To make a summer cottage attractive will help knowledge of the general principles of landscape design. And modern trends in the improvement of the garden will help to make it more functional. In the article you will find practical recommendations on what could be the landscape design of a country house with a yard of 12 acres.

What to consider when planning

The key elements in planning a suburban area are:

• its size;
• type of environment.

The size of the yard imposes restrictions on the size of the created objects. And the environment affects the choice of plants for planting. Succulents should be planted on a dry site, and evergreen and holly trees and shrubs grow well in the shade or in the lowland.

For error-free planning:

1. Measure the plot.
2. Draw a schematic plan.
3. Put on it the available buildings and plants, taking into account the scale.

Pick crops to plant. Consider the size that an adult plant will reach, as well as its requirements for soil quality, irrigation, lighting, and winter temperatures.

If the measurement results are ready and the plant requirements for growing conditions are clarified, then it's time to determine your needs and desires.

House territory is the same as the apartment. This is a set of functional sectors. Someone needs a playground, someone needs a small table under a canopy to drink morning coffee. One grows plants, and the other decided to create a fish pond. Write it on the list and proceed with direct design.

Important! If you are not sure of the correctness of the project, then make a photocopy of the created plan. Color objects in suitable colors, cut them out. And now, just move along the main plan, until you find that version of landscape design for a 12 hectare site that you like more than others.

Plot shape

Typically, the plots have a rectangular shape, less often - square. If the aspect ratio of the rectangle is greater than 1: 3, then the section is called narrow. A house on a rectangular plot is laid in the depths, in the north or northeast. This minimizes the shadow that the building will cast onto the territory. On a square plot, a residential building is often built in the middle.

If the house is already standing, then around the sector turned out to be irregularly shaped. To design them beautifully, pay attention to these rules of landscape design:

1. Any objects are formed by lines.. Direct ones seem more strict and official. Curved relax and make the sector friendly and informal. On the ground, lines are created by paths, flowerbeds, plants. And vertical lines form trellises, arches, tiers of flower beds.
2. Squares, circles and ovals will create textureif stacked on top of each other. The result is flower beds, patios, playgrounds and playgrounds of non-standard shapes, which makes the cottage more attractive.

Object Locations

The distance at which objects are located on a summer cottage are regulated by regulatory documents. For example, SNiP 30-02-97 on the planning and development of territories of summer cottages, as well as the Norms for designing territories with buildings of various categories. Construction and placement of residential buildings is subject to SNiP 2.08.01-89.

Check out the list of basic requirements for placing objects:

• between the development zone and the forest should be at least 5 m;
• the house is placed no less than 5 m from the street and no less than 3 m from the passage zone;
• from the outbuilding to the red line of the street or driveway must be at least 5 m;
• from the fence to the house - at least 3 m;
• from the house for animals to the fence - 4 m;
• from other buildings to the fence - 1 m;
• from the trunks of tall trees - 4 m, stunted - 2 m, bushes - 1 m;
• between the house and buildings on the site, the distance will be at least 8 m.

Important! Not all regulations are strict and binding. Some are "recommended." You need to pay attention to this when placing these or other objects on the territory of the household.

What design style to choose

Close style to summer residents - Art & Craft (Arts & Crafts). Literally, this phrase is translated as “art and craft”, and in meaning it means a handmade garden. There are a lot of exclusive items, bright flower gardens, original greenhouses and outbuildings, decorative elements made by yourself. A garden made in this style is considered very warm and “homely”.

The formation of style falls on the middle of the XIX century. Its author, William Morris, was not a landscape designer. He just wanted to give the garden functionality. His English estate was filled with old fruit trees, climbing roses and simply flower beds.

The main characteristics of the style:

• plot size: 4-15 acres;
• territory: with sunny areas, not swampy;
• base styles: forest and English;
• materials: natural stone, wood, forged metal;
• track: sinuous, paved;
• zoning: with a predominance of rounded lines and shapes;
• colors: blue, lilac, green, orange, raspberry, yellow, red, terracotta, sand, golden, pink, cherry;
• the trees: coniferous and fruit;
• bushes: guelder-rose, buldenezh, holly, lilac, currant, honeysuckle, dog rose;
• perennials: roses, delphinium, mallow, hydrangea;
• allowed to use rock gardens;
• the flowers: snapdragon, marigolds, phlox, asters, dahlias, viols, tulips and other bulbous;
• vertical gardening: decorative pumpkin, sweet peas, girl's grapes;
• decor: garden sculptures, original fences, garden fireplace;
• finish: forged metal, woodcarving, masonry;
• stylish little things: wickerwork made from twigs, garden tools with colorful paintings, fairy garden figures, vertical landscaping in original pots.

