5 Important Rules of Landscaping

There are several rules of landscaping that all good professionals try to abide by, irrespective of the project. Some of those rules hold more importance and universal relevance than others, and we will take a quick look at four of them next.

Local Climatic Conditions Can Never be Ignored While Selecting Plants

It doesn’t matter how beautiful the flowers of your favorite shrub may potentially look in the yard, they will not thrive without the right conditions. There are several factors that you can control, such as soil composition and watering frequency, but there is very little you can do about the climatic conditions outside. Local plants are always the best options because of this rule.

Seeds Must be Planted with Light and Shade Awareness

The location of your plants will need to be adequate for the species. For example, plants such as the foamflower, primrose and astilbe will thrive in shade, while the likes of Shasta daisies, purple coneflowers, and daylilies need ample amounts of direct exposure to the sun. Get the two types mixed up with each other and the results can be disheartening to say the least.

Proportion Should Always be Considered

It is a bad idea to opt for disproportionately large or small landscaping items that are supposed to act as focal points in the yard. This applies to patios, pools and even gardens. There isn’t a fixed ratio for maintaining this proportion of course, but it should not look disproportionate or overcrowded. Even the most utilitarian landscaping plan cannot ignore this rule, or it will muddle the aesthetic balance of your property.

Any Landscaping Plan without a Nighttime Aspect is Incomplete

Creating and controlling perception is everything when it comes to design and décor, so a landscaping plan that does not factor in both day and night is incomplete. Above all else, our visual perception is entirely dependent on light, which means that once the sun goes down, that’s when we gain true control over the onlookers’ perception of our yard.

By carefully planning how sparingly/abundantly to use various types of lighting across different sections, the landscaping can be made to look magically different from how it looks during daytime. Then there is the question of engaging other senses to further reinforce the visual effect. To know more about the process, check out these ideas to make your landscape shine (even at night).

All Landscaping Plans Must be Verified Against House Code Violations

Even when you own a property, there are several laws and regulations that dictate what you can or cannot do while landscaping. These codes will not just vary from state to state, but there are separate house codes levied by separate municipalities within the same state. To avoid code violations, make sure that your landscape plan is municipality approved.

You may need permits for some constructions, while others might require a full-on inspection. The only way to know for sure would be to consult with the local City/Municipality Office. Ignoring this aspect may lower your property’s resale value significantly.

About The Author: Justin Jersey is a journalist, stylist and blogger. He is an aesthetician by heart who often writes about Art, Fashion, decorating and DIY ideas. He loves sparking creativity and giving them ideas for their own spaces.  Follow him on Twitter or Pinterest.

 Image by R H from Pixabay