Elevation changes transform landscapes from dull and inspiring to dramatic and memorable. Rises can draw attention to focal points like hardscapes, structures, or plant groupings, while dips can create intimate spaces or provide a sense of enclosure.
A landscaping company can maximize naturally occurring elevation changes like slopes by strategically incorporating them into the design. However, even if your site is flat, it doesn’t mean you can’t create a dynamic and visually exciting landscape.
A skilled landscaper can create visual interest and depth by adding elevations through techniques like placing berms, or mounds of soil, as well as installing terracing and incorporating raised planters. These approaches are part of elevation landscaping, the art and science of using slopes and grades to create beautiful and functional outdoor spaces.
This blog explores how elevation landscaping can transform your property, the critical elements involved, and the many benefits it offers.
The Benefits of Elevation Landscaping
Enhanced Curb Appeal
Elevation landscaping transforms challenging terrain into visually striking features, adding a unique character to an outdoor space. For instance, an ordinary hillside can be transformed into a captivating focal point by strategically placing tiered flower beds. Cascading layers of blooms create a dynamic and eye-catching display.
Retaining walls can be incorporated to support these elevated planting areas, providing structural stability and enhancing the overall aesthetic with their texture and color. This combination of natural elements and human-engineered structures can dramatically elevate a property’s curb appeal, making it stand out in the neighborhood.
Increased Functionality
Elevation landscaping enhances aesthetic appeal and maximizes the functionality of outdoor spaces. What might initially seem like a design challenge – a sloping terrain – can be transformed into a unique and versatile outdoor living area. Installing terraced gardens, hillside patios, and multi-level decks are just a few ways to leverage natural elevations to create distinct zones for relaxation, entertainment, and gardening.
These spaces can enhance your lifestyle by providing relaxation, entertainment, and gardening areas. What’s more, elevation landscaping helps prevent soil erosion by managing water flow through features like swales and rain gardens.
Creates Visual Interest
Varying elevations give your landscape depth and dimension, creating visual interest that flat yards often lack. The contrast between different heights and diverse plantings and hardscape elements can make your garden a dynamic and engaging space. For creative landscape filler ideas, incorporating rocks, gravel, and ground covers can enhance these elevation changes, adding texture and contrast.
Improves Drainage
Elevation landscaping also improves drainage. Proper grading and features like French drains, detention ponds, swales, and dry wells direct water away from your home and toward areas where it can be absorbed or stored. These solutions not only prevent erosion but also help mitigate flooding risks, creating a safer and more sustainable outdoor environment.
Enhances Outdoor Living
Elevation landscaping allows you to create distinct and inviting outdoor living spaces. Imagine a tranquil seating area next to a hillside, with a cozy fire pit and plush cushions. Or a dining terrace overlooking a cascading waterfall and a sunken lounge area for relaxation.
These spaces become extensions of your home, allowing you to entertain guests in the fresh air, dine al fresco, or enjoy the beauty of your surroundings. By utilizing elevation landscaping, you can transform your outdoor space into a personalized oasis that enhances your quality of life.
Critical Elements of Elevation Landscaping
Landscape Design
A landscape design plan is crucial to successful elevation landscaping. A landscape designer can maximize the site’s potential by carefully considering factors such as soil type, drainage, sunlight, and their client’s desired aesthetic.
When creating a plan, a landscape designer will assess the outdoor space and determine how best to use existing slopes. They might also recommend using techniques such as adding landscape fillers like soil and gravel, building retaining walls, and creating berms to elevate specific areas. Thorough research and planning on the part of the landscape architect help ensure that the completed project is visually appealing, functional, and sustainable.
Hardscaping Features
Hardscaping refers to built structures that are added to an outdoor space to improve its functionality as well as its aesthetics. Examples include the following:
- Fire Pits
- Pergolas
- Patios and Walkways
- Water Features
- Arbors
- Decks
- Retaining and Seating Walls
Note that a lawn decoration made from stone, metal, concrete, or other durable and long-lasting materials can also be considered a hardscape. For instance, a concrete bird fountain, a metal sculpture, and a stone lantern also fall under this category.
Hardscaping is crucial in elevation landscaping. Features like terracing, retaining walls, and hillside steps make sloped areas usable as well as add structure and definition. When installing hardscapes, choosing the right material is essential to ensure both durability and visual appeal. Popular options include natural stone, wood, and masonry.
Softscaping Elements
While hardscaping refers to the solid, non-living components of a landscape, softscaping encompasses the living elements, such as plants, trees, shrubs, and grass.
In elevation landscaping, plants are typically chosen for their ability to control erosion, withstand different moisture levels, and thrive in the specific microclimates created by the landscape. Deep-rooted shrubs, ground covers, and native plants are excellent choices for these areas. Year-round maintenance helps ensure that your softscaping and the rest of your sloped yard or lawn remain vibrant and healthy year-round.
Water Features
Installing water features is a surefire way to take a landscape to the next level. The rushing sound of a waterfall, the beauty of a pond, and the romantic appeal of a fountain can transform an ordinary outdoor space into a peaceful sanctuary from everyday cares.
On a more practical level, some water features can serve a purpose beyond being attractive. Some examples are rain gardens, which help manage stormwater runoff, and ponds that can be used for irrigation.
Lighting Solutions
Proper lighting is essential for both safety and aesthetics in elevation landscaping. Path lights, uplights, and spotlights can highlight elevation changes, such as terraces, stairs, and elevated paths. These create a dramatic effect while ensuring your outdoor space is easy to navigate even after dark.
Frequently Asked Questions About Elevation Landscaping
Q: How do you choose the right plants for varying elevations on my property?
A: Choosing the right plants involves considering factors like soil type, moisture levels, and sun exposure at different elevations. Deep-rooted and native plants are often ideal for these areas.
Q: Are elevation landscaping practices environmentally friendly?
A: Yes, elevation landscaping can be very environmentally friendly. It promotes better water management, supports local ecosystems, and can reduce soil erosion.
Q: How do you handle unexpected issues during the installation on sloped terrains?
A: At Master’s Landscape Design, we have extensive experience navigating the challenges of landscaping sloped terrains. We can address unexpected issues like soil instability or drainage problems with appropriate solutions.
Q: What sets elevation landscaping apart from traditional landscaping methods?
A: Elevation landscaping explicitly uses natural slopes and grades to create functional and visually appealing spaces. Traditional landscaping might not address these unique challenges and opportunities.
Q: How do I find my elevation when I’m doing landscaping?
A: To determine the elevation changes on your property, you can use tools like elevation maps, GPS devices, or smartphone apps.
Q: How do you show elevations in a real-time landscape?
A: Professionals can use 3D landscape design software to create real-time visualizations of your landscape, showing how different elevations will look and function.
Reimagine Outdoor Living With Elevation Landscaping by Master’s Landscape Design
Investing in professional elevation landscaping can significantly boost your property’s value and enjoyment. This service transforms an outdoor space from an average, flat yard into a unique, visually captivating, and functional landscape that enhances your quality of life.
Master’s Landscape Design specializes in turning landscaping dreams into reality. From installing retaining walls and water features to building elevated decks and patios, we bring expertise and creativity to every project.
We tailor our design plans to each client’s unique needs and goals. Contact us today to request a consultation and take a step toward having the landscape of your dreams. You may also download our free guide to creating amazing custom outdoor spaces in Nashville.