Decorative Rocks and Ornamental Stone - Landscaping

It's time to break out of the everyday landscaping design. What does your lawn consist of? Lots of green grass - that takes a lot of time to mow and a lot of water to look healthy, trees and shrubs. Perhaps some flowerbeds flanking the house itself.

But there's so much more you can do with your landscaping, if you just decide to do things a bit differently.

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In desert locations, of course, like Arizona and Mexico, why bother to try to force grass to grow at all? Why not simply cover your yard with attractive, ornamental rock and stone, with a few shrubs. Or as the joke has it, "I'm retired, I've mowed my last lawn!" The reason is simple - you may think water is a renewable resource - but it doesn't renew as fast as mankind is consuming it. In desert states where water comes from below ground aquifers, the level of this fresh-water source is lowering every year, and rainwater cannot replenish that level fast enough.

Decorative Rocks and Ornamental Stone - Landscaping

Even if you don't live in a desert climate, there's no reason why you can't make a rock garden - either large or small - in part of your yard. Such a garden will cut down on the time needed to mow your lawn, there'll be no need to spread pesticides around, and it will be a quiet and restful place around which to sit.

Like any other landscaping element, a rock garden does have to be planned carefully. Rock doesn't absorb water - so any rain run-off will go straight into your lawn and does need to be carefully drained off. Don't put your rock garden over electrical or phone lines, either.

You may think that a rock garden is equivalent to a Japanese garden, but that isn't necessarily the case. The Japanese garden combines three elements: stone which represents mountains or islands, water - representing purity, and plants. A Zen garden is what most people think of when they hear the term Japanese garden - a stretch of white sand with black rocks placed strategically about, and one meditates by raking the sand smooth.

There are two ways to install a rock garden...one would be to make the rock look like a natural outcropping of bedrock...used to cut off an inconvenient slope. The more usual design is to pile up the stones - both large and small - in harmonious groupings...and if you simply must have greenery, leave small gaps between the rocks into which the plants may be placed.

Surf the web to get ideas for how to design your rock garden, and venture far and wide, into sites from Japan and India as well as the United States. You'll find beauty everywhere.

Decorative Rocks and Ornamental Stone - Landscaping

Andrew Caxton is a consultant who writes on many consumer topics like lawn care for [http://www.lawn-mowers-and-garden-tractors.com] . Find more publications about landscaping [http://www.lawn-mowers-and-garden-tractors.com/landscaping.html] at his website.

Pick Out The Landscaping Shrubs For Decorative Purposes

Think about oak trees when it comes to deciding which landscaping plants to use to line your yard. These trees can adapt to most conditions and are also pest free. They also have beautiful colors and provide excellent shade. Another excellent option is maple trees which have fascinating colors throughout the year and adapt well to most locations. If you don't want to use trees for borders you can consider using shrubs.

When you want landscaping plants with a creative design then you should choose shrubs. Shrubs look well maintained and can bring a landscape design together. You still have much option to choose from when it comes to shrubs so you will need to pick on that works well for your garden area. For most areas an excellent shrub choice is the hydrangeas. IN the summer these have great flowers and green foliage while also producing excellent fall color when the seasons change.

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Types of Landscaping Shrubs:

Pick Out The Landscaping Shrubs For Decorative Purposes

When it comes to choosing landscaping shrubs the first thing you have to consider is what will grow best in the area you are landscaping. All of them are different when it comes to the things that make them grow. Consider some shrubs can be very expensive this is why it is important to do your research first. You don't want to spend a lot of money on a plant that looks nice but will die within a year because it can't grow in the area you place it.

Consider your landscaped area and how much sun and shade you are going to have. Then choose landscaping shrubs that will work within those conditions. After limiting the list of plants to those that will work in your area then you should select plants that compliment your overall landscaping idea and ones that match your project plan. This way you will not only have a unified landscape design, but you will also have landscaping shrubs that will last for a long time to come with proper care.

Finalize After proper Planning:

When it comes to landscaping shrubs you want ones that will be easy to care for while still being beautiful. There are many shrubs available when it comes to choosing something that will blend with your landscaping design. Where you are landscaping will have a large influence on the plants and shrubs you choose to use. Although before choosing your landscaping plants there are a few things you need to consider. Then once you know which landscaping plants you need you can go to your home and garden center to find what appeals to you.

There are many types of landscaping trees and shrubs that are ornamental. This means they add color and beauty to your landscape design [http://www.onlinelandscapedesigns.com/Landscaping_Equipment/Landscaping_Bricks.php]. Japanese Red Maples provide gorgeous deep red foliage which sometimes seems to be more of a purple color. They grow slowly but the end result is a beautiful ornamental tree that anybody would be proud to have in their yard.

Pick Out The Landscaping Shrubs For Decorative Purposes

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Simple Backyard Landscaping Ideas

For a very few homeowners, a front and backyard of just grass abutting up to their home's walls is enough. They like the simplicity and ease of maintaining their yard - just mow and go. But most of us like a bit of color. A walkway. Perhaps a trellis. Maybe a flower border. Something more than just a small patio slab left by the builder just outside the backdoor.

But then we think of the work involved. The cost. The planning involved.

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"Maybe the idea of big grassy yards front and back isn't so bad," we might think. "Backyard landscaping, front yard landscaping just isn't for us.

Simple Backyard Landscaping Ideas

But wait. Take a deep breath. Slow down.

Landscaping needn't be that difficult.

Take backyard landscaping, for instance. When you think of your backyard, you think of rest and relaxation, don't you? A sunny place for perhaps a barbecue. A warm spot on which to lie on a hammock, swing in the breeze, read a book and then take a snooze.

So keep it simple.

Here's a simple backyard landscaping idea: Why not install a flowerbed of blooming plants that attract butterflies? You can place it somewhat in the middle of your yard. It will become a focal point and just wait until your friends and neighbors come to visit! (Perhaps you'll want to have book on butterflies handy, see who can spot the most different kinds.)

For backyard landscaping ideas that attract butterflies, check out the National Wildlife Federation's information on the subject here

For a truly simple design, why not "just" have a lovely patio, with shrubs and/or flowering plants along its edges? A good cement/concrete contractor can pour a patio in an oval, curved or just about any shape for you. Add some shrubs, plants and/or some solar patio lights would make a lovely - and simple and peaceful - backyard landscape for you.

Speaking of shrubs, they can be a simple, inexpensive addition to your landscaping. Place them in front and in the back of your home, right up against the walls. They add great curb appeal without a lot of muss and fuss. And your shrubbery needn't be just different shades of green - many shrubs flower and provide wonderful bursts of color. Check out azalea, lilac, hydrangea, shrub rose, and dogwood at your local nursery to see if they appeal to you.

Don't forget plants that are native to your area. Head to your nursery or do some research on the Internet to see what plants are native to your state. A simple Google search of, say, "Pennsylvania native plants" will give you a wealth of information. Choosing native plants give you peace of mind because you know they do well in your climate and therefore will be easier to take care of.

Place wood chips around your shrubs, trees and bushes. They cover up the dirt - thus giving your landscaping a more polished look - and they also help cut down on weeds. They also provide food as they break down and help keep your plants moist.

Finally, don't forget the lawnchair - the perfect addition to your backyard landscape. After all, now that your simple backyard landscape is done, it's time to put your backyard to its real use - a lovely spot for a relaxing snooze on a summer Sunday afternoon.

Simple Backyard Landscaping Ideas

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