Landscaping plot in front of the house

Landscape design appeared in ancient times. Of course, then this trend in art had no such name. Decoration of the territory surrounding the buildings began with temple complexes. The structures erected to worship the deities were treated with special honor and tried to appease the members of the pantheon, creating a unique landscape around the holy place. The temples had not only a luxurious decoration inside, but picturesque views outside. The grounds were decorated with flower beds, flower beds, statues, arches, terraces, decorative ponds and neat paths connecting the secondary structures.

From the history of landscape design

The great contribution to the development of landscape architecture was made by the ancient Egyptians, who devoted most of their lives to worship and praise deities. In the city of Thebes, the tradition of decorating not only temple complexes, but also adjoining grounds with ponds with fish and underwater flora, first appeared. The inhabitants of Babylon and Assyria decorated their yards with lush vegetation. Seeds were brought from different parts of the world. One of the seven wonders of the world - the hanging gardens of Semiramis laid the foundation of this tradition. The Babylonian king, being involved in a bloody war with the Assyrians, made an alliance with the Median sovereign. They defeated Assyria in a joint campaign, and to secure the agreement, a marriage was concluded between Nebuchadnezzar and the daughter of the king of the Medes, Amanis. His wife yearned for the green landscapes of his home in the dusty capital of Babylon. Then the king ordered to create a magnificent garden on stone pillars, equipped with a unique irrigation system. An error has crept into history and the building was tied not with the name Amanis, but with Semiramis-Assyrian queen who lived earlier.

In India, built floating gardens. Luxurious palaces of Indian grandees were traditionally decorated with spacious ponds, onto which rafts with loose soil and planted flowers were lowered. In the Middle Ages, unique garden “labyrinths” appeared that decorated summer palaces for the rest of crowned persons and their families. The history has preserved many magnificent examples of decorating sites around residential buildings. Landscaping in front of the house plays a special role in decorating the site, as this is the “face” of the property, which will be shown to each guest.

What is the layout and features

The decor in front of the house will include many elements:

• Green spaces and flower beds.
• Water facilities.
• Pergolas and terraces,
• Fences and gates, gates.
• Track systems

All of these components of the landscape should be linked to the overall composition. When planning the placement of each element take into account three aspects:

• Relief.
• Climatic features.
• Soil type

If the home territory is spoiled by knolls and hollows, no need to rush and level the site with the help of bulk soil. The relief features can be transformed into virtues that will help create a unique design composition. Zonal division of territory into small areas involves the placement of separate sites, which are separated from each other, but are connected by a system of decorative tracks. Near the house you can equip the arbor, so that in the summer there would be a place to hide from the scorching sun. Cool with aesthetic pleasure will give a decorative pond. Systems of flower beds and flower beds will be pleasing to the eye and benefit if some of them are planted with spices. Green fences do not always perform only a decorative role, because you can decorate a home territory with berry bushes.

When planning is also taken into account features of the shape of the yard and its size. Two or three weave enough to accommodate gazebos, green spaces, driveway and even a small front garden. To additionally decorate the summer courtyard with a lawn or a spacious lawn, a little more space is required.

We determine the style

The style of the courtyard should be tied up primarily on the main building - the house. If different directions are chosen, they must have points of contact in order to get a dynamic mix, an organic combination. Registration can be simple or pretentious, luxurious and in a big way. More concise options are suitable for typical cottages, the main purpose of which is summer rest in nature and caring for the garden. Luxury courtyards, as a rule, are decorated with townhouses and cottages. A wide range of styles is combined into two groups:

Dressing is carried out in accordance with the concept of direction, which was chosen.

