5 Design Features for a Rustic Landscape

By GoldGlo Landscapes

Anatural looking landscape automatically invites relaxation and an opportunity for what the Nordic people call “forest bathing” – immersion in nature that soothes the soul and makes for a more inviting outdoor living space. When adding to your landscape design this year, be sure to look into some of the features that make outdoor life special. Here’s why landscapers near me suggest these five landscape design features for creating a rustic backyard look in Mechanicsburg and Camp Hill, PA.

FIRE PIT

There are few landscape features that are more timeless and appealing than a fire pit. These simple structures can bring back powerful memories of sitting around the campfire with loved ones, experiencing what the natural world has to offer. Though modern fire pits can be designed to use natural gas as fuel, the rustic wood-fired fire pit retains an incredible amount of charm. Let this gorgeous masonry structure sit in a secluded area of your landscape so the sounds of the crackling fire can create a beautiful ambience as well as comforting warmth even on the chilliest nights.

NATURALISTIC WATERFALL

Since not everyone has a natural moving body of water in their backyard, landscapers have become skilled at building naturalistic waterfalls. These closed-loop water systems can send water down an area of rapids or a full drop down into a pool or pond, then send the water back to the top. They can be as “wild” as you want, featuring natural boulders and stone slabs; and infinitely customizable with a simple placement or repositioning of a stone.The outstanding sounds and visuals created will turn your outdoor living space into a wonderland.

NATIVE LANDSCAPING

To become fully enveloped in a rustic setting, the plant life needs to feel like it belongs. Replace parts of the lawn with native trees, shrubs, flowers, and ground covers.These plants will not only create a color palette and visual texture that enhances the natural setting, but they are hardy and require much less maintenance than their more exotic cousins. There’s a huge variety of exceptionally beautiful native plants that can provide a visual feast for the eyes as well as providing a habitat for local birds, wildlife, and pollinators.

NATURAL STONE SURFACES

An outdoor living space will feel more in tune with its environment when stones from the region are used. Natural stones that have been quarried locally – such as bluestone – will have the color and texture that enhances the beauty of your landscape. Every slab is completely unique which means your patio and walkways will be unlike any other.

You could use uncut slabs and piece them together like a puzzle; or, use cut stone for easier installation. Vertical surfaces can receive the same native look by choosing manufactured stone veneer that mimics the look of natural stone but is more lightweight and easier to install.

EDIBLE GARDENS

For those that love to cook outdoors, there is nothing that can instill pride more than growing your own food. Use some of the free space in your outdoor living space for cultivating a variety of edible plants. Raised masonry planters near the outdoor kitchen can enable a wonderful gardening experience and add to the rustic look. Within each plant bed, include an automatic drip irrigation system so you won’t need to spend time and energy worrying about keeping your plants watered.

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