Mediterranean Landscaping

Many homes in warm areas of the country were built with a Spanish Mediterranean design. Many people have begun exploring the Mediterranean style of landscape design, which goes well with any type of warm weather architecture, but especially Mediterranean construction. Mediterranean landscape design is know for, first of all, its lush vegetation. While some of these plants are only found in southern Europe, they will grow in some of our warm weather climates also. A yard designed after Mediterranean style should be full of plants. Another important factor is stone. Ancient cultures of the Mediterranean used stone, like travertine, to create walkways in their gardens.

A homeowner creating this style could make a straight pathway through the yard with travertine pavers, or use the travertine pavers to create a sitting area in the middle of a garden, with plants all around. Travertine was used by ancient civilizations to build timeless structures, and travertine pavers take that same timelessness and put it into a form that is easy to work with today. Finally, statues are a big part of Mediterranean style. The size and type are up to the designer to decide, but the combination of lush vegetation, natural stone, and sculptures or statues will help give the feel of the warm Mediterranean.

New Uses for Pebbles

Pebbles have come such a long way. It used to be that pebbles were used in places where nothing else could grow, or when a homeowner was too busy to keep a landscape looking nice. Pebbles were dumped in window wells, spread thickly next to the house, or put under playground equipment as a not-so-soft cushion for children. Pebbles, in their natural setting, are beautiful. They line riverbanks, lakes, and seashores, and are evidence of years and years of water running over them, smoothing them.

Seeing the beauty in pebbles, landscapers are now able to incorporate them into a nice-looking yard. They can be placed around a waterfall, or a pond to make it look natural, and certain plants look better when surrounded by pebbles. Pebbles can also be used in rock gardens, and because they come in a variety of sizes and colors, they can fit into nearly every landscape.