Basic Country Landscaping Ideas

Trees

• Consider using small ornamental trees that frame, rather than block, the home. Plant dwarf flowering trees, such as dogwoods or crabapples, instead of stiff, angular evergreens to enhance the country house, according to Handy Canadian. Add fruit trees with fragrant blooms, such as apple or plum trees, depending on your climate. These simple features will add an ambiance of the leisurely country lifestyle to your home.

Flowers

• Use native wildflowers that will require little maintenance or care, yet provide beautiful blooms in the springtime. Add a wooden trellis with climbing roses to one of the exterior sidewalls of the country home to create a cottage ambiance. If you have rocking chairs on the front porch of your country home, hang flowering hanging baskets under the porch eaves. Place a bird bath in the front flower bed or hang bird feeders.

Gardens

• Plant a vegetable garden in one of the lawn's corners. Choose vegetables that have flowers, such as Brussels sprouts or peas. Grow fragrant herbs, such as mint or rosemary. Some people even plant lavender to use in scented sachets and baths. Add a bench or covered swing in the garden area as a resting place, as well as a spot to admire your hard work.

Pathways

• Many country home landscapes have several components, such as vegetable gardens, ponds and picnic gazebos. The experts at Landscape Design Advisor recommend creating paved pathways between them. Use gravel, weathered brick or cobblestone to connect the walkways. Line them with lantern lights or flowers. Use straight, direct paths for formal country house styles. Use curved, meandering paths with resting areas for more informal styles. Add hammocks to shaded tree areas at the end of the pathways.