Landscape Edging

Landscape Design is an art practiced for practical or aesthetic purposes, and need planning. It involves the modification or arrangement of an area or landscape. The landscape plan is an integral part of any yard or garden. Landscape planning involves hardscape and softscape design. The hardscape comprises of the inanimate elements like woodwork – decks, arbour etc. masonry work- brick or concrete patios, tile paths, and stonewalls; home accents – water fountains. Softscape design is the designing of animate elements like horticultural elements- plants, trees, shrubs, lawns, and gardens. In short, landscaping plans include vegetation and accentuating structures. The complexity of a landscaping plan is dependent on the property size, soil, existing plants, trees and other elements. The final landscaping plan must enhance the looks of the property, and must be an invitation to linger outdoors. So it is important to visualise what the final appearance will be. Landscaping plans can also help to raise the real estate value of the property by almost 15 percent.

In the landscaping plan, if the area to be landscaped is large, in the design there will be a foreground, middle ground and background. Plant flowering shrubs in the foreground. Middle ground is for shrubs where colourful foliage grows and for medium sized trees. The background can comprise of large trees and irregular growth and shrubs, to break the monotony. .

The main elements of landscape plan include:

• Form - Shape of plants, structure of pattern of branching.
• Scale - Proportion
• Texture – Relative. Form of individual plant/tree type different from the other types.
• Line – The arrangement of plants and animals governs the eye movement.
• Colour - The colour theory categorises spectrum into four classifications as a wheel, sliced into various hues.
• Primary – Blues, reds and yellows
• Secondary - Oranges, purples and greens.
• Tertiary - Mixtures of the above two
• Neutral – Greys, silvers, white
• Harmony

Excellent landscaping plans are half of the project, and it must accommodate the changes. It is essential to have an understanding of nature. This feeling helps in the creation of a beautiful landscape. A good landscaping plan, helps to save future money and time. Moreover the landscape plan chosen, must be perfect for the ground. First draw a plan of the property and decide the elements that must be incorporated – attractive lounging facility, barbecue, rock garden, play house, fences, playing courts, pools etc. If the ground is not sufficiently large, it will be difficult to include everything. So after analysing the family's interests, habits and hobbies, decide on the most desirable elements that can be incorporated. Some elements can serve a dual purpose. For instance, if there is a retaining wall, adding rock garden species and hardy small shrubs will help to create a rock garden. Similarly a fence can serve as a windbreaker, as well as a shield against unpleasant view from the family lounging area. Visualise where the various activity areas should be and how it must look. Furthermore identify the movement patterns to design the driveway and walkway, if they are to be included. Decide whether the garden must be formal with rigid precision, semiformal or informal. Include the gradient or slope changes and drainage in the plan.

The most basic feature in a landscaping plan is the presence of fine trees. Trees not only enhance the appearance and change the line of a house, but also help to provide shade from hot sun, protection from winds, lessen the noises from the roads and amount of dust. Shady trees can help to convert the area as a family lounge, or as a play area for