Create A Destination Spot In Your Landscape

Nature Hills Nursery | February 14, 2026

Create The Perfect Backyard Oasis!

Who needs a Hawaiian or Bahamas resort vacation every blue moon when you can be fully engulfed in a homemade destination hub each and every day.

Of course, we would all be quick to say “Heck, take me to Hawaii!” But sit back and really think about it.

Truth be told, the simple and more relaxing joys come from being in your own space on your own time. And to make the backyard a little more worthwhile, we have put together the ideal guide to creating a destination spot in the landscape.

So relax, read on, and enjoy creating a paradise right outside your back door!

Dress Up Your Deck

By defining different areas within a deck space, even small backyards can be easily positioned as an outdoor oasis. A variety of different levels can be used to outline spaces that are meant for dining or others that are made for relaxing.

While dinner is sizzling on the grill in the corner, you can be sipping a glass of hot tea while reading a good book on the top level of the deck unbothered by the surroundings.

To make things even more relaxing, use luxurious Flowering vines softly draped upon a canopy and a few container trees angled purposefully to envelop the surrounding garden onto the deck.

This will further help blend the deck into the landscape’s natural beauty!

Establish The Ideal Patio

Patios can be many things. But a hot slab of blank concrete basking in the sun should not be one of them! Instead, think of a patio as a welcoming extension of your home.

It’s a gathering space for family holidays, a hangout spot for nights with friends, and it can even be an individualized area made for enjoying cool breezes and crisp fresh air.

Consider adding color and texture to your “outdoor room” by replacing the boring concrete with an elegant brick or stone. The natural look of your home should carry out onto the patio!

Adding outdoor rugs, tropical plants, and landscape lighting can make a huge difference too.

Then, decorate with a raised bed or two pleasantly home-grown fruit bushes right next to the patio. Feel free to pluck a berry here and there for a mid-afternoon snack, we won’t tell!

Patio trees will gladly light up the outdoor space with color to add to the backyard getaway too!

Spice It Up With An Outdoor Kitchen

Landscape designers are seen more and more adding outdoor kitchens to a backyard and there is no wonder why! If you’re grilling spring through fall or you enjoy taking lunches or dinners outdoors, an outside kitchen is for you.

We know what you’re thinking, adding a kitchen is quite the project to take on! However, a simple countertop addition for prepping food and a side burner will take the outdoor cooking experience to the next level in a heartbeat.

Looking for more ways to create the ideal outdoor dining establishment? Add in a small refrigerator and sink! The trip inside will no longer be needed. The cycle of fruit from garden to plate won’t even have to leave the outdoors anymore.

Create Privacy

Paradise only truly feels like an oasis if a sense of enclosure can be felt. This way an unbelievable feeling of relaxation can take its place!

But plastic fences and walls make you feel boxed in and don’t allow natural wildlife to prosper. The good news: plants are known for creating privacy while adding in visual interests.

Grow rows and hedges of elegant-looking privacy trees in a backyard landscape so that you can not only enjoy their beauty but also enjoy the beauty of peaceful serenity.

Invent Your Own Shady Spots

A little shade here and there never hurt anyone, even those who relish in the sun. In fact, you’ll find yourself enjoying the fresh air even more if you can provide relief from the sun in some areas.

Our personal favorite shady spot is a colorful hammock strategically placed under a mature shade tree or two. The slight sway back and forth while gazing up at the sunbeams glistening on the leaves is a peaceful sight to lose time in.

But, retractable awnings or a trellis fully draped with vines will do the trick too!

Furnish With A Purpose

When it comes to furnishing outdoor areas, the choices seem to be endless. The style of cushions, the different layouts, and the various materials used can all make or break the newly designed destination.

Above all, furnish for comfort and durability. Swinging chairs and hammocks enjoy being placed where the natural outdoors can surround them. But the patio and deck will want to have weatherproof dining areas, stools with backs, and furniture with cushions.

