Category: Landscaping

Evergreen Shrubs in the Landscape

There are many choices of evergreen shrubs for every climate and landscape. The two basic types of evergreen shrubs are conifers, which produce needles, and broadleaf evergreens, which have foliage. Evergreen flowering shrubs bloom in different seasons, while other evergreen bushes produce insignificant flowers or no blooms at all.

Winter is an enjoyable time to observe needled evergreens (conifers) in a variety of landscapes to gather ideas and inspiration for future planting plans. There are several popular evergreen shrubs that make good fits for northern landscapes, including traditional favorites junipers, yews, and arborvitae.

Juniper

Juniper Tortuga©

Junipers are a popular group of evergreen shrubs for landscapes. One way to identify a juniper is to stick your hand into the canopy. If you feel sharp or prickly spines, it is a juniper, and that is why deer leave them alone. Junipers are available in a variety of growth habits ranging from very tall to medium shrubs to exceptionally low creeping junipers less than a foot off the ground. Coloration of cultivars can be various shades of green to blue, and those colors often change for winter dormancy. Junipers prefer sunny locations and may appear open and leggy in excess shade.

Juniper Species

Species commonly available in nurseries include Chinese juniper (Juniperus chinensis), with cultivars varying in height from fifteen feet to eighteen inches, and creeping juniper (Juniperus horizontalis), with most cultivars under two feet in height and functioning more like groundcovers.

Another species, Juniperus virginiana, is better known as Eastern redcedar and frequently grows (and spreads) wild, such as along interstate highways in Wisconsin. Eastern redcedar is a host of cedar rust disease, which spreads to apples and crabapples.

 

Yews

Yews Stonehenge©

Yews are adaptable evergreen shrubs with soft, dark green, flat needles that will tolerate a shady landscape. One common mistake is planting large yews too close to homes and sidewalks, and they grow out of bounds. The biggest problem facing yews is planting them in excessively wet soil, such as near downspouts or in low areas. They are also prone to winter burn, or browning of foliage, especially when growing in windy, exposed areas. Japanese yew (Taxus cuspidata) reach medium to generous size and make excellent hedges. Cultivars vary in size and growth habit ranges from spreading (such as ‘Expansa’) to mounded (such as ‘Nana’). Anglojapanese yew (Taxus x media) are also available in nurseries.

 

Arborvitae

TinyTot© Arborvitae

The third popular evergreen shrub is arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis), also known as white cedar. Native white cedar appear as small to medium trees. Foliage is closely spaced scale-like needles, with a flattened or fanlike growth pattern. Arborvitae typically is valued in landscapes for having a tall, pyramidal growth habit that make good screens. There are also smaller rounded or globe forms for various uses in the landscape. Color can also vary with cultivars. The biggest concern with arborvitae is deer are very fond of them and do considerable feeding damage.

Evergreen plants are an invaluable component of gardens and landscapes, providing structure and color through the winter after other plants have gone dormant. Shrubs that stay green, or keep their leaves all year, provide background interest to other plants, lending year-round interest to foundation plantings, beds, borders and containers.

  • USDA Hardiness Zones: 2–7; varies according to variety
  • Color Varieties: Yellow green to dark green

Source: ©wisc.edu/

Check out this evergreen that’s perfect for any garden:

For Your Garden: Lemon Cypress Evergreen – TUTORING YOU

Homeowners are Regretting this Popular Landscaping Tactic

Artificial turf is an alternative to grass that has gotten more popular in the last decades landscaping. It might seem like an ideal solution since it stays green and never needs to be mowed. However, some people have recently found out the severe drawbacks of artificial turf and are regretting installing it, according to The Guardian.

What’s happening?

Even though artificial turf has been around for almost 80 years, the quality has improved sharply in just the last 10 to 15, leading to an uptick in sales. During the COVID-19 pandemic, when many people were stuck at home, installers reported a record sales year.

However, demand in 2023 was almost two-thirds lower than in 2021. Many people are even removing the plastic grass after getting to experience it firsthand.

Why is artificial turf getting less popular?

Since artificial turf doesn’t grow, many homeowners hoped it would be low maintenance. However, rather than needing to be mowed, this grass alternative needs to be vacuumed. This maintenance has to be performed frequently to remove leaves and debris.  This material would break down naturally and become part of the soil if they landed on normal grass.

