Landscaping in Boise, ID

Today, we’ll be sharing some of the key elements that go into landscape design; we’re eager to help you create the landscape of your dreams! 

1. Form: Form is the three-dimensional shapes that make up the different features in a yard, including everything from shrubs, plants, flowers, to patios, water features, and more. In more minimal spaces, negative space can also play a big role in the form of a landscape. Form generally falls into two categories, including geometric forms and more organic forms. 

1. Geometric forms: especially in modern landscaping, angular lines, polygons, rectangles, and squares are common forms that can draw the eye in specific directions and create a very clean, pleasing visual. Squares are often used for stepping stones, tile, or overhead structures such as pergolas. Circles and arcs are a very common form as well, and draws the eye toward the center of this geometric form. Circles are commonly used for patios, pools, bushes, and shrubs. 

2. Organic forms: organic forms use meandering lines without harsh angles, which gives a much more naturalistic look. We love a yard with a good organic feel with soft lines for pathways, flowerbeds, and more. Many clients also choose more organic shapes for pools and patios, which can soften the vibe of the entire yard. Fragmented edges, such as using stones to delineate a pathway rather than using concrete, can also create the impression of a space where nature coexists with humanity. 

2. Texture: Texture is a fun element to play with, especially as trees and bushes shed foliage and create a fresh new look with each season. Most plants have textures ranging from fine to coarse textures. Much line furniture or wardrobe pieces, coarser textures tend to be eye-catching, while finer textures can help features slide under the radar a bit more and create the illusion of spaciousness. We love mixing and matching different textures, and love when clients choose to use coarser textures to create a statement--whether that’s a plant with large, dramatic leaves or a walkway built of rough-cut stones. 

3. Color: Color is a fun element that a lot of homeowners have on the forefront of their minds, but bear in mind that color is often temporary. Many plants change colors throughout the year, or only bloom briefly in relation to the year. Whether you prefer a monochromatic color scheme, such as using plants that have white flowers and using white stones for a walkway, or an analogous color scheme using colors in similar families such as greens, blues, and purples, having a plan of what you want to do with color can add a much more cohesive look to your property. 

4. Proportion: When selecting plants and other features, bear in mind how different proportions will play out together. Having equal proportions of vegetation and open space can create a harmonious space, and creating a balance using plants of different sizes can also create balance. People instinctively tend to prefer a smaller open space to a large one, so using an overhead structure to imply a ceiling can create a subconscious sense of safety. 

First, how should you determine what size a patio ought to be? 

There are a number of considerations to be made when trying to decide whether a small patio is a good fit for you. Families that entertain a lot of guests and have a larger property tend to choose a patio of approximately 16 ft x 18ft. This size is perfect for more patio furniture like lounge chairs, a love seat, or coffee table, and provides the perfect gathering place for people to mix and mingle throughout a warm summer night. Medium sized patios are typically 12 ft x 14 ft, and are popular among large families as this size comfortably fits a dining table that seats six to eight people. Small patios, on the other hand, are typically either 7 ft x 7 ft or 9 ft x 9 ft, which is the perfect size for a bistro set that seats two or a few comfy chairs for three. 

Next, what scenarios do you see yourself using your patio for?

Will you be using your patio primarily for romantic dinners with your partner? Or, will you and your two best friends spend hours in your yard catching up over drinks? Do you have a teenager who loves quiet time outdoors to enjoy a good book? Having an approximate idea of how your patio will be used can help you decide what patio furniture needs to fit on your patio. If you plan on inviting the couple from down the street to enjoy roasted marshmallows, your patio will need to accommodate a fire pit and enough seating for your guests. If you primarily see your patio as a solo getaway, you may only need space for a comfy chair. One idea is to install a bench-height retaining wall along one edge of your patio. In addition to the aesthetic appeal and functionality of a retaining wall, this can provide an impromptu bench in the event that you have more guests than you planned to accommodate. 

Lastly, does the spot you’ve picked meet your expectations?

