According to “The Spruce” https://www.thespruce.com/what-is-hardscape-2131060, hardscape consists of the non-living elements of landscaping, such as a brick patio, a stone wall, or a wood arbor. Common examples of hardscape materials include concrete, brick, stone, wood, and metal. Hardscape, or hardscaping, can also include water features, like ponds and fountains.

The Spruce goes on to say, hardscaping can include almost any type of decorative or practical structure in a landscape, from driveways to fences to benches. Hardscape is a critical part of landscape design, providing definition and a sense of organization to the natural areas and features. Hardscape elements can also define the use of a space, such as with a driveway, or it can lead visitors through different zones of soft scaping, as with a gravel path that winds through a grassy area and into a secluded garden.

Ways to use hardscape elements to enhance your property:

• Stone retaining wallscreate planting areas or convert a slope to flat yard space.
• Concrete patiosare the classic low-maintenance and versatile patio option.
• Brick patiosoffer a more upscale and natural look than concrete.
• Flagstone patiosare the low-cost option for natural stone outdoor flooring.
• Tile patiosare a great way to dress up a concrete patio slab.
• Stone walkwaysare ideal for garden paths.
• Gravel pathshave a “softer” alternative to brick, concrete, or solid stone.
• Stone landscape stepshave heavy stone slabs that make beautiful outdoor steps.
• Wooden decksare hardscaping, too, just like patios.
• Wooden arbors or gazebosenhance a landscape while providing shade.
• Pergolasare arbor-like structures attached to the house or other building.
• Water Features
• Seawalls