive growth habits, foliage, and changing fall colour. Due to these traits, decorative trees enhance the beauty of your yard.

Landscape designers know proper tree placement is essential. Consider the size and area that a fully grown tree will demand, so during tree planting, provide enough space around it. You may plant trees at the edge of your garden to help soften sharp corners and other sharp lines.

3D Landscape Design Packages.

Our 3D design package will allow you to collaborate on your design in real time with one of our senior landscape designers. Using some advanced software and hardware, we can create immediate 3D renders. This allows for a visual assessment of the design from every viewpoint. It will let you see and understand how all the elements are intended to come together, giving you an instant sense of serenity.

Our software can create an artificial sun and project light and heat on any given day or time. This ability to replicate the exact angle and temperature of the sun rays projecting on the building prior to construction is  why this package is the peoples favourite. With this amount of influence and control over your future outdoor space, its easy to see how this package will drive confidence, clarity and transparency into the build and assure all trades and parties are moving towards the same goal.

Which advice do you consider to be the most crucial? Comment below and let us know!


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Main River Manor Yacht Street

5 Top Landscape Design Trends

The Landscape Design trends we are seeing in Melbourne owe much to practicality as well as the aesthetic. These trends reflect the lifestyle of summer in Melbourne but are also provide a practical landscape design with drought tolerant plants and low maintenance gardens.

We have listed the top design trends being followed by landscape designers.

1. Mid-century Palm Springs landscape design style

This is a landscape design style associated with cacti, granitic sand, concrete paving, and breeze-blocks. Often, this takes the form of hard landscaping in light grey or stark white, contrasting with splashes of colour from the plantings. The result is typical Palm Springs glamour with low maintenance and drought resistant gardens.

Palm Springs style landscaping - Reds Landscaping & Design
Palm Springs style landscaping often features cacti, and succulents such as agave with plants to provide a splash of colour.

The dry desert climate of Palm Spring, with its warm winters and abundance of space, is ideal for outdoor entertaining areas. Often, these will feature a fire pit area or a swimming pool as a focal point.

Custom Design Lap Pool - Reds Landscaping & Design
Outdoor entertainment areas with a swimming pool and a fire are often features of the Palm Springs design style.

Despite the low rainfall, the courtyard swimming pool in Palm Springs is a "must have" even in the smaller landscaped gardens.

Palm Springs gardens often provide a splash of colour with hot torch lilies, geraniums, roses, and bougainvillea.

Palm Springs Landscape Design Style - Reds Landscaping & Design
Palm Springs Landscape Design Style with Agave and Colour contrast provided by red hot poker plant (Kniphofia uvaria).

For the drought tolerant garden, succulents, ornamental grasses, and especially barrel cacti, proliferate. The Palm Springs landscapers also make use of the local gravel, abundant boulders and the native palms from the area.

 

Palm Springs Landscaping Style with Barrel cacti and boulders - Reds Landscaping & Design
Palm Springs Landscaping Style with Barrel cacti and boulders.

The barrel cactus (echinocactus grusonii), also known as the "Golden Ball Cactus" or "Mother-in-law's Cushion," makes a bold statement in landscape design. This plant, which is native to east central Mexico, is actually endangered in the wild.

Rancho Mirage near Palm Spring in California - Reds Landscaping & Design
Rancho Mirage near Palm Spring in California is an example of Palm Springs resort style landscaping. Agave and palms with contrasting splashes of colour contrast with the white walls of the buildings.

Succulents like agave thrive in the warmer subtropical gardens and can survive the occasional dry spell.

Indian Canyon Palm Springs - Reds Landscaping & Design
Indian Canyon Palm Springs. The abundance of boulders and the indigenous palm trees heavily influence the Palm Springs landscape design style.

 

2. Tuscan Mediterranean style

The design style of the Mediterranean or Tuscan garden is rooted in the choice of landscaping materials, textures, and colours. Garden features such as cobbled paving, tiles, stones, bricks, and especially terracotta, will enhance the Mediterranean feel. Neatly clipped hedges, gravel mulch, and soft colours contrasting with brightly coloured tiles are often found in the Mediterranean and Tuscan gardens. For landscaping Melbourne gardens, consider mixing this with less formal, drought tolerant plants and plants that give off a pleasant aroma.

 

Tuscan garden landscape design style - Reds Landscaping & Design
Tuscan garden landscape design style with vines growing over a rustic pergola.

The rustic Tuscan gardens are often associated with Italian rural villas and are much less formal than the Italian Renaissance gardens. These gardens often feature deep blues complementing the terracotta pots or roof tiles, as well as olives, agaves, and deep green mosaics.

