Picture your dream yard. Maybe you see a beautiful, blooming garden. Perhaps you imagine a soothing place where you can escape the world. Or, maybe you envision yourself enjoying Mother Nature in the company of family and friends. Whatever your vision, achieving the landscape refresh of your dreams doesn’t have to be difficult or expensive. Consider a variety of upgrades–big and small–that can make a huge impact.
1. Grow a Healthy, Beautiful Lawn
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One of the first things people notice about a landscape is the lawn. Nothing beats the sight of beautiful, lush green grass. Caring for your lawn is a year-round task that includes everything from jumping into spring lawn maintenance to winterizing your landscape before the first frost.
2. Plant in Pairs
Photo: Gary Yeowell / DigitalVision / Getty Images
Choose plants that work well together, especially if incorporating potted plants in your landscaping. Companion planting is not only visually appealing, it also helps plants to thrive. For example, sunflowers add stunning beauty to a garden, but inhibit the growth of any surrounding plants. Don’t forget to prune your plants regularly to keep them healthy and thriving year-round.
3. Find Purposeful Plants
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Choose multi-purpose plants while planning your landscape to get the most out of your garden. Edibles like blueberries and tomatoes not only provide delicious homegrown food, they add pops of color and beautiful foliage to the garden. Even if you’re short on space, you can use compact edible berry shrubs, such as those from Bushel & Berry, to add fresh fruit instantly.
4. Add Raised Garden Beds
Photo: Courtesy of Louis All-Service Landscaping
Raised beds can add depth to the garden and serve as a great focal point in your landscape. Raised gardening beds are also harder to reach, which serves as an added bonus if critters have been snacking on your plants. Be sure to layer the base of your raised beds to ensure proper drainage and room for your roots to flourish.
5. Mix It Up
Photo: Courtesy of Universal Pavers
For a dramatic contrast, mix living plants with practical hardscapes. Add stone walkways or pebble beaches to the garden to create a textured landscape. Or, plant contrasting colors near each other for a bold, colorful yard.
6. Divide the Garden
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Your house has different rooms, so why can’t the garden? Use symmetrical lines of flowers, shrubs or succulents to create borders in your landscape. Then, you can style each portion of your yard differently for a unique look.
7. Add Containers
Photo: Rosmarie Wirz / Moment / Getty Images
Particularly great for small space gardeners, container plants fit perfectly into any landscape. The best part is, almost anything can be made into a container garden, so get creative!
8. Create Privacy
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A backyard can be a place to relax and simply enjoy your surroundings. If you like to escape from the world, you’re going to want some privacy. Plant tall hedges or fences in your yard to create a secret oasis or consider adding a new privacy fence along the edge of your patio.
9. Add a Party Space
Photo: Eirasophie/ E+ / Getty Images
If you love hosting company and entertaining guests, make your landscape party-friendly. Use big trees to create plenty of shady spots to relax. Incorporate outdoor furniture in your backyard and add elements like fire pits and string lights to create a fun, welcoming environment.
10. Create a Kid Zone
Photo: Inti St Clair / Tetra images / Getty Images
The best way to get kids playing outside is to have a kid-friendly landscape. Add a swing set, sandbox or paved stones for hopscotch to keep your little ones active and happy. Use this opportunity to teach them about gardening and growth.
11. Opt for Artificial Turf
Photo: Courtesy of Deep Green Landscapers
You have a vast range of options when switching to a xeriscaped landscape—also known as a landscape that doesn't require a lot of irrigation. Artificial turf is an excellent option for when you want to skip the weekly mowing or reduce your water use. Turf has come a long way, and you can find many varieties that mimic real grass.
12. Design with Landscape Stones
Photo: Courtesy of Bodine Landscape and Garden Projects
Who says that your garden requires day-in and day-out pruning, watering, and fertilizing? Landscape stones offer plenty of options for designing a rock garden up against your home, edging along the pathways of your house, and lining walkways and patios. You can add structure to your landscape without making any major changes.
13. Plant Native Species
Photo: Courtesy of San Antonio Landscape and Design
We should always adjust landscape ideas to match our local region. After all, the insects, animals, and even transportation of pollen depend on this. Choose plant species native to your local region to ensure that they flourish and support the local ecosystem.
14. Plant Perennials
Photo: Courtesy of West Metro Snow Plowing LLC
Perennials are the foundation of your garden. They come back year after year, and many perennials flourish even more each time they bloom. Consider planting area-specific flowers and shrubs that take time to mature–giving you something new to look forward to each season. Remember, choosing the right perennials for your yard will differ from yard to yard.
