If you are looking to create a durable, impressive, and low-maintenance landscape that retains its charm throughout the year, stone designs come up as a timeless choice.
We’ll explore the reasons why stone is becoming a popular choice for outdoor spaces and share five inspiring stone landscaping ideas to transform your garden into a serene retreat or center of lively gatherings.
What Is a Landscaping Type?
A type of landscaping is a category of landscaping that suits the specific needs and uses of a property. Based on these, we can have:
Residential
Residential landscaping creates beautiful, functional, and personalized outdoor spaces for private homes.
This type of landscaping offers homeowners space for relaxation or entertainment, enhances curb appeal, and increases property value.
Key features:
- Lawns, gardens, flagstone patios, and pathways
- Add-ons like outdoor kitchens, fire pits, water features, and play areas
- Plant choices based on the owner’s climate and maintenance preferences
Commercial
Commercial landscaping designs outdoor spaces for businesses and retail properties.
Its aim is to craft a professional environment that attracts customers and boost brand image.
Key features:
- Parking lot islands, entryway gardens, and signage accents
- Drought-tolerant plants and low-maintenance designs to minimize costs
- Lighting, seating, and irrigation systems to improve functionality and keep the area attractive
Public
Public landscaping creates designs for public spaces like parks, schools, and government buildings, providing appealing, accessible, and sustainable outdoor areas.
Key features:
- Playgrounds, walking paths, and picnic areas
- Hardscaping like benches, lighting, and fountains
What Is a Landscaping Style?
A landscaping style is the creative and artistic approach to landscaping, focusing on aesthetics, plant choices, materials, and cultural influences.
Here are some ideas for the styles you could use in your Santa Fe property to transform its look and feel.
Southwestern Landscaping Style
Looking to create a warm and inviting space with rustic elements that combine the cultural heritage of the Southwest with Santa Fe’s landscape?
The Southwestern landscaping style sounds like it’s perfect for you. Choose warm earthy tones like ochre and sand. Add adobe walls and terracotta pots nestled among natural stone pathways and decorative tile mosaics.
Add the silvery-blue of agave and the green magic of yucca, and you’re ready to host guests for a cozy evening under the stars.
Want more good news? This style requires minimal maintenance and looks beautiful all-year-round.
Xeriscaping
If you are a sustainability fan but still want a modern, stylish outdoor space, xeriscaping may be your answer.
Use gravel and decomposed granite and a large boulder or a cluster of stones for visual interest. Find more stone landscaping ideas in our recent article.
Plant succulents, cacti, and ornamental grasses like Blue Grama, to balance texture and color and give your outdoor space the touch of calm and natural beauty.
Xeriscaping requires very low water usage and only occasional weeding and pruning so maintenance is quick and easy.
Desert Plant Landscaping
Want to bring a piece of Santa Fe’s natural landscape right to your doorstep? Try desert plant landscaping!
Mix in the brown of meandering stone pathways and natural soil with the green of yucca and the silvery-white of winterfat.
Add splashes of pink and orange with Agastache, or purple and lavender with Texas sage.
Requiring minimal care, native plant landscaping will be a joy to the eye throughout the year.
The Importance of Choosing the Right Style of Landscaping
The landscaping style you choose is not only about your outdoor space’s appearance. Let’s look at what else adds up.
Function
The right style makes sure you have everything you need. For example:
- A family-oriented yard will prioritize play areas and shaded seating to create a cozy and safe space for kids.
- An entertainment-focused yard will have outdoor kitchens, fireplaces (learn how to make one!), or pergolas to make comfortable space for gatherings.
Aesthetics
The style sets the tone for your home’s appearance and character, whether it is a serene, natural look or a modern design with geometric patterns.
A well-matched style makes your home’s architecture pop, blending with the surrounding landscape.
Want to know more? We have a lot to share — check out our 10 inspiring Santa Fe landscaping ideas and our detailed guide on modern landscaping trends.
Cost
The right style will stay within your budget, minimize long-term expenses and prevent overspending.
For example:
- Xeriscaping reduces water and maintenance costs over time
- Hardscaping-focused designs may need a higher upfront investment but less expenses for plant care
Sustainability
The right style supports environmental health and resource conservation and reduces water and chemicals consumption — which is key for Santa Fe’s arid climate.
Create Unique Outdoor Spaces With Urbanna Landscaping
At Urbanna Landscaping, we design landscaping solutions for both your functional and aesthetic needs. Here’s how we can help:
- We’ll consult you to understand your lifestyle and preferences.
- We’ll recommend a landscaping style for your Santa Fe home.
- We’ll design a landscape for your practical needs and outdoor living.
- We use eco-friendly practices that benefit your landscape and reduce your impact on the environment.
- We craft ideas that match your architecture and the surrounding landscape, increasing the market value of your home.
- We offer ongoing maintenance to always keep your landscape beautiful and functional.
Types & Styled of Landscaping: FAQs
If you want to know more about types and styles of landscaping, check out some of the most frequently asked questions.
How do I make my Santa Fe landscape sustainable?
To make your landscape more sustainable:
- Choose water-efficient designs like xeriscaping
- Use native plants
- Install rainwater harvesting
- Choose durable and local materials
What are the benefits of hardscaping elements?
Hardscaping elements like stone pathways, patios, and retaining walls create functional outdoor spaces, add texture, and blend with Santa Fe’s natural desert surroundings.
Can I use native plants in any style?
Yes, native plants can work in any style in Santa Fe. Whether you’re going for a Southwestern look or prefer modern minimalist design, native plants like sagebrush, yucca, and desert marigold are charming and colorful.
What if I don’t know what landscaping style I want?
This is not a problem. A professional landscaping agency like Urbanna Landscaping can help you choose a style for your tastes and needs. Our team will offer suggestions so you can enjoy your outdoor space to the fullest.
How can a professional agency help me save money in the long run?
A professional landscaping agency can help you save money in the long run by selecting the right plants and materials, using efficient irrigation systems, and preventing design mistakes. Check out our DYI landscaping vs. professional services article.
