By Ali Larsen
Some homeowners decide it's time to begin developing their landscape when they've gotten bored with the essential shrubs installed by the home builder. For others, it's when they feel their yard has become "that one" on the block; you know, the one that causes others to laugh or mock.
Clean it up!
It sounds basic enough. But if you haven’t spruced up your yard in a while, the first thing you need to do to start appreciating it is clean it up. Find the rake and pruning shears to give an immediate facelift to what you already have. Remove lingering leaf debris in your planting areas and trim back overgrown bushes that have lost shape or block views from your windows. Then, let the real fun begin.
Start by selecting a defined area to beautify – don’t try to tackle everything at once.
As you begin your landscape improvements, identify a specific project or two that can be the most easily implemented and will make an immediate impact.
Add a splash of colour with flowers.
Your landscape will look instantly better with colour. In general, when it comes to planting selection, you are the artist. Select plants that have hues and tones that appeal to you. Be careful, though; many first-time gardeners choose flowers based solely on colour or looks, and soon find out that their yard doesn’t offer the right growing conditions for the plants selected. Don’t make that mistake.
Instead, determine how much sunlight your garden spot receives so that you can choose plants that will thrive in that space. Pansies, geraniums, sunflowers, California poppies, sweet peas, Veronica, asters, yarrow, peonies, and daffodils are excellent considerations for novice planters. Choose a combination of perennial plants – those that will last for an infinite period – and annual plants, meaning those that will last only for the season.
Don't forget white flowers
White flowers help illuminate garden areas in the evening as the sunlight hits their petals and can add beauty to your yard at night. Hydrangeas, impatiens, lilies, and dozens of others are excellent options.
Consider ground cover
Adding flowering ground cover is an easy weekend project that makes an immediate , and long-term, impact. There are endless ground-covering plants that will fill space with colour, textures, heights, and design. Consider Lamium, thyme, lily-of-the-valley, vinca, pachysandra, lamb’s ears, and brass buttons – again, focusing on what will be most effective for your growing conditions.
Shrubs are a must
Shrubs are an essential ingredient for your landscape. They can hide undesirable spots in your yard, add visual focal points, offer a fragrance to be enjoyed, and transition large displays in your yard to smaller ones. There are hundreds of options for selecting shrubs, including those that add vibrant green throughout the year and those that flower; tall and short ones and thin and wide ones.
As with flowers, it is crucial to select the right plant for your designated space. Make sure the shrubs you choose will thrive in your yard. Some hearty plants to consider include hydrangeas, boxwood, forsythia, lemongrass, lavender, and red oleander. And remember, shrubs will grow bigger. Locate them based on the size they will be at maturity, not the size at planting.
Add mulch
A fresh layer of mulch makes any landscape look better. It’s not just an aesthetic feature; mulch helps trap moisture and channels water into plant roots. It helps regulate soil temperatures and discourages weeds. Keep mulch approximately 18 inches from the foundation of your home to help prevent pests, especially termites, from taking up residence. Finish your weekend landscaping project by edging, which provides a robust and attractive boundary between the planting area and your grass and can help improve the health of your landscape.
Plant a tree
Create a lasting legacy on your property by adding a tree that can provide shade, privacy, and beauty. As with flowers and shrubs, there are seemingly endless considerations for tree selection as well. Be sure to select a tree that can grow into the identified space and be sure to give the sapling plenty of attention for the first two years to ensure it has the foundation to grow into the future.
Small touches add fun
If you don’t have a lot of time to invest in your landscape and are looking for a quick fix or two to help enhance it, add small pots of flowers, whimsical yard decor, a birdbath, or some other feature to help you enjoy your outdoor space a bit more.
Taking on one or several of these easy activities will help jump-start your ho-hum landscape. Contact a landscape professional for additional ideas and bring out the best in your outdoor living space.
Simple tips like these can create a happier, healthier, and more valuable home. Thank you for considering me for all your real estate needs, and be sure to share my contact information with anyone you know who’s looking to buy, sell, or invest in a home.
Thanks,
Ali & the AURA Real Estate Team at CIR Realty
Content courtesy of Love Your Landscape