BRINGING YOUR LANDSCAPE TO LIFE.
Thoughtfully selected plants, lawns and garden elements come together to create vibrant, balanced outdoor spaces designed to thrive.
Justin Merrett from Phillip Merrett Landscapes says; “soft landscaping is where the structure of a landscape begins to come alive. Trees, shrubs, feature plants, ground covers, lawns and garden beds are carefully considered to create an outdoor environment that complements the home, works with the site and develops beautifully over time. We love returning to the site to see the garden again as it develops.”
Thoughtful Plant Selection
Successful planting involves much more than choosing plants based on appearance.
Every garden has its own conditions. Soil, sunlight, shade, drainage, available space, climate, surrounding structures and ongoing maintenance requirements can all influence which plants will perform successfully.
Phillip Merrett Landscapes considers these factors when selecting and positioning plants, creating gardens designed for the individual property rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all approach.
Creating Balance, Structure & Interest
A well-designed garden considers how plants work together at different heights, scales and stages of maturity.
Trees and larger shrubs can provide structure and screening, while smaller shrubs, grasses, flowering plants and ground covers introduce layers of colour, texture and seasonal interest.
Plant grouping, repetition and carefully positioned feature plants can create focal points and help establish a sense of continuity throughout the landscape.
Importantly, consideration is also given to the mature size of plants, helping reduce overcrowding and ensuring the garden has room to develop as originally intended.
Garden Beds & Soil Preparation
Healthy gardens start below the surface.
The condition and preparation of the soil can have a significant influence on plant establishment and long-term garden performance. Garden beds need to provide an appropriate environment for root development, drainage and healthy plant growth.
As part of the landscape construction process, garden areas can be prepared before planting so the finished landscape has a strong foundation from the beginning.
Lawn & Turf
Lawns can provide an important visual and functional element within a landscape, creating open areas for recreation while providing contrast to garden beds, paving and other landscape features.
The type and positioning of lawn should be considered in relation to sunlight, shade, usage, surrounding planting, irrigation and maintenance requirements.
When incorporated into the broader landscape design, lawn can help connect different areas and create a sense of openness and balance.
Planting for the Future
One of the most important aspects of soft landscaping is considering how the garden will look not only when it is planted, but in the years ahead.
Plants grow at different rates and eventually reach very different heights and widths. Thoughtful plant selection and spacing allows the landscape to mature naturally while helping avoid overcrowding, excessive maintenance and plants outgrowing their intended location.
The objective is to create a garden that becomes more established and beautiful with time.
Soft & Hard Landscaping Working Together
The most successful landscapes create a natural relationship between soft landscaping and hard landscaping.
Planting can soften paving and stonework, provide contrast against retaining walls, frame pathways, complement outdoor entertaining areas and connect built structures with the surrounding garden.
By considering planting alongside paving, stone walling, irrigation and other landscape construction, Phillip Merrett Landscapes creates outdoor spaces where every element contributes to the overall design.
Planning a new garden or complete landscape? Contact Phillip Merrett Landscapes to discuss soft landscaping, planting and landscape construction for your property.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT Soft-Landscaping
Soft landscaping refers to the living and horticultural elements of a landscape, including trees, shrubs, plants, ground covers, garden beds and lawns. These elements work alongside hard landscaping such as paving, retaining walls, stonework and pathways to create the complete outdoor environment.
Soft landscaping generally includes living elements such as plants, trees and lawns. Hard landscaping includes constructed elements such as paving, stone walls, retaining walls, steps and pathways. Good landscape design considers how both work together.
Depending on the project, soft landscaping can include plant selection and installation, trees, shrubs, feature plants, ground covers, garden beds, soil preparation and lawn or turf areas.
Plant selection should consider more than appearance. Sun and shade, soil, drainage, available space, climate, mature plant size, maintenance requirements and the overall garden style should all influence the decision.
Yes. Phillip Merrett Landscapes can select planting as part of the overall landscape design and construction, considering the property’s conditions, architecture, garden style and how the plants will develop over time.
Choosing suitable plants helps create a garden that is more likely to establish successfully and perform well over the long term. It also ensures the colours, textures, sizes and forms of different plants contribute to a cohesive landscape.
Plant positioning can be influenced by sunlight, shade, soil, drainage, mature size, views, screening requirements and the relationship between different plants and landscape features.
A small plant at installation can eventually become a substantial shrub or tree. Considering its mature height and width helps provide appropriate spacing and reduces the likelihood of plants becoming overcrowded or unsuitable for their location.
Carefully selected trees and shrubs can provide screening and help create greater privacy. The appropriate plants depend on factors such as available space, desired height, growing conditions and how quickly screening is required.
Yes. Planting is particularly effective at softening hard landscape elements. Ground covers, grasses, shrubs and other plants can help paving, retaining walls, stonework and pathways feel integrated into the garden.
Feature plants are selected or positioned to create a focal point within the landscape. Their form, foliage, colour, size or location may make them a prominent element within the garden design.
Ground covers are lower-growing plants used to cover areas of soil and create another layer within the planting design. Depending on the species and location, they can provide texture, colour and a transition between larger plants and hard landscaping.
Soil provides the environment in which plant roots establish and obtain water and nutrients. Appropriate soil preparation can therefore play an important role in helping new planting establish and supporting long-term plant health.
A garden can be designed with maintenance requirements in mind. Plant selection, mature size, spacing, lawn areas, irrigation and the overall complexity of the planting scheme can all influence the amount of ongoing maintenance required.
There isn’t one plant list suitable for every property. The best choices depend on the site’s conditions and desired landscape style. Selecting plants suited to their location is one of the most important steps towards creating a more manageable garden.
Yes. Many properties contain a combination of sunny, partially shaded and heavily shaded areas. Different plants can be selected for these conditions so that the landscape works as a whole.
Lawn and turf can be incorporated into a new landscape where appropriate, with consideration given to the intended use, sunlight, irrigation, surrounding garden beds and overall landscape design.
The appropriate lawn will depend on factors including sunlight and shade, expected foot traffic, appearance, maintenance requirements and the conditions of the property.
Reliable watering is particularly important while new plants and lawns are establishing. Incorporating irrigation into the landscape design can provide more consistent watering and allow different areas to be watered according to their needs.
Establishment time varies considerably depending on the plants, season, soil, watering and site conditions. A professionally landscaped garden is designed with future growth in mind, so its appearance will continue to change and develop as plants mature.
Yes. Existing gardens can be reconsidered as part of a landscape project. Depending on their condition and suitability, some established plants may potentially be retained while other areas are redesigned or replanted.
Yes. Planting can provide privacy, shade, colour and softness around patios, paving and outdoor entertaining spaces while helping connect these areas visually with the broader garden.
Yes. Planting can complement stone and retaining walls particularly well. The combination of natural stone, foliage and different plant textures can create a strong connection between structural and living landscape elements.
Ideally, yes. Knowing where garden beds, trees, lawn and major planting will be located allows irrigation, paving, walls, drainage and other landscape elements to be planned around the finished design.
Planning soft and hard landscaping together creates a more cohesive result. It allows planting, lawn, paving, irrigation, walls, pathways and outdoor living areas to be considered as parts of one landscape rather than separate additions.
Phillip Merrett Landscapes incorporates soft landscaping into landscape design and construction projects, including the planning and installation of planting, garden beds and lawn areas to complement the broader outdoor environment.
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