Landscape Design in Bethesda MD: Remember Hardscapes

When you consider the landscape design at your Bethesda MD home, remember the role that hardscapes play in the overall landscape design.

What are hardscapes? Hardscapes are the hard, man-made surfaces that are part of your landscape. For example, driveways, patios, sidewalks, walkways, decks, pergolas, arbors, gazebos, brick fireplaces, fire rings, fencing, rocks, fountains, pools, and ponds are all hardscapes. (Some of these — fountains, pools, and ponds — are also known as water features.)

Hardscapes should complement the overall look of the landscape design at your Bethesda MD home. Hardscapes that are in poor shape or look neglected — such as a cracked driveway or patio — can be a detriment to your landscape design. No matter how beautiful your flowers and trees are, that cracked driveway will still be an eyesore.

Neglected hardscapes can also be a safety hazard. For instance, we hear about deck collapses every year. Most of those deck collapses happen with decks that need either maintenance or replacement. Cracked driveways, patios, sidewalks, and walkways are trip and fall hazards.

For more information about hardscapes as a part of your landscape design in Bethesda MD, please contact East Coast Landscape Design. Our consultation will outline how to incorporate hardscapes into your landscape design, and plan for hardscape maintenance.