The downside

While artificial turf may look inviting, it can actually burn your feet in hot weather, the Guardian explained. Real grass helps cool the area down. Also, water tends to pool on top of artificial turf — and so can urine, creating a smell that lingers long-term.

The drawbacks of artificial turf are so severe that it can lower property values by up to 5%.  This is in spite of the fact that it’s actually more expensive to install than grass.

Meanwhile, in the sports world, the NFL Players Association shared data in April 2023 that suggests artificial turf causes more injuries than natural grass.

What alternatives can I choose?

If you don’t want an artificial lawn, but you also don’t want the expense and maintenance of traditional grass, native plants are an excellent alternative. An experienced rewilding company can help you choose the right combination for your area and your lifestyle.

Native plants have had thousands of years to adapt to the climate in their natural habitat, so they don’t need much irrigation or care to be healthy. This helps save homeowners time and cuts down on their water bills. Native plants are also helpful for feeding and sheltering pollinators — making them good for owners and the landscaping environment.

Source:   The Cool Down©

 Low-Maintenance Ideas for Landscaping

Dreaming of a beautiful yard without spending every weekend pulling weeds or deadheading flowers? You’re not alone. Whether you’re short on time, new to landscaping, or just want a space that feels peaceful and easy to care for, low-maintenance landscaping can give you that perfect balance of function and flair.

Check out these ideas that don’t require a green thumb—or a huge budget.

 Hanging Planter Wall

 

Maximize vertical space with a simple hanging planter wall. It’s great for small yards, balconies, or to add color to a plain fence. You can add succulents, vegetables that do well on a trellis, herbs, or really anything your heart desires.

Install a wooden or metal frame and hang small potted plants or recycled containers using hooks or macramé. Choose hardy herbs, succulents, or trailing vines for a lush, cascading effect.

 

Gravel Courtyard

 

A gravel courtyard brings a peaceful, European courtyard vibe without needing constant upkeep. It’s perfect for dry climates and shady corners.

Outline your space with edging stones or bricks, lay down landscape fabric, and spread pea gravel or crushed granite. Add a café table, potted plants, and solar lanterns to complete the scene.

 

Birdbath Garden

 

Attract feathered visitors with a classic birdbath surrounded by flowering plants. It adds life, color, and a gentle soundtrack to your garden.

Place your birdbath on a stone base or pedestal in a partly shaded area. Surround it with pollinator-friendly flowers like coneflowers, black-eyed Susans, or lavender.

 

Mulch and Native Plants

 

If you want the lowest-maintenance landscaping possible, mulch paired with native plants is the way to go. It suppresses weeds, retains moisture, and needs very little ongoing work.

Look up native plants for your region and pair them with bark, straw, or cocoa shell mulch. Arrange them by height and bloom season for year-round interest with minimal effort.

Rock Garden with Succulents

 

Low-water and high-style? A rock garden with succulents delivers both. It thrives in sun, handles neglect well, and looks amazing year-round.

Use river rocks or gravel to create small beds or clusters, and mix in hardy succulents like hens and chicks, sedum, or echeveria. Add driftwood or metal garden art for extra texture.

Copy and paste the website below to view more ideas for low-maintenance landscaping.

Source: Backyard Garden Lover

©Image Credit: Shutterstock

Related:  14 cheap landscaping updates that make a splash – TUTORING YOU

14 cheap landscaping updates that make a splash

Revamp your landscape (and impress your neighbors) with these inexpensive updates.

FAMILY HANDYMAN

Roll in a Boulder

Boulders are eye-catching and provide a natural location for adding grasses, flowers and other garden plants. You’ll find huge piles of boulders to pick through anywhere that sells landscaping supplies. Prices vary with size, less for breadbox-size ones and more for giant boulders that you’ll need delivered and placed. Whatever sizes you choose, nest the boulders into the ground a bit. They should look like they were left from a receding glacier — not like they were just rolled off the back of a pickup!

 

Courtesy Melina Gillies

Use Cheap Planters, but Dress Them Up

Garden twine is a useful tool for any gardener, especially as a cheap and cheerful addition to any planter. With a little hot glue and some imagination, you can create almost any look you like. Wrap an entire run-of-the-mill plastic planter with twine for an industrial look or cover only a portion to give your decorative planters a modern edge.

