Winter doesn’t have to mean bland. It’s possible (and easy) to spruce up your yard with these 7 winter landscaping tips.
1. Topiaries
When do boring evergreens add a unique accent to your landscaping? When you trim them into eye-catching shapes. Unless you have a true artistic flair for complex shapes and figures, you can stick to geometric patterns. Purchase a few to flank your door and stairways, too. Most evergreens can be trimmed, so let your imagination take over and transform “blah” into “wow.”
2. Let Your Hardscapes be the Focus
Winter time is a great time to show off your hardscapes. Benches, arbors, unique rock placement, statuary, and gravel walkways can all be shown to their best advantage in winter… without competing for the spotlight.
3. Bring on the Lights
String lights can add an instant boost to your landscaping, not just for winter, but all year long. You can also purchase solar lamps to place throughout your yard and gardens, or to put on steps, fences, and patios. For an added dramatic flair, consider flame-look lanterns. If you go this route, however, make sure to read the reviews to find products that truly look realistic. They may cost a little more, but the warm glow is well worth the investment.
4. Plant for Winter Color Bursts
Why wait until spring to enjoy color? You can add a splash of beauty to even the bleakest landscapes with winter blooms. Some of the standouts are:
- Hellebores (Christmas Rose and Lenton Rose)
- Winter Jasmine
- Crocus
- Winterberry
- Camellia
- Snowdrop
- Cyclamen
- English Primrose
- Leucojum (Spring Snowflake)
- Witch Hazel (winter flowering)
- Pieris Japonica
5. Please Feed the Animals
Make sure you have a few plants to encourage biodiversity. Some plants drop seeds for birds to eat all winter long, while others bloom early to provide pollen for early-rising bees. Adding bird feeders is another great way to show love to our winged friends.
6. Some Veggies Like it Cold
While you may think of spring and summer as vegetable seasons, there are a few that do very well in moderately cold climates. In fact, some are able to survive 15° cold snaps. These veggies include a few leafy varieties, like cabbage and kale, and favorites like brussel sprouts, carrots, and cauliflower.
7. Chimineas Will Warm Any Landscape
These beautiful landscaping additions are frequently made of terracotta or metal, and are the perfect way to take the chill off a cool day. You can also build a modest fire pit, or purchase manufactured ones. You don’t need to be trapped indoors all winter long; add a functional piece of beauty to your landscape this winter with these attractive hotspots.
Anxious for warm weather? RELS Landscaping is counting down the days until spring, too. It’s not too early to dream of gardening. Get a jump on spring by browsing our catalog for our Frederick or Silver Spring locations.