If you find yourself dreaming of the privacy and quiet romance of a small and intimate patio, take a chair out to where you plan to install your patio and spend some time soaking in the ambience. If the area is not as private as you would like, consider whether adding decorative screens or strategically placed plants might move your patio in the direction you want to. If you worry about private conversations being overheard, or distracting noise from your neighbors, consider installing a water feature, which can muffle outside noise and create the feeling that you are out in nature. 

Although most clients choose to install a patio right up against their home, keep in mind that this is not the only option for patio placement. If you have cultivated a beautiful garden in the back corner of your property, this could be an excellent location for a small patio that creates a quiet, private space for you and your loved ones. 

Whether a small patio is the right fit for you or not, our team of experts at Bella Vista Landscaping are excited to help you create the yard of your dreams! We take great pride in helping our clients here in Boise design a landscaping plan that matches the vision they have for their property, and we know no satisfaction like a happy client who uses their property like the personal oasis it should be. For more information or to schedule a free consultation, fill out our online contact form or give us a call at (208) 995-3532 today! 

Low-maintenance landscaping means less time and effort to maintain your property, and it also means less resources that need to be allocated to keep your yard thriving. It typically means moving away from the classic 1950s-style watered lawn; while previous generations might see this as a decline in beauty, it’s actually become a chic and popular trend to move toward sustainability and take advantage of native plants and thus encourage native pollinators, flora, and fauna to thrive. A low-maintenance property often means you no longer need a lawnmower and fuel, no fertilizer, insecticides, and makes your yard more eco-friendly and green--pun intended! 

Xeriscaping

One trend we love to see is xeriscaping; xeriscaping is a low-water option that utilizes local materials and native plants to create a drought-resistant design that can withstand both the summer heat and the winter weather. Because local plants are adapted to the local climate, you can conserve water as it eliminates the need for a sprinkler system. Xeriscaping can also come in the form of a rock garden; some clients choose to install a rock garden inspired by Japanese gardens with flowing lines and a living kind of quiet, while others choose a more southwestern vibe with majestic rocks in desert colors adorned with cacti and succulents. Rock gardens are charming and unique, and tasteful designs can increase property values significantly! 

Rain Gardens

A rain garden relies on gravity to allow for the slow absorption of rain water. A yard is landscaped into a basin-like slope with native plants that collect stormwater, including water running off of driveways and out of rainspouts. Rain gardens are an excellent choice in places like Boise where it doesn’t rain often, and also serves to filter pollutants out of the water, which is also earth-friendly. These gardens often attract a lot of native pollinators, so it’s an excellent way to invite bees and butterflies to your property! To minimize the amount of work you need to put in, consider using perennials; perennials go dormant in winter, then come back in spring with the warmer weather, which means less work as you only have to plant them once to enjoy them season after season. There’s an enormous variety of perennials, so you can choose flowers, shrubs, or succulents, whatever floats your boat. Evergreens do well along the edges of a property with rain gardens as they have lower water leaves, and will add color to your yard even in the winter months when other trees and shrubs are dormant. 

Hardscaping

HARDSCAPING includes all non-living features in your yard, from concrete edging or curbing along your flower beds to PATIOS and more. Hardscaping often means you can simply hose off those elements of your yard rather than pruning, trimming, fertilizing, weeding, or any of the other tasks that typically come with homeownership. These elements typically stand up well against the elements (yes, pun intended!), so they often stand the test of time and will serve you and your family for years to come. 

Here are three general rules of thumb when getting your sprinklers up and running for the spring and summer seasons: 

• Wait for frost to pass. As you know, we recommend blowing sprinklers out in autumn, because frozen water expands and can lead to burst pipes. This problem can still occur in early spring if you turn your sprinklers back on too early; in general, wait until the threat of frost has passed. Watch overnight forecasts to make sure it doesn’t get too cold during the night. In general, look for temperatures above 50 degrees. Here in Idaho, this often means waiting to turn your sprinklers on until mid-April at the earliest. 