Twine is also easily painted, so consider adding a colorful stripe to the middle section of twine with spray paint for an extra pop of color, or group pots together with assorted colors to accent your other outdoor decor. The only limitation: Make sure that the size of the planter matches the size of the plants you want to display.

 

FAMILY HANDYMAN

Go with a Gravel Path

Adding a garden path provides interest and a place to walk through your landscape. But rather than installing an expensive concrete or paver pathway, opt for less-expensive gravel or mulch.

There’s three for you. Check out Family Handyman for all fourteen.

5 ways to make your backyard more private without a fence

Whether you want a much softer look by beautifying your boundaries with planting, add an ornamental screen for patio privacy, or obscure your yard from neighbors, these expert tips will boost the privacy of your backyard. 

1. Create a natural privacy screen

Plants are always a great way to create more privacy in your yard without needing to put up a garden fence or man-made structure that could make the space less appealing. Go for a layered look if you like things natural or a more structured geometric design if you’re a fan of clipped and contemporary.

‘Plant fast-growing shrubs in the ground, or you can even plant them in pots that you can move around,’ says Miguel Camperos, VP of operations at SunVara. ‘This can help block prying eyes while maintaining the natural appeal of your yard, plus it means you can place them strategically.’

Choose reliable evergreen shrubs for year-round color. ‘I suggest using plants like Cryptomeria japonica, Leyland cypress, and junipers, which are all fast-growing specimens,’ says New York-based landscape designer Jonathan Fargion. ‘Dense planting at the edge of the property will provide a nice thick layer.’

Other evergreen options include Prunus laurocerasus, which is a broadleaf evergreen with a nice white flower in spring, or boxwood, adds Jonathan. ‘Alternatively, you can plant taxus baccata, which is a fantastic evergreen plant that can take sun and shade, and you can shear it to make it look like a continuous wall.’

2. Go for a vine-covered lattice or trellis

Adding lattice or trellis panels are another option to create privacy with a visual barrier between your yard and neighboring ones, while also adding a beautiful and natural element to your outdoor space. As well as boundaries, place them strategically around your backyard landscaping to create zones that are more secluded and intimate for dining or lounging.

Let vining plants grow over them for a soft unstructured look. ‘Installing trellis or lattice around your yard is a perfect solution for privacy,’ says Ben McInerney, a qualified arborist and founder of Home Garden Guides. ‘Grow climbing plants like jasmine that look great but are not too thick and allow good light penetration.’

Other good choices of climbing plants include climbing roses, honeysuckle and clematis to create a living screen that can be scented too if you choose the right plant varieties. These are some of the best plants to hide a garden wall too. One of our favorite climbing plants for scrambling over trellis is the ‘Iceberg’ rose, available from Nature Hills. 

‘I usually like to mix in English ivy, which is evergreen so provides privacy all year round, with a deciduous climber like Virginia creeper, that features great fall color, and a flowery climber like clematis,’ says Jonathan Fargion.

3. Choose decorative screen panels

The use of strategically placed screens to block a view or make a gathering space more private is a common design trick for overlooked spaces. Featuring ornamental lazer-cut patterns and made of materials such as metal, like this decorative privacy screen panel from Amazon, they add a design element to the garden too.

‘Decorative accents are an often lesser-known design feature that can serve as an alternative to a traditional fence,’ says Joe Raboine, VP of design at Belgard. ‘Decorative screen panels come in a wide range of styles and colors, offering an option to complement every backyard design style. They allow light to pass through so they don’t entirely close off a space.’

4. Frame your perimeter with a hedge

Choosing one of the best privacy hedges will help to create a more secluded yard and will quickly solve the problem of being overlooked. They can be grown to the height and thickness you desire without the legal restrictions usually encountered when installing a fence.

‘This method of landscaping for privacy is effective throughout the year and is rarely prohibited by local ordinances about plant height,’ says Trevor Lively, president of Blue Jay Irrigation. ‘You can create privacy between yards using fast-growing columnar evergreens like Italian cypress, arborvitae, or a clipped privet hedge.’

