Designing the Perfect Landscape Around Patios in Boalsburg, PA

The patio is, for most, the heart of the outdoor space. It's where morning coffee hits differently, dinner gets a little slower, and weekends feel a bit more like a vacation. But here's the thing: a great patio doesn't live in isolation. The landscape around the patio is what brings the whole vibe together.

That area is where you can place those intentional details that turn a simple slab into something that feels curated, comfortable, and totally you. Here are some landscaping ideas from us here at Landscape II in designing that perfect space.

Key Takeaways

• Thoughtful design around your patio brings structure, flow, and purpose to your entire outdoor space.

• Layered plantings, such as trees, shrubs, flowers, and ground cover, add texture, privacy, and year-round visual interest.

• Details like lighting, grading, and materials help lay the foundation for a space that feels as functional as it is beautiful.

Start with How You Use the Space

Before listing up all the things you want—plants, pavers, and other pretty details—pause for a second and think about how you use your patio. 

Is it your go-to spot for summer dinners with friends? A quiet morning retreat filled with greenery and full sun? Maybe it's the launchpad for weekend garden projects or a cozy corner for reading and relaxing under the shade of a pergola.

Fire pit, kitchen, and more

Your outdoor living space should feel like an extension of how you live indoors but with more fresh air and less screen time. Whatever your vibe is (casual lounging or full-on entertaining with an outdoor kitchen and fire pit), the key is to shape the landscape around the patio to support those moments.

Make it feel complete

That might mean planting ornamental grasses to create movement and privacy, using ground cover to soften a concrete slab, or adding just the right amount of structure with gravel paths, deck edges, or raised garden borders. And yes, even a simple fence or row of shrubs can make a big difference in how grounded and inviting the entire space feels.

Choose Plants with Purpose

Now comes the plants. The magic happens when you intentionally layer tall trees for height and structure, shrubs to anchor the yard, and perennials and groundcover to add texture and fill in the details. It's like creating an outfit where every piece complements the next; nothing feels random, but it all feels relaxed.

Shape the space with style

Around your patio, thoughtful planting helps define your space, soften the lines between deck and lawn, and pull the landscape around the patio into the overall rhythm of your backyard.

A border of hydrangeas can make a seating area feel more intimate. Low-growing lavender along the edge of the pavers adds fragrance and color without overwhelming the room. Even a few swaying ornamental grasses can give that easy, breezy feel that makes everything feel a bit more polished.

Choose low-maintenance but high-impact plants

And for less stress and more time enjoying your outdoor living space, choose native and low-maintenance varieties. 

Look for flowers and foliage that thrive in full sun or shade, depending on your layout, and keep an eye out for plants that can handle summer heat, winter chill, and everything in between. The goal is a garden that adds beauty year-round without becoming a full-time job.

If it blooms, climbs, or spreads with purpose, you're doing it right.

Add Structure and Flow

Great design is how everything connects. The best landscaping ideas take structure seriously and that means bringing in elements that anchor the yard and guide movement through the space.

Make front yards and backyards useful

Retaining walls, seating walls, and raised garden beds do double duty here. They shape the landscape around the patio, add levels and interest, and make the whole site feel more intentional.

What's even better is that they're functional. A low wall becomes a casual seat during backyard parties. A terraced bed keeps your soil where it belongs. And just like that, your project feels both beautiful and practical.

Connect the spaces

Then there's flow. How you move from the deck to the lawn (and back again) makes a big difference. Think about how to ease transitions: a mulch path leading to a tucked-away pergola, steps that curve with the ground, or a change in texture where your patio meets a flower-filled border. These details may seem small, but they shape how the entire space feels.

Light it up

Don't forget the lighting. A few low-profile fixtures along a path or soft uplighting under trees do wonders. It keeps your backyard usable after dark, adds drama in all the right places, and gives the whole setting that warm, inviting glow. From spring dinner parties to quiet summer nights, the right light makes every moment feel just a little more magical.

Consider Drainage and Grading

Not the flashiest part of the plan, but trust us, it's one of the most important. If your patio is holding puddles after a storm or your fresh flowers start wilting after a downpour, chances are something's off beneath the surface. Good grading is what keeps everything from sliding, pooling, or slowly falling apart.

How it works

When the landscape around the patio is graded properly, water moves away from the house, not toward it. It skips over delicate roots, doesn't settle into low points, and won't wash out your new gravel path or perennials. It's the difference between a garden that thrives and one that constantly feels like a do-over.

Smart fixes that blend in

This is where the pros get creative. Sometimes the fix is subtle—like a gentle slope that's barely noticeable. Other times, it means incorporating design-forward solutions like swales hidden within borders, permeable pavers that let water pass through instead of run off, or underground drainage systems that keep everything dry without disrupting the look of the yard.

Conclusion

Designing the landscape around a patio is about how your yard feels when you're actually out there and using it. The right mix of plants, structure, and flow can take a plain deck or concrete slab and turn it into the heartbeat of your home's outdoor life.

A few well-placed shrubs might soften a corner that once felt too sharp. A gravel path through a border of lavender might add just the break you didn't know your weekend needed. Every piece—from the soil beneath your feet to the glow of late-day sun on a row of trees—plays a part in shaping the overall sense of place.

And while every project is different, the goal is the same: to create a space that feels lived-in, loved, and ready for whatever the season brings. Because when your patio stops being just a slab and starts becoming a room that breathes with the rest of the garden, that's when it all clicks.

Let's Bring Your Landscaping Ideas to Life

If your patio feels like it's missing something or if the landscape around your patio doesn't reflect how you want to live outdoors, we'd love to help bring it all together. We at Landscape II design outdoor spaces that feel intentional, personal, and built to last.

We'll craft your vision

From Boalsburg to State College and beyond, our team of landscape architects and craftspeople know how to turn ideas into experiences. Whether you're envisioning a garden that changes with the seasons, a deck that becomes your go-to gathering spot, or a yard that finally feels like part of the house, we're here to make it happen.

Let's create something that adds character, invites the family out, and makes the entire space feel like yours. Schedule your free consultation with us to start your project.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you design a landscape around a patio?

To landscape around patios, start by thinking about how you use it: morning coffee, family dinners, or quiet reading? From there, build around those moments. Layer in shrubs, flowers, and trees to soften the edges and define the space.

Use texture, such as gravel, pavers, and ground cover, to create movement and flow. And don't forget the essentials: shade, privacy, and lighting that makes the whole yard feel warm and welcoming.

What are the 5 examples of landscape?

Here are five elements that can shape a stunning outdoor space:

• A front yard garden with seasonal flowers and structured beds

• A naturalistic lawn with native grass and low-maintenance plants

• A deck surrounded by greenery and layered shrubs

• A backyard retreat with a fence, trees, and built-in seating

• A patio area with pavers, soft lighting, and soil-friendly perennials

Is a patio part of landscaping?

Absolutely. A patio is often the center stage of a landscape since it anchors the space and influences everything around it. When designed with intention, it blends seamlessly into the surrounding yard, deck, and garden elements to create a cohesive outdoor "room."

How to landscape around a deck?

Use tall shrubs or trees for privacy, mid-level plants and flowers to soften the vertical lines, and ground cover or gravel to handle foot traffic and reduce weeds. A mix of textures and heights adds depth and interest—plus, it helps the deck feel grounded within the overall landscape.