Ask the professionals...
10 Qualities all garden spaces should have
The ISGD design office is always ready to answer your questions.
This month we feature the 10 qualities al garden lovers should
consider having in order to combine the entire garden into a
harmonious whole.
1HardLandscape
Useful spaces
Wel instal ed hard landscape is crucial as it provides the
Long gone are the days of the "salad spinner" garden
necessary contrast to the plants and solve functional
with plants decorating the wal s. The trend is to create
issues. Consider the proportions and apply an easy to
spaces that work and extend our quality of life to the
use principle of 20:80, 30:70, or 40:60 relating to the size
5outdoors.Spacesneedstobeusedforavarietyof
of the garden.
functions, otherwise, why spend so much money on
2
them? Plan garden spaces around the kind of activities
Colour
you would usual y do outdoors.
Green is also a colour we know, but choose colour
carefully as they can make or break a garden. If an al
Plants
green colour palette is going to be used make sure
Plants form the backbone of gardens, and yes they are
there is interest in the texture. Cast your eyes to the paint
expensive, but proper planning wil help homeowners
world for colour inspiration
6buybetter,andmakemoreinformeddecisions.
3Scale
Planning is the key, and there are a variety of courses
and talks to help gardeners get the best suited plants
Al too often home-owners do not adjust the scale of
and at the best prices.
their plant and hard landscape to their stand size and
elements can look flimsy or bulky. Ensure to bulk
Outdoor lighting
furniture and plant choices in larger gardens.
Adding lighting to the garden not only improves
security, but also helps homeowners get more use
Texture
and time out of their gardens. There is nothing as
Textures are as important as colour in gardens. Ensure
7
4
pleasing as seeing a garden in a new light when
a striking visual effect by using sharp contrast in
evening fal s. With al the modern advances in the
neighbouring plants, and contrast grasses with other
lighting industry, it also needn't cost an arm and a leg
foliage to optimise the effect.
8torunonamonthlybasis.
Furniture
It is a wise investment to buy some outdoor furniture
that wil enhance your lifestyle. Choose furniture that
are comfortable, and that wil last. The cheaper options
are not always the best option, and if chairs are going
to stand on the lawn, avoid thin legs as they are always
unstable and uncomfortable.
Send your garden problems and photo's to info@isgd.co.za
and mark the subject line "Ask the professionals". Our ISGD
20
team is always ready to answer your questions.

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