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Despite the fact that many people crave it, having a
relatively flat landscape can actually be a real landscape
design challenge. Unlike a hilly landscape which constantly
changes as a viewer's eye moves across the scene, a
pancake-flat yard does not offer much in the way of visual
interest. Don't worry though; you don't have to resort to
the drastic measure of building a mountain in your backyard
-- there are much simpler ways to add some creative design
into your decidedly planar landscape.
Though having a flat yard can be very helpful (especially
when it comes to maintenance), it's main drawback is the
lack of height. With nothing to stand out and grab your
attention, your eyes move straight through your landscape
and over to your neighbor's beautiful maple tree. By
creating different levels of height in your yard and
directing the viewer's eye to the right spots, you will keep
your potential landscape admirers' eyes in your own
property.
Adding height to an otherwise flat landscape can be pretty
easy. The most direct method is to actually add height to
the ground in the form of small terraces or steps. Just
raising the height of an area in your yard four inches can
be a dramatic change. For example, you can have a low deck
or patio area that has two levels: a shorter section that
contains a grill and some storage space and a higher section
that functions as a seating area. These two functional areas
are defined by their difference in height and thus stand out
more than if they were on the same level.
Another idea is to add a decorative wall or fence at the
edge of your property. This will give the viewer something
to look at while also marking the boundaries of your yard.
You can also have shorter walls or fences inside your
property that section off your landscape into different
areas. By creating different functional areas, your eye will
stop and look at each section individually instead of taking
in the whole landscape at once. This diversity in your
property makes for a visually interesting landscape.
You don't have to rely on just hardscape features like
patios and walls to create height in your landscape -- you
can use plants as well. A row of small trees will separate
two areas of your yard just as easily as an eight foot fence
will, and can be less intimidating. Utilizing plants to
create height and visual interest in your landscape will
soften the overall look of your yard and have the added
benefit of changing colors, textures, and forms dependent on
the season you're in. With a combination of hardscape and
plant elements in your property, many viewers will hardly
notice how flat your yard actually is.
For a finishing touch, don't forget to use accent pieces or
plants to lead the viewer's eye to where you want them to
look. By positioning a colorful plant or an elegant statue
at the end of an area, you give the viewer a resting point
for the eye; an exclamation point at the end of a green,
leafy journey, if you will. Don't get too liberal with your
focal points, however. If you have statuettes and pink
flamingos scattered all around your property, your viewer
won't know where to look.
Having a flat landscape doesn't mean it has to be boring as
well. With a bit of extra forethought and planning, you can
combine the benefits that a flat landscape can bring along
with the visual appeal that comes with different changes in
height. Thankfully, adding height to your landscape does not
mean you have to build a mountain on your property, though
I'm sure your local topsoil supplier would love to help you
with that project.
About The Author: Carrie P. Williams is a professional landscape designer with Turf Tamer, Inc. She has written many informative landscaping articles for Turf Tamer's Tip of the Week program.
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