Elements of a Garden

The ideal garden or landscape has both living plants and hardscape elements that help define the space, provide traffic flow and create interest and functionality.

Decks, Patios and Walkways

Decks, patios and walkways not only invite visitors into your home but also into your garden. They can also help extend your interior living space into the outdoors.

Decks
Decks are a great choice when you have a steep rocky slope or when you don’t want to disturb the land because they're usually raised off the ground. Deck materials include treated lumber, redwood, cedar and man-made or plastic lumber.

Patios
Patios give a more permanent and formal feel to your landscape. They're an extension of your home by providing a place to gather, entertain and enjoy the outdoors. There is a long list of patio materials to choose from – concrete, stone, brick, tile, and interlocking pavers are just a few.

Paths and Walkways
Paths and walkways give structure to a landscape, as well as direct traffic and provide access to your garden and home. They also add visual interest by leading the eye through the garden. They can be constructed from many types of materials including gravel, concrete, brick, stone, interlocking pavers and even grass.

Web Resources

• 29 Inviting Garden Paths from Sunset Magazine
  Whether you're creating a path for a desert garden, a wooded escape, or a kitchen garden there is no shortage of great designs using a wide variety of materials in this idea gallery.
• Pave the Way, Creatively from Fine Gardening
  Want to create something more than just a simple patio or path? Here are some great ideas on how to make your patio or walkway a piece of art by mixing different paving materials and plants into unique and creative designs.
• All Eyes On Deck from This Old House
  This Old House has some great ideas and planning tips for creating dynamite decks. Tips include how to create seating areas and privacy as well as ideas on creative railing designs and materials.
• 5 Modern Deck Materials from Popular Mechanics
  5 popular decking materials and the advantages / disadvantages of each - covers pressure treated wood, natural cedar and redwood, tropical hardwoods, composite materials and aluminum.
• Choosing the Right Pation Materials from BHG
  Designing a patio, but don’t know what type of material you want to use? Here's some good advice from Better Homes and Gardens on the wide array of patio materials available.
• 10 Things to Know About Paver Patios from DIY Network
  Whether you're doing it yourself or having it professionally installed, here are 10 helpful tips you should know about patios made with pavers.

Walls, Fences and Gates

Walls, fences and gates not only provide security and privacy, but are also an important design element in your landscape. In addition to distinguishing property lines, they can also be used to define spaces and serve as sound barriers.

Walls
Garden walls serve many purposes and can be strong design feature in any garden. They can be used to retain or terrace a hillside and can also be used to create planters, raised gardens and even outdoor rooms. Garden walls can be made from many different materials including stone, brick and stucco; a combination of materials can also be used such as a stucco base capped with brick or stone.

Fences
Fencing can be both functional and decorative and comes in many styles and materials. The most common fencing material is wood, such as redwood or cedar, but other common materials include, metal and vinyl. Design possibilities are endless when it comes to fencing.

Gates
Gates provide a transition between spaces that are separated by either a wall or fence. They can also be a strong focal point, highlighting the entrance to your garden and home.

Web Resources

• Decorative Fence Ideas from BHG
  There are so many possibilities when it comes to fence design. To get fencing ideas for you garden check out this inspiration gallery at Better Homes and Gardens.
• How To Build a Wood Fence from DoItYourself.com
  This do-it-yourself guide to building a wood fence is easy to follow and provides a tools and materials list and even shows different fencing styles to choose from.
• How To Install a Picket Fence from This Old House
  Add instant charm and curb appeal with a charming white picket fence. It’s relatively easy to do especially with the prefabricated fencing sections available most home improvement centers. This Old House has a step-by-step guide on how to install a picket fence at your house.
• 12 Stylish Garden Gates from BHG
  Looking for design ideas for a creative garden gate? Check out Better Homes and Garden’s gallery of 12 stylish garden gates. You’ll get ideas on how to use color, shapes and unique materials to create the perfect gate for your garden.
• How To Build Stone Retaining Walls from About.com Landscaping
  Stone walls add interest and texture to any landscape. Here's a simple to follow guide on building a low retaining wall in stone using the dry-stack technique.

Water Features

Water adds movement, reflection and tranquility to a landscape, and can also attract birds and other wildlife, as well as mask unwanted noise. Water features may be pools, ponds, streams, waterfalls, or fountains. They can blend with the natural surroundings such as a stream or pond or they can make a grand statement like an ornate, tiered fountain.

There are so many options when it comes to choosing a water feature for your garden. Freestanding fountains are some of the most popular because they're easy to set up and maintain and they come in so many different styles and sizes. There are simple spray fountains, tiered fountains, bubbling fountains and even solar powered fountains. Freestanding fountains are readily available online, at your local garden centers and at big box retailers. It’s even simple to make your own – all you need is a container to hold the water and a garden fountain pump.

Pond-less waterfalls and streams are a great way to go when you want to create a more natural water feature in your garden, however they are bit more involved to build than a simple freestanding fountain. These streams and waterfalls use a re-circulating system to circulate water through the stream or waterfall.

Web Resources

• 32 Inspiring Garden Fountains from Sunset Magazine
  Want to add a little water music to your yard but don’t know where to start. To get great ideas, check out this gallery of fountains.
• How To Turn a Salvaged Urn Into a Water Fountain from This Old House
  With a little sweat equity, an old garden urn and a fountain pump you can turn that urn into a charming fountain for your patio or garden in just a couple of hours. Create your garden fountain this weekend with this detailed guide from This Old House Magazine.
• How To Build a Pond from How Stuff Works
  This guide on how to build a garden pond gives advice on where to locate your pond, describes the different types of ponds and provides a complete tools and materials list along with detailed instructions on how to build a pond. It also discusses the use of filters, pond maintenance and how to bring your pond to life with flora and fauna.

Gazebos, Arbors, and Trellises

These garden structures add architectural interest to the landscape as well as provide shade from the sun and support for vines and other climbing plants. They can be built from twigs and branches creating an informal, organic feel or they can be built from more sophisticated materials such as stone, stucco and wood to create a more formal look.

Gazebos
Gazebos are freestanding, pavilion like structures that feature a roof with screened or open sides. They provide shelter, shade and a place to gather and can be a great focal point in the garden too.

Arbors
Like gazebos, arbors provide a gathering place and a focal point in any garden. Instead of having a solid roof like a gazebo they have an open lattice work roof which provides support for growing vines and other climbing plants.

Trellises
Trellises are decorative and functional, providing support for vines and creating garden focal points.

Web Resources

• Make Your Own Shady Arbor Bench from Sunset Magazine
  Create the perfect garden retreat with this step-by-step instructions for building this beautiful arbor bench. Instructions include a detailed materials list along with an easy to follow diagram and photos of each step. Some skill required!
• Design and Build a Bamboo Trellis from Fine Gardening
  Looking for a fun weekend project? How about designing and building your own bamboo trellis. This guide gives you a supply list and all the guidance you need to create your own one of a kind trellis. You can use these techniques to build trellises out of other unique materials like twigs and branches too.
• Building a Great Gazebo from This Old House
  This article will help you plan your gazebo project and addresses three approaches: building your own from plans, putting together a kit, or commissioning an original design. There is also a nice photo gallery of different style gazebos to give you inspiration.