Every well-crafted outdoor space is composed of both hardscapes and landscapes. While they may sound contrasting, hardscapes and landscapes actually complement each other in creating a functional, as well as aesthetic outdoor space. You might be wondering, what is literally a hardscape or landscape and how do they interact with each other? This article will go deeply into what these two outdoor elements are and how they work together to create a beautiful and functional outdoor space.
What is a Hardscape?
There are three tenants of hardscapes; They are man-made, non-living, and stationary. Common materials used in hardscapes are concrete, brick, stone, and even wood. As you would expect, hardscapes are made of elements that are…hard!
Common Hardscape Features
There are three defining characteristics of hardscapes being that they are structural, functional, and/or decorative.
Structural
Structural hardscapes serve as a foundation of an outdoor space. They provide stability, support, and strength to other design elements in the yard. Essentially, they make a space usable, that was previously unusable. Some examples of structural hardscapes include:
- Retaining Walls: These masonry structures are created to prevent soil erosion and keep the dirt from falling into designated areas. They are often found on sloped landscapes. They are structural in that they provide a foundation for the soil and create flat usable space either above, below, or both.
- Patio: These wooden structures sit on grass or dirt and create a space that can be used for dining or other outdoor activities. They create a foundational space that allows for usable space on and around them.
- Foundations: Foundations are the actual supports for other structures. This hardscape element literally has only one purpose, which is to create strength and support for whatever sits on top, being either a patio, gazebo, pergola, hot tub or more.
Functional
Functional hardscapes are built for the specific purpose to improve accessibility, safety, and usability of outdoor spaces. Keep in mind, they are meant to improve, not create the foundation of the outdoor space (foundational hardscape). Examples of functional hardscapes include:
- Walkways: Walkways are created to make walking over a surface safer and easier. They can put over grass, dirt, or any other substrate. They improve the accessibility and safety of the outdoor space.
- Driveways: Driveways are like walkways for cars. They allow cars to safely and comfortably access an outdoor space. They allow the homeowner to get close to the actual home without driving over messy dirt roads or soft grass.
- Steps and Ramps: Steps allow for safe accessibility to a home or structural hardscapes. They make using the element they lead to easier, as an individual doesn’t have to awkwardly and unsafely maneuver from a lower platform to a higher platform.
Decorative
Decorative hardscapes are primarily focused on enhancing the aesthetics and comfort of an outdoor space. They may have no structural or functional qualities, only those to please the senses Some examples of decorate hardscapes include:
- Water foundations: Water foundations have no other purpose but to be decorative. They do not provide any structural or foundational benefits, in that they are not a foundation of an outdoor space or create any safety or accessibility features. Yet they are beautiful and the centerpieces of many hardscape designs.
- Pergolas: A pergola is a structure that provides shade to an area or privacy between two outdoor areas or both. They are decorative in nature and do not provide any structural or functional benefits but to create shade and privacy.
- Garden Edging. These detailed elements surround gardens with hardscape materials like brick, or stone to create aesthetic lines around features in the garden. They don’t provide any structural or foundational benefits, but do create a sense of organization and boundary to garden areas.
Advantages of Hardscapes
Durability
Hardscapes are durable! Concrete, stone, brick—all of these can withstand any weather condition and degrade very slowly over time. For example, concrete or asphalt driveways can last years to decades before they need any major repairs.
Functionality
Hardscapes also provide functionality to an outdoor space. They can both create the foundation for other outdoor elements like patios, hot tubs, or fire pits, and be the elements themselves! Hardscapes allow us to actually use the outdoor space for various activities
Accessibility
Hardscapes also maximize the comfort of your outdoor space by making them accessible and safe. For example, walkways and driveways allow humans and cars to safely and easily move across an outdoor space. Retaining walls for example allow what was once a sloped, inconvenient yard to be at least once flat accessible, usable surface. Our whole civilization depends on these hardscapes! Similarly, hardscapes also can make spaces safer, such as as steps and railings, or pavers edging a pool.
What is a Landscape?
Landscapes differ from hardscapes in that they are composed of living and movable elements, or devices which aid in the existence of living plants, animals, and insects. In this way, landscaping elements such materials as grass, shrubs, flowers, and trees.
Landscape Characteristics
Landscapes are generally natural elements, functional complements, and/or ecological enhancements.
Natural Elements
The plants, ornamental trees, shrubs, and grass in your lawn or garden are the natural elements of a landscape. Plants range from lush greeneries like ferns to colorful flowering ones like daisies, roses, and lavender. Ornamental trees like Japanese maple, magnolia, and dogwood, often serve as the focal points of the landscape. Shrubs like azaleas and boxwoods are often planted along fences or pathways. Grasses like Bermuda grass, fountain grass and blue fescue look like soft green carpet in your lawn. Natural elements bring color, texture, and vitality to the design.
Functional Complements
Landscapes also include functional complements that aid in the existence of landscaping natural elements. Such examples of functional complements include mulch beds and irrigation systems. Mulch beds can be organic (compost, grass clippings, leaves) or inorganic (gravel, pebbles) and are put around plants or trees to hold moisture and aid in creating quality soil. Irrigation systems such as sprinklers ensure that plants, grass, and trees in your yard receive as much water as they need. Irrigation systems are considered part of the family of landscaping as they are aids to the existence of the natural elements.
