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RE/MAX Hallmark Realty
Kimberly Jokela, RE/MAX Hallmark Realty Phone: (239) 595-8270
Email: [email protected]

6 Essential landscaping terms

by Kimberly Jokela 05/22/2022

If you’re just getting started with landscaping, it can seem as if it has a language all its own. While landscape designers use specialized terminology to describe the ins and outs of their work, most of the important language overlaps with gardening, architecture and real estate. This means you might already know more about landscaping styles and features than you think!

Regardless of your experience level or goals, knowing the right terms can help you understand the key elements of landscaping. To help, here is a guide to some of the most important terms to know:

Perennial

Perennial is a term used to describe plants that only need to be planted once to grow and bloom every year. Perennial plants and flowers can last multiple years and even decades with the right conditions and care. Well-established perennials are low maintenance landscape features that can increase your property value, whether located in your front yard or backyard.

Annual

As a contrast to perennial plants, annual plants only last one season. This type of plant includes many of the most popular flowering shrubs for increasing curb appeal in outdoor spaces. Annuals make a great landscaping choice for homeowners who like to change the aesthetics of their property’s landscaping regularly.

Deciduous

Deciduous trees or shrubs lose their leaves every winter. However, unlike annual flowers, they don’t need to be replanted every year. Instead, deciduous trees go dormant during the cold season and wake up again in the spring with new growth. Deciduous trees are popular landscaping features for creating shade and adding visual interest to an outdoor space.

Evergreen

Evergreen trees hold on to their leaves or needles all year long. Some popular evergreen shrubs used in landscaping are boxwood, arborvitae and holly. Tall trees like firs, spruce and pine are perfect for adding year-round privacy to landscape design.

Some other evergreen trees like Southern magnolia produce flowers during the spring and summer, but keep their rich green foliage all year.

Hardscape

Hardscape is a term used in landscaping and exterior design to mean any of the non-living or human-made elements in the landscape. Architectural features like paved patios count as hardscape elements, as do retaining walls, pathways and decorative rock features. Hardscape also includes the fixed features surrounding a swimming pool, permanent fire pit or zen garden.

Softscape

In landscaping language, the softscape refers to all the living elements in an outdoor space. This includes trees, shrubs, flowers, grass and other vegetation. Depending on the style of landscape architecture, softscape elements can serve as a focal point or simply tie the design together.

Whether your goals are to impress potential buyers with amazing curb appeal, or create a personal oasis in your backyard, knowing these key landscaping terms will help you on your journey.

About the Author
Author

Kimberly Jokela

Meet Kimberly Jokela:

With a genuine passion in people Kimberly loves helping her clients make their real estate dreams or needs come to life! Specializing in Luxury, Vacation, Retirement or Investment properties.

Born and raised in the midwest in a family with a strong work ethic, filled with creativity & dedication.

Her determination lead her to attend college at the "Philadelphia Performing Arts" where she had the opportunity to follow her passion in the Arts & to travel. Living in California with her husband Rick for 15 years together they built a successful business. After the birth of her beautiful daughter Brittany, seeking a "small town” coastal lifestyle, they took a trip to Naples Florida & fell in love with all it has to offer and made the jump!

With now over 17 years experience as a licensed Realtor serving Naples, Bonita Springs, Marco Island, Estero & Fort Myers.

A great listener, negotiator & connector, Kimberly is dedicated to helping her clients looking to BUY their ideal Florida property! 

Her warm & friendly personality is present in everything she does on her clients behalf!

Kimberly’s creativity & "out of the box" thinking gives her clients the extra leverage they need when SELLING a property.

Her well organized marketing includes professionally produced photography, video, drone imagery, media presentation in print, numerous online websites & social media!