Landscaping is necessary both on a large and a small suburban area. Changing the landscape, you make the suburban courtyard unlike the others, more comfortable and attractive. Read more about the possibilities of planning landscape design on three hundred square meters of land read further in the material.

Choosing a landscape design style

Landscaping refers to a whole range of activities. It is aimed at changing the appearance of the country territory and its improvement.

Depending on the needs, the owner of the cottage can do a number of actions to improve the territory without the involvement of specialists:

• create a recreation area;
• to lay a garden;
• build a playground;
• establish greenhouses or hotbeds;
• equip a small pond.

Decorate the space with flower beds and lawns. To connect different zones with each other, lay alleys, and to make the site more attractive, install lighting. For landscaping, you can apply different methods of designing the space, but they all come down to basic activities that make the area of ​​the plot more practical and comfortable.

Important! The smaller the suburban area, the planning of the territory should be more thorough and accurate.

The main elements of any landscape are:

• building;
• green spaces;
• grassy areas (lawns, lawns);
• large and small decor.

Accordingly, landscape design styles depend on what elements are needed on the site and how they will be arranged. Conventionally, they are divided into two large groups: regular, with distinct individual elements, and irregular.

The first group dates back to ancient Greece. It is characterized by geometrically regular elements, precise lines, an abundance of stone and marble ornaments. The second group (for example, Japanese style) uses the natural layout of the decor. Here, buildings and structures harmoniously fit into an existing landscape, over which they do not dominate.In total, there are more than 10 styles of landscape design. One part of them is named after the countries in which they originated, and the rest - according to the type of landscape created or the name of the era.

Among the main styles are popular:

• English;
• French;
• Spanish;
• Japanese (eastern);
• forest;
• deserted;
• tropical;
• rural;
• Art Nouveau;
• Mediterranean;
• eco style;
• minimalism.

If the elements used in the styles are the same, then they are composed and look different. Before you decide on one of them, you need to think over the zones that will be located on the territory of a suburban area. For example, do you come here to relax, or do you intend to grow vegetables, do you need to provide a playground or a place for keeping animals. After that, you should proceed to a detailed study of information about the styles.

Important! Eclectic design — the use of elements from different styles, but it is better to think of a single harmonious combination within the framework of one style.

Traditional (French) style - These are garden paths of the Versailles type and elaborate tsvetnale є nuances of patterns. Initially, all the elements were completely external and had to show the wealth and power of the king to their subjects. Beautiful avenues and blooming flower beds complemented numerous statues. Today's traditional garden is a space for outdoor relaxation. This type of territory requires a large area, so deciding to convert a three-hundred-acre plot into a Versailles garden, you will have to abandon the planting of vegetable crops.

For english style characterized by the presence of a large number of bushes and perennials, and between them well-groomed winding paths. An obligatory stylistic element is a lawn. The English style is irregular, that is, those that are as much as possible natural. In such a garden man-made lakes, bridges, grottoes, ruins are often found. To create this style, you also have to sacrifice garden crops.

Japanese style is landscape. It implies the maximum use of the natural environment - hills, ponds. The original gardens of this area were natural nature parks, where the emperor rested and hunted. Later such varieties appeared as the scientist’s garden, the monastery, cemetery and others. They were more modest in size and used more additional elements. They met trees and shrubs that symbolized the seasons and inspired to contemplate, and also built arbors, pavilions, pagodas.

Minimalism implies a minimum of detail, concise forms, symmetrical elements. The materials used can be any, but their quantity should not be more than three. Plants are planted in small groups, which allows you to place a barbecue area.

Mediterranean gardens known for their laid-back elegance. Terracotta pots, multi-tiered fountains, sculptures, Roman columns and bocce grounds are all the hallmarks of Mediterranean gardens. The main plants are lavender, cypress, ornamental herbs. The Mediterranean is gardening, vineyards, communication and outdoor recreation.

It would seem, "Desert garden" - a strange phrase. But a design like an oasis has multifaceted features. It must be functional, it provides for a perfect irrigation system, planted many varieties of succulents, ground cover plants, trees and other drought-resistant crops.

Forest design - This is the maximum approximation to nature. Here you can use wood furniture, flowerpots and lanterns made of stumps. In such a yard, only natural materials are used, and plants that are common in the region are planted. This fits perfectly with wooden swings and small streams.

Rules for planning a small plot of land

Creating a brief description of the project should be the first stage of site improvement. The presentation is necessarily made concrete and measurable, otherwise the project will not clarify your actions.

Did you know? The term "landscape design" began to be used since 1828 in Italy, and before that the word «landscape".

If the site already has buildings and plantings, then you need to plan the design taking into account their placement. This will help you identify problems that already exist in the landscape and minimize flaws. A small change in soil level will help solve the drainage problem, and before installing new tracks, you will need to remove the old ones. Functional problems associated with access to paths and the disposal of environmental waste should also be addressed simultaneously with the rest of the planning.

