Few things are more frustrating than a messy front yard. In addition to disrupting your curb appeal, overgrown, messy landscaping can also harbor pests and make it look like you don't care about your property. Fortunately, tidying up your yard doesn't have to be difficult. I have spent years learning more about landscaping, and this blog is all about how to become a landscaping enthusiast. Check out these articles about fun topics like planting flowers, perfecting pruned trees, and decorating your yard with whimsical additions. After you know more about landscaping, your yard might become the talk of the town.
A beautiful yard isn't just for the warmer seasons. With some advance planning, you can create a four-season landscape that looks lovely no matter the time of year. The following tips can help you develop a landscape design you will love:
Tip #1: Take advantage of hardscaping
Hardscaping refers to any permanent "hard" features, like sidewalks, retaining walls, statuary, and structures. The beauty of hardscaping is not seasonal. By adding low walls and some benches, your lawn will have depth even when most of the plants are dormant in winter. You can further add height and focal points with a well-placed statue or a structure, such as a pergola or an obelisk, that will draw the eye.
Tip #2: Grow structural plants
Structural plants have an eye-pleasing structure no matter the season. Many deciduous small and medium-sized flowering trees have a pleasing branch structure and attractive bark that adds interest to the winter lawn. Evergreens trees and shrubs are another common all-season structural plant. For lower growing options, look at ornamental grasses with pretty seed heads that can wave all winter, or at small evergreen shrubs like lavender.
Tip #3: Use creative lighting
Lighting can really make a yard pop, whether on a clear summer night or to brighten up the early darkness of winter. Opt for a couple of types of lighting. Uplights against fences, buildings, and garden statuary add a dramatic touch that really draws the eye to the object that is lit up. Small path lighting then adds depth if used to outline paths and garden beds. A few twinkling fairy lights can even be used for a playful touch, especially when placed inside evergreens or used to make branch tips pop on a barren deciduous tree.
Tip #4: Add some color
A colorful yard is easy in spring and summer but can be a challenge in winter. You can use plants for some winter color. The most popular are evergreens but opt for a couple of varieties so you can feature multiple shades of green. Also, look at plants that have winter berries or fruits that persist long after the first snowfall, since the berries provide a pop of color and attract colorful winter birds. Non-plant color is easier to use. Colorful gazing balls, for example, will catch wan winter light and amplify it, or they will reflect your yard lighting at night.
For more help, work with local landscape design services to create an all-season yard plan.
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