Landscape Ideas for an Outdoor Patio & Garden

Water Features

• There is something soothing about the sound of running water, so why not enhance your patio or garden by adding a water feature? Landscaping with water features can be as simple as installing a free-standing fountain or as complex as constructing a fully developed ornamental pond. Water features provide an additional medium for you to plant exotic aquatic plants, entertain with outdoor fish and create a soothing ambiance. Be sure to design water features so they will keep the water circulating and fresh in order to prevent them from becoming mosquito incubators.

Add a Trellis

• A trellis covered with lush vegetation is the perfect way to cover unsightly walls along patios and gardens. Trellis structures can be as simple as tying string taut along a wall or as elaborate as an arched walkway that dramatizes the entrance to your patio or garden. The key to designing a trellis is choosing the right plants. Some vining plants grow healthily from large flower pots in a range of conditions; others may require plenty of space and specific growing conditions. Ensure that the plants you choose are appropriate for your hardiness zone, and plan ahead for their growth so you do not find yourself battling to keep a trellis plant from overrunning your patio or garden.

Using Rocks

• Rock is one of the oldest and most common building materials, and employing rocks in landscaping projects can make your target outdoor area feel aged and rugged. Rocks are a cheap and versatile building material that can be used to enhance both gardens and patios. Rocks can be used in many ways, from creating a rock garden accentuated with drought-tolerant plants such as cacti and grasses to building rock walls or rock-lined walking paths. While rocks can be heavy and cumbersome to work with, they are a cheap and commonly available resource in most locations.