A gazebo and colorful chairs are focal points. Note the layers of trees, shrubs, perennials and ground covers.

Home improvement projects extend beyond the indoor structures into the outdoor areas.

Improving your property involves hardscaping and landscaping. Hardscape is any type of fixed landscape feature, including walls, paths and structures. Examples of hardscaping projects include erecting a gazebo, building a shed and installing a patio or pond.

Hardscape investments are usually low maintenance (except for ponds), and they can increase your property value.

Similar to home improvement projects, hardscaping installation can be costly. However, the reward is a beautiful structure that can be viewed from various vantage points within your home.

To begin your hardscape project, sketch or write out a vision for what you desire to achieve. Study photographs of similar projects or visit vendors who install hardscapes. Keep these references in a notebook or electronic file for quick review.Decide in advance where to install the gazebo or shed. Measure the size of the patio or pond. Obtain any building permits, if necessary, and seek professional guidance as needed. Set a budget and do your best to stay within your financial parameters.Once the hardscape is in place, the landscaping begins. Landscaping is integrating the existing natural area into the hardscaped area, creating a pleasing and inviting space.Landscaping for our geographic area incorporates trees, shrubs, perennials and ground covers that reflect our four distinct seasons.

To showcase each season in your landscape, follow the one-third (1/3-1/3-1/3) rule for choosing plants.The first one-third of the plants should be evergreens. Try selecting from these families of evergreens: pine (Pinus), spruce (Picea), juniper (Juniperus), holly (Ilex) and boxwood (Buxus).False cypress (Champaecyparis), is interesting as well. Of these choices, pine is the least deer-resistant. Evergreens are the shining stars throughout in the winter, and a pleasant backdrop for bulbs in the spring. These plants stand out against summer blooming plants and brilliantly-colored fall leaves.The next one-third of landscape plants are deciduous trees and shrubs. Deciduous plants shed their leaves annually but still maintain a woody structure. These trees and shrubs provide shade in the summer, offer vibrant colors in the fall and give structure to the garden in winter.Flowering trees and shrubs delight us in the spring with fragrance and color. If shade is desired, red maple (Acer rubrum) is fast growing and one of the best trees for fall color.The many varieties of hydrangea are among gardeners' favorite shrubs, especially the variety “Lime light.” New varieties of forsythia are compact and are the first to flower in the spring. Another great shrub for both spring flowers and fall leaf color is witch alder (Fothergilla major).The last one-third of the plants should be herbaceous plants and ground covers. Herbaceous plants die back to the ground in the winter and do not maintain an above-ground woody structure.Herbaceous plants include perennials, bulbs and annuals. Perennial flowers are money savers, because they rebloom each year and are easy to divide and share. Bulbs burst forth with spring and summer color and return every year.Annuals are single-season plants, but some species do reseed themselves. Ground covers come in many forms, such as pachysandra, dead nettle (Lamium) and vinca. This final one-third of plants gives lush color and interest from spring through fall.

Select landscaping plants using the one-third rule based on your hardscape selection and size of its surrounding area.Choose plants that are pleasing to you, and select species that support native pollinators throughout the four seasons.Take your drawings and plant lists with you to the garden center or nursery and study their inventory. Seek assistance in selecting the proper number of plants that will thrive in our geographic area. After purchasing your plants, seek professional guidance, if needed, for installation.Hardscaping and landscaping projects can be small or large in their scope and low or high in their budget. The end result should be a garden area worthy of your pride and enjoyment.If you have questions about home hardscaping or landscaping, call the Master Gardener Garden Hotline at 724-287-4761, Ext. 7 or email the Master Gardeners at butlermg@psu.edu.<i>Jill Barger is a Penn State Extension Butler County Master Gardener.</i>