Some of my fondest memories growing up were visits to my grandparent’s home in the country. As I grew up it never changed, it was one of the cozy country home plans you often see in rural areas and I will always remember that feeling of safety and warmth when I entered it.

We just bought a home outside the city limits with some acreage and it definitely fits into the rustic home design category. We want to keep the style, but have hired a professional contractor to update the finishes, door and windows. While they are working on that I have began putting pen to paper and drawing up what I want to do with the landscaping. I want the landscaping to tie into the overall look and feel of the home design and appear that it has been there for years.

The first thing to do is decide where I want to put the hardscaping objects. These are objects that I do not plan to move. I have some iron fencing and gate, a stone bench and a birdbath. I would also like to add a garden shed but for now I have just drawn the exterior dimensions on my layout. I don’t want to use store bought pavers because they just don’t fit into the overall natural look. I would love to use some of limestone rocks that are on the property. If I cannot find enough I will have to visit the local nursery to see what type of natural materials are available.

Another thing I want to recreate from my grandparents is the use of native plant life for an informal natural landscape look and feel. These plants will require little or no maintenance other than pulling weeds and watering when the weather doesn’t cooperate. Mixed with the native plants I plan to add some perennials that will come back each year and will form deep roots to stop the soil from eroding. Purple coneflowers, alyssum, butterfly bushes and sunflowers will complement each other and also attract some beautiful butterflies. I also want to add native grasses and hardy mosses but will add a mini iron fence to ward off any unwelcome wildlife that will want to nibble.

For some special touches I have kept some antiques from my grandparents that I also plan to add. I have an iron trellis that will be great for climbing vines, an old wheelbarrow will serve as a birdbath, and a watering can will serve as a planter. There are also some neat little statues and signs that will bring smiles to everyone that enters our home.

I can’t wait until the contractors are done with the renovation of the exterior so that I can begin on the landscaping. With all the memorable antiques, beautiful flowers and vines, and using the natural plant life and hardscaping objects our landscaping will be sure to welcome guests and every time I walk by I will once again get that feeling from long ago.