Greg Peker
An Expert in Sodding, Gardening & Landscape.
While both hardscaping and softscaping elements are necessary to create a lovely, welcoming outdoor space, let’s explore the differences between the two. The expert landscapers at Niko’s Gardening have compared hardscape vs softscape, defining their design elements and the benefits of each, so that you can make the best decisions for improving your landscape area.
What is Hardscaping?
Hardscaping is the hard, unmovable elements in your yard such as concrete walkways or brick patios. The overall intention of hardscape landscaping is to place items that will reduce potential erosion and keep the ground intact. Hardscape elements must be solid and unchanging whether they are manufactured such as outdoor planters, or natural like stone.
Hardscape Landscaping Design Elements
Hardscape design elements are usually permanent and immediate since they are ‘hard’, man-made, and non-living materials. A few of the most popular examples of hardscape landscaping include:
- Patios and decks – Whether paved with stone or using timber, decks are a lovely addition to a backyard. Decks can either be elevated off the ground in a different area of the garden or sit adjacent to the back door and be an extension of the inside of the house.
- Driveways – Driveways are essential hardscape elements despite sometimes being difficult to design. The material you choose, and the size of your driveway can also make a big difference in helping to increase your property’s curb appeal.
- Pathways – When it comes to paths, there are so many surface options to choose from, including pavers, pebbles, stone, bricks, or even terrazzo.
- Structures – Pergolas, sheds, and gazebos are examples of hardscape design elements that complement any landscape. You can even use these structures to support vine growth or other climbing plants.
- Fences – Fences don’t need to be bland or boring and can still provide the privacy and security you need. A solid wall, timber slatting or picket fences can be used creatively to give your garden a little bit of flair.
Benefits of Hardscaping
Hardscaping refers to using non-living elements in landscape design. This includes features made of concrete, stone, metal, wood, and other “hard” materials. Hardscaping helps to improve your property’s appearance and function. It offers many benefits, including:
- Improved accessibility – Hardscape features are an excellent choice to make outdoor areas around your property more accessible for individuals with mobility challenges. Smooth pathways, ramps, and level surfaces make it easier for wheelchair users and others to access the space.
- Low maintenance – Hardscaping elements require less maintenance than plants and grass while still reaping the benefits of a stunning outdoor space. Once installed, pavers, concrete, and stone require minimal upkeep. As opposed to living greenery in a traditional garden, you don’t need to water, mow, water, or prune hardscaping features.
- Better curb appeal – An excellent choice to increase your property’s curb appeal is to add visual interest through hardscaping. For instance, walls around trees and other plantings are eye-catching and help your landscape stand out.
- Manages water and erosion – Hardscaping can be used to prevent erosion and improve water drainage on your property. Stone pathways, pavers, and retaining walls help manage water runoff and direct excess moisture away from buildings and landscape areas so you can enjoy healthier soil conditions.
What is Softscaping?
When defining softscaping meaning, think of it as a landscaping technique that incorporates organic, natural elements into an outdoor space. As these living landscape components constantly grow, they change and adapt to your area’s climate and other conditions. Softscaping is typically installed after hardscaping because of the organic elements incorporated into your landscape. These features can either be permanent or temporary, with examples including topsoil, flowers, plants, mulch, trees, and shrubs.
Soft Landscaping Design Elements
There are many factors that will impact how you choose to use soft landscapes. For example, the natural lay of the land, the soil condition, and the amount of sunlight the area gets all influence where you will situate these popular softscaping design elements:
- Shrubs and ground cover – Grass isn’t the only type of ground cover that can be used. Shrubs are one of the many options that can also add a lovely lower visual element to your outdoor space.
- Trees – Trees are a property’s most permanent softscape element because a lot of the time you won’t have a choice of the kind of tree growing, its location, and its size. Either way, trees are a great feature in any backyard.
- Mulch – Mulch is best to lay down in low-maintenance or unused areas of your backyard. It can help hold moisture in the soil and prevent weed growth.
- Flower beds or gardens – Using flower beds is a beautiful way to bring some colour into your outdoor space and create some variety through the year.
- Screens – Physical fences are not the only way to divide the backyard of your house from the inside. Screens, barriers, bamboo, or tall hedges are unique softscape design elements that can provide the privacy you need.
Benefits of Softscaping
Soft landscaping positively affects the environment because the features involved are so sustainable and ecologically sound. Some of the best benefits of softscaping include:
- Better air quality – Trees and plants help filter dust, pollen and other harmful particles from the environment, cleansing the air and allowing more oxygen into your area. They also block out unwanted sounds by reducing noise pollution.
- Less pollution and runoff – Soft landscaping uses trees, shrubs, ground cover and other plants to absorb rainwater and filter out pollutants that run off your roof or driveway. This reduces the amount of pollution that is washed into our lakes and rivers, helping your local environment.
- Improve value of property – When comparing softscape and hardscape, installing soft landscaping requires less equipment and materials so initial costs are lower. Plus, softscapes require less maintenance and upkeep too. Overall, these softscape elements can increase the value of your property.
- Protects from damages – Softscaping is a great way to protect your property from high winds, snow, hail, extreme heat, and other damaging weather conditions. Soft landscaping establishes the surrounding ground and also helps prevent erosion and flooding during heavy rainfall events.
Related Article: Ultimate Guide to Softscaping
Let’s Start Your Next Softscaping Project
Softscape and hardscape elements are equally as important in the design and layout of your outdoor space. In many areas, hardscaping defines your landscape, whereas softscaping beautifies it. If you need softscaping services near you, contact us today at Niko’s Gardening.