• Make sure everything works properly. The last thing you want to do is assume all is well and come home one day to a flooded property. If you’re not sure on how to do this, calling in a professional may be a good choice, but if you’re an avid DIYer, make sure to check the water meter and the leak indicator, turn on the backflow device, and test different parts of your sprinkler system by walking through your yard while it’s running. Making sure everything is up to par at the beginning of the season can prevent disastrous issues.  

• Take care of any needed repairs. If you notice anything amiss during your inspection of your sprinkler system, make sure it’s taken care of before you begin regular use of your sprinklers. Irrigation systems typically involve a number of moving parts, so minor issues can quickly escalate if left untreated. 

Especially here in the cold desert of Idaho, installing a sprinkler or irrigation system can make the difference between a thriving lawn and one that struggles to survive. A well-placed sprinkler system will ensure that the entirety of your lawn is being watered, and sprinkler systems can be programmed to run on a schedule to maximize water usage. We recommend watering your lawn in the early hours of morning during the coolest part of the day; because water evaporates when it’s warmer, using the coolest part of the day to water your lawn and other plants gives the best chance of the water soaking into the ground for your plants to access before it evaporates. 

Many clients choose to install a drip irrigation system for raised flower beds or square foot gardening. A drip irrigation system typically consists of a perforated hose that runs near various plants; the perforations allow water to slowly leak--or drip--onto the soil near the base of the plants, making for an extremely efficient use of water. Because drip irrigation systems deliver water right at the root, water is less likely to evaporate before the plant can access it, but we recommend the early morning hours for maximum water efficiency. 

What is an outdoor kitchen? 

An outdoor kitchen is an installment typically in a residential backyard designed for entertaining, preparing, and cooking meals outdoors. An outdoor kitchen typically includes a dining space, sometimes with an overhead shade, a grill in lieu of a stove, a flat surface for preparing food, storage for utensils, and occasionally a small refrigerator to keep food cool prior to preparation. 

Who would benefit from an outdoor kitchen?

While we think anyone could enjoy an outdoor kitchen, we maintain that an outdoor kitchen is best enjoyed by families or couples who love entertaining, spending time in the outdoors, and great conversations over delicious food. Outdoor kitchens are excellent for late summer nights spent enjoying a warm summer breeze, whether you choose to do so with a handful of friends or with your immediate family. An outdoor kitchen is certainly an investment, and we love to see people utilizing this beautiful and fun addition to their property. There’s something special about an intimate evening spent in a cozy yard surrounded by loved ones, and we love envisioning our clients spending many pleasant evenings with friends and family in years to come. 

What should I keep in mind? 

As with any large-scale landscaping or construction project, adding an outdoor kitchen comes with a number of considerations that you should weigh prior to making a final decision. These considerations include: 

1. Budget: depending on what components you choose to add to your outdoor kitchen, you may have to add a water line, electricity, and/or gas, all of which can add to the costs. Additionally, materials for building your outdoor kitchen come in a range of prices as well, so knowing approximately what you can afford to spend on your outdoor kitchen is a great idea. The budget you have for this project will determine which finishes and levels of quality you can invest in for materials to build your kitchen.  

2. Climate: here in Boise, ID, an outdoor kitchen could be used for the majority of the year, with only the winter months being less than ideal. If you and your family only enjoy spending time outdoors when it’s in the 70s and 80s, you will want to consider whether the cost of an outdoor kitchen is worth the limited window of time each year when you will be able to enjoy it. Please also consider the local climate when choosing materials for your outdoor kitchen; our experts will advise you, but natural stone and tile do not handle drastic weather changes well, so those materials may not be a great option. 

3. Functionality: the three functional points of a kitchen are typically the fridge or cold area, the sink, and the stove or cooking zone. When designing a kitchen, bear in mind the use of these three areas, and make sure that they are mutually accessible while also ensuring the utility lines match where you choose to place those functional points. 