Those who do not like forest motives can consider Art Nouveau garden. This is a garden in which the minimalist principle is respected.. There are not many flower beds in it, but they should look elegant. The connection of the entire territory of such a summer cottage is due to the repetition in different places of the same elements, colors and textures.

Important! In plants of the Art Nouveau style, it is not color that is important, but the shape, texture of foliage.

The main characteristics of the style:

• plot size: from 10 hundred parts;
• relief: complicated;
• base styles: Scandinavian and German;
• materials: dark wood, stone, forged metal;
• track: with a clear edge, sinuous;
• the trees: large fruit and forest;
• shrubs: roses, hydrangeas, elderberries, chubushnik, rodendron, spirea;
• the flowers: ageratum, calla lilies, tulips, echinacea, fragrant tobacco, gladiolus, narcissus, decorative onion;
• zoning: retaining walls, gabions, a combination of different materials (lawn + paved path);
• water elements: fountains, there are no large reservoirs;
• Colour: red-brown, beige, chocolate brown, gray, silver, black, fuchsia, yellow;
• decor: stained glass, bronze and forged metal products, decorative driftwood, pergolas, arbors, mirrors, elegant small sculptures;
• stylish little things: forged garden buildings and furniture, ceramic vases, mosaic walkways.

Site zoning

Start placing objects from the fence. Next to it you need to place a driveway. Its width is about 7 m. From the entrance to the door of the house, create an alley. Its width is 0.8 m. Draw the rest of the objects, given the scale.

Find the part of the territory where you can admire the site. Place a relaxation area or patio there. They should not be too far from home. The barbecue area is placed in the back of the plot or next to the house. It is important to take into account the direction of the wind and position the source of the fire so that the smoke is carried to the side, and not to vacationers.

Did you know? A small bat flying through the evening garden eats up to 1000 mosquitoes in 1 hour.

Separate zones using:

• partitions;
• plants.

Separator-trellis is more practical than bushes - it can be used as a support for climbing crops or flower pots. But the bushes are decorative and berry, which is also good. Choose the type of division of the site that you like best, but keep in mind that the partitions between the zones should not be massive or suppress others with their greatness.

Now move on to planning each individual zone.

Living sector

The living area is:

• house;
• patio;
• summer kitchen, if it is on the site.

In the courtyard there is a table for tea with guests, chairs, flowers in large flowerpots. To the residential area from the gate there is a front (central) path. Around it there is a lawn, flower beds, accent single plants are planted. Designers recommend allocating 10-15% of the territory under the living area.

Household

Filling the economic zone depends on your interests:

• bathhouse;
• garage;
• home workshop;
• greenhouses.

The greenhouse is designed for growing vegetables and more. So, in the 13th century, glass rooms for growing tropical fruits were created in Italy. They were called greenhouses. In Victorian England, intricate buildings were built with heating and watering. 12 acres is a rather large area on which there is enough space to accommodate a modern greenhouse. 2 methods are used:

• most of them grow vegetables and ornamental plants;
• as a place to relax in the open air, and in winter they hide from the frost street plants in pots that can not stand the cold.

The home workshop building is built of wood or brick. It makes a large window and convenient retractable shelves for work. Take care of creating ventilation in the room. Position the workshop so as not to disturb neighbors with the noise generated by power tools.

A small bathhouse was built on each peasant's yard for personal needs. Now often summer residents replace it with a simple and functional shower, in which it is convenient to freshen up after a hard day on the beds. The choice of what to build depends on your family's priorities.

Rest zone

Relaxing in the outdoor recreation area on a bright sunny day is much nicer than indoors. It is also believed that eating outdoors is tastier. To do this, you will need a table and several chairs. Add seat cushions, light up. Place a barbecue or garden fireplace nearby.

Another option for the relaxation area is a comfortable gazebo. It is placed away from the carriageway, so that nothing would interfere with a relaxing holiday. Pay attention to the furniture. It should be comfortable and functional. And the fabrics used are resistant to weather, grease and possible stains.

Here are some design options for the simplest relaxation area, which consists of one bench:

1. Install a bench next to a stone retaining wall. The site behind is covered with gabions or trellis with climbing plants. And next to put the plants in flowerpots.
2. Place a bench under a sprawling tree and add a coffee table to it. Decorative heather, cereal or other beautiful herbs look good nearby.
3. Set a bench under a pergola, on which grapes or flowering vines curl.
4. Place a bench at a small decorative pond. This is the best solution for those who like to watch the pond inhabitants.
5. Set a bench with a table on the lawn so that in the afternoon a shadow from the nearest trees falls on them.