15. Let it Grow Wild
Photo: Dulyanut Swdp / Moment / Getty Images
A wild garden is not the same as an untidy one. Let your plants flourish for a more natural and wildlife-friendly landscape. Allowing vines, shrubs, and trees to expand without too much trimming offers places for birds and small mammals to nest without disruption. It also shows off your green thumb when the neighbors walk by.
16. Design for Drainage
Photo: Kirill Rudenko / Moment / Getty Images
It is crucial to keep drainage in mind whenever you make changes to your landscape. Prevent yard flooding by grading the land slightly away from your foundation, ensuring your soil is not overly dense, and installing well-draining hardscape elements. Permeable pavers are best when possible, though built-in drains are great options as well.
17. Add an Edge
Photo: DIGIcal / E+ / Getty Images
Curious how your neighbors keep their gardens looking so neat and organized? Garden edging is a technique that uses stone, plastic, metal, or wood to create a clean edge around your garden. The perimeter keeps weeds from moving into your garden, prevents erosion, and minimizes water runoff.
18. Enrich With Shrubs
Photo: Jon Lovette / Stone / Getty Images
Shrubs are a must-have in most landscapes, but for more reasons than you might think. There are many drought-tolerant shrubs, and their tough, deep roots are ideal in areas prone to erosion. Shrubs also change throughout each season, adding a range of colors to your yard as it makes its transition from warm to cool weather.
19. Structure With a Rock Wall
Photo: Beau Lark /Corbis / VCG / Corbis / Getty Images
The cost of hardscaping runs the gamut, but installations such as building a rock wall can bring a lot of practical value to your landscape. Not only does it serve as a property line marker in many cases, but it can also enclose a garden, prevent erosion on a slope, and add a stylish focal point to your overall design.
20. Plant for the Seasons
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Gardens are meant to be enjoyed year-round, even when plants are just making their debut in the spring. When planting tulip bulbs, place them in the ground before the first frost of the fall and enjoy their announcement of warm weather on the other side of winter. Even better, many tulip varieties are perennials, so you only need to replant bulbs in the fall every few years.
21. Grow Alternative Ground Cover
Photo: sakchai vongsasiripat / Moment / Getty Images
Ground cover plants are becoming all the rage the more we turn our focus toward planting low-maintenance landscapes. These plants are easier to care for than many traditional species of grass, and they offer a unique texture and color in your yard. Check out which ground cover plants do best in your USDA planting zone for year-round resiliency.
22. Frame Your Gate
Photo: Jon Lovette / Stone / Getty Images
Landscape design can increase the value of your home when you enhance your home’s curb appeal. Extend your gardening style to the sides of your fence or front gate to welcome guests. Consider adding vibrant and potent blooms for a great first impression.
23. Plant for the Pollinators
Pollinator gardens are important for your yard and your local ecosystem. Attracting birds, butterflies, and bees means that you'll encourage cross-pollination and support a balanced food chain in your backyard. For example, more birds means fewer pests and fewer pests means less fussing over your plants with pest control methods.
24. Grow an Herb Garden
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Save yourself a trip to the grocery store by planting fresh herbs and aromatics in your yard. Growing lavender offers years of perks, from tea to home decor to herb gardens of parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme. Be sure to research which herbs require full or partial sun and which herbs prefer a space all on their own—like wandering mint.
25. Layer with Color
Photo: Bill Ross / The Image Bank / Getty Images
One of the perks of investing in professional landscape design is the diversity of plant species, colors, and textures that a pro brings to the table. Consider planting in layers—with small colorful annuals up front and thicker, perennials lining the back of your flower bed. Incorporate rose bushes and ornamental grasses that change colors with each season as well.
26. Showcase Boulders
Photo: Yellow Dog Productions / The Image Bank / Getty Images
Whether you live in a rocky landscape or recently had stones brought in for your hardships, use larger boulders to your advantage. Boulders throughout your landscape are ideal for surrounding with flower beds, mulch, and even small rock gardens. You can also add boulders to backyard water features, particularly naturally inspired fountains and waterfalls.
27. Prepare for Winter
Photo: Yellow Dog Productions / The Image Bank / Getty Images
Winterizing your landscape is one of the best things you can do for your yard to prepare for a great spring. Mulching your flower beds, aerating your lawn, and bringing your container plants indoors should all top your to-do list. Take care of any major maintenance—such as trimming tree branches—before the snow comes as well.
