HARDSCAPING: on trend

Denise Mhlanga shows how hardscaping has  evolved into the ideal solution for sustainable, water-friendly gardens

- Denise Mhlanga

Hardscaping is an ancient practice that refers to any man-made structure made of inanimate materials like wood, gravel, stone or pavers in landscape design. Driveways, firepits, patios and walkways are all strong examples. An even older example is the concrete garden bench, which dates back to the Roman Empire.

“Hardscaping draws attention to your garden’s focal points and breaks the norm of relying on plants to attract attention. Applied correctly, hardscaping will elevate the aesthetics of your garden and home,” explains Jared Kyle Steenkamp, founder of Blue Begonia.

Katinka Joubert from Lavender Post Garden Centre says with new trends and structural garden techniques:

“Hardscaping no longer plays a supporting role; it now features prominently in most landscape architecture projects as it provides balance and focus to a garden.”

In hardscaping, the entire space is considered: from the design, colour and style of the building it houses, to exterior land size, topography, privacy and functions – these all serve as the basis for the design. As function creates form, adding a sitting area can increase the garden’s functionality – and adding pots, ornaments or water features creates interesting focal points.

"Hardscaping no longer plays a supporting role; it now features prominently in most landscape architecture projects as it provides balance and focus to a garden."- Katinka Joubert

Steenkamp recommends an easy DIY hardscape design: place concrete pots in your garden with a pebble or stone pathway to draw attention to these as focal points.