Landscape Enhancements To Transform Your Backyard Into An Oasis

To be literal, an oasis is a lush, water-filled area in a desert environment. Florida is no desert, but the oasis concept takes on broader meanings when imagining a luxuriant backyard retreat.

No matter the size of your Florida panhandle backyard, you can create your own oasis just outside your back door.

Here are some ideas to get you started.

Water Features

What’s an oasis without water? Consider adding a babbling brook with a Japanese Zen look, a Koi pond or a sculptural fountain. The soothing sounds of water are great for the spirit.

Trellis

Getting shade from the Florida sun means you can enjoy more time outdoors in your garden. Build a large trellis over the patio area, or a smaller trellis with a seating bench for times you want a quiet place to read or talk.

You can leave the trellis bare, or plant vines which provide additional shade as well as beauty. Trellises are great places to grow strawberries! If you want flowers, look at passion vine or coral honeysuckle, both of which grow well in Florida.

Garden Structures

Garden structures add depth and privacy to the landscape, as well as a perfect destination for your backyard oasis.

If you have room for a gazebo, pergola or other garden structure, this private space is great for intimate gatherings — and kids love to play in them, too!

Hardscaping

A straightforward path takes you where you want to go, but a meandering one softens the way, allowing your mind to play. What is the best hardscape material? Select hardscaping materials that are gentle on bare feet, or make the path more artistic — using gravel or natural stone stepping stepping — to change the look and feel of your Florida panhandle landscape to something more whimsical.

Looking for hardscaping options? The professionals at GreenEarth can help you select the perfect materials for your path.

Privacy Hedges

English gardens are famous for their hedges, which grow tall, providing privacy and a natural border. If you’re going for an intimate landscaping look, uniform hedges separating your space from the neighbors’ makes for relaxation — and a beautiful green alternative to fences.

Additional Seating Areas

Move outdoor furniture into less traditional places in the yard, creating a secret, fun place to chill out. Try hanging some lanterns in the trees above, adding container plantings, or placing rectangular stones in neat patterns on the grass.

Bridges

If you install a brook, a decorative bridge is a natural addition. But you can use bridges — arched or flat — over rocky areas or connecting grass to concrete.

Outdoor Lighting

You may already have lights on your home’s exterior, spotlighting the plants. Simple strands of electric lights on a trellis or above the patio add romance and ambience, and a magical feel at night.

For more intricate landscape lighting, get in touch with the landscape professionals at GreenEarth to create a custom design for your landscape.

Benches

Do you have a favorite corner of your yard? Just add a bench! They don’t take up much room and they come in a variety of styles.

Birdfeeders/Bird Houses

You have your own oasis — the birds should enjoy it too. Birdfeeders and birdhouses come in many sizes. Install a platform in your yard for a solid bird house, or hang them from the trees.

More Flowers — Why Not?

A carpet of lush turfgrass and flower beds full of annual are beautiful in any landscape, but to create a true oasis, add more dimension with hanging baskets, container plantings and even raised beds, filled with succulents.

Succulents need very little water and look pretty, and the raised beds increase your landscape’s visual interest with added height.

You can reach us at our Panama City Beach office at (850) 236-1959, or call our Santa Rosa Beach office at (850) 267-0010 to set up an appointment. You can also fill out the online form on our website to schedule a consultation.