Growing flowers to take cuttings from.

One theme we’ve been seeing in recent years is a return to nature and a shift towards finding joy in the little things. Social media has made flower farming more accessible to the general public, with expert gardeners eagerly sharing tips and tricks to help urban, suburban, and rural flower lovers to succeed in the craft. Live blooms on kitchen tables is a classic, and we see more and more clients who want plentiful floral growth on their properties specifically to bring fresh flowers into the home, and we love seeing this trend gaining popularity! Some clients choose to use decorative concrete curbing to keep their flower beds separate from your lawn, although some prefer raised flower beds for easy gardening. A critical aspect of successfully cultivating a flower garden is to make sure you have adequate sunlight and irrigation; a sprinkler system, drip irrigation system, or other watering system would serve you well should you anticipate maintaining your flower garden for several years. Generally speaking, we recommend flowers with a long blooming season as this enables you to enjoy your fresh flowers for longer. Some flowers that work well for a cutting garden include: 

• Daffodils

• Dahlias 

• Roses

• Peonies

• Marigolds

• Tulips

• Shasta Daisies 

• Black-Eyed Susans 

Whether you choose to adorn your own home with fresh flowers or to share a bouquet with your loved ones, we love the romanticism that comes with home-grown, fresh-cut flowers. 

Opt for an alternative to the traditional lawn. 

From clover lawns to home-grown meadows to xeriscaped yards, we have never seen such a movement away from the traditional lawn in all of your years in the industry. A quick breakdown of the more popular options for clients who choose to swap out the lawn: 

• Xeriscaping: this approach to landscaping focuses on the conservation of water. Native materials such as rocks or gravel from the surrounding desert are used, and any plants used tend to be native plants that can thrive off of the natural rainfall here in Boise. Commonly seen in other desert regions of the country such as Arizona and New Mexico, xeriscaping is gaining popularity as an eco-friendly way to blend with the surrounding environment and encourage native flora, fauna, and pollinators to thrive. 

• Turf: artificial turf for your yard means little maintenance. Turf prevents weeds from coming up, stays green without watering, and can be enjoyed by kids for sports and virtually any other outdoor activity. 

• Groundcovers: plants that offer ground cover do exactly as the name implies. They creep along the ground without growing tall, which means no mowing. There are a variety of plants that can be used for ground cover that require less water and maintenance than the traditional lawn, including clover, creeping thyme, and corsican mint. Be sure to do your research before selecting a species, as some are more tolerant of food traffic than others!

• Backyard Meadow: choosing to grow your own meadow can take a lot of planning and patience, but the result is well worth the effort. Meadow gardens are composed of an array of plants that are drought-tolerant and pollinator-friendly. Some clients choose to include a water feature in their yard to draw more honey bees and butterflies to their yard!

Increased use of natural materials. 

From the boho trend to cedar wood vertical gardens and more, both interior and exterior design has seen an uptick in the use of natural materials. Rather than a concrete walkway, opt for natural stone pathways. Rather than going for pots in bright colors, lean towards terra cotta or stone. Trends in recent years have been shifting more and more towards the natural and sustainable, and these pieces are often as timeless as they are practical. 

Add an arbor for vines and plants to hang from. An overhead structure can add a lot of character, regardless of whether or not you choose to train vines over them. Should you choose to add greenery, you could grow produce like cucumbers, blackberries, tomatoes, or grapes, or grow flowers like wisteria, ivy, or roses. Creating a living canopy of vegetation is equal parts unique and endearing. Adding plants will increase the shade in your side yard as well, and create a charming space perfect for reading on a warm spring day. 

Line a walkway with potted plants. Most people only think to use potted plants near entryways or inside the home; using a variety of potted plants in planters that have been mixed and matched in size and style creates a cozy and unique environment that’s eye-catching and unique. There’s a lot of room for flexibility with this idea. Some choose to use large pots with plants at varying heights to create a visually interesting backdrop purely for aesthetic reasons, while some may prioritize using planters to grow produce that can be harvested and taken to the dinner table. Whether your taste aligns with an organic boho style or you believe that practicality is king, using potted plants and planters can elevate your side yard. 

