Landscaping projects fall into two major categories: hardscape and softscape. Whether you’re improving your current property or starting fresh at a new location, take a minute to learn about the differences between hardscaping and softscaping. Both add practical and aesthetic value to any well-planned landscape.

Hardscaping vs. Softscaping

Hardscape

Hardscape refers to inorganic elements that add structure, dimension, and livability to properties, such as patios, retaining walls, walkways, arbors, fences, and gazebos. Hardscaping elements, such as fences and retaining walls, also establish property boundaries.

These features typically come in stone, brick, metal, and wooden materials, such as gravel pathways and brick patios. Water elements also fall under the hardscaping category, such as stone, clay pot, and ceramic fountains. While organic landscaping features are often subject to seasonal changes, most hardscaping features are usable year-round to keep your property beautiful. Many homeowners commission hardscaping projects in the fall and winter for this reason.

Softscape

Softscape focuses exclusively on living plants, including flowers, shrubs, and trees. Groundcover, tree groves, assorted flower gardens — such as annual, perennial, and shade gardens — flowering shrubs, grass, and vegetable gardens are among the many softscaping elements that add life and color to your property.

Softscape features are frequently used to offset hardscaping elements, such as vining flowers on a retaining wall or a patio surrounded by annual and perennial blooms. Rock gardens may also feature cacti and ornamental grasses.

If you desire color in your landscape year-round, plant seasonal blooms; for example, you can plant daffodils in the spring and marigolds in the fall. Also, look for vegetation that blooms regardless of the season, such as holy bushes and pine trees.

 

Discuss your hardscaping and softscaping ideas with the team at Landscape Carolina. Serving Lancaster County, SC, and the surrounding areas for over 30 years, this locally owned landscaping business works with you from start to finish while providing lawn maintenance services. Call (803) 289-7888 today to schedule service, or learn more about the company online.