You don’t have to have a dense hedge either. ‘Hedges made from shrubs like boxwood, yew, or arborvitae [thuja] can create a natural fence that doesn’t block too much light,’ says Brock Ingham, owner of Bigger Garden. ‘You can also opt for a layered hedge that allows light to filter through.’

5. Screen with trees

Trees really add something to a backyard but are particularly useful when it comes to the issue of how to make a space more private without a fence. The best trees for privacy not only offer a beautiful, natural way to screen your yard, but also provide structure and interest all year round.

If your yard is on the shady side it’s a good idea to opt for a deciduous tree. ‘Keep your backyard private from a neighbor’s second-story window or terrace by planting a deciduous shade tree, which, depending on the species, can grow anywhere from 25 to 60 feet in height,’ says Trevor Lively. ‘The canopy provides welcome summertime shade on a deck or patio. Trees that lose their leaves in winter allow more light into the home during these months.’

Ultimately, creating backyard privacy without a fence is all about finding the right balance between functionality and aesthetics, as well as being mindful of the environment and local zoning laws. 

With the right design, it’s possible to create a private backyard without stretches of fence on display, so it feels more like a green retreat.

Source: Homes & Gardens©

Using gravel in landscaping

Why Use Gravel in Your Landscape

The options are limitless when it comes to using gravel in your landscape. Gravel hardscaping can add cohesion, class, and style to your landscape. Think past the driveway and consider these decorative stones for:

  • Walkways or paths
  • Patios
  • Dog run
  • Terraces
  • Entranceways
  • Firepit area
  • Playground
  • Garden beds
  • Landscape art and design

Gravel Paired with Stone

Gravel can fill the gaps between stone slabs on flagstone or paver pathways. It’s an attractive combination that’s easier to maintain than paver pathways that feature ground covers between stone slabs.
Select a color of gravel that matches the flagstone or pavers. To prevent gravel traveling up onto the flagstones, start by installing a layer of compacted base rock, then lay the flagstones – setting them in the base rock so they’re slightly above what will be the gravel level – and spread gravel in the gaps.

Gravel For Patios and Walkways

If cement does not appeal to you, and natural stone pavers are too expensive, gravel is an ideal hardscaping element that delivers utility and visual appeal. Gravel is a great walkway material, offering quick drainage and that pleasing crunch underfoot. As a patio material, gravel makes a nice floor that adds texture but also visually shows a unified surface. Choose a color that complements other hardscaping materials and the style of your garden.

Gravel for Plant Beds

Gravel provides a superior solution to much for your planter beds to prevent evaporation and water waste. The main problem with mulch is that it breaks down and must be replaced frequently. Gravel is ideal for use in planter beds when you want to place flowers and greenery around the perimeter of your home without compromising the foundation. A thick layer of gravel will suppress weeds that may be apt to spring up around your plants.

Garden gravels are a low-maintenance and neat substitute for a lawn. Gravel eliminates the need for constant watering, mowing, and fertilizing. Reducing water and chemical use in the yard benefits the environment, especially during dry months. Plus, your landscape will always appear manicured.

Source: braytopsoilandgravel.com

10 Small Landscaping Trees That Require Little Growing Space

I love adding small trees, plants, and shrubs wherever I can. Every gardener knows that they’re a fantastic way to “green” up your existing yard space. If you’re a gardener with a tiny yard, never fear! It’s absolutely possible to grow trees in small yard spaces without running into space issues, here are a few small landscaping trees that are up to the task!

Small Landscaping Trees

The Lemon Tree

Gardeners can grow lemon trees outdoors and in! Lemons are a great tree for container gardening, and any other small space. Lemon trees can be started from seed, but it will be a long while until your first harvest! Instead, visit your local nursery to pick up a dwarf lemon tree. It’s important to remember to protect your lemons from frosts!

 

 

Appalachian Red Redbud

If you like stunning, fragrant, and edible flowers, this tree is just the thing for your yard! Don’t expect this tree to get more than 15-25 feet tall.

 

Dwarf Apple Trees

Dwarf apple trees are the perfect tree for a fruit loving gardener! Tuck them in a balcony container, or give them a small, sunny area of your garden! Certain varieties of dwarf apple trees will grow to be 4-8 feet tall. Do some research and decide which variety is best for your yard.

