Читать книгу Landscaping For Dummies - Lance Walheim - Страница 12

A landscape can be whatever suits you. Experienced landscape designers often say something like “Form follows function,” which simply means that a landscape should meet the needs of the people who use it. In other words, you can design the most elaborate landscape with thousands of dollars’ worth of beautiful plants and expensive paving, but if you can’t find a comfortable place to set up the barbeque and you love to grill, what good is such a yard to you?

The place to start, really, is with a wish list. Here are some possibilities to jog your thinking. Do make your own list and tinker with it. This process is your time to be creative, so have fun:

 Create a sanctuary for pollinators, butterflies, and/or birds.

 Grow and harvest fresh herbs for cooking.

 Create low-maintenance flowerbeds.

 Raise food for your family.

 Make a space that’s private and shielded from noise and distractions.

 Work with color ideas to make some really beautiful displays.

 Play catch (or fetch) on the lawn (with your kids or dog).

 Cut fresh flower bouquets.

 Reduce water bills and maintenance costs.

 Entertain guests in comfort and style.

 Sip adult beverages while lounging around a firepit.

 Create a shady retreat.

 Garden in harmony with nature.

 Enclose your yard in living plants rather than fencing.

 Grow vegetables and fruit for canning.

 Swing in a hammock with a good book (or take a nap).

 Replace dull foundation plantings.

 Play sports such as volleyball, badminton, croquet, or flag football.

 Add a lot more color, especially in nonpeak times.

 Enjoy the garden after the sun goes down.

 Erect a buffer between you and neighboring properties.

 Swim in a pool or soak in a spa.

 Admire fish and waterlilies in a small pond.

 Supervise kids in a sand box, play structure, or fort.

 Make a small garden seem bigger or more interesting.

 Compost lawn clippings, raked leaves, and kitchen scraps.

 View colorful flowers or container plants.

 Grow gorgeous roses.

 Grow scented flowers and fragrant herbs.

 Make an attractive yard that stands out in your neighborhood.

 Create a meadow of wildflowers.

 Cook and serve meals outdoors.

 Relax in the shade created by a vine-covered pergola.

 Install a gazebo and make a path out to it.

 Make a resilient landscape, one that can tolerate challenging weather.

 Hold barbecue parties or potluck dinners.

After the brainstorming and wish-listing, an important part of this process is looking at what you have with new eyes. Sure, you may have some limitations and parameters, but even you can rethink or work them to your advantage. New possibilities will emerge. As you proceed, your dreams and goals will come into clearer focus.