Landscape Design For BIG Yard

by Jo
(Sagle, id.)

So I love to landscape but I have a huge yard that needs constant care, which I can not provide for the whole lawn. Its a great view-in the middle of no-where. I just want to somehow close a place in to make a really relaxing-secure area where I can pamper the yard. How do you suggest closing it in without making it look too awkward?

ANSWER
Hi Jo,
Let's first discuss where this relaxing peace of heaven will be!

You could either choose an area that is close to the house or one that is further away. The advantage to haveing a garden close is that it will be easier to take care of in regards to watering the plants.

However, depending on your property, it might also be nice to meander to another place and make use of your large yard.

Close Gardens
Try to make it an extension of your house. You can surround it with shrubs for a feeling of enclosure. You could also put up a charming, low fence with some plants in front that would give you a similar feeling.

Add a nice sitting area with a bench, lounge chairs, etc. How about a pretty fountain? An arbor to enter through. A pergola for some shade and for a horizontal garden element?

A Garden Further Away
These same features can be used if you choose to have an area further away on your property. Try and have something leading to it like a winding path to make it look like it's a destination. If you don't want to create a walkway, try to plant groups of trees and/or shrubs to outline a pathway, but in a natural, free form way.

It would help if this area could be anchored by something... a large tree, a property border, or woods.

Susan