HARD & SOFT

LANDSCAPE ELEMENTS
Hard Landscape Elements
 Definition
The term hard landscape is used by practitioners of landscape architecture and garden design to
describe the construction materials which are used to improve a landscape by design.

Hard landscape can also describe outdoor furniture and other landscape products.

A wide range of hard landscape materials can be used, such as brick, gravel, stone, concrete, timber,
bitumen, glass, metals, etc.
A. Hard Landscape Elements
 Functions of Hard Landscape Elements
 to provide physical visual interest, i.e. texture, colours, materials

 to satisfy practical needs of user, i.e. seating, safety, comfort

 to protect landscape plantings, i.e. retaining walls, for example, can

help prevent erosion and porous paving material limits water runoff.
A. Hard Landscape Elements
 Gazebos/Pavillions

Chinese

Islamic
English Japanese
A. Hard Landscape Elements
 Sculptures

Japanese

English

Chinese

English Japanese
A. Hard Landscape Elements
 Other Elements

Bridge (Japanese)

Pergola (English)

Fountain (Islamic)

Moon Gate (Chinese)

Bollard
B. Soft Landscape Elements
 Definition
The term soft landscape is used by practitioners of landscape design,
landscape architecture, and garden design; and gardeners to describe
the vegetative materials which are used to improve a landscape
by design.

The range of soft landscape materials includes each layer of the

ecological sequence: aquatic plants, semi-aquatic plants, field layer
plants (including grasses and herbaceous plants) shrubs and trees.
B. Soft Landscape Elements
 Ground Covers & Grasses
 Some ground cover plants make good
alternatives to turfgrasses in some
locations, especially in the xeriscaped
landscape.

 They provide variety of texture and

color, reduce soil erosion, and serve as a
transition between grass areas and shrub
or flower beds.

 Grasses add variety to many types of

gardens, including water, Japanese, rock,
wildlife, craft, xeriscape, container and
others.

 Ornamental grasses add two elements to

the garden experience that are not readily
obtained from many other plants:
movement and sound.
B. Soft Landscape Elements
 Shrubs
 Shrubs are the primary way gardeners can
diversify the garden horizontally.

 Shrubs are also a useful source for food

and cover for wildlife on a smaller scale,
often down to ground level.

 Shrubs provide cover for some smaller

shade-loving plants.

 Some flowering shrubs attract birds with

their fruit and some shrubs even provide
colorful fall foliage rivaling any tree.
B. Soft Landscape Elements
 Trees
 Besides the economic value a quality tree
can add, it also provides shade, privacy,
and beauty.

 Trees provide dramatic vertical layering

within the landscape and garden.

 Trees create shady microclimates in the

landscape, protecting shrubs and
groundcovers from direct exposure to the
natural elements.
 B. Soft Landscape Elements

Fragrant and flowering

shrubs
 B. Soft Landscape Elements

Ornamental Garden (English & French) Topiary

Pattern using evergreen shrubs called As an art form it is a type of
parterres and knots. living sculpture
Shape of geometry, box, yew are
frequently trimmed.
B. Soft Landscape Elements

Annual Plant
Plants that lasting only for a few months
and normally planted at the strategic
location.