As the sun begins its descent over the horizon in Newport, RI, the atmosphere takes on a distinct character. There's a symphony of colors, from the deep blues of the ocean to the shimmering greens of native plantings. For homeowners looking to capture this ambiance in their backyards, integrating a fire pit with native plantings can become the pièce de résistance. But how do you achieve the perfect balance between the warmth of a crackling fire and the natural beauty of Newport's flora? Let's explore.
Related: Plantings Are Lovely And Functional: Perfect Accents For A Newport Or North Kingstown, RI Landscape
The Fire Pit: Setting the Stage
The fire pit acts as a beacon, drawing people in with its warmth and mesmerizing flames. Selecting the right design and location for your fire pit is crucial. Go for a design that complements your outdoor living space. Whether it's a classic natural stone structure or a modern metal design, the key is to ensure that it doesn't overshadow the surrounding plantings but instead works in harmony with them.
To make your fire pit truly shine, consider its placement. It should be situated in a spot where it can be viewed from multiple angles, ensuring that wherever you or your guests might be lounging, the dramatic play of flames can be seen.
Choosing Native Plantings: Celebrating Newport's Natural Beauty
Our coastal environment is home to a variety of robust and beautiful native plantings. Using these in your landscaping not only pays homage to local beauty but also ensures that your garden will thrive with minimal maintenance.
Seaside Goldenrod: A tall perennial with golden-yellow flowers, Seaside Goldenrod is not just visually stunning but also resistant to salt spray, making it a fantastic choice for Newport gardens.
Beach Plum: Offering fragrant white flowers in spring and edible fruit in late summer, the Beach Plum is a delightful shrub that adds layers of interest to your space.
Coastal Switchgrass: This grass stands tall, moving gracefully with the wind, and it can serve as a semi-transparent screen or a backdrop for your fire pit area.
By selecting plantings that have different heights, textures, and colors, you ensure a diverse and vibrant setting. Think about how these plantings will look in different seasons. Some might offer brilliant fall foliage, while others could bloom in spring or summer, ensuring year-round interest around your fire pit.
Layering for Visual Depth
Consider layering your plantings to create a sense of depth. Start with taller plantings like the Seaside Goldenrod as your backdrop, then move to medium-height plantings, and finish with low-growing plantings or ground covers at the front. This tiered approach ensures every planting has its moment to shine and also offers a cascading view from the fire pit, drawing the eye and enhancing the overall aesthetic.
Creating Intimate Seating Areas
The surroundings are set, the fire is blazing, and now all you need is a cozy spot to sit down and soak it all in. Consider incorporating seating that complements the natural setting. Wooden benches or natural stone seats can be both functional and aesthetic. Arrange seating in a semi-circle around the fire pit, ensuring everyone has a view of the flames and the lush backdrop of native plantings.
When setting up your seating area, think about the flow of movement. You want to ensure guests can move around freely without feeling confined, yet still feel the intimacy the space offers.
Related: Enjoy A Cozy Landscape Design By Including A Fire Pit In The West Greenwich, RI Area
About the Author
Peter Grandin, founder of Grandin Landscape and GrandScapes, has always shown a passion for nature. Even as a young man he started his own lawn maintenance company in grammar school (Pete's Mowing Service). This helped to support his study of horticulture at URI. Peter knew, even in his early years, that there is a perfect combination of the beauty of nature as well as the personalities of people, and that the harmonization of the two would be the driving force for his company's success.
