Kingfisher Landscaping » hard landscaping

ABORIGINAL AVANT-GARDE

Edrich — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 15:50:12 +0000

Yet another magnificent garden was created by the imaginative experts of Kingfisher Landscaping; employing copious quantities of indigenous plants and an advanced landscaping philosophy. The garden envelops this spectacular home and flawlessly complements the fashionable architectural style.

Kingfisher Landscaping utilized the spacing of the established trees to position the generous plant beds, which we planted with flowering indigenous plants, such as jaburan grass (ophiopogon jaburan vittatus), wild garlic (tulbaghia violacea), bulbines (bulbine frutescens), mountain aloe (aloe marlothii) and strelitzia (strelitzia reginae). The beds were then bordered with cobble edging and arabella rock (sandstone dump rock). Substantial lawn areas among the plant beds enhance the available space on this property and invite one to take a relaxing amble through the garden.

As you enter the property, a winding driveway escourts you to a salient water feature, with three spouts protruding from a steel gabion wall; allowing the water to flow into a raised, square trough below. Papyrus (cyperus papyrus), wild garlic (tulbaghia violacea) and bulbines (bulbine frutescens) swathes the water feature in feathery profusion.

Along one border line, Kingfisher Landscaping planted cape aloes (aloe ferox) in a bed of arabella rock, with a wall of mountain aloes (aloe marlothii) behind it. Textured layers of varigated grasses (ophiopogon jaburan variegata), evergold carex grass (carex oshimensis), and cape thatching reed (chondropetalum tectorum) form a pleasing backdrop to this eye-catching area.

Raised circular planters were constructed next to the swimming pool and planted with tree aloes (aloe bainesii), which act as striking feature plants. A flourishing bed of jaburan grass (ophiopogon jaburan vittatus) was planted around the planters, to soften the austere quality of the hard landscaping in this zone.

The end result is a picturesque landscape which serves as a tranquil refuge from the hustle and bustle of everyday city living.

Whether it is landscaping, installations of Koi ponds, water features, wooden decking, garden illumination, swimming pools, irrigation or the inclusion of mosaics in the garden – Kingfisher Landscaping will always define your exterior lifestyle in a stylish fashion.

The landscaping experts at Kingfisher Landscaping design and implement exceptional and beautiful gardens in a professional manner and can provide the home owner with any exterior decorative feature. We pride ourselves in providing our clients with excellent, efficient and comprehensive service. We offer all the products and services associated with creating a peaceful, and aesthetically pleasing outdoor living space which will complement the style of your home and in which you can relax.

WORKING FOR WATER IN YOUR OWN GARDEN

Edrich — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 12:11:47 +0000

The Working for Water programme – introduced through the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry – is a staunch fighter against alien invasive plants in South Africa. It is estimated that around 10% of our country is covered with approximately 9000 species of alien invasive plants, which steal water, nutrients and sunlight from our native flora.

The Working for Water programme was initiated in 1995 and has since then cleared out more than a million hectares of alien invasive plants. It works in conjunction with the Departments of Agriculture, Trade and Industry, and Environmental Affairs and Tourism, as well as, local governments and communities. Around 20 000 people are trained and provided with jobs every year, due to the Working for Water programme.

This programme uses four methods of clearing and controlling areas which have been invaded by alien plants, namely mechanical (felling, burning and removing), chemical (environmentally safe herbicides), biological (species-specific diseases and insects), and integrated methods, which combines all of the above.

You can do your share of working for water in your own garden, by planting only indigenous gardens and by employing environmentally friendly measures in dealing with pests and diseases on your plants.

A water wise garden consists of plants that do not require a lot of watering. These plants are normally indigenous plants, which can survive on rainfall and do not need additional watering. Succulents are also very water wise plants and look beautiful when planted in masses.

Hard landscaping features, such as sculptures, trellises, wooden decking, cobble lines, stepping stones, cement screed blocks, feature walls, garden benches and other exterior décor will decorate your garden and requires no water. Different textures will add dimension to the garden lay-out.

By reducing your lawn area, you will also save on water. Mulching – layering bark chips, hay, pebbles or grass cuttings – will keep the soil around your plants moist for longer periods and therefore require less watering.

When you have a drip-irrigation system installed, you will also save water. You can set your irrigation system to water the garden at certain times of the day, such as early morning, when the sun will not just evaporate all the water.

Even weeding regularly will make your garden water wise, as all these unnecessary plants also use a lot of water.

By using organic fertilizers in your garden, you will be applying responsible measures to ensure that your plants are healthy and grow to their best potential. You will also be contributing to the fight against soil and water table contamination.

