Why Every Great Garden Starts with Hardscaping

Water features. Stone retaining walls. Timber decking and patios. These are all examples of what those in the gardening and landscaping industry refer to as hardscaping materials. The use of hard landscaping elements can fit into any number of garden sizes and outdoor styling choices. By giving depth and a sense of organisation, hardscaping adds depth to the landscaping surface. These elements can be a great project for anyone looking to build out their existing garden space or even those who are building their home from scratch.

Looking for inspiration on hardscaping for your garden or outdoor area? Centenary Landscaping Supplies has all manner of gardening accessories for your project. Call us on 07 3373 4999 or get in touch via the online form!

What is Hard Landscaping?

Hard landscaping is a term used to describe aspects of landscaping where non-living, fixed structures are added as an accompaniment to traditional softscaping elements (I.e., plants, flowers, shrubbery, etc). These can include but are not limited to; timber decking and wood patio structures, timber retaining walls or a wooden garden border, rock or stone features, and water fountains. Often, hardscaping can make up the entirety of the landscaping space and not feature any softscaping elements whatsoever.

The above image is a perfect example of how hardscaping can alter a garden space lift the design from the more traditional, plant-only style of landscaping. The use of stone, pebble, and tile features help to shape the garden bed and add a mix of modern colours to contract the use of greenery within the space. While stone title features are just one way of adding style dimension to your garden bed, more contemporary looks can be achieved through the use of garden timber.

Garden Timber Ideas

The use of timber is another aspect of hardscaping with a very versatile range of applications. In the gardening world, garden timber has traditionally been used for fences, decks and patios, arbours or gazebos, or a wooden garden border.

Timber Fences

Timber fences are often a very underutilized aspect of the home. These fences can be used to affix other hardscaping elements including water features as well as softscaping features like hanging plants or vines and shrubbery.

Decks and Patios 

Decking and patio materials are constructed using timber materials and steel reinforcement. These are a great way to add a hardscaping aspect either attached to the home around your garden space or as a standalone feature to add a separate area within the space.

Wooden Garden Border

Wood retaining walls are often used in gardens or land areas where there is a steep gradient in the garden bed. The retaining walls can be used to supplement the material and keep softscaping aspects from being washed away or having their orientation changed.

While wood retaining walls are the more traditional choice for inorganic landscaping materials, stone retaining walls are an often underutilized element. Dry stone walls are a familiar sight through the English countryside and are a unique way to add traditional design elements to the Australian Market.

Are you looking for hardscaping supplies for your garden or outdoor area? Centenary Landscaping Supplies has a large range of landscaping accessories for your project. Call us on 07 3373 4999 or get in touch via the online form!