There is nothing quite like a few well-chosen landscaping features to help transform a garden. Landscaping has the power to take a rather basic space and make it come alive, reducing the need for garden maintenance while also improving the design as a whole.

It is often easy to assume that as the finished results of landscaping are so impressive, a substantial amount of time, money, and effort must be required in order to complete landscaping projects. Fortunately, landscaping is far easier than it looks, so why not make 2019 the year you finally put your landscaping plans into action by giving one of the projects below a try…

Build your own rockery

If you’re looking for an easy landscaping idea, then they don’t come much easier than a rockery. Rockeries are essentially whatever you want them to be. While more elaborate choices often incorporate steps and water features, there’s no rule that insists such designs are the only way to include a rockery to your garden. For a simpler feature, simply dig a trench for security, assemble a number of rockery stones together, and then decorate with plants and shrubs to finish the look. It’s also worth noting that rockeries also scale well, so you can start with a basic design that you then expand over time.

Create feature walls with gabion cages

If the idea of creating a “wall” is immediately concerning you - walls, after all, are not exactly easy to assemble - then worry not, as there’s no need for complex construction work in order to complete this landscaping project. Gabion cages allow you to securely enclose decorative pebbles or stones, which you can then arrange in your garden as you please. You could, for example, separate off a seating area or barbecue from the rest of your garden, with the gabion cage creating a clear division that also adds an extra visual interest to the overall space.

Build a tree masonry surround

Masonry tree surrounds - which are sometimes known as “tree rings” - are a rather simple concept. The entire base of a tree’s trunk is surrounded by masonry or stones, usually in a circle shape, effectively enclosing the entire area. Decorative gravel, chippings, pebbles, or cobbles are then used to fill the surround, which gives the impression that the tree is growing not from directly from earth, but from the surround itself.

Admittedly, a tree masonry surround is a little trickier than the two projects discussed thus far, but the finished result is well worth the effort. You’ll need to dig a trench around your tree trunk of around 8” deep and 6” wide; add a layer of sand; and then build the surround up using bricks and mortar. You’ll then need to place mulch into the lower half of the newly-constructed surround, with the decorative aggregate of your choosing forming the topmost layer.

In conclusion

If you have always liked the idea of landscaping, but haven’t been sure where to begin, the projects mentioned above are a great place to start. By implementing one - or all! - of these landscaping features, you can be confident of creating an incredible garden that allows you to make the most of your outdoor space in 2019.