No matter what the time of year, people absolutely love to spend time outdoors. Why not ensure that you’re spending time in a beautiful space that you absolutely adore. The best way to do this is to have your garden landscaped. But before you rush out to the nursery, think about the big picture and consider any boundaries (internal and external), location, soil types, surfaces and planting design are all key to determining what will work best.
The team at hipages spoke to landscaping expert John McMillan from General Lawns for his thoughts and handy tips on creating the perfect landscaped garden. How can you choose the right plants, set a theme, include a deck or a water feature or know how to describe what you want into a brief?
John has given us 5 crucial questions to consider to build a garden fit for your home.
1. Do you research
Start with research – there is a wealth of information online including hundreds of photos of almost any plant you can dream of having in your garden. Try searching databases starting with the area you live in, plant type, colour, name, and you can see instantly what would be best suited for your home.
Only go to your local nursery when you have a good idea of what you want and will avoid buying too many mistakes. Ask nursery staff about any plant you don’t know before buying anything unresearched.
2. consider your lifestyle
The first question is what is your lifestyle? Are you wanting to spend time outside? Some other things to think about are space and how much do you have, whereabouts are you located geographically in terms of what plants can be planted in your yard, and at the same time is the aesthetics, how is it going to look?
It’s all about building a sanctuary and a place to call home. It’s also beneficial to think about the long term – how will the garden be looking in 2, 5, or 10 years time. Will it date quickly?
3. choose carefully
When planning your plant selection think about these considerations to ensure you get the right plant. A mistake that most people make is to neglect to research what plants best grow in their environment — be it coastal, suburban, or perhaps drought- or fire-prone. Before buying plants, ask yourself these questions:
Don’t buy plants that require different weather conditions to yours. Check the labels on the plants for details about where they grow best. If a plant does not have a label check with nursery staff.
Consider how high and wide the plants you choose are going to grow. Planting large plants in unsuitable areas can be a costly disaster. The last thing you want is a tree that outgrows its area with a root system reaching into your foundations and drainage pipes.
Consider the form of the plants you choose. How will they grow in the area you choose for them? Plants will grow into forms and shapes as they mature – columns, weeping, climbing, creeping, and oval. How does this fit with their permanent home?
Think about how your plants change with the seasons – fruit, colour, and foliage.
Are your plants insect and disease resistant?
What type of light do they need to thrive in your garden?
How much water do your plants need to survive? Are they drought resistant?
What type of soil preparation do you need to do for your new plants?
4. Stick to your budget
Always consider your budget. How do you want it to look in terms of functionality and aesthetics and do you have a plan in mind or would you need a plan made for you? If you have an idea in mind, do a little research into the cost for materials and timelines that it might take to get a realistic perspective. Also keep in mind that construction in reality is not like tv shows such as Backyard Blitz or The Block, hardscaping will take some time.
5. Be realistic
Definitely consider the realistic timelines of getting jobs done, especially big projects like installing a swimming pool. Do some research on timings but also trust the experts with what they advise.
It’s also important to remember that landscaping and gardening is an investment which needs to be taken care of, so what can you maintain yourself and what will you need professional help with? How much time do you have realistically and do you want to spend it in the garden? If your time is limited then consider it may be worthwhile to invest in a professional team that can manage the garden for you.
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