In computer lingo, a "LAN" is a local area network. This LANscaping [sic] photo gallery is so-called because it consists of commentary on pictures taken in my local area. Although the LANscape [sic] design examples provided herein are taken from the New England region, it is my hope that something of value can be gleaned from them regardless of where you live.
This version provides a printer-friendly link. Its sole purpose is to provide the printer-friendly alternative. To see the actual photo gallery, please see Landscaping Pictures: Photo Gallery. Unfortunately, "printer-friendly" means all you get is text.
A picture is worth a thousand words. Sometimes you can get ideas for lanscaping projects by looking at other people's lanscape designs. Let the lanscaping pictures in this photo gallery inspire you in your DIY lanscaping projects!
1.Wildflower meadows are especially useful for filling in extensive areas of your landscaping where you want low-maintenance, but plenty of color. In the picture above of a wildflower meadow, the trees and the rustic fence in the background add to the "country" feel of the scene.
Other Ideas:
While a more conventional groundcover could have been used in this landscape design, few would match the color display of the black-eyed susans pictured in the wildflower meadow above. The area could also have been mulched, and planted with shrubs or store-bought perennials. This option would be more refined, but would not be cheap.
2.This landscape is even simpler than that in the prior picture. In the picture above, taken on Prince Edward Island, Canada, there is no fence for a backdrop, just open field behind the lupines.
The lupines in the photo above, although wildflowers, are not natives. Throughout Northern New England and Canada's Maritime Provinces, a non-native lupine introduced into the area has naturalized and crossed with native lupines, forming a hybrid. Lupines thrive in this region's climate and soil conditions.
Consider wildflowers, including native lupines, when seeking ideas for low-maintenance landscaping. After all, wildflowers couldn't survive in the wild if they relied on someone to water them just right, or fertilize them on schedule!
3.From the natural, simple landscape of the prior picture, we move to the more refined, manicured look of the suburbs. In the picture above, a landscape island is established with landscape edging. The landscape edging sets off one area of the lawn from the rest. After plants and a lawn ornament are added, the result is a focal point.
Remember to show some restraint in the number of focal points you create. First of all, creating superfluous focal points defeats the purpose: Rather than focusing the eye on a landscaping highlight, they confuse the viewer. Each additional focal point within sight dilutes the impact of the others.
On a more practical note, mowing the lawn is more work when you have to maneuver the lawn mower through a veritable obstacle course of such landscape islands!
4.While the purpose of the landscape design in the prior picture was to create a focal point in a front yard, in this picture we turn our attention to the side yard. In the picture above, the lawn area is quite extensive. To break it up visually and invite the viewer to the backyard, the fencing and arbor serve as a transition. The arbor frames the view to the backyard, as if beckoning the viewer to enter and see what's out back.
Landscape design is often neglected in side yards. People understand that the front yard is for display, while the backyard is for relaxing, playing, entertaining and vegetable gardening. But what are the sides of the yard for? In many cases, the side yard is a narrow strip. Not so in the landscape pictured above. There are many ways to approach landscaping in such an extensive side yard. But I think this homeowner is right in seeing that, first and foremost, a strong structural element is required to serve as a transition and welcome the eye to the cozier corners of the backyard.
