Modern household plots are less likely to serve as the breadwinner for the family. To make the country holiday as serene as possible, an ever larger area of our courtyards is paved or concreted. Indeed, the site looks neater at the same time, in bad weather you can walk and not get your feet dirty, and it is much easier to clean flat surfaces from snow. On the other hand, going out of town, we traditionally think that we are getting out into nature. And where is this nature, if there are only stones and concrete around? Our task is to competently combine the concreting and paving of the site with its landscaping.
Concreting a yard and turning it into a sterile but completely lifeless space is a bad idea. Of course, this is not something to strive for, especially since the process of landscaping, creating flower beds and growing trees in itself gives an urban person incomparable pleasure. What options for the “golden mean” of combination can be offered?
Landscaping along the perimeter of the paving
A neat small courtyard will be very decorated with greenery placed around its perimeter. If you decorate a fence with weaving plants, and plant trees and shrubs against it, then visually they will increase the fenced area.
It will seem that the garden does not limit the space, but expands it. At the same time, the site will acquire the necessary grooming and friendliness. Hanging beds and curly flowers look especially attractive in free areas of the ground.
More information about vertical gardening of the site can be found in the material:
Wildlife windows
Openings specially left in the paved surface can be used to plant spectacular flower beds. Large spreading trees also look advantageous in them. On a hot day, in their shade, it is pleasant to read a book, relax or set a table for guests.
In autumn, the paved surface surrounding them will show its advantages: cleaning the fallen leaves will not tire you. It is much easier to sweep off a flat surface than from grass or soil.
Moss and grass ornament
The paving will not seem gray and featureless if you plant moss or grass between the slabs. The grass looks more organic on surfaces that are generously illuminated by the sun’s rays. In this case, preference should be given to those plant varieties that are resistant to trampling.
Moss prefers shaded areas. In such places, it will look healthy, juicy and appropriate. With its help, you can create an intricate geometric pattern that will not go unnoticed. Both grass and moss look great on the edges of paths and garden areas. They give the site a special charm, making it more natural.
Moss graffiti also looks stylish, read about it:
Easily changeable compositions
Potted plants allow you to easily change the look of your plot. By moving them, you can form flower beds in accordance with changing circumstances or just to your mood. For this purpose, it is good to use light and not too large flowerpots or even large beds, but on wheels.
With their help, you can quickly bloom a part of the yard when a family celebration is planned, or, conversely, free up space for dancing or parking for friends who have arrived. Whimsical compositions will appear or disappear at the request of their authors. In addition, potted plants are much easier to care for.
An interesting idea is the arrangement of an eco-parking in a suburban area. Read about it:
Let’s combine natural and artificial
Natural landscaping can always be supplemented with artificial ones. There are artificial turfs for this purpose. They will not require special expenses from you and will not need careful care. Of course, it would be ridiculous to completely replace live plants with them, but in moderation they will come in handy. Artificial lawns are used in problem areas of the site, where the cultivation of natural vegetation cover is difficult. They can be an alternative to the same concrete coating.
But at the same time, you should be aware that such lawns have their drawbacks, some of which are sometimes difficult to come to terms with. For example, they are able to heat up in the sun twice as much as grass. Or they will emit harmful substances into the atmosphere. Therefore, you should not abuse such coatings. Use them sparingly and they will brighten up your yard without ruining your holiday.
You can learn more about how to use artificial turf from the material:
The green roof of your gazebo
Growing greenery on rooftops has gradually come into vogue. And this has its own reason. Firstly, if you plant plants on the roofs of low-rise household buildings, gazebos or terraces, such landscaping will look very impressive from below.
Secondly, the structure itself receives additional protection and insulation. If for the gazebo the problem of keeping warm is not relevant, then for the chicken coop it is very important. Naturally, the load on the roof surface increases. It should be calculated in advance whether it is ready to withstand both the soil and the plants.
Decorate your reality
If after all your efforts the yard still looks gray to you, paint it green. Literally. This method can be used when the planting base is still in growth mode. Pick up green flowerpots, paint the fence, use mosaics and other techniques that will allow you to liven up the site and make it more attractive.
There are no special contraindications for using plants for concreted courtyards, but some of them look most effective in such conditions. It is better to take care of the selection of suitable trees, bushes, grasses and flowers already at the stage of site planning.
In oasis windows, specially left among the paving, low-growing species of Iberis, carnations, stonecrops, saxifrage, thyme and alpine plants, for example, antennae, look good. Against the background of smooth surfaces, perennials with carved, openwork leafy, herbs with creeping shoots will be useful. The kochedyzhnik with its fluffy fronds will pleasantly enliven the site, and the cascades of maiden grapes will give the garden a romantic flair.
For ridges and borders, you can choose beautifully blooming species, for example, graceful roses. Austere, but low borders will focus attention on the boundaries of the paving, at the same time will not allow other plants to “creep away”. Sheared boxwood looks very picturesque. A rabat made of lantana will add juicy color. Irises and hosts feel great next to garden paths.
If you plan to place moss or trample-resistant grass in the gaps between the slabs, you need to think in advance about how to resist weeds. After all, some methods of dealing with them can harm the decorative living coating. Weeding by hand is not the best way, but herbicides should be applied on time. Use them not on paved areas, but on their base until stones or tiles are laid and plants are planted.
Both paving and landscaping should be done in the same style. The starting point of landscape design can be considered the architecture of the main cottage. The dwelling is the key element of the site, and the visual appearance of the rest of the content must fully correspond to it.
Site in the Slavic spirit
The massive log structure is in perfect harmony with forged elements and stone. Brick and tile, due to their excessive geometry, will look alien. Framing with greenery of the paving itself and the entire site as a whole is simply necessary due to the naturalness of the Slavic style, its attraction to nature.
European country style
The basis of the country can be a half-timbered building or a chalet. In the first case, the most harmonious will be the tracks, as if drawn along a ruler. Paving stones or bricks are most often used as a coating. Very well-groomed and trimmed lawns and beds or flower beds with neatly trimmed bushes and trees will complete the picture.
In the case of chalets, do not forget that this type of structure is typical for mountainous terrain. Therefore, the abundance of stones in combination with alpine slides and mixborders will look the most natural. A great addition will be various evergreens, including spruce, juniper.
The material on the design of a garden and a country house will also be useful:
Pure English courtyard
A path delineated by a border leads to the house with a demonstratively open front part, which at the same time frames bright flower beds. A successful combination of greenery and paving is also present in the backyard of the site. There may be pergolas entwined with roses and tall hedges. The abundance of all kinds of plants is complemented by trees and flowers in flowerpots and tubs.
The style of the Japanese garden
A Japanese garden can be arranged on any vacant, even tiny, plot. In our example, the landscaping is limited to a few grass bushes and a single tree. The square tiles, which cover the entire area of the site, in combination with a round Corten steel window and a large number of stones, look stylish and modern.
The material on the creation of a Japanese rock garden will be useful:
An interesting addition can be a large stone with a bowl embossed in its center. Water in the bowl and small stones at the bottom create a stylized mini-pond. It is the perfect place to relax and meditate.
As you can see, you can make a beautiful and neat paved or concreted yard that will be easy to maintain. Landscaping, correctly applied at the same time, will not only not violate the harmony of the site, but will also complement it with those colors for which the townspeople are happy to leave their apartments. Do it and you won’t regret it.