 

Japanese Maple

The Japanese Maple is known for it’s dramatic colored leaves in the Fall months. When your plant is young, make sure it has plenty of afternoon shade to protect it from harsh lighting. Plant your Japanese Maple in the fall months for better growth and overall health!

 

(beesandroses.com)

Some Simple Front Yard Landscaping Ideas

One great idea for front yard landscaping is a shade tree. A shade tree can provide needed shade from the bright sunshine by taking away the sunlight. Since trees typically have left throughout the year, you won’t have too much problem changing the color of your leaves every fall.

When you plant a shade tree, you must remember that they usually take root in the fall, so you can expect to have them sitting pretty even in the middle of winter. If you have a nice-sized shade tree, it may not be a problem to keep them shaded without having to prune them every few years.

Another popular landscaping idea for yards is perennials such as shrubs, grass, and turf. Perennial plants are less maintenance than annuals and they offer many benefits.

For example, you won’t have to worry about fertilizing and pest control like you would with annuals, and you won’t have to worry about the weeds growing around your perennials either. Shrubbery and turf are ideal options if you don’t want to spend a lot of money on annuals.

 

Garden Beds

Another one of the top front yard landscaping ideas is a garden bed. A garden bed provides some visual interest as well as a place for the plants to grow and spread out.

You can choose whether to plant shrubs, grass, or turf. It is important that the grass is not planted too deep because that will mean that the turf could end up going to seed if it is not mowed properly, which could be a problem.

One of the best front yard landscaping ideas is to create a curb appeal. Curb appeal is all about making your property look nice. Think about the things that other people will think of when they drive by your house.

You wouldn’t want to have a very ugly garden bed in your front yard because that would ruin the look. If you have a nice-looking yard though, you can enhance its curb appeal by putting flowers along the edges or by putting some landscaping edgings or stones in the ground.

Ground cover

A final front yard landscaping idea for you is to plant some sort of ground cover. A lot of people choose grass because that is the most durable grass that you can plant, however, there are also some other options that you can choose.

One good option is to use something like Lamium as a ground cover. Lamium, or deadnettle, can brighten shady areas with its silvery or golden foliage. This way you will be able to create a nice grassy look without the worry of having to water it throughout the entire year.

Flower Beds

In addition to using turf for your landscaping, another idea is to use the flower bed around the perimeter of your yard. The flower beds around the edge of your driveway also provide a nice contrast against the walkway.

Another idea is to put mulch in the ground between your flower bed and your driveway. Mulch will help to keep the soil moist and weed-free, which will prevent problems with weeds.

Of course, one of the most common front yard landscaping ideas is to simply shade your yard. There are many different ways that you can do this.

One way to shade your yard is by laying out a piece of shade cloth or any flat material under your tree. You can then put that under your shrubs, as well as plants that you want to block sunlight from hitting them.

Another option is to use a large net hanging from your roof. This will help to shade your trees and shrubs, while still giving them enough sun exposure.

By   Yard Landscaping 

More Front Yard Landscaping Ideas

Low-Growing Landscapes Enhance Ranch Style Homes

Match the front yard landscape to suit the style of your home. For instance, use low-growing shrubs, grasses and flowering plants to repeat the horizontal lines of a ranch-style house. Some low growing plants such as dwarf trees, small conifer trees and ground cover look amazing in front of ranch style homes. Choosing evergreen will ensure that you enjoy the lush green landscape throughout the year. It’s also a good idea to plant smaller plants in the front of flowerbeds and taller ones in back to create depth and dimension.

Tip: Be sure to check plant tags to know how big your shrubs or trees will be once fully grown.

Quaint Cottages, Classic Styles and More

Accent a Cape Cod house or cottage with classic details such as a white picket fence and cottage garden flowers like roses, larkspurs, dianthus, snapdragons and hydrangeas. Some houses lend themselves to landscaping, and cottages are at the top of the list. 

Less is More with Modern Style Homes

A minimalistic or simple front yard fits well with a contemporary house. Grow plants with spiky leaves or sculptural forms and use concrete or other modern-looking containers. Instead of lantern-shaped lights along a walkway, add a glow with outdoor rope lights or choose sleek mounted lighting for a wall. Native plants are great if you want plants and shrubbery that are low maintenance. Since these plants live in places that match their growing requirements, they will thrive in the soils, moisture and weather of that region.

