Terrace And Landscape Outdoors

The private living area section of the garden is perhaps the most flexible portion you have. Exactly how it is designed depends, on the manner in which the owner wants to exercise his control over the land. It can follow an extremely simple design or one that is complicated, but exactly how any individual should arrange it cannot be expressed in a set formula or pattern in any book.

Therefore, its general components as your are the garden designer, can decide which items you want to include. Then it will be up to you to fit them together in a unified arrangement that will meet all your needs.

Terrace

Since the terrace usually adjoins the house, we shall consider it first. A terrace can be described as a flat area of definite geometric shape surfaced with grass or a paving material. It can be situated in front, on either side, or in back of the house. In exceptional cases where the house sits on high ground, it may even extend around all four sides. A terrace of this kind helps to make the building the most prominent feature on the property.

Front and Side Terrace

A terrace can be used to advantage in many ways. When located at the front of the house, it should ordinarily be extended beyond the sides so that the long, horizontal line of its edge will serve as a base for the building to sit on. If its width were exactly that of the house, it would tend to make the latter look even higher than it is.

If the terrace extends beyond the sides of the house, it will almost inevitably occupy some space along one or both sides. Many times such terraces can provide appropriate entrances into areas behind the house.

Rear Terrace Width

However, the terrace we are most concerned with is that in the rear of the house facing the private area. Here the terrace can be kept to the width of the house without spoiling its appearance because of the difference between front and rear plantings.

Arrange to have the terrace surface at least a few inches above the rest of the private area. This sets it off from the rest of the property and makes it appear as a high point from which all the garden can be seen.

Restraining Feature

There should be a wall, restraining hedge, or fence around the edge of the terrace to give the impression of security from the danger of falling off, even some solar garden lights can help when night falls. If the terrace is so high that an actual fall would be dangerous, then the restraining feature will have to afford as well as suggest protection. Ordinarily the height of a restraining wall should be such that, if desired, it could be used as a seat. A wrought iron fence might well be higher, however, since you could see through its interesting pattern while sitting on the terrace.

Terrace Plantings

The same safety factor can be provided by a hedge wider than it is tall to prevent anyone from getting close to the edge of the terrace. Here, too, the height should be such that, when sitting on the terrace, you can see over it into most of the garden.

Whatever you decide about your terrace, remember that any planting on it should be wider than deep, and should be very inconspicuous. Only a few comparatively small key plants should be used along the base of the house where the horizontal terrace surface meets the walls.