RELATED: THE IMPORTANCE OF SIMPLICITY, BALANCE AND RHYTHM IN LANDSCAPE DESIGN Rows of boxwood can be used as a hedge, to form a privacy screen, or to add minimalistic touches of cultivated greenery to a more modern landscape design. Because of boxwood’s dense structure and ability to maintain a consistent form, it offers an ideal decorative option for modern landscapes, with the ability to be pruned into shapes appropriate to your geometric theme. Depending on the size of your backyard or the requirements of your design, you can opt for dwarf, mid-size, or full-height shrubs. Boxwood is available in a number of different cultivars of varying sizes. Boxwood is an excellent shrub for contributing greenery, shape and form to landscape designs in Glen Cove’s plant hardiness zone (Zone 7a). Many will go as far as to say that shrubs are the backbone of a softscape design. Just like flowers, shrubs can be colorful and bring an interesting accent to your landscape, while requiring less care. Raised plantbeds and retaining walls can be used to include flowering plants in and around your patio and other hardscaped areas, serving to soften the clean lines and crisp edges prevalent in modern design. Flowers as well as other greenery can be incorporated into your landscape in a number of ways, not just in designated plant beds around your lawn.

Plants selected by your landscaper will take this as well as general weather conditions into account, along with the nature of the soil specific to your property.

Glen Cove’s soil is slightly saltier than other areas because of it’s proximity to the ocean. Although it may be tempting to cram your plant beds with lush annuals, a more modern design may call for simple touches of color or accents. With careful selection, flowers can add life and vibrant color to your landscape. Below are some must-haves for any homeowner seeking to integrate greenery into their outdoor spaces. As your personal sanctuary, your landscape should reflect this by incorporating greenery and all things natural, allowing the inherent beauty of the setting to take up prime position in your backyard design.

With it’s beaches and beautiful natural landscapes, Glen Cove, NY, is a gem.

Modern landscape design