Arrange Outdoor Lighting

When it comes to vacations and getaways, the fun always continues after the sun sets. It should be no different in the backyard! Outdoor lighting illuminates the hard work placed into the garden design and provides ambient lighting for activities that stretch past the sun.

For the kitchen and dining space, you’ll need great task lighting that brings ease to the work areas. Steps and walkways should have a runway of lighting following a strict path for safety.

Drape strands of lights from tree to tree to create a true paradise feel too

Or go for a two-in-one with a large solar lamp that has a planter plot for a base. A few of these placed around your destination yard are sure to provide ample lighting while looking exquisite.

Wall-mounted downlights, solar-powered lamps, and accent lights also will do the trick! The combination of mixed lighting sources will make your backyard destination a magical place.

Bring On The Amenities

You can never go wrong with too many amenities, especially when they create the utopia of backyards!

Fountains use the soothing sound of trickling water to provide a relaxing sensation. They also can serve as a major focal point that neighbors will simply be in awe of when over for a visit.

If you’re feeling ambitious, a swimming pool is sure to add joy and happiness while adding yet another feature of a well-organized vacation.

Fireplaces and firepits are a MUST when it comes to being outdoors. How else will you make positively delicious s’mores? Not only do they provide a source of heat and lighting, but they make a great starting point for an outdoor kitchen.

It’s a known classic that a well-lit fire pit is the go-to gathering space for all things outside! Not to mention, it’ll feel like you’re camping in a historic national park on a fine summer’s day evening.

Lastly, accessorize the new and improved backyard with garden décor of all types! These small final touches will turn an ordinary patio into a welcoming outdoor living space for all ages.

So what is there to be waiting for? Your backyard destination spot is just around the corner and soon enough, paradise will be found in the comfort of your own yard!

Happy Planting!

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much sun or shade should I plan for when designing a destination spot in my yard?

Most outdoor living spaces benefit from a balance of sun and shade, with seating and dining areas ideally receiving morning sun and afternoon shade, especially in warmer climates or USDA zones 7 and above where afternoon temperatures can make full-sun patios uncomfortable. Flowering vines trained over a pergola or canopy can filter harsh midday light while still keeping the space bright and inviting. For container trees and tropical plants commonly used to dress up decks and patios, aim for spots that receive at least 4 to 6 hours of direct sunlight daily. Plan your layout by observing how sunlight moves across your yard throughout the day before committing to furniture placement, kitchen installation, or permanent plantings.

What soil preparation and drainage steps should I take before planting around a destination spot?

Before planting around patios, decks, or outdoor kitchen areas, test your soil pH and amend with compost worked 12 inches deep to improve both drainage and fertility. Poor drainage is especially critical near hardscaping, as water pooling against foundations or pavers can damage structures and drown roots, so slope the soil at least 1 inch per foot away from any structure. For container trees and raised beds commonly used in destination landscapes, use a well-draining potting mix blended with perlite to prevent waterlogging during heavy rain seasons. Start soil preparation 2 to 4 weeks before planting to allow amendments to settle, and in colder zones 4 through 6, time your planting for spring after the last frost to give new plants the full growing season to establish.

Which types of plants work best for anchoring and surrounding a destination spot in the landscape?

For anchoring and surrounding a destination spot, flowering vines trained over a canopy or pergola add vertical interest and a sense of enclosure, while container trees positioned strategically help blend the deck or patio into the surrounding landscape. Tropical plants bring bold texture and color to patio areas, and fruit bushes planted in raised beds near the patio offer both beauty and function. Patio trees are particularly effective at adding seasonal color and defining the edges of an outdoor living space. Choose a mix of vines, container-friendly trees, and fruiting shrubs from Nature Hills to layer your planting and create that immersive, resort-like feel right at home.

How do I choose plants that are proportional to the size of my destination spot without overcrowding it?