Get Creative with Traditional Style Homes

The traditional style home pulls from a variety of historical architectural periods. Details such as large front porches with overhanging beams, rafters and columns may be featured on these homes. Materials such as brick, wood, plaster, stucco and stone are commonly used as well. When it comes to lawn maintenance, it’s great to start with shrubs and basic lawn care. This creates the perfect foundation to create a front yard you’ll love.

Drought-Tolerant Landscaping Tips

Do you have a small yard in a hot, dry climate? Grow space-saving succulents and cacti or native plants that don’t need much water. Instead of grass, cover your soil with attractive landscaping rocks, crushed stone, pebbles or gravel. Also, knowing your plant hardiness zone will allow you to determine which plants grow best in your part of the world. A technique called xeriscaping entails using drought resistant grass mixes, native plants and drought-resistant plants to keep your landscape thriving with little water.

Place an Arbor Over the Front Walk

Put an arbor over the walk to your front entrance. Plant it with climbing roses, Carolina jasmine, clematis or other vining plants. Consider attaching the arbor to a picket fence to make your front yard feel like a welcoming garden enclosure. You could also add trellises, pergolas and hardscape features like retaining walls or pathways to add visual interest to your landscape.

Add a Water Feature

Install a small water feature, such as a fishpond or a glazed pot with a circulating pump and let the overflow splash into a bed of attractive rocks. Fountains are also a great way to add an organic touch to your yard. Allow the soothing sounds of the water to drown out the noise from street traffic. Outdoor fountains create a calming oasis in your yard, while a tabletop fountain can be used on your front porch to bring the zen right to you. 

Line the Walkway

You can make your house the focus by planting a few trees or shrubs on each side of your walkway. Grow flowers under them and echo their colors in planters beside your entrance. Line the walkway to your front entrance with landscape lighting or low-growing liriope or mondo grass, sometimes called monkey grass. The walkway is also a great place for solar and LED lights to dimly light your path at night and impress onlookers. Our DIY Pathway guide provides all the direction you need to create a pathway you can be proud of.

Fill Window Boxes with Color

A window box is the perfect way to inject color and detail in the front of your home. Mixing and matching vibrant blooms and plants gives your house charming details that will increase curb appeal and distinguish it from other houses. Fill window boxes with colorful flowers, herbs or small shrubs. To enhance the effect, add the same plants in matching or complementary colors to flower beds below the windows.

Showcase Your Mailbox

We all don’t have space for a garden, but a mailbox can be used to display shrubs, colorful flowers and climbing vines to showcase your taste. Whether you choose pavers to create a border or have your plants growing wildly around your mailbox, it’s sure to add interest to your front yard. Dress it up with a new set of house numbers, too.

Source: homedepot.com

 

Landscaping Ideas for Small Front Yards

 

Don’t write off your tiny yard. Even the smallest outdoor spaces are worthy of intentional landscape design. After all, these areas are extensions of your home—and your front yard in particular lends a first impression to both passersby and guests.

When coming up with small front yard landscaping ideas, ask yourself what elements will allow you to enjoy the space to the fullest. Maybe indulging in your morning cup of coffee outside is your goal, or perhaps you’d like your yard to serve as a haven for native birds and bees. Or maybe you’d like to utilize the space to grow produce. Whatever the case, remain thoughtful in your design and let these small front yard landscaping ideas inspire you.

With small front yards, creative landscaping can have a big impact. There’s nothing like bringing in colorful plants and flowers to add to the overall quaintness of your front lawn.

  • Use small shrubs, bulbs or annuals in containers by your front door, in hanging baskets on your porch or in window boxes. For best results, fill the planters and baskets with a quality potting soil. The potted plants will add color and interest at different levels.
  • Think about proportion and look for plants that match the scale of your house and yard. 
  • If your small yard doesn’t feel private, grow ornamental grass, flowering plants and shrubs of different heights. Use some evergreens so your yard won’t be completely exposed in the fall and winter. 
  • Grow vertically. Train vining or climbing plants on fences or on trellises close to, but not touching, your house.

 

  •  Source: Front Yard Landscaping Ideas

Here is another landscaping idea for you:

Some Simple Front Yard Landscaping Ideas – TUTORING YOU