Ecological Enhancements
Although less common, there are specifically incorporated elements in a landscaping project which are designed to enhance the ecology of the outdoor space. One might use plant certain flowers or trees which attract pollinators such as bees, butterflies, moths, and hummingbirds, which add to the vitality of the ecology of the outdoor space. One might even install bird feeders, bird houses, or a bee box to aid in the existence of the natural elements of the outdoor space.
Benefits of Landscapes
Landscaping can elevate your outdoor space in many ways:
Aesthetic Value
A vibrant greenery can add warmth and boost the curb appeal of your property. Have you ever been impressed by a plain yard with a concrete driveway? No. Add a well-maintained lawn, medium-sized shrubs, and an ornamental tree whose leaves are bustling softly with the wind. Now, that’s a sight to see!
Improving Air Quality
Because landscapes use plants and trees, they help improve the air quality of the outdoor space. Some trees recycle air better than others, such as pine trees, oak trees, maple and ash. You won’t have to travel far to enjoy fresh air. Just step out into your backyard with an extensive landscape and you’ll instantly feel refreshed.
Promoting Biodiversity
With a good mix of grass, plants, and trees, your landscape will welcome butterflies, birds, bees, grasshoppers and small animals. With a well designed garden focused on attracting a wide variety of life, you don’t need to drive hours just to be close with nature. Enjoy it from your backyard!
Key Differences Between Hardscape and Landscape
| Hardscape | Landscape |
| Material Focus | Man-made (concrete, brick, stone, pavers) | Natural (soil, plants, organic mulch) |
| Primary Purpose | To add structure, be accessible, and extend indoor space | To introduce more color, natural aesthetic, warmth, and ecological benefits |
| Cost and Longevity | Higher initial cost, lower maintenance and minimal upkeep (minimal cleaning, sealing cracks after many years) | Lower initial investment, extensive on-going care and maintenance (pruning, putting fertilizer, watering, replanting) |
| Visual Contribution | Clean lines, rigid structure, plain color | Organic aesthetic, color, sound and movement, biodiversity |
Balancing Hardscaping and Landscaping
Now that you know the differences between hardscapes and landscapes, its important to also know that you cannot choose one over the other. A breathtaking outdoor space is one that effectively integrates hardscapes and landscapes.
Design Strategies
Softening the Edges
Hardscapes like patios and retaining walls may appear rigid and unwelcoming. One way to soften these harsh lines is to outline them with medium-sized shrubs or flower beds. Hydrangeas are some of the best choices to put around hardscapes such as patios.
Adding Curves
Hardscapes are often angular and all these square edges can feel oppressive. Complement the straight lines of hardscapes with curved landscaping elements. Around a straight walkway, add curving edging plants to create a sense of flow and balance. Round the edges of your lawn to eliminate any more hard lines, put cascading plants over your retaining wall, or put low shrubs around the edge of the patio to visually break up those rigid edges.
Adding Volume
Hardscapes often appear flat and monotonous. Add volume to your design by integrating vertical elements like trellises or climbing plants to break a stiff hardscape. Some examples of plants that you can use are bougainvillea and wisteria.
Enhancing Curb Appeal
If you need even more motivation to integrate hardscapes and landscapes in your outdoor space, having a balanced yard with both these elements boosts your property’s curb appeal and value! A sophisticated front yard, with carefully laid out hardscapes and well-maintained and vibrant landscapes can boost your property’s market value considerably. If you are trying to sell your home, having the front yard attract attention is essential for getting potential buyers through the door.
Maintenance
Once you’ve achieved a harmonious integration of your hardscape and landscape, the next thing you need to consider is maintenance
Regular Maintenance
Your hardscapes need to be checked for dirt, stains and cracks. Dirt and stains can be removed by pressure washing. Moreover, it is best to seal cracks as soon as possible to avoid larger damage.
Your landscapes need regular watering, pruning, weed and pest controlling, fertilizing, and replanting. You can install an irrigation system like sprinklers to make watering easier. Pruning involves cutting dead, damaged or overgrown branches to encourage fresh regrowth in trees and shrubs. Weed and pest control can be done in natural ways such as mulching and using organic sprays. Organic compost is a good fertilizer providing nutrients to your plants. Finally, replanting can be done when some plants or trees become unhealthy or lose their appeal.
Long-Term Considerations
Over time, some hardscapes may require minor to major upkeep. For example, you may need to resurface your driveway to restore its previous strength and appearance. For other hardscapes, such as sinking retaining walls, complete re-building may be necessary.
You may also need to change your landscapes due to climate and soil conditions. Old trees fall and sometimes there are plant diseases which affect a certain location. If your yard is affected, it may cause you to redesign your landscape with healthy trees and plants, or perhaps encourage the existence of certain insects which fight the disease and keep your landscape healthy. .
Conclusion
Landscapes and hardscapes work together to create an amazing outdoor space. They complement each other!Integrating both in your outdoor space can create a haven that is functional and aesthetic. If you are looking for landscaping and hardscaping installation services, call Lumina Construction at call-us 212-920-9163.