Children's play area

A modern children's area consists not only of a traditional playground. It distinguishes 4 separate elements:

• vegetable garden;
• house;
• sports and game complex;
• sandbox.

Children like everything connected with nature. Therefore, they will be happy to plant their own garden bed, take care of it and observe the growth of plants. What will be planted should smell good and be edible "here and now." The main candidates for the garden are tomatoes, peas, strawberries, and decorative pumpkins.

For the development of imagination and creativity, children need water and sand. Create a small fountain near the playground. Do not forget to close the sandbox if it is not played. So you will not allow its accidental contamination by animals

Playground equipment for a playground may be:

• carousel - an element that allows you to hone coordination of movements and develop the vestibular apparatus;
• swing;
• slides - they are made of plastic and can be supplied as a separate game element, or as part of the complex;
• obstacle course - A place to train agility.

A rubberized covering or sports lawn is placed under your feet. This will reduce the likelihood of injury if accidentally dropped. It is also important that there are no sharp protrusions or places where the child can pinch his fingers.

Important! Do not use metal elements on playgrounds. In winter, they are too cold, and in summer they regret under the sun.

Garden or garden

Trees and shrubs are among the main elements of landscape design. The main thing when choosing is to take into account the requirements for the climate zone.

The main modern trends in gardening:

1. Multifunctional plants are planted. They should be decorative, suitable for food, attract pollinators to the garden, be useful to the wild. Solanaceae, including bell peppers and hot varieties of red pepper, are very popular. The space under the trees instead of flower beds is occupied by sage, rosemary, mint, basil. They can grow in the shade, decorative and useful.
2. Planting crops that do not require special care. Of the bushes - this is currant, hydrangea, elderberry. And from annual flowers - petunias.
3. Patterned foliage bought less. But still use thuja and other decorative conifers for the shaded corners of the yard.
4. Used vertical landscaping. And if earlier it was only weaving roses, grapes and some creepers, now pumpkins, cucumbers and legumes are curling on trellises and decorative arbors.
5. Gardening in flowerpots is actively applied. Portable plants are convenient in that you can change the appearance of the garden at any time without exposing the plants to the stress that is inevitable when transplanting. In tubs dwarf citrus fruits, conifers and columnar crops grow. Exotic ginger, hibiscus, lemongrass growing in a container will be able to winter in the greenhouse, and in May decorate the garden again.

Planning a garden can begin with a simple salad and tomatoes. Grow vegetables in one of 2 ways:

• on the ground;
• on raised beds.

The latter method is considered more effective. The space between tall beds is sprinkled with sand or pebbles to give it aesthetically pleasing water.

Place the garden in the sunniest area. This is the south or southeast of the country. Also pay attention to the quality of the soil. The soil on which plants grow, including weeds, becomes depleted in nutrients and acidifies. Add lime to neutralize. Fertilizers are applied to the fertile soil.

Important! Do not put fruit trees and berry bushes at the bottom of the plot. Cold air accumulates here, and they will suffer more during frosts than plants on higher ground.

Territory arrangement

The arrangement of the local area will consist of:

• planting trees and shrubs;
• flower bookmarks;
• paving paths;
• decoration;
• creation of water bodies;
• installation of lighting devices.

Any object that you want to place on the site needs to be detailed. For example, if this is a gazebo, then you need to determine the shape - it must correspond to the style of the garden, select the materials and think over the plants that will grow around. If the choice is difficult, then compare the advantages and disadvantages of different arbors and choose the one that you like best.

Track and path design

Garden path connects different zones. Landscaping recommends the use of an annular track for a plot of 12 acres. And from it, make small tracks in remote parts of the territory. The minimum track width is 0.5 m, and the standard one is 0.8 m.

Methods for decorating garden paths:

1. Lined with pebbles. So that the pattern does not crumble, it is laid out on an unhardened concrete surface.
2. From homemade stones. It can be leaves, footprints or circles cast from concrete.
3. From wood cuts.
4. Beautiful mosaic track. The principle of its creation is the same as that of pebble patterns.
5. Chess track. These are concrete slabs laid like checkerboard cells that alternate with lawn grass cells.
6. A mosaic path made up of pieces of broken tiles.
7. A mosaic path made of caps from plastic bottles.

Did you know? Iris in Greek means "rainbow". The word comes from the name of the goddess Irida, who had rainbow-colored wings.

Lawn

A lawn is a part of a plot planted with lawn grass. Using it you can:

• drape an unsightly slope;
• Decorate the area between the trees in the garden.

The lawn prevents the growth of weeds and gives the site a well-groomed appearance. This is not just a toy, but rather the need to get a beautiful plot with minimal time. The latest automatic irrigation technologies and robotic lawn mowers allow you to create a system in which operations to maintain the lawn in excellent condition will not take much time.