Organic fertilizers, for instance raise the nutrient content in your garden soil, which feeds your plants and assists the roots of your plants in getting optimal nutrition from the soil. The three most important nutrients needed by your plants are phosphor, potassium and nitrogen.

Another advantage of using organic fertilizers is that it enhances your soil composition and improves water retention, which in turn does its part in combating drought.

By using organic pesticides in your garden, you will be applying responsible measures to ensure that garden animals, birds, insects, reptiles and amphibians will not suffer poisoning. You will also not harm your pets and you will be contributing to the prevention of soil and water table contamination.

FUNCTIONS OF PATHWAYS

Edrich — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 11:57:25 +0000

Garden pathways form part of the hard landscaping aspect of landscaping design and implementation. You can also refer to it as garden architecture.

Pathways can function to demarcate certain areas of your garden, whilst also linking all these areas. They can be purely functional – to be walked on – or can form part of the aesthetic whole of the garden. Garden pathways lead the garden ambler on an exploration through the garden.

Pathways can be laid out in a number of ways and with a wide variety of materials, such as stepping stones (in various sizes, shapes and colours), cobbles (also available in various sizes, shapes and colours), old wooden railway sleepers, and concrete screed blocks, which we can cast on site in a variety of shapes, sizes and with many different coloured finishes.

Ultimately, the garden design of any garden should harmonize with the architectural style of the home and with the tastes of the home owner.

The landscaping experts at Kingfisher Landscaping design and implement exceptional and beautiful gardens in a professional manner. We pride ourselves in providing our clients with excellent, efficient and comprehensive service. We offer all the products and services associated with creating a peaceful, and aesthetically pleasing outdoor living space which will complement the style of your home and in which you can relax.

INFORMAL FLOWER GARDENS

Edrich — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 11:15:27 +0000

An informal flower garden has natural, fluid lines and mass planting of flowering plants, which swathes the garden in splashes of intense colour and dense foliage.

Plants typically used in an informal flower garden include a variety of roses, spur flowers (plectranthus), day lilies, arum lilies, seasonal colour, agapanthus, wild irises (dietes), et cetera.

Hard landscaping features suitable for an informal garden include understated water features, ponds, pathways, garden benches, sculptures, pots, pergolas and trellises.

Our in-house exterior décor company, Badec Bros Deco can design and manufacture a wide selection of trendy décor pieces for your garden; ranging from stylish pots, water features, sculptures, customized garden gates, trellises, pergolas, sculptures and the like.

Ultimately, the garden design of an informal flower garden should harmonize with the architectural style of the home and with the tastes of the home owner.

INFORMAL GARDENS

Edrich — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 09:06:22 +0000

An informal garden can be defined as “organized chaos”. These gardens are inclined to be much more natural and don’t follow rigid design lines. Plant lines and borders are more natural and fluid. Nature is pretty much left to take its course.

Plants typically used in an informal garden include a variety of trees, shrubs, creepers, perennial plants, ground covers, decorative grasses, et cetera. These are planted en masse.

Hard landscaping features suitable for an informal garden include understated water features, ponds, pathways, garden benches, sculptures, pots, pergolas and trellises.

Ultimately, the garden design of an informal garden should harmonize with the architectural style of the home and with the tastes of the home owner.

JAPANESE GARDENS

Edrich — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 14:10:56 +0000

A Japanese garden is probably the most therapeutic garden. With its evergreen plants, tranquil water features and elegant, flowing lines, the Japanese garden quickly eases your mood and relaxes your mind, soul and body.

Plants typically used in Japanese gardens consist of perennial plants. This means that your garden will be green all year round and that you will not need to remove any plants every year. Should you want to add splashes of colour to your Japanese garden, you can allocate a small area to seasonal colour.

Japanese gardens are timeless and will always be an attractive attribute to complement your home. Small gardens or courtyards are also suitable for Japanese gardens.

Hard landscaping features, such as oriental sculptures, stone lanterns, water features with an eastern theme, trellises, wooden decking, cobble lines, paths created with stepping stones, water basins, cement screed blocks, feature walls, garden benches and other exterior décor will decorate your garden and requires no water. Different textures will add dimension to the garden lay-out.

Our in-house décor company, Badec Bros Deco, can manufacture any type of trendy exterior décor that your heart desires. Badec Bros Wooden Decking, our in-house wooden decking company, is a highly professional and qualified company, fit to install your wooden decking in a variety of wood types with a range of stylish finishes.

