Hardscaping is the layout, design, and implementation of anything that is not living. It is made of concrete, cement, or stone. That said, you should know that hardscaping is more than just a concrete driveway or a walkway. The following examples also count as hardscaping items, and they may be something you want to add to your own yard. (If you do want to add these to your yard, be sure to instruct your landscaper as to what and where you want these items to go.)

​Patio

​A patio is definitely a hardscaping item. It is made primarily of concrete or cement, although many people tend to add river stone to it or use some sort of decorative finish on it. The patio is a side or rear addition to the yard and your home.

Pool

A pool is something you plan for, and you never plant anything in the same space that you intend to turn into a pool. The pool clearly is not a living thing, so it qualifies as hardscaping. This is especially true when the pool has concrete or cement walls, with or without tiles, and a concrete/cement pool deck around its edges. If you fence in this area, that counts as hardscaping too.

Retaining Walls and Elevated Gardens

Retaining walls and elevated gardens for planting flowers at a height that does not hurt your back when you garden also counts as hardscaping. The retaining walls may be concrete or cement, but they can also be vinyl or wood. Elevated gardens are always made from stacking large stones on top of each other and/or creating circular brick walls that are high enough to hold enough soil for planting. Your landscaper can help you construct both the retaining walls and the elevated gardens in areas of the yard where you either need them or want them to be. 

​Fountains​

Fountains can add some real beauty and class to any yard. There are certainly more than enough styles and designs of fountains to choose from. If and when you find a fountain, you can "hardscape" it into your yard with a landscaper's help. Maybe you would want it to be the central focus of the backyard, or maybe you want it to be a flashy piece in the front yard. Wherever you want to place it, you will need the landscaper's help so that it fits well with the layout.