A Palette of Textures | Grass and Landscaping Considerations in Dallas-Fort Worth
If textures' influence on a landscape are subtle, they are without limit. The range of effects is so astonishingly broad because the variety among textures, although not obvious at first glance, is seen to be great from a close look at the surfaces around the house and garden. This is especially true of different types of grass. Such differences in textures are exploited by contrasting one against the other. The faint roughness of a stucco wall can be emphasized by the sharp zigzag of a fig vine's leaves, for example.
In a similar fashion, the irregular form of sword ferns enhances the order of bricks and the rounded lobes of English Ivy (a popular option) make the most of the vertical lines in cedar boards. More subtle contrasts can be equally effective, as when feathery juniper is backed by the coarser texture of zoysia grass. It is even possible to create a contrast of textures with a single material such as stone; one part of the overall pattern comes from the outlines of the stones, while the other comes from the surface.
The examples above are an arbitrary selection from gardens we have worked on in the past. Even these samples, however, make it clear that, as a rule, nature un-groomed has a rough hide. Large smooth surfaces, like regular outlines, are not frequently found. That is why a straight, slick concrete wall might seem of our place in a woodsy backyard setting here in Dallas, while a winding gravel path would look more at home. But that is also why an exception to the rule - a still pond for example - stands out so strongly in its green frame as a delightful surprise. Contact us for a consultation on your next grass project.
In a similar fashion, the irregular form of sword ferns enhances the order of bricks and the rounded lobes of English Ivy (a popular option) make the most of the vertical lines in cedar boards. More subtle contrasts can be equally effective, as when feathery juniper is backed by the coarser texture of zoysia grass. It is even possible to create a contrast of textures with a single material such as stone; one part of the overall pattern comes from the outlines of the stones, while the other comes from the surface.
The examples above are an arbitrary selection from gardens we have worked on in the past. Even these samples, however, make it clear that, as a rule, nature un-groomed has a rough hide. Large smooth surfaces, like regular outlines, are not frequently found. That is why a straight, slick concrete wall might seem of our place in a woodsy backyard setting here in Dallas, while a winding gravel path would look more at home. But that is also why an exception to the rule - a still pond for example - stands out so strongly in its green frame as a delightful surprise. Contact us for a consultation on your next grass project.