Landscaping with olives in pots on a white balcony - Reds Landscaping & Design
Landscaping with olives in pots on a white balcony. Olives are often a feature of Mediterranean Gardens.

 

The Boboli Gardens in Florence are an example of a more formal Italian design style - Reds Landscaping & Design
The Boboli Gardens in Florence are an example of a more formal Italian design style, but the crushed granite and earthy colours are also features of the rustic Tuscan gardens.

3. Modern contemporary landscape design

This design style features concrete cantilevered steps and black steel water features with lime green structural planting.

Concrete cantilevered steppers floating steps Modern Contemporary - Reds Landscaping & Design
Concrete cantilevered steppers floating steps Modern Contemporary.

Balance and symmetry are features of this design style, and it is the ideal design style for contemporary homes. In contrast to the design and colours of the Tuscan garden, industrial style raw concrete is common in this style of garden, as well as stone and wooden garden ornaments.

Landscape design with structural lime planting - Reds Landscaping & Design
Landscape design with structural lime planting and Italian pencil pines.

 

Patio with Lime green structural plantings - Reds Landscaping & Design
The symmetry and balance of contemporary landscape design. Patio with Lime green structural plantings.

Modern Contemporary landscape design style video

https://youtu.be/gUx0nG8wKPI

 

4. French Provincial design

The French Provincial Landscape Design Style features hedges, ornamental pears, cobblestone driveways, and anduze pots. The hedges are often box hedges (buxus) and flowering plums (prunus).

Anduze Pottery - Reds Landscaping & Design
Anduze pottery has been made in the Anduze commune in the south of France since the early 1600s. The design style influenced by Florentine pottery.

 

A French Provincial garden with patio and Anduze pots - Reds Landscaping & Design
A French Provincial garden with patio and Anduze pots.

The French Provincial style has many similarities with the Tuscan landscaping design style.

French Provincial house - Reds Landscaping & Design
The French Provincial house is an influence on this landscape design style.

 

 

French Landscape design is influenced by the cobbled streets of France - Reds Landscaping & Design
French Landscape design is influenced by the cobbled streets of France.

5. Coastal Garden Design Style

This design style features loose plantings of native grasses like Lomandra, native shrubs, and whitewashed timber batten screens. Local boulders are also a big part of this landscape design style.

The coastal landscape design style is often used for hardy, low maintenance commercial landscaping of public spaces.

 

Coastal Garden design style is often used in commercial landscaping - Reds Landscaping & Design
Coastal Garden design style is often used in commercial landscaping.

Hardy Australian native grasses make an attractive and drought resistant garden.

Australian grass Swamp Foxtail, Cenchrus purpurascens - Reds Landscaping & Design
Sunlight shining through the feathery flowerheads of the native Australian grass Swamp Foxtail, Cenchrus purpurascens. Also known as Fountain Grass.

Coastal gardens often require clever solutions to protect plants from the fierce ocean winds. One solution is to use a white washed timber batten screen. The gaps in the screen allow some of the air to move through the screen, thereby minimising the turbulence that occurs with a solid fence. The white batten screens can be used as a design feature and provide contrast with grasses or Xanthorrhoea and Anigozanthos in the garden.

 

White timber batten screen - Reds Landscaping & Design
White timber batten screen.

Coastal garden plants have to endure salt spray, wind and often not very fertile sandy soils, so Lomandra is ideal for landscaping coastal gardens as it is a very hardy and drought resistant Australian native grass with attractive foliage.

 

The green lomandra makes a great contrast with this grey stone wall - Reds Landscaping & Design
The green lomandra mass planting makes a great contrast with this grey stone wall.

 

Lomandra plants - Reds Landscaping & Design
Lomandra plants being planted in a new coastal garden in Hampton.

Energy Saving Landscape Design

With the increasing price of energy a trend towards landscape design to reduce energy costs can be expected. This is where the landscape design makes use of deciduous trees to provide shade in summer and allow the sun's warming rays through in winter.

 

Energy saving Landscape Design
Energy saving Landscape Design with the use of deciduous trees.

 

Commercial Landscaping Design Trends

In the commercial landscaping of public spaces, the design trends are towards sustainability through the use of drought tolerant plants and the handling of rainwater through rain-gardens and permeable concrete. Modern public space design also requires a welcoming and accessible area where people can relax with a range of activities. As with residential landscape design, there is a strong trend towards outdoor entertaining areas where people can relax around a public barbecue.


Related Landscape Design News from Red's Landscaping Melbourne.

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Commercial Landscaping of Public Spaces.

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More information on Landscape Design Styles and Plants

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