It all starts with the gate, gate and fence

The outer fence should be high and monumental. Its main function is to protect the site from unauthorized entry of uninvited guests. The beauty of the fence goes into the background. According to the material of execution, fences are classified into the following types:

• Stone. Durable material that is used for permanent fencing. The stone is universal and fits almost any style. If only the foundation part and separation columns between sections are made from it, then the material can be combined with brick, metal or wood.
• Wooden. It organically looks in combination with Provence, Country and Russian style. In order for a wooden fence to last a long time, the material must be protected with a special impregnation that prevents moisture from entering the wood micropores.
• Metal. Forged items can create an elegant, sophisticated composition, but they do an excellent job with the protective function of the fence.
• Brick. Such a fence will last a long time, but has a slightly rustic look. Suitable for modern styles.
• Concrete. The material is poured into special forms, and as a result identical sections for fencing are obtained. Concrete differs in democratic cost, but at the same time allows to pick up original registration.
• Slate. An unsophisticated fence made from this material is suitable as a temporary option.
  The gate and the gate are selected under the fence, as these elements are part of the same composition.

Arrangement of tracks and entry

The courtyard is decorated with the main road for entry, leading to the house, and decorative branches, which walk on foot. For the central “highway” of the land plot a durable concrete, stone, brick or asphalt surface is chosen. Original options look when between smooth cobblestones leave gaps filled with grass.

Decorative paths are made of less reliable materials that adorn the landscape. These include:

• Gravel, crushed stone, pebbles. To prevent small pebbles from spreading around the site, the path is fenced off with green plantings or flower beds.
• Sand. Budget option that turns to porridge during the rains.
• Tree. The floorings look presentable and are combined with a rustic style, but will not last long.
• Ceramic tile. From pieces of tile laid out in the technique of mosaic, you can create a colorful and creative track.
• Plastic. The stores sell special modules, but this option looks cheap and unpresentable.
• Wood saws. The track will last a long time, but its installation will be accompanied by large-scale earthworks, because the decks have a decent height. This is necessary for the track to withstand heavy loads. Flat "pancakes" saw cuts will quickly give cracks.
• Traffic jams. The original version, which will require hard work from the designer.
  Decorative paths can also be made of concrete or brick, but the combination of materials will allow you to create a complex landscape picture.

Lighting

Backyard courtyard at the dacha is divided into two types:

• Functional or basic.
• Decorative.

The first is necessary for comfortable movement around the yard at night, and the second simply emphasizes the dignity of the decor. For street lighting do not recommend the use of fluorescent lamps, which will not work at low temperatures. The wiring is laid underground to eliminate the risk of mechanical damage. The best option when choosing light bulbs are halogen and LED devices. They have a long service life and low energy consumption.

If the owners are not among the "owls" and do not spend the night on the street, then you can use lamps powered by solar batteries. From the point of view of economy, they are in the lead among illuminants. Light bulbs work only 4-5 hours at night, as there will not be enough energy accumulated for the day.

Landscaping methods

Green areas are divided into three types:

• Trees Due to their decent height, they cannot be planted close to the fence, as the shade can interfere with the neighbors.
• Shrubs. From them create original compositions, animals and geometric shapes.
• Flowers and other low plants.

From trees create slender ranks along the paths or small front gardens with fruit varieties. Flowers are collected in colorful compositions for flower beds. Different types of plantations can be combined with each other.

Plant selection and planting principle

Plants must be selected according to the following criteria:

• Features of the soil.
• Groundwater level and location of the site (lowland or elevation).
• Climatic conditions.

Moisture accumulates in the lowlands after heavy rains. For this reason, such sites swamp and become unsuitable for most plants. It is much easier with elevations, because it is easier to pour once more than to artificially drain the ground. The viability of certain plant species also depends on the composition of the soil. Poor stony ground will be a test for delicate flowers. Sand in dry areas does not retain moisture, so a high-quality irrigation system is required. Chernozem is considered the most nutritious, but when heavy rains turns into a dirty "mess". The solution for poor soil will be the bulk layer, which is brought specifically for plantings. 0.5 m of soil will be enough for plants, and for shrubs and trees that have a strong, developed root system, you will have to order several trucks.

It is also necessary to take into account the compatibility of certain plants with each other. Some "egoists" can pull all the juices out of the ground and provoke their neighbors to slow wilt. Such aggressive copies are planted at a distance.