Create a small fairy garden. This is an especially delightful idea for families with young children. Add a bird bath or other water feature, an abundance of flowers and creeping plants along the ground, and perhaps a tiny fairy door at the base of a tree or nestled against the fence for children to explore. Garden gnomes or ceramic mushrooms may add a touch of whimsy to this fairy-tale-esque idea. Some families choose to implement a tradition of fairy gifts or footprints to bring a little magic into their day-to-day lives, adding to the sense of wonder young children find in the great outdoors.

Compliment a hyper-modern walkway with a vertical garden. Clean-cut geometric pavers in crisp lines surrounded by gravel can cultivate a refreshingly modern walkway, especially if colors are chosen mindfully. Pair this hard-lined artwork with a lush, breathing vertical garden to create an alluring contrast. Vertical gardens are composed of planters mounted on a fence or other vertical surface, and are akin to square foot gardening. It maximizes space and adds an organic element to a surface that would otherwise remain bare. Although vertical gardens are most common in urban environments, implementing this charming and innovative idea into your side yard can add a modern twist to the traditional residential property.

What is curb appeal? 

Simply put, curb appeal is how attractive a home looks from the curb. If a passerby drove or walked by your home, how beautiful and appealing would it be? While the structure of the home is difficult to change, curb appeal extends beyond the architecture, encompassing the home exterior, landscaping, outdoor fixtures, walkways and driveways, and more. Obviously, some of these components can be extremely costly to change, but there are a number of improvements you can make on a tight budget: 

1. Fertilize your lawn

There’s no denying it: residential homes here in the Treasure Valley often have lawns that take up a large portion of the front yard. The fastest--and perhaps easiest--way to improve your curb appeal is to fertilize your lawn. If you can help your lawn look fantastic, and your lawn is 90% of your yard, you’re already winning the battle! 

2. Prune overgrown bushes and shrubs

Just like a fresh haircut can serve as a breath of fresh air and transform your look, trimming your shrubs and bushes immediately makes your yard look freshly manicured and well-maintained in a way that few other things can. A word of caution: some bushes are particular on the season of pruning, the exact spot on branches they can be pruned, and more, so be sure to do your research before busting out the pruning shears. 

3. Refresh mulch and bark

Mulch should be replaced every 1-5 years. Mulch helps preserve moisture and keeps plants from drying out too quickly, which is a concern sometimes seen in our desert. It also serves as insulation against extreme temperatures and prevents weeds--what’s not to love? Adding fresh mulch is the landscaping version of applying a fresh coat of paint; even though the structure of the landscaping remains the same, it immediately freshens everything up and brings your yard to life. 

4. Add planters or potted plants

Greenery is an excellent way to cultivate your unique style and really bring your yard to life! Adding planters along your front-facing windows or placing large potted plants symmetrically around your front door can inspire a sense of intentionality and really level up the curb appeal of a home. Whether you choose large, ornamental pots with shapely statement plants or small, delicate trailing flowers garnishing your windows, planters and potted plants are easy to bring to your home without making any permanent changes to your property.  

5. Illuminate the way

Installing outdoor lighting along pathways in your front yard can make your home feel inviting and safe to visitors; illuminating your property during the nighttime hours is a fast and easy way to increase the value of your home. Solar lights are a popular option because they draw upon the sun and therefore don’t require any electrical wiring. Many solar lights are designed to be stakes that can quickly be placed in the ground in whatever location you desire. 

6. Update your house numbers

Another affordable and easy way to spruce up your home. House numbers can be a large statement piece to your property or a subtle detail. Whether the vision you hold for your home is a hyper-modern structure with matte black details or a cozy cottage that embraces natural materials and country accents, choosing your house numbers lets you customize your home and bring your own unique flavor for just a few dollars per number.