28. Expand with Climbing Plants
Photo: Jacky Parker Photography / Moment / Getty Images
Even if your yard is relatively flat, add a bit of height to your garden by installing trellis, stakes, or growing ladders for plants that love to climb. Morning glories, ivy, and rose bushes all love space to grow, as well as veggies like squash and tomatoes.
29. Plan Around the Fire Pit
Photo: Inti St. Clair / Photodisc / Getty Images
If a fireplace is the hearth of your home, the firepit takes center stage out back. Plan your hardscape and landscaping design around a roaring fire, always with safety in mind. Include flexible seating areas surrounding the space with shrubs and flowers to surround your guests with the gifts of your garden.
30. Add a Gravel Path
Photo: Liyao Xie / Moment / Getty Images
Installing a gravel path is an easy DIY project. The layers of dense stone work well for walkways, driveways, and even patios when given enough support. Be sure to place a sand or mesh layer if you have soft soil prone to drainage issues.
31. Contrast with Color
Photo: Andrew Merry / Moment / Getty Images
Make a big impact with little change to your landscape by choosing a bold-colored perennial. This works well against the backdrop of a neutral-hued home where the bold-colored perennial will truly stand out. The shrub or flower will also attract pollinators, which can increase your home’s curb appeal.
32. Work with Natural Stone
Photo: Anna Blazhuk / Moment / Getty Images
If you want your rustic landscaping to maintain its look while adding structure, you can work with natural stone. Opting for natural stone may add to the overall cost of landscaping, but the results are one-of-a-kind and visually striking. Be sure to work with a professional landscaper to ensure your stones are properly supported and held in place.
33. Insulate With Mulch
Photo: DIGIcal / E+ / Getty Images
Protect your garden while beautifying it at the same time by learning how to insulate with mulch. There are many types of mulch to choose from, including everything from organic to inorganic varieties. Mulching will protect your garden's soil from changes in temperature, moisture, and even weeds.
34. Add Antique Details
Photo: photography by Ulrich Hollmann / Moment / Getty Images
If your home has vintage decor on the inside, you can extend that look to the outside of your home, as well. Antique wagon wheels, wheelbarrows, and watering cans are all excellent garden planters and focal points. Upcycle your furniture in the same style by adding a new stain or whimsical lighting to the design.
35. Keep it Drought-Tolerant
Photo: Simon McGill / Moment / Getty Images
The art of xeriscaping costs between $5 and $20 per square foot, though every drought-tolerant garden varies. Opt for native plants that can handle your dry weather and direct sun. Consider swapping out grass for resilient ground cover plants or opting for a rock garden instead.
36. Diversify Your Plants
Photo: Jordan Polevoy Photography / Moment / Getty Images
It's normal to get stuck in a rut with the symmetrical, straightforward lawn and garden style. Consider planting new shrubs or trees that change the average height of your lawn. You can even use dense and tall shrubs to create a privacy hedge.
37. Highlight Your Succulents
Photo: by Chakarin Wattanamongkol / Moment / Getty Images
Succulents aren't just for lining your windowsill. If your local climate is conducive, fill your rock garden and other well-draining soil with these low-maintenance plants to add texture and vibrant color to your garden year-round. Concentrate your cacti garden at the entryway of your home or throughout your property.
38. Collect Rainwater
Photo: Nadya So / 500px / Getty Images
Collecting rainwater is an eco-conscious tactic for watering your garden or rinsing off the patio. Opt for a water collection barrel or a cistern that attaches to your gutters. You can also attach rain chains to the side of your home to redirect the water into a container and away from your foundation.
39. Surround Your Porch
Photo: Jon Lovette / Stone / Getty Images
Impress your guests as they walk up to your porch and front door. Opt for shrubs that are dense and tall enough to create a lush wall of greenery around the formation of your porch. Add a line of lower plants in front that change with the season. Consider hanging plants and container gardens on the steps for extra color.
40. Extend to the Patio
Photo: Oscar Wong / Moment / Getty Images
Even without a plot of land, you can still grow an epic garden. Some types of plants are meant for your patio, thriving in a range of sunlight exposure and well-draining pots. Shift the plants around to change the look, and to match the pathway of sunlight each season.
41. Mix-Up the Pots
Photo: Maskot / Getty Images
Pottery is a playful way to add more color and style to a container garden. As long as the container allows water to drain from the sides or base, it can house your roses, begonias, and lavender gardens. Remember to repot your plants in larger containers as they grow and spread out, but be sure you can still move them indoors when they make the upgrade.