Selecting plants proportional to your space starts with knowing the mature size of each plant, not just how it looks in the nursery container. For smaller patios and decks, opt for dwarf or columnar varieties of trees and shrubs that stay under 10 feet, and use container plantings to control spread while adding flexibility to rearrange as needed. A good rule of thumb is to leave at least 18 to 24 inches between plants and structures to allow for airflow and growth. Before purchasing, check the mature width listed on each plant's tag or product page at naturehills.com and map out your space on paper to ensure a balanced, uncluttered layout.

How can I use layered plantings and landscaping to make a destination spot feel cozy and inviting?

Layered plantings work best when you combine a canopy element like a small patio tree with mid-level shrubs and low-growing ground covers or ornamental grasses to create a sense of enclosure and depth. Draping flowering vines over a pergola or canopy structure adds a soft, lush overhead element that helps blur the line between your built space and the surrounding garden. Container trees and tropical plants placed at the corners of a deck or patio further pull the natural landscape into your outdoor room. Start by selecting two or three plants with contrasting heights and textures, position them intentionally around your seating area, and add landscape lighting to make the space inviting well into the evening hours.

Which path materials do the best job of guiding visitors naturally toward a destination spot?

Natural stone and flagstone are top choices for creating paths that feel intentional and organic, as their irregular shapes encourage a relaxed, meandering pace that draws visitors forward. Decomposed granite and gravel work well in drier climates and xeric gardens, while brick offers clean structure for more formal landscapes. For curves that guide the eye naturally, keep path width at a minimum of 36 inches for single foot traffic and 48 to 60 inches for shared walkways. Choose a material that complements your home's exterior and existing hardscape, then line the edges with low-growing border plants like creeping thyme or mondo grass to reinforce the path's direction.

How far should a destination spot be placed from the house, patio, or nearest water source?

There is no single required distance for placing a destination spot relative to your house, patio, or water source, as placement depends on your available space, the purpose of the area, and how you want to connect different zones in your landscape. That said, outdoor kitchens and dining areas benefit from being close to the home for convenient access to utilities and indoor amenities, while relaxation zones can be positioned farther out to create a sense of escape and privacy. For areas requiring irrigation or water features, staying within 50 to 100 feet of your nearest water source keeps installation costs manageable. Focus first on how you intend to use the space, then work with your yard's natural layout to position each destination spot where it feels both functional and inviting.

How do I plan a destination spot so it functions well for relaxing, outdoor dining, or entertaining guests?

Planning a destination spot starts with defining separate zones for each activity, such as a dedicated dining area near an outdoor kitchen and a distinct lounging space set apart by elevation or plantings. Use container trees, flowering vines on a canopy, and landscape lighting to visually anchor each zone and extend your enjoyment into the evening hours. Add raised beds with fruit bushes near the patio so fresh ingredients are always within reach during gatherings. Start by sketching your available space, identify which activities matter most to you, then shop naturehills.com for patio trees, tropical plants, and flowering vines suited to your hardiness zone to bring the vision together.

How much ongoing maintenance should I expect to keep a destination spot looking its best through the seasons?

Maintaining a backyard destination spot typically requires a few focused hours each week during the growing season, with lighter upkeep in winter months. Flowering vines on canopies should be pruned after their bloom cycle, container trees need watering every 2 to 3 days in summer heat, and fruit bushes benefit from a balanced fertilizer application in early spring and again in midsummer. Landscape lighting fixtures should be checked seasonally for positioning and bulb performance as plantings mature and shift. Start by building a simple monthly checklist that covers pruning, feeding, and cleaning hardscape surfaces so upkeep stays manageable rather than overwhelming.

How do I help plants around a destination spot stay healthy and hydrated during hot, dry summer weather?

Keeping plants around your outdoor living space thriving through summer heat comes down to consistent watering, mulching, and smart plant selection. Apply a 2 to 3 inch layer of organic mulch around the base of container trees, tropical plants, and fruit bushes to retain soil moisture and regulate root temperature. Water deeply and less frequently, aiming for early morning sessions that allow foliage to dry before evening, which reduces disease pressure. Choose heat-tolerant varieties suited to your USDA hardiness zone and group plants with similar water needs together to make irrigation more efficient and effective.