Summer is the time for dreaming and scheming about a new and improved landscape. Landscape maintenance can spruce up any home, however, there’s so much that can be done to improve your outdoor living space that it may be difficult to figure out where to start. Here is a look at some current landscaping trends and helpful tips on where to most efficiently focus your outdoor efforts. Summer landscaping touches don’t have to cost a lot of money or take up an abundance of time. Simple outdoor touches can quickly and easily add to the enjoyment and fun of your backyard and ultimately become an extension of your living area.
- Add Native plants: Living in Atlanta we are accustomed to droughts during the summer, making water conservation a major concern for homeowners. Native plantings often require less watering than exotic species, which could save a homeowner thousands of dollars per year. Here is a list of native plant alternatives to common landscape plants in Georgia.
- Add Light: Don’t let the artistry of your landscaping efforts be masked by darkness when the sun goes down. Use clever landscape lighting to highlight your flowerbeds, gardens, walkways, porch and more with simple outdoor lighting. Use spotlights to direct the eye toward your favorite plants or use decorative lanterns for a romantic touch.
- Add Colorful Foliage: Foliage can be used as an alternative to flowers for pops of color in your landscape. You can mix several varieties of sun-tolerant coleus with boxwood, begonia, and elephant’s ear for a sensational landscape from spring to fall.
- Add Fragrance: Flowers are pleasing to the eye, but you can give your garden extra dimension by adding plants with an alluring scent. A fragrant flower garden is one of the best parts of summer. Add some roses to stop and smell along your walkway. People don’t often think about Petunias when they think of fragrant flowers, but they can be highly fragrant especially in the evening. A great summer blooming flower is Phlox. It is drought resistant and comes in a wide variety of colors.
- Add Structure: Incorporate structural plants into your landscape. For example, boxwood hedges are attractive year-round and make a great foil for the colorful plants. If you are not a fan of the hedge look, consider small trees or shrubs with unique shapes such as contorted white pine or interesting bark like amur cherry.
- Add Water: Add an aquatic vibe to your landscape with a tranquil fountain or peaceful pond. Even a small water feature makes a big impact in the garden. As landscaping technology advances, water features are becoming more accessible and more cost-efficient than ever before. New features include self-sustaining devices that conserve water and energy.
- Add Wildlife: Who doesn’t want to watch bees, birds and butterflies flutter around in the garden? Make your garden welcoming to wildlife by mixing in plants that are rich in nectar or pollen. Bees prefer to buzz around hyssop and yarrow plants while butterflies favor wild basil and violets.
You can give birds a place to cool off in a birdbath or a small basin pond with 3 inches of water or less. - Add Personal Touches: Community gardens usually feature a number of outdoor living areas where families can gather for a picnic or sit and chat while the kids play. Include such areas in your yard on a smaller scale. For example add a small gazebo, and tuck it in a corner of your landscape for a place to enjoy eating in the shade during the day or for gathering under to star gaze at night.
Are you ready to design the perfect landscape for your property? Are you finally ready to turn your backyard into the beautiful and functional landscape that you have always dreamt it to be? If you answered yes, but aren’t sure if you have the time, vision or expertise, then call in a professional. Mansell Landscape has designed and overseen hundreds of landscape transformations. If you are interested in landscape maintenance, contact us today or visit our website for more information.