Unlike an apartment, for which it is enough to think over only the interior, in a country house, in addition to the house itself, it is necessary to arrange the surrounding territory. Many questions arise: how to zone it, what to place, what plants to choose, whether to set up a garden or a garden? In this article, we will consider how to independently plan the landscape design of a summer cottage, so that it turns out conveniently and beautifully.

We plan the design of a plot of a private house

Choose a style
– Regular
— Landscape
— Exotic
We draw up a project
We are planning landscaping
– Lawn
— flower garden
— vertical
We select decor

Choose a style

Before thinking about the content of the site, you need to understand how you generally imagine it. Someone dreams of curly shrubs, as in European parks, someone is closer to the natural landscape, and someone wants to save themselves as much as possible from any garden work, just to relax in the country. Among the variety of landscape directions, three main styles can be distinguished.

Regular

Otherwise, it is called classical. These are the very strict forms, neatly trimmed curly shrubs and trees, sculptures — it is immediately clear that a person had a hand in the landscape.

For a regular garden are characteristic:

• Symmetry and compositional center.
• Strict complex forms — both plants and decorative elements.

• Fountains or clearly defined bodies of water.

• Straight lines, paved paths.
• Light colors and an abundance of stucco elements, primarily sculptures.
• Round arbors with columns or carved decor.
• Perfectly flat lawn.
• Topiary plants that complement beautiful flowers with rounded buds (peonies, roses, phlox, etc.).

In addition to the regular style in its purest form, this trend includes the French garden, Art Nouveau and, in some cases, minimalism.

Landscape

Landscape style is the exact opposite of regular style. Here, the naturalness of the landscape is at the forefront — hence the name.

Main style markers:

• A natural landscape that can even look a little neglected.
• Lack of strict symmetry and pronounced artificial forms.
• Instead of a lawn, ordinary grass can grow.
• The paths are long, winding, immersed in greenery.
• All buildings organically fit into the surrounding nature thanks to a simple design and climbing plants on the walls.

This style includes English, Alpine, modern and country garden.

Exotic

Although this direction is primarily associated with the east, it includes any ethnic variants of landscape design from distant countries: Japanese, Chinese, Islamic, Brazilian, Indian, etc.

Also, this group often includes eclectic author’s projects that do not fit into the framework of any one particular style. There are no uniform rules and strict canons, but in general, this style is characterized by the use of natural materials, a variety of decor, multi-tiered compositions and, of course, exotic plants.

Garden plot design

Once you’ve got the overall visual design of your garden in mind, it’s time to move on to planning and designing. Let’s analyze the main stages.

Territory analysis

First you need to collect as much information as possible about the initial data of your site: soil type, groundwater level, topography, illumination, etc. This knowledge will help you choose a starting point and narrow down your design options. For example, if the surface is hilly, this must be taken into account. Features of the local soil will tell you which flowers and fruit crops are best planted near the house, and which ones to refuse. If the site is flat and under the direct scorching sun, you will need to organize a shadow: for example, using a high fence, partition or canopy.

Plan

The next step is to draw a plan of the site with the exact dimensions and location of the buildings that are already there. You can do this in a special program for landscape design or simply draw it by hand on paper. The main thing is to keep the scale.

Zoning

Finally, you can proceed to planning all the zones that you want to place in the local area. Usually this:

• Front entrance.

• Garden and / or vegetable garden (may be divided into several parts).
• Hozblok.
• Rest zone.
• Playroom if there are children at home.

Plan their placement based on the logic of life: for example, an outdoor dining table or a barbecue area is best placed closer to the exit from the kitchen. Playground — so that it is clearly visible from all sides. Hozblok — in the depths of the garden, next to the main plantings.

After that, add specific details to the plan: gazebos, greenhouses, decorative ponds, paths, and even flower beds. The more clearly you plan every little thing, the easier it will be to realize your plans later. Beautiful examples of do-it-yourself landscape design of a summer cottage — in the photo below.

landscaping

Plants occupy most of the local area. Consider the main landscape objects and show beautiful DIY garden design ideas in the photo gallery below.

Lawn

A simple weed growing anywhere and anyhow looks ugly and will not even fit into the landscape style.

To make the site look cozy and stylish, it needs to be sown with a lawn — it can be either evenly cut or more natural. This is a key element of the landscape, which sets the overall style, fills the space and connects other objects. As a rule, other plants are added to it, but if you have a modern private house and a minimalist landscape complements it, then grass may be the only natural cover. Also on the lawn it will be convenient to equip a recreation area, a playground with swings, a place for sunbathing, etc.

The sowing process is simple: the ground must be cleared of any debris, if any, dug up and leveled, and then the seeds are placed in the soil. Be sure to sprinkle them on top with a little earth so that the seeds and sprouts are not taken away by the birds.

How to choose and plant a lawn

flower garden

Almost every site has at least a few flowers. A place for them can be organized in different ways: from a pair of planters to a greenhouse or a spacious front garden.

The most popular way to place flowers on the territory is to make flower beds. There are several basic types:

• Regular — the flower garden has a strict, clearly defined shape. The borders between the beds are clearly visible, all plants bloom at about the same time.
• Natural — flowers are planted in small groups, they can bloom at different times. The boundaries between the flower beds are not always clear.
• Mono-flowers — the entire flower garden is filled with plants of the same species. They can be either the same or different in color.
• Alpine — flora grows in its natural form and imitates mountain meadows.
• Raised — the structure is fixed above ground level, for example, on a special stand. This option is suitable for any plants, including climbing ones.

vertical

The walls of the house, braided with creeping branches, fences and special lattices are also part of the landscape.

Such natural decor always looks very organic in the overall picture of the garden, masks ugly elements, and also helps to visually connect nature with artificial structures. Any climbing plants are suitable for vertical gardening: spathiphyllum, hops, sweet peas, peperomia, parthenocissus, lemongrass, climbing rose, etc.

Decor

Despite the fact that greenery in itself helps to relax and forget about the bustle of the city, it does not hurt to decorate the site additionally.

Whole garden decor can be divided into two large groups:

• Natural. This is everything that nature itself gives: for example, stones, ponds, stumps, vines, branches, straw, etc. This does not mean that they should just randomly meet here and there — they can and should be structured, placed in the right place and somehow arranged. For example, small stones of approximately the same size can be used to enclose a flower bed or a barbecue area. Put a couple of planters with flowers on a stump. From branches and vines to make a beautiful decorative hedge, etc.
• Artificial. This group includes any decorations created by man: garden figurines, watering cans, arches and screens, statues, flower pots, garlands (they will also provide additional lighting), etc. Almost any item can be used as decor: from rubber boots and dishes to old boxes. The only limit is your imagination.

When choosing decor, first of all, be guided by the general style of your site. Remember that there should not be too many decorations: nevertheless, the site is wildlife. The little things should complement the natural beauty of the surroundings, not interrupt it.

Bonus: helpful video tutorials

Decorative flower bed made of stones

Arch for flowers

Gypsum figurines

Tire flower garden