Even if you plan to do it yourself, creating a pool or lighting in the garden will still imply the presence of professional skills, as well as knowledge of how and where communications are laid on the site. To resolve such issues, be sure to consult a specialist.Set limits on the amount you plan to spend on beautification. Creating a new garden from scratch can be quite expensive, so divide the implementation of the project into several stages. The movement of underground utilities, drainage, demolition and cleaning of the territory will also increase the cost of the project, especially if the implementation is complicated by the small area.

The stages of the development of the plan consist of several actions:

1. Direct planning begins with a schematic representation of the site. Orient it to the cardinal points to determine the illumination. This is important for the plants to be planted.
2. Also place the existing buildings on the diagram and determine the functional purpose of the remaining zones. Please note that the site must contain a house, farm buildings, a recreation area. For each of these sites in planning, about 10-15% of the territory is allocated.
3. The rest of the space may be occupied by a garden, a vegetable garden, a pond, a recreation area, a children's playground, a lawn, a fountain - the objects that you consider necessary to be placed on the territory.
4. Having decided on the calculations, begin to detail your plan, making an accurate image of the zone.

After you apply the dimensions of the main structures and those trees that you want to save, you can move on to placing smaller objects. For example, garden trees, hedges, lawns. Typically, an adult tree can reach a height of 20 m and have a crown diameter of up to 5 m. For a small area this is too much - therefore, you can consider planting columnar trees or dwarf specimens.

Did you know? The capital of world landscape design is Australia. There are more than 30,000 designers and more than 650 national parks.

Basic planning rules include the following steps:

1. Inspect the boundaries of the site, you may need to adjust its shape. Usually it is square or rectangular. But if you choose one of the irregular styles, then visually “soften” the corners with bushes or trees.
2. Also pay attention to the fence - a dull construction creates a feeling of isolation and forms a thick shadow. To create a sense of openness of space, some of the borders should be visually open, such as a fence made of mesh-netting.
3. Avoid the "wild" thickets in front of the house. This space should be as well maintained. Also, do not use this territory as a parking or lawn, a less noticeable area is suitable for this.
4. Do not surround the house on all sides with concrete - create a green zone between it and the concrete floors.
5. Design winding paths - they help solve a number of problems. First of all, when a person follows such a path, the site seems to him visually longer.
6. For paths, use materials that are geologically related to the territory - stone or tile with imitation of natural masonry.
7. A patio or terrace is the center of any garden where holidays, friendly gatherings with friends or relaxation after work are held. Make sure you allocate enough space for this zone.
8. Plan the planting of plants so that they are in the most comfortable area for them. For example, thuja and other ornamental conifers can grow in partial shade or in a sunny area.
9. Divide the site visually into zones using shrubs and plant them in the form of a hedge.

How to zone a site correctly

Zoning can be implemented in different ways - with the help of plants, malls, borders. The recreation area is often made in the form of a terrace with flooring, and on the playground provide land or grass cover. Also, when separating zones, use different colors or materials. White walls are good because they do not distract attention from a beautiful flowerbed or rosary, and a deep blue tint will make the dining area more atmospheric, especially in the evening. Plants also help identify zones. They can be either the same shade or contrast with it.

Important! Try to visually unload the center of the site. Otherwise, there is a feeling of cluttered space, and the territory is visually reduced.

Rules for the use of plants in zoning:

1. Group tall plants along the edges of the plot or separate the areas that you want to mask.
2. Outbuildings should not be evident. If it is not possible to transfer the structure, decorate it with shrubs or weaving plants.
3. Do not neglect vertical space: arbors, pergolas and trellises provide privacy and easily separate one zone from another.

What plants to choose and their planting rules

The choice of plants depends on the type of soil, lighting conditions and soil moisture. Regardless of the size of the garden, these factors must be considered.

The plant selection algorithm suggests the following recommendations:

1. Estimate the size of free space on your sketch. Study the catalogs of plants, paying attention to the size of adult specimens and the conditions that they need for successful development.
2. Build off soil acidity. Typically, growing plants absorb nutrients by leaching the soil, after which it becomes moderately acidic. Most plants need neutral, slightly acidic or slightly alkaline soil.
3. Pay attention to the orientation of the site to the cardinal points. Hydrangeas, hosts, magnolias grow well on the north side. In the south - ornamental herbs, pelargonium, lavender, poppies. The western section is the most profitable - there is enough light in the first half of the day and there are no bright sunlight in the second, when the air is warmed up to the maximum. These conditions are suitable for most cultures - peonies, roses, spireas, viburnum.
4. For planting the "foot" of shrubs, use plants with a tight hat: hosts, ferns.
5. Trees absorb a lot of water, therefore, planning to plant other crops under them is not recommended.
6. There are many more plants that love the sun than those that grow in the shade. therefore use shaded areas to house farm buildings. Also note that crops such as roses, geraniums, verbena, sage and lavender do not tolerate the shadow at all.
7. Group crops three or five varieties to create a flower bed. Plants can be planted in open ground or decorated pots.
8. So that the garden doesn’t look bare in the winter, consider planting coniferous shrubs or trees. In nurseries there is a wide selection of their varieties of different shapes, sizes and shades.
9. In the spring, after a long winter, I want to see bright colors, so consider planting spring onion flowers - primroses, tulips, hyacinths.
10. If you cannot devote enough time to watering, Choose succulents or pelargonium. They tolerate temporary drought well.
11. If you are new to gardening, do not choose to plant roses. They are the most demanding of all colors and can negatively react to the lack of watering, timely fertilizer and prevention from diseases.

