The Best Backyard Landscaping

Blocking Views

• Privacy from close neighbors or blocking unpleasant views, like trash cans or a utility box, may be the top concerns for homeowners landscaping a backyard. A view may be blocked and privacy achieved by installing a fence, which can also offer some security, especially to help keep children and pets in the yard. Fast growing evergreens, like green giant arborvitae (Thuja standishii x plicata) that can grow up to 3 feet a year to a maximum height of 60 feet and a width of 20 feet, can also block views.

Shade

• Shade can make a backyard seating area inviting on hot, summer days. Shade may be achieved from a large umbrella, like that designed to be inserted into an opening in the center of an outdoor table. A retractable awning attached to the house to extend out over a patio or deck can provide shade as can a pergola that is either attached to the house or that is freestanding in the yard. Strategically placed fast-growing trees like lacebark elm (Ulmus parvifolia) or an evergreen like Afghan pine (Pinus eldarica) can provide natural shade.

Features

• A focal point can be achieved by incorporating a fountain or pool into the backyard landscape design. The fountain can help conceal noise through the sounding of splashing water. A seating area around a fire pit or in front of an outdoor fireplace can draw friends to the glow and warmth of the fire. Include a flat grassy area in the backyard landscape for kids of all ages to play. For wheelchair-bound family members, install ramps and create wide walkways. Walkways may be made from natural products, like stone or thick mulch, or cement, and in straight or curvy shapes.

Lighting

• Install landscape lighting at ground level to illuminate walkways, like energy-efficient low-voltage lighting that can be installed by the homeowner from kits. Table level lighting and overhead lighting can make outdoor space useful in the evening. Lighting may be attached to the house to direct downward. Decks with hand rails and steps may have lighting attached to the underside of the railing. Uplighting, like lights set at the base of a tree or in a flower bed and pointing upward, can provide subtle lighting for visual impact.

Plantings

• Plant choices may be based on maintenance requirements. Low-maintenance options might be shrubs like boxwood (Buxus sempervirens) for sun or azalea (Rhododendron atlanticum) for shade; annuals like petunia (Petunia x hybrida) for sun or impatiens (Impatiens wallerana) for shade; perennials like iris (Iris germanica) for sun or hosta (Hosta spp.) for shade; or ornamental grass like liriope (Liriope muscaria) for shade or Japanese blood grass (Imperata cylindrica rubra) for sun. Choose a grass that can tolerate foot traffic, like perennial ryegrass or bermudagrass.