Elements of a garden

Other elements of a garden include stone in various forms, modulate wall block or pavers, garden structures, garden art, water, wildlife, and soils. These form the backdrop of a well planned garden or add to the overall look as well placed accents.

Stone
Stone adds a certain strength to our gardens. Whether it’s big boulders or small round river rock (pea gravel) there is a feeling of permanence to stone. Types of stone that you may consider using in your garden would be crushed gravel for pathways, flagstone used as a step or incorporated into a walk, round river rock for dry stream beds or as a border, and boulders as accents or used in the construction of dry stacked walls.

Modulate wall block, pavers, and brick
To create a more formal or structured space brick, pavers, and wall block are often used. Poured and stamped concrete would also be useful in these types of spaces. Gardens using these materials for walkways and walls have a long lasting, durable, and distinct appearance.

Garden structures
From a simple trellis to the most elaborate gazebo, garden structures can support plants and serve as a meeting place in the garden. The idea here is to build something that lasts. As plants grow in girth, the structure that supports them will need to be durable and hold up for years. The same is true with even larger structures such as pergolas and gazebos. These will often times be focal points in your garden and should be able to handle the elements for decades.

Garden Art
The word ‘art’ is a liberal term and what one may consider beautiful, others may see as junk. To each their own… There is an incredible variety of garden art available and properly placed in the garden can add to the delight and surprise of the viewer. From gazing globes to whimsical metal sculptures to concrete statuary, garden art should be considered for most styles of gardens.


Water
The sound of water alone can bring peace and tranquility to your garden. From a small table-top fountain, to a multi-tiered waterfall and pond, water relaxes the mind and eases the stress of the outside world. In addition to the therapeutic nature of water, it also attracts wildlife! Birds bathe, fish swim, ducks float, and frogs croak wherever there is water. This is one way to bring nature into your own backyard!

Wildlife
Dozens of types of birds (including many hummingbirds), bees, butterflies, frogs, and other critters will flock to your garden once you’ve created a suitable habitat for them to thrive in. There is a lot to be said for sharing your garden with all of these marvelous creatures. The sights and sounds of wildlife will amaze you and your family when they sporadically arrive throughout the season. Bird feeders and bird baths, a multitude of blooms, water, and a place to shelter are all key to attracting wildlife.

Soils (and mulches)
Soil is often overlooked as the single most important factor to the success of your plants and ultimately your garden. The microorganisms living in a healthy soil help to create proper soil structure, allowing a plant’s roots to breathe. They also help to cycle nutrients (food!) for your plants and aid in the suppression of diseases and insect infestations. It is of utmost importance that you create a healthy soil for your garden to grow. Compost should be used on an annual basis to ‘feed’ the soil.

Mulches help to create a neater appearance in the garden in addition to retaining moisture in the soil and suppressing weed seeds from germinating. There are several types of mulches to choose from, including bark mulch (fir and hemlock in Oregon), coco shells, river rock, leaf mulch, etc.