Creating flower beds and flower beds

Flower Garden - a broad concept that combines variations of planting. It is classified into types:

• Free. The flower garden does not have any fences, and the rampage of flora reasoning systematic processing.
• Mixborders. Ribbon flower garden on the one hand is limited to the fence and often landed along the tracks. The name of the decorative element was the result of the merger of two words: mix (blending) and border.
• Flower beds. This type of flower garden has a fence. It is given a variety of shapes: from rectangular to round.
• Border of flowers. As a rule, it is planted from low flower bushes, which limit the lawn from the entrance or the garden path.
  Also flower beds can be modular, mixed and multidimensional. If you choose the right types of plants, you can get the original color gradation on the flowerbed.

Figured decoration bushes

Cutting plants is not as easy as it may seem at first glance. For curly plantations, only certain types of shrubs are suitable: boxwood, cotoneaster, privet, yew and holly. They are easy to cut. The box is poisonous, therefore it is necessary to protect pets and children from it. Privet is ideal for "lazy" gardeners, as it requires cutting only once a year. Until the desired result is obtained, the plant is limited to an improvised wire frame. If you didn’t succeed in getting a hand in this matter, then you get special patterns, inside of which the bushes develop in the right direction and adjust to the shape. The simplest are geometric shapes, but animals or people will have to create over the years.

Trees - how to choose and what is best to plant

In landscape design, trees are classified into four types:

• Conifer. They are good because they retain green color even in winter. The ephedra prefer shade and are distinguished by endurance.
• Hardwood. A favorite option for designers. They are divided into two subspecies: decorative leafy and flowering.
• Fruit. These include apples, pears, cherries, apricots, cherries, plums.
• Evergreen hardwood. In winter, they do not expose crowns, but require special care.
  Planted trees on four principles:
• Groups They combine, as a rule, fruit trees.
• Tapeworms. A single thuja or pine in the plot will definitely attract attention.
• Alley Trees are planted on both sides of the track.
• Hedge. Although it is usually made of shrubs, the “decoration” of trees will more reliably protect the site from prying eyes from the street.

Do not forget that the neighboring trees are also selected on the principle of compatibility, like flowers.

Water features

The combination of water structures in landscape design includes:

• Sources. This is the beginning of the bed of an artificial pond or natural stream.
• Fountains. Artificial constructions in which jets of water are ejected under pressure.
• Brooks. They have a curved, irregular shape and a narrow channel.
• Waterfalls They are a stream, the water of which flows over obstacles (most often stones).
• Cascades. System of several waterfalls.
• Ponds with stagnant water.

It is not necessary to artificially erect complex structures, if a natural water “artery” flows through the site, its banks are decorated with stones and complicate with barriers for the formation of cascades. Pools also belong to this type of decor, but decorate the courtyards on the plots rarely, since such an arrangement is considered impractical.

Original terraces and arbors

A separate seating area will be a functional addition to the courtyard. Arbors and terraces are built for this purpose. The first designs of the type are divided into several types:

• Open These light gazebos consist of piers and a roof. Used to relax in the summer.
• Half open. As a rule, they have decorative walls made of forged elements or wooden slats.
• Closed. The construction of the arbor has glazing and walls. Used for winter holidays. Monumental buildings are even supplied with a stove.

Separately, it is worth noting pergolas. These structures are similar to gazebos, but instead of a roof they have a “canopy” of woven plants (grapes, ivy), which are wrapped around the frame. Forms of construction can be round, square and polygonal. The terrace is an artificially created elevation on which tables, chairs, sofas are located. They are classified into three types:

• Closed. The building consists of walls and a roof. She can stand apart from the house or adjoin it. Rain and wind are not terrible for holidaymakers on such terraces.
• Half open. They have a roof, and light curtains are used instead of walls.
• Glazed. In their design there is a roof and panoramic windows. The main advantage of the terrace is the abundance of sunlight and weather protection.
  Another special type of structure consists only of walls, but the building is placed on the back yards. Characterized by such an element of design for the Spanish style.

Conclusion

With the help of competent landscape design, you can transform your site beyond recognition. Subtle and elegant art design learn over the years. Only from under the master's hand can a real paradise, which does not want to leave. Independently difficult to create the perfect design, as when working you need to take into account a lot of rules and small nuances, and decorative elements are different from the interior decorations and are difficult to move.