The lawn is excellent air conditioning. It produces oxygen and absorbs tons of dust. This helps all family members stay healthy. Can be placed anywhere on the site. It is only important to choose the right type of grass: for a sunny area or for shade.

Trees, shrubs and flower beds

The choice of plants for planting largely depends on the chosen style. Choose the assortment, shapes and colors to convey the desired style.

Landscape style - These are natural forms and plants that are natural for a given region. They grow densely, sometimes forming thickets. In this format, gardens of English, Russian estate, forest styles are created.

Did you know? Wormwood (lat.Artemisia) is named after the Greek goddess of hunting Artemis.

Classic styles - This is the symmetry of planting, smooth lines of paths and flower beds, hedges, an abundance of natural stone and ceramics in the decoration. This group of styles includes Mediterranean, French, Italian gardens. The classic layout is suitable if you create a garden in one of the modern styles, including in Art Nouveau.

The table shows the colors and main plants characteristic of a number of styles:

Lighting

Well-planned lighting can improve the appearance of the garden and grounds, make the evening atmosphere more romantic and mysterious. Starting to plan, take your time, get acquainted with the information, think over ideas.

Creating lighting in a landscape design project:

1. Take a plan, mark with dots all the key places that you want to highlight.
2. Define the lighting functions. For example, on an alley you just need to highlight the path from point A to point B, there is no need for bright light. But the lighting of the entrance area should be bright and give the opportunity to adjust the brightness.
3. Use spotlights to highlight key places in the garden. You might like the idea of ​​applying lighting effects.

The most popular solar powered lights. They are placed so that during the day they are under the rays of the sun. And at night they lit the site thanks to the accumulated energy.

Decor

Garden decor is:

• bird baths;
• fountains;
• furniture;
• statues;
• pedestals;
• flower pots.

Garden furniture begins with a bench on which you can sit down to relax and enjoy your garden. Someone would prefer a hammock, a swing bench or a deck chair. Of course, you can also relax on the grass - just take garden floor cushions with you.

All country furniture is made from natural materials:

• monumental stone benches;
• concrete benches;
• as well as wooden chairs.

Concrete is universal. It can be polished to a mirror finish or painted. And this makes the variety of products from it almost limitless.

Did you know? A sunflower looks like one big flower, but in fact its head — this is a lot of small flowers, each of which forms 1 seed.

Lay out unique rolling lawn furniture. To do this, prepare the base from the soil. Put a roll on it and fasten it. When the roots grow together with the planting site, you can even lie on the grass sofa.

If there is a tree trunk, then it turns out beautiful furniture for the recreation area. It can be a bench, table or chair. Natural wood is attractive with its natural beauty and warm colors.

A bird bath is a natural or artificial puddle from which birds and animals can drink.. Create it in the form of a dish on a pedestal or just in the form of an ordinary bowl. The simplest garden pond from which birds can drink is a large bowl in which a pot with a water plant is installed and water is poured. Be sure to bring birds to the garden. They are a natural way to control insect pests.

Fountains were originally created in order to provide tired traveler with drinking water. But today they also perform decorative functions. This is an elegant decoration that can be wall, floor, multi-level and made in the form of a cascade of reservoirs.

Garden figures found in many gardens. These are funny gnomes, birds, snails, just abstract figures made of metal or concrete. It all depends on the style that is chosen for the garden. Figures can be purchased in stores or made with your own hands from concrete or alabaster, casting.

Examples of landscape design of a 12 hectare plot

Art and craft is a style where everyone can maximize their creativity. For this, it is not necessary to use old tires or pallets. The main thing is that the item was made by hand.

Here are some interesting garden design options:

1. Find a new application for old garden tools.
2. Create an original fountain from concrete or improvised materials.
3. Pay attention to creative tracks. They are not difficult to reproduce in any area.
4. In this style garden figures from any materials are pertinent.

The Art Nouveau garden is one of the most elegant and not too complex:

1. The chic, dark purple Blue Diamond tulip has been the muse of many artists for several centuries. And if they worked today, they would not be indifferent to the modern varieties of the blue-black Black Prince, soft pink and beautiful Dynasty.
2. The undoubted king of Art Nouveau is the iris. The violet-terry Siberian iris Concord Crash is well combined in flower beds with its relative, xyphium. Its delicate white flowers have been decorating flowerbeds for about 3000 years.

Landscaping of a garden plot of 12 acres can be a fascinating quest for the whole family and bring with it many positive emotions. Unless, of course, the correct distribution of responsibilities, taking into account abilities. The end result just can not help but like. After all, you create it all together.