Hardscape is all those items, usually relatively large, such as: paths, patios, paved areas, arbours and the like. As opposed to "softscape" which is all the plants and greenery. Driveways, walkways, or paths, are the most common elements of the hardscape. These elements are a necessity in most homes as they provide clear and clean access, from one place to another, without tramping through and damaging the gardens areas.
Although concrete is the more common of surface types, there are many other products that can serve the same purpose. With driveways, gravel is low cost alternative to concrete, but can prove problematic, as gravel tends to scatter and can prove slippery and dangerous if ending up on concreted areas. Walkways, on the other hand, are well suited to gravel, provided people do not drag their feet. Children, also tend to find gravel paths marvelous places to play, and you may end up having to replace the gravel on a regular basis, until the kids grow up.
There is an interesting alternative to gravel, or concrete, and that is gravel-crete. Gravel is impregnated onto the concrete surface, giving a durable and attractive access-way. Paths, in particular, lend themselves well to paving stones, either in a continuous line, or, placed apart and used as stepping stones. Log-rounds, with the sawn end uppermost, lend themselves particularly well to this, giving a rather rustic effect.
Also available, from any reputable nursery supply, are large cement pavers with a grid of small holes in them, giving the opportunity for lawn, or indeed herbs to grow through. This then allows heavy traffic without damaging the plants. When using herbs in this fashion, as footfall on the pavers crushes the leaves of the plants, you get the wonderful aroma of the herbs wafting up as you drift on by.
Patios, pergolas and decks, are highly practical elements of hardscape, giving one the opportunity of places to entertain. Also, importantly, affording you somewhere out of the weather to sit back and appreciate your beautiful garden. Patios and pergolas, as entertainment areas, will always look better if the ground is laid with pavers, and if you are using the herb idea, not only will everything smell spicy, but also the crushed herbs will act as an insect deterrent, providing guests with a more pleasurable experience. Decks are generally made of weather resistant wood, such as cedar, teak, or treated pine, usually are constructed at a higher level than the rest of the garden, whether it be merely a step-up, some sort of mezanine affair, or as a step down from the main house, or indeed can be quite high should the main house be built on the side of a hill or some-such.
Water features such as waterfalls and ponds, are often considered hardscape elements. Professionally installed in the case of large structures, or, smaller store bought affairs installed yourself. A delightful experience, having a water feature, not merely for the look and calming sound of falling water, but also we must not dismiss the fact that ponds and water features in general, create habitat for frogs and dragonflies, and as such will assist in keeping the insect pests down. This in turn will attract birds to your garden and apart from their beauty, will also help with insects.
Rock gardens, or rocks in the garden, are also part of the hardscape. Rock gardens need less maintenance than flowerbeds and other forms of gardens, due in part because the plants are hardier varieties chosen for their survival attributes. Water features can be easily incorporated into rock-garden hardscapes. Odd spots that may be too small for a lawn, too dry, or shaded for most plants and in need of that little something extra, can benefit from a small feature rock garden.
