Perfect Harmony: The Story Of Hard- And Landscaping

This time of year, there’s no better place to be in Kentucky than your backyard. So whether you’re enjoying the shade of a tree, cooking out on your grill or outdoor kitchen on the patio, or maybe reliving childhood by running through the sprinkler, the backyard is the place to be.

Of course, Perfection is here to make your backyard your dream property. You know we take care of your landscapes with mowing, flowerbeds, and more, and that we take care of your hardscaping. But where does one become the other?

In truth, landscaping and hardscaping blend so well that it’s hard to say where one stops and the other ends. Hardscaping is the harmony to a landscape’s melody. And I guess you could say maintenance is the beat.

So how does Perfection put it all together for Perfect Harmony? Let’s rock this blog!

Blurred Lines – No Way! Edging is Where It’s At

We know you want it – a beautiful yard that blends seamlessly from one location to another, that is. But we hate these blurred lines between lawns and gardens. Edging is the solution.

Many folks think of edging as what you do with the back of a weed-wacker. And that is one way to edge. But there’s more than one way to frame a garden.

One way that we use hardscaping to edge a garden is with landscape curbing. Creating a concrete edge for your flowerbeds takes it from one level to the next aesthetically. But it also has other benefits.

A concrete edge doesn’t fade, and the weight and thickness of the material discourage roots’ growth beneath it, keeping your edge distinct.

Another Brick in the Retaining Wall

Here’s another way to use hardscaping to take your gardens to the next level – this time literally: retaining walls. Again, you don’t need no boring garden. You need some dirt control.

Retaining walls add vertical interest to your landscape. They can be single or multitiered and allow you to keep gardens in place where gravity would usually be getting in the way. Of course, you can also use retaining walls to prevent erosion.

Retaining walls also give you another space to decorate. The vertical length of the wall can be decorated however you like. Or you can let plants cascading down do the decorating for you.

Finally, retaining walls can have built-in seating, adding additional functionality to an already desirable hardscape feature.

I Wanna Rock (Garden)

What was the original hardscaping? There’s only one thing I can say to you: * Rocks! Humans have been decorating with rocks since, well, humans have been decorating.

But we love that old-time rock decor. Stones are grounding and natural. Adding boulders around your property can change the feel of the whole lawn. And they’re super easy to maintain.

You can also pick smaller, unique rocks to put into a rock garden. Rocks can be used as a way to accent a flower garden or can fill the entire garden themselves.

Light My Fire

First, there was rock. Then, man discovered fire. Then we started gathering around it until some guy took out a guitar he just happened to have brought.

Fire is elemental, and our fascination with it hasn’t dissipated even in the internet age. That’s why firepits are such a popular addition to the backyard landscape.

Firepits range from what’s little more than a stone pot to intricate set-ups built into your patio that allow cooking. You know that it would be untrue if I ** weren’t to say to you that whether you want a gas or wood burning pit, there is a fire pit to suit your yard.

Garden Party – Patios and Outdoor Living Spaces

You’ve been to a garden party to reminisce with your old friends. Patios are great places to entertain, especially when you have a space for them.

Your patio can include an outdoor kitchen, firepits, as mentioned earlier, and even electricity and water if that’s what you’d like. You can also have a simple patio with a few lawn chairs where you sip your tea or coffee in the morning.

We’re here to build your outdoor living space so it sits as a little island in your green backyard. The way you like it is how we’ll make it. After all, you can’t please everyone. You’ve got to please yourself!

Like A Mulching Stone

Once upon a time, the garden looked so fine, in its prime, then you…added some mulch to keep it that way.

Another way hardscaping can intersect and harmonize with your greenspaces is mulch. Mulch is usually thought of as being made of wood chips, but many materials compose different mulches. One of our favorites is rocks.

Rock mulch has the benefit of not breaking down. While they won’t fertilize your garden, they do create a weed barrier and can add color and texture to all of your garden beds.

The Long and Winding Walking Path

Like a good song, a landscape needs a structure. And the rhythm to your property are the walking paths that lead to your door, and gardens and such.

Walking paths aren’t just for large wooded estates. Even a simple walkway can add character to your home.

With hardscaping, that path will never disappear. Instead, it will lead your guests around your yard to the places you want them to see while creating an attractive frame that keeps them off your grass.

End of This Blog As We Know It

We hope you’re feeling inspired by all of these landscaping and hardscaping examples. Also, we hope you caught the ridiculous rock and roll references we sprinkled throughout it and got a kick out of them.

Contact Perfection if you have hardscaping or landscaping questions or are ready to make your landscape rock! And if you want to show off how well you know your rock and roll lyrics, hit us on Perfection’s Facebook page.

Until then, rock on, Kentucky!

* Rock of Ages soundtrack
** Any Way You Want It