Another typical Japanese garden feature is the shishi odoshi – which looks like a bamboo shaduf. Water runs into one end of a horizontal bamboo rod (which is attached to two vertical bamboo rods) and eventually causes the horizontal bamboo to drop to the opposite side. Once it has run empty it pivots back to its original position onto a flat stone, which emits a striking sound. The cycle repeats continuously. Traditionally this device was used to scare of browsing and grazing animals, to protect the plants in the garden. Nowadays it is used to create a soothing rhythm in your garden.

Plants and trees in a Japanese garden are characteristically trimmed into neat shapes. Beautifully manipulated bonsai can form stunning focal points in your Japanese gardens.

Ultimately, the garden design of a Japanese garden should harmonize with the architectural style of the home and with the tastes of the home owner.

WATER WISE GARDENS

Edrich — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 14:00:24 +0000

Even weeding regularly will make your garden water wise, as all these unnecessary plants also use a lot of water.

Ultimately, the garden design of a water wise garden should harmonize with the architectural style of the home and with the tastes of the home owner.

MINIMALIST GARDENS

Edrich — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 12:55:12 +0000

If you want practical exterior space for entertaining and relaxation, which is strategically enhanced by focal features and feature plants, a minimalist garden is the answer. Minimalist design is based on immaculate and elegant lines and features, and requires low maintenance. This type of garden features more hard landscaping and decorative features, than plants.

Minimalist plants that we typically use include bold, sleek feature plants, such as aloes, succulents and trees with an orderly appearance, such as leopard trees. Groundcovers, such as mondo grass, diamondias and rock roses are also perfect for the minimalist garden. Adding water to the overall garden design will augment the end result and convey a soothing ambience.

Hard landscaping features to be utilized in a minimalist garden include water features, sculptures, trellises, wooden decking, cobble lines, stepping stones, cement screed blocks, feature walls, garden benches and other exterior décor. Different textures will add dimension to the garden lay-out.

The key recipe is to marry the feature plants and hard landscaping features to create a neat, aesthetically pleasing unit.

Ultimately, the garden design of a minimalist garden should harmonize with the architectural style of the home and with the tastes of the home owner.

TROPICAL GARDENS

Edrich — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 09:21:00 +0000

A tropical garden offers a holiday atmosphere and a sense of diversion from the everyday hustle and bustle. Bold plants, with large leaves and colourful flowers, planted in lush profusion, take the home owner on an aesthetic journey of relaxation. A tinkling water feature and wooden decking can further enhance this vacation mood.

You will have to take into consideration the species and amounts of tropical plants, which you would like to plant in your tropical garden. With tropical plants being so dramatic, you can run the risk of crowding your garden, which will create the opposite to a relaxed atmosphere! Choose your plant varieties and planting strategies carefully. Select a few feature plants, which should be planted tactically, and surround them with less audacious plants, such as ornamental grasses or ground covers.

Hard landscaping, such as cobble lines, stepping stones and exterior décor pieces, such as pots, trellises, pergolas, sculptures, feature walls and other sculptural elements will augment the overall tropical ambience. Our in-house décor company, Badec Bros Deco, can supply you with any type of trendy exterior décor.

Typical tropical plants that we use include a variety of palms, ferns, bamboo, tree ferns, cycads, frangipani, hibiscus, bougainvillea and the like.

Ultimately, the garden design of a tropical garden should harmonize with the architectural style of the home and with the tastes of the home owner.

HARD LANDSCAPING

Edrich — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 09:54:53 +0000

A hardscape refers to the paved areas like, paths, streets & sidewalks, large business complexes, housing developments, and other industrial areas where the upper-soil is no longer exposed. The term is especially used in heavily urbanized/suburbanized areas where there is little bare soil. Hardscaping or hard landscaping examples include brick patios and sidewalks. Retaining walls are often used to create boundaries between hard landscaping and earth landscaping features, or softscapes. From an urban planning perspective hard landscaping can include very large features, such as paved roads. Most artificial water features are technically hard landscaping because they require a barrier to retain the water, instead of letting it drain into the surrounding soil.

From an aesthetic point of view, hard landscaping allows workers to erect landscape features that would otherwise be impossible because of soil erosion, or that compensate for large amounts of human traffic that would cause wear on bare earth or grass. For example it is possible to employ sheer vertical features in a hardscape. The water table in and around large areas of hard landscaping is usually very depleted because not enough rainwater is being absorbed into the soil of that area in order to help recharge it. Such areas must then rely largely on “imported” freshwater from local or non-local lakes, reservoirs, dams, rivers, and streams. On the other hand, most homes in rural areas often use wells and springs as their primary source of freshwater because the local water table is being constantly recharged by the hydrologic cycle.