This is the time of year that many gardeners start to ache for the color and inspiration that a spring garden in full bloom emanates. While it’s true that the bloom-to-brown ratio is far more appealing in the warmer seasons, it is possible to have attractive, appealing gardens throughout the year.
Creating year-round interest in the landscape is usually just a matter of a few design adjustments and a fresh perspective.
- When designing (or re-designing) add evergreen trees and shrubs such as Rosemary, cypress trees, loquat trees, confederate jasmine, and monkey grass. Distribute them evenly throughout your design to provide green foliage and shelter for wildlife all year long.
- Be creative with plant textures. The shiny, smooth bark of a crape myrtle and the stark and robust silhouette of an agave stand out with beauty in the cold months while wispy bunches of Mexican feather grass and the lush, wide and dark green foliage of agapanthus blades excite the eyes in the spring and summer.
- Adding hardscape features is another simple way to add charm to any garden. Patios and fences create a frame around design and pull the entire look together — just like a handsome frame around a pretty picture. Arbors and pathways are easy and practical adornments and add to the finished look of a site.
A few simple tweaks to your terrain can energize an otherwise dull winter landscape.
