Understanding the Difference between Softscape and Hardscape Features

27 July 2021

The addition of a landscape to your property can be a great thing since it can provide tons of helpful benefits. For one, a landscape can ensure that your property will boast an improved look and curb appeal. Additionally, the presence of a landscape helps you, your family, and even visitors to feel more comfortable due to its accompanying natural elements. The overall value of your property is likewise enhanced with the presence of a beautifully designed landscape.

If you are planning to add a landscape to your property, then there are two things that you should know first. These things are softscape and hardscape features. Both features, when planned perfectly, can provide a significant boost to the final ensemble of your landscape. Additionally, both softscape and hardscape features can make sure that all aforementioned benefits of a landscape will be achieved.

Knowing their difference, however, can still provide you with great information about your landscape design and layout. Here are some things that you should know about the two features.

Softscape Features

Softscape features are landscape elements that are considered to be living. Some elements of softscape features may be permanent, while others may only be temporary. Elements that are part of these features include trees, shrubs, flowers, plants, and grass. Soil and much are likewise part of softscape features since they help the greeneries grow and nourish.

When considering softscape features in your landscape, you must take into consideration the colours, textures, shapes, and sizes of the greeneries and match them with your preferred landscape design or theme. Additionally, you must constantly adapt to the conditions of your surroundings, ensuring that your flowers, trees, shrubs, and ground covers can easily keep up with the changing times.

Hardscape Features

Hardscape features, on the other hand, are landscape elements that do not move. They are inanimate objects that are primarily comprised of wood, stone, gravel, paving, and other similar materials. The combination of these materials allows a landscape to obtain walkways, driveways, patios, retaining walls, swimming pools, water features, and other notable outdoor areas.

The trees and other elements from softscape elements are expected to produce products that can be deemed helpful in maintaining the sustainability of the property. Hardscape features, alternatively, can either support or ignore the softscape elements. Without considering the hardscape features carefully, some greeneries may gradually lose their nutrients and die.

Strong Combination

Balancing the softscape and hardscape features can ensure that some of these elements can grow successfully and, at the same time, provide health benefits to property owners. Additionally, the act of combining both features efficiently can help protect the property from erosion and other harmful effects on the environment. Aside from preserving the health and value of the property, considering and integrating both features successfully can easily generate functional outdoor living spaces.

To know more about landscaping and its associated features, you can contact us at Mark Browning Landscape Design.

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