Guide to Installing Hardscape Features in Your Garden

What is Considered Hardscaping

What is Hardscaping?

Put simply, hardscaping is the non-living elements of a landscape design such as walkways, patios, retaining walls, firepits, and driveways. Some elements of hardscaping serve purely practical purposes to create well-defined land areas suitable for planting. 

Hardscaping elements take on different forms based on a homeowner’s preference. Landscape design companies will offer a variety of hardscaping materials so your project can include different elements to fit the look of your landscape.

Main hardscaping materials include:

• Wood
• Faux Wood
• Concrete
• Brick
• Tile
• Loose Stone
• Solid Stone
• Pavers
• Metal

Practical hardscape features might include:

• Fences made of wood, vinyl, PVC, or metal
• Retaining walls to convert a slope into a flat area, to create a planting area, or to prevent soil erosion
• Walkways to direct visitors or customers and create safe passage to an entryway

Other elements of hardscape serve to draw visitors into the design. These hardscape elements allow visitors to interact visually with the landscape, through eye-catching details

These hardscape elements create focal points for visitors:

• Wooden arbors
• Fountains
• Stone columns
• Fireplaces

Other hardscape elements allow visitors to immerse themselves in the landscape design, within designated areas. These features might include:

• Patios or decks for sitting, relaxing, and/or observing
• Walkways for navigating without disturbing the landscape
• Gazebos for central areas of relaxation
• Pergolas or structures to provide shelter from the elements