Hard Landscaping - Vertical Elements
| Published: 15th February 2008 16:58 |
Hard Landscaping - Vertical Elements
What is hard landscaping? Put briefly, it is the ‘non-living' aspect of a garden's plan. Below are some aspects of the vertical elements of hard landscaping.
Vertical elements of a garden are generally more visible and tend to have more impact on the eye than horizontal aspects.
We have seen how trees, shrubs, hedges can have an impact in the material on Soft Landscaping.
It is also possible to make a difference with features of Hard Landscaping and listed below are a few vertical features, their uses, advantages and disadvantages:
type | use/s | advantage/s | limitation/s |
pergola wood: metal brick with oak beams willow | supporting climbers less formal more formal either formal or informal natural effect | adaptable in design and size attractive, ‘soft' looking may be bought in components and adapted to user's requirements solid framework lightweight | may take a while to make rots if not well treated may look ‘stark' initially and be inclined to rust if not well treated and maintained. once installed, difficult to remove or adapt may shoot or root! |
obelisk | focal point | immediate impact | solid, difficult to remove or adapt |
arches | bridge a path. All above uses | as above | as above |
gazebos | decorative (*willow impractical) | as above | as above |
arbour arbour contd.. | decorative, shaded seating area, providing a different view of the garden, area of peace. | as above | as above |
shed/greenhouse, conservatory/summerhouse | storage of plants/materials, sometimes decorative, protection/shelter | more information on types/materials in separate section ‘greenhouses' | more information on types/materials in separate section ‘greenhouses' |
"Trompe l'oeuil' | to deceive the eye - making area of garden seem larger/smaller (usually larger) Range of materials including trellis, mirrors, murals. | gives the garden a new perspective | may be expensive to install/require skilled/professional help. |
In addition to the vertical elements above, which are essentially features installed in their own right within the garden, there are other elements of vertical hard landscaping, namely:
Fences,
Trellis,
Walls,
Gates,
Changes of level i.e. steps, ramps.
Raised beds.
We shall look at these in more depth in the following tables:
wood fences: | uses | advantages | limitations |
post and rail (split timber) | rustic, generally for preventing stock from entering garden area | solid but easily erected | does not provide security |
panel (also known as ‘shiplap' | provide a boundary, some security and privacy | light to handle, relatively inexpensive. Relatively easily erected. | needs secure posts to hold together panels. Prone to movement and damage in high winds. |
close-boarded | as above | as above | as above |
palisade/picket
palisade contd.. | as above | as above but also filters wind more effectively. | needs careful, skilled erection. |
chestnut paling | informal | can be used as a temporary boundary and rolled up when no longer needed. | not very attractive |
wattle | panels of basketwork, rustic, open situations. | difficult to blow down | weathers very quickly |
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metal fences | uses | advantages | limitations |
vertical metal bar | security, ‘unclimbable' | strength, longlasting | requires regular painting and maintenance |
chain link | 1.security, 2.boundary, 3.tennis courts | inexpensive, may be host to climbers | unattractive. Affords little privacy, difficult to repair |
WW1 metal stretches | as 1,2 above | solid, long lasting | as above, also now difficult to obtain |
iron railings | barrier, security | as above, also can be ornamental | expensive |
barbed wire, razor wire, electrified wire | security | inexpensive | ugly, health and safety (are they legal?) |
corrugated iron | security, boundary | relatively inexpensive | ugly, requires maintenance against rust, wear. Possible health and safety concern esp. if rusty |
palisade | security, boundary | solid | expensive to buy and erect |
Trellis is used mainly as decoration or to provide support for plants. Most commonly, it features on top of a fence but occasionally it can be a feature in its own right. Below are some examples:
standard square trellis |
diamond trellis |
decorative arches |
heavy trellis |
trellis with different sized slats |
Walls provide a range of functions. The table below lists examples:
material | use/s | advantage/s | limitations |
brick | boundary, barrier, shelter, privacy, supporting/retaining, (e.g. changing levels, terraces) | strong, longlasting | expensive, needs good foundation, professional/skilled work. May need planning permission. Accelerates wind force. Needs coping to protect from weathering |
blocks | shaped, patterned, functional. All others as brick above | strong, longlasting. Attractive if rendered. | ugly if left bare or not maintained |
stone (dry) | all uses as above but not support | attractive, rustic | needs skilled work. Ugly/dangerous if damaged and not repaired promptly |
stone (cement) | all uses as above but not recommended as support | as dry stone above but potentially more solid | needs skilled work. Costly to build/repair |
Bradstone (cement) | as above | as above | as above but material less expensive |
Gates are used to permit pedestrian or vehicular access, whilst maintaining a degree of privacy and security. Below are some examples of gates:
five-barred gate. This may have a combination of gates for both pedestrian and vehicular access |
picket gate |
solid arched gate |
steel barred gate |
wrought iron gate |
Changes of level - steps, ramps
These would be closely linked with the surfaces and would consist of variations on the materials. For functional and occasionally decorative purposes, bridges may be included in this category.
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