There is an old saying that "plants themselves do not make a garden – it's where they are placed that makes the statement".

Hard landscape features have been part of classical and not so classical landscapes through the ages; these features are like the roots of a tree; they are very important but not immediately 'seen' or considered as relevant as plants and trees. It is also important to remember that you have to maintain what you create.

So what is hard landscaping? Put simply, it is anything that is not green and does not grow! The importance of the hard landscape is its durability and influence on the finished product when designed in tandem with the soft landscape and the location.

Numerous elements make up a total landscape; these can be used in abundance or selectively but should be balanced with their objectives. Such elements include footpaths, driveways, parking areas – bikes and cars – patios; children's play areas, swimming pools, decks, fences, walls, trellis etc.

Prioritise the features to ensure the important ones are included; the size of your property will to a great extent dictate the number and size of the features. Do not reduce the soft landscaping to the point aesthetic value is lost to function, both hard and soft landscape should complement each other and of course the property.

The driveway is perhaps the most important feature for the car owner, but it must be functional and designed in tandem with parking bays for cars and bikes. Even if you have a garage, you will still need a reversing area, coupled with addition parking for guests and you have a major feature. Parking bays should be determined by whether you entertain a great deal or just on occasion; two to three bays should be adequate for the average garden, but more if you entertain a great deal. If no parking is available on the adjoining street the only other area is the lawn which really should be a no-no. When thinking of a driveway with pillars at the front entrance, be careful in designing the pillars in scale with the surrounding landscape. Aesthetically give serious consideration to the material to be used; however cost is a major component in this decision.

Footpaths are an important feature simply to allow one to get from A to B without walking on wet grass or wearing a path in the lawn if used continually. Define major footpaths e.g. leading to the front door, with a minimum width of five feet, so two people can walk side by side; if it is narrower it is likely the grass or flower bed adjacent to the path will get worn. Secondary and tertiary paths can be reflected in their width, with a two foot path being adequate from the garbage area to the house. Paths around the property can range from three to four feet contingent on their use pattern.

Patios should be located where they are most functional if to be used for entertaining and of course of a size to accommodate the need. For a vista point setting to take in a view and or just relaxing in a quiet area the size should simply be adequate for a chair and small table. Brick is a preferred material to concrete as it blends in with its surrounds, whilst concrete always appears "chunky" and out of place.

For security of mind children's play areas should be in an enclosed area within sight of the house and away from overhanging branches, seed bearing and "prickly" plants. Areas hosting play equipment should be given some thought with regard to the type of material to be used as a surface, a popular material being shredded tyres or similar which is more hygienic than sand, especially when cats are involved.

Swimming pools and decks can be any size and shape; I often find the size of the deck surrounding the pool itself is often too narrow for chaise lounges or much else and perambulation around the deck is encumbered by the narrowness of same. Decks used for entertaining should be large enough to accommodate tables and chairs, especially when a chair is 'pushed back' from the table, a six foot round table should have at least twelve feet of deck for ease of movement.

Fences and walls are classical examples on how properties are separated from each other; on the soft landscaping side hedges are used. Fences can be found in many designs and usually constructed of wood or metal, they can be attractive or otherwise, it is therefore worth taking the time to decide what is the fences use and impact on its surrounds. If used simply as a function of dividing say a paddock, a simple post and rail face would suffice. To separate properties from each other so you don't see your neighbour usually entails a double picket fence to the required height for privacy. Smaller fences used to delineate property lines from footpaths can be designed accordingly if the area is quiet and privacy is not a factor.

Walls have a similar function to fences and should be used and designed with the function and need in mind, especially as concrete block is not the most attractive of materials if left unfinished.

Vines are unfortunately not used as much as they should be, they are invariably grown on structures that are not satisfactory in that the structure is too small or not solid enough to accommodate the growth. A well made trellis either used against or on a wall or as a free standing stand alone feature is the ideal structure for vines especially those with rampant growth. The trellis design should have six inch squares between upright and cross members for the vines to twine through as they mature.