Winter Landscape Woes Turn into an Opportunity for Beauty

February 6, 2017 | By webadmin

When the season is right and the weather is beautiful, it’s easy to overlook some of the flaws in our landscapes. Winter months can often expose some of the areas where we didn’t choose the right plants, or perhaps neglected to consider an important design element. When the flowers go away and plants drop their leaves in the cold season, the “ugly” areas have a tendency to stand out. This is the time of year when you can more easily areas in your landscape that could use some improvement. Winter is a great time to both identify and fix the problems.

Get to Know Your Landscape

Take a walk around your landscape on a bleak day and make note of the spots that need an evergreen anchor or a flowering focal point. Look for gaps in your borders or hedges. Recollect on what looked good through spring, but perhaps failed in summer.

Evergreen shrubs keep the landscape green through winter and beyond.

Ask yourself these questions and write down notes to either take to your local garden center or send to your landscape architect or designer so they can help you fill in what is needed.

• What shrubs worked well that can be repeated in another location for a more cohesive overall look? 
• What perennials need to be replaced that had trouble handling our tough summer heat?

Pinpoint problem areas where it seems like nothing will grow.

• Be aware of the sun or shade this area receives.
• Which direction does it face? 
• What other trees provide shade nearby? 
• Does the house itself block or protect this plant from wind or sun?
• Are there areas that might have looked good in the past, but are now in need of refreshment?

Pay Attention to Flooding Areas, the needs of pets or kids and unsightly views.

Does your dog run across the yard each day, creating a worn line in the lawn? Maybe a path of mulch or faux turf is needed. For spaces that have continuously flooded in the past or taken more than a few hours to drain water after a rain, you could need a drainage makeover. Or, you could make that space work better for your family by building a patio or deck instead. Cover unsightly views such as ugly fences, air conditioning units or street views by planting a living screen. These living screens also offer privacy and can reduce noise pollution from busy areas.

A dry river rock bed creates a beautiful drainage solution.

Build a patio in an area of the landscape where plants have a difficult time growing or drainage is an issue.

Good Soil Health Could Solve Multiple Issues

Did you know that weeds can provide indicators about your soil needs? Some routine weeding is necessary, but it's helpful to list areas that have major weed problems that need addressing far too often. Amending your soil with organic material will begin your journey to good soil health and more beautiful, robust plants. Start by having your soil tested to see exactly what it needs to thrive.

It's a good idea to do these evaluations on a regular basis to create a working plan for upgrades. By answering these questions about your landscape, you can be well on your way to identifying and solving problems that, once resolved, will offer you a more beautiful landscape year-round.