How to visually expand the site

Any gardener does not have enough space, even if there is a large plot, but when it is small, there are even more questions in the placement of objects and the perception of a modest territory. Not many people know that even a plot of three hundred parts can be visually corrected using a few simple tricks.

Visual adjustment of space is focused on individual perception criteria:

1. The size. The desire to place as many plants as possible on the site makes it thickened and visually reduces the area. Try planting less greens or using dwarf forms instead of full-sized specimens. The same applies to decorative elements - use a small fountain or small figurines. But do not get carried away with minimization, because large flower pots and tiles, on the contrary, make the garden visually larger.
2. Viewpoints. Plant plants so that not all territory is viewed from one point. When a new section opens with a shift in the angle of view, the space seems larger.
3. Break the garden into levels. For example, the first level is grass (height up to 16 cm), the second is bushes (height 50 cm). Adding more vertical planes will also add volume to the plot. If the garden is tilted, plant the plants on the terraces.
4. Perspective. Install pergolas or arches in the far part of the alley, directing the viewer's gaze to the sky - this makes the area visually larger. In arbors for the same purpose you can use ampelous plants, and near farm buildings - weaving.
5. Mix vegetable beds and flowers. Firstly, many plants, due to the strong smell, deter pests from the beds. Among them - calendula, mint, mustard, garlic, onions, wormwood. Secondly - this allows you to make the beds more attractive.
6. Color correction. Choose lighter gravel for alleys, including for shady areas. The use of dark shades for walls and furniture in the garden narrows the space. By the same principle, choose plants.
7. Reflective surfaces. Water and mirror surfaces reflect the sky and the garden, making the area seem larger. Granite and quartzite reflect light better than limestone, and also make the space brighter. Glass tables or balustrades are also reflective and, being transparent, do not take up too much space visually. Polished steel pots and glossy foliage plants such as Japanese aralia will also help bring in more light.
8. Plants. Pale pink, pale blue and yellow flowers enhance the long term, so place them on the borders of the garden. But plants with bright orange flowers will have the opposite effect, so they are best planted in the center of the site.
9. Borders. Borders draw attention to the small area that they surround, so use them sparingly. If your site is surrounded by other zones, plant similar plants near the fence - this visually unites the space and erodes the border of the garden.
10. Texture. Plants with thin leaves create a feeling of lightness. While densely branched shrubs attract attention and create the illusion of limited space. Arrange plants with thin leaves in the far part of the plot, and those that are too bulky are in front. This technique is especially effective in inclined gardens.
11. Furniture. Use a hard-wearing tree such as teak or eucalyptus. Furnishings should be visually weightless.

Decor Elements

Small gardens have many advantages and most importantly, they do not require much maintenance, so you can always afford a more creative approach - stylish lighting, elegant swings, colorful decorative pillows in the dining area. If the budget is limited, then there are many great ideas for this.

Important! A flat area always seems visually smaller than the same, but with objects located at different levels. To create a terraced area, you can use alpine slides, steps, podiums.

The basic rules for decorating a small area:

1. Decorate the walls of farm buildings with weaving plants or add decorative panels with flower pots.
2. Large exposed space can always be increased vertically using trellises and arched structures.
3. Create more space by hanging utensils on shelves of different heights. So you will create additional space for demonstration of potted plants and garden decor. Height allows you to use the space more efficiently.
4. Choose a compact dining table. You can provide a structure that is mounted on the wall.
5. Install spice planters next to the kitchen window. It will be convenient to simply reach out and pick the right amount of spices.
6. Use different types of coverings to separate the dining area from the garden or playground.
7. Hang a hammock for maximum relaxation on a hot summer afternoon. Do not forget to install a beach umbrella nearby or pull up an awning.
8. Benches are installed in the large garden, but in the small garden, folding seats or sides can be provided for saving space, which you can lean on next to the flower beds.
9. It is not necessary to create a lawn. Just place many potted plants on the territory. Thus, many crops can be grown, including columnar trees.

Pay attention to the body of water in the area. In gardens of a natural type, it should visually merge with the rest of the space. To do this, create a “soft edge” with plants and stripes of turf. If this building is in the classical style, then it is tiled and the edges made clear and even. A fountain or a waterfall is a sounding object that can be placed next to the dining room. But keep in mind that it is undesirable to place it next to the wall of a bedroom or a nursery. Be sure to take care to protect water bodies from children.

Did you know? One hour of weeding the beds burns 300 calories — this is the same amount you would have spent riding a bicycle, and manually mowing the lawn removes 500 calories per hour, which equates to playing tennis.

When developing a site plan for three hundred parts, you need to consider many factors. All of them are aimed at making space as attractive and rational as possible. Choose plants, garden decor, materials for garden structures in such a way as to enjoy the end result for many years.