Backyard Oasis - Landscaping Ideas for a Quiet Retreat

A landscape feature frequently overlooked but heavenly to enjoy is a small oasis tucked away from the house. While many houses feature a patio attached to the back or side, sometimes a little privacy away from a busy household is just what you need.

Here are a few tips for harmonizing a place to enjoy away from the world with your back yard. With a few larger plants as a screen, some beautiful flowers, a little delicate lighting for a nighttime ambiance, you will have a place to relax and refresh!

To provide a little solitude, ask your nurseryman or woman to suggest some thick, bushy evergreens which will also provide a bit of windscreen. If you have warm winters or a bit of a warm reprieve during the winter such as 'Indian Summer', you'll appreciate the evergreens even more in the winter as you get out and enjoy your private spot.

Add seating according to your preference. Adirondack chairs, a wrought iron and wood park bench, porch swing, rocker or hammock are all weather-resistant choices that will be ready and waiting for your when you come out with your book and iced tea. Don't forget a small table, upended log or other place to put your glass!

A small rock and floral garden as a focal point will make your haven special. You can use small statuary, river-smoothed stones, or other items such as verdegris sculpture, wind chimes - use your imagination! With some annual or perennial flowers of your choice, you can relax and just enjoy a spot of beauty. If you have trees nearby, another way to add color is to add a birdhouse or bird feeder, even a hummingbird feeder.

Flagstone or other flat stones can make a nice, dry path leading to your haven. Low voltage lighting along the path is great at night, and of course solar-powered lighting is simple to install - no wiring required. Small path lighting is available that discreetly illuminates the ground without spoiling your view of the stars.

Your oasis can fit nicely into your overall landscaping, hidden behind bushes so its unobtrusive except for your increasingly well-worn path as you enjoy it. If you are landscaping your yard, you can make sure that you have the hidden space to create it, otherwise you can pick a corner or side of the yard where it will naturally blend in.

Finally, a tip for your overall landscaping plans: before you head to the nursery to pick up plants or do anything else, try firing up your computer and making some beautiful designs using the latest landscaping software. With a few designs in mind, you'll have a much better time picking out the products and plants that will make your property feel like home outside and provide a beautiful view from indoors.