42. Grow a Spring Starter Garden
Photo: Gary Yeowell / DigitalVision / Getty Images
If you're dreaming up landscaping ideas deep into the end of winter, consider starting plants from seeds indoors. There are countless plant varieties out there—from veggies to flowers—that benefit from an early start. Not only does this give you more gardening time, but it allows your yard to flourish far earlier in the season.
43. Consider Your Kitchen
Photo: Alexander Spatari / Moment / Getty Images
Can your landscape spice up your next dinner idea? In addition to your veggie and herb garden, consider planting an array of peppers that add heat to your best dishes. Whatever you decide to grow, there's nothing quite like foraging in the garden before whipping up a meal.
Photo: Krit of Studio OMG / Moment / Getty Images
If you're passionate about pruning, trimming, and aerating, keep garden tools right next to your veggie garden. You can create a mini outdoor workstation so you don't have to run to your shed when you need your tools. Just remember to use garden tools that will withstand a sudden downpour.
45. Illuminate Your Poolscape
Photo: FOTOGRAFIA INC. / E+ / Getty Images
Of all the backyard pool ideas out there, pool landscape lighting is a must-have. Not only does it look beautiful, but it is necessary for pool safety. Be sure to illuminate the walkway surrounding your pool, as well as shrubs, trees, and water elements that decorate the area.
46. Line Your Driveway
Photo: Photos os by R A Kearton / Moment / Getty Images
If your driveway is long and winding, you can show off your gardening skills long before the start of the lawn. Add hardy plants and low ground cover that can sit next to the concrete or gravel. Planting a strong garden along your driveway will assist with water runoff and erosion.
47. Take a Seat
Photo: Clive Nichols / Corbis Documentary / Getty Images
Consider placing a bench, seating area, or dining table right in the center of your best rose garden. Adding a lounging opportunity means that you and your guests will have an amazing view of your blooms, and you can–quite literally–stop and smell the roses.
Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts
As an expert and enthusiast, I have access to a vast amount of information on various topics, including landscaping and gardening. I can provide you with information related to the concepts mentioned in this article. Here are the search results for each concept:
- Healthy, Beautiful Lawn: Caring for your lawn is a year-round task that includes spring lawn maintenance and winterizing your landscape before the first frost. [[1]]
- Companion Planting: Companion planting involves choosing plants that work well together, visually and in terms of growth. For example, sunflowers add beauty to a garden but inhibit the growth of surrounding plants. Regular pruning is also important for plant health. [[2]]
- Multi-Purpose Plants: Choosing multi-purpose plants for your landscape can provide both beauty and functionality. Edibles like blueberries and tomatoes not only provide food but also add color and foliage to the garden. Compact edible berry shrubs can be used in small spaces. [[3]]
- Raised Garden Beds: Raised garden beds add depth and serve as a focal point in the landscape. They can also help protect plants from critters. Proper drainage and room for root growth are important when building raised beds. [[4]]
- Mixing Living Plants with Hardscapes: Mixing living plants with hardscapes, such as stone walkways or pebble beaches, creates a textured landscape. Planting contrasting colors near each other can create a bold, colorful yard. [[5]]
- Dividing the Garden: Creating borders in your landscape using symmetrical lines of flowers, shrubs, or succulents can divide the garden into different sections with unique styles. [[6]]
- Container Plants: Container plants are great for small spaces and can fit into any landscape. Almost anything can be made into a container garden. [[7]]
- Creating Privacy: Planting tall hedges or fences in your yard can create a private oasis. Adding a privacy fence along the edge of your patio can also enhance privacy. [[8]]
- Creating a Party Space: Incorporating big trees for shade, outdoor furniture, fire pits, and string lights can create a fun and welcoming environment for hosting parties in your landscape. [[9]]
- Creating a Kid Zone: Adding a swing set, sandbox, or paved stones for hopscotch can create a kid-friendly landscape. It's also an opportunity to teach children about gardening and growth. [[10]]
- Artificial Turf: Artificial turf is an option for a low-maintenance landscape that doesn't require a lot of irrigation. It has come a long way and can mimic real grass. [[11]]
- Designing with Landscape Stones: Landscape stones can be used to design rock gardens, line pathways, and create structure in the landscape. They require less maintenance compared to traditional gardens. [[12]]
- Planting Native Species: Choosing plant species native to your local region ensures they will flourish and support the local ecosystem. This is important for insects, animals, and pollination. [[13]]
- Planting Perennials: Perennials are plants that come back year after year and can add beauty to your garden. Choosing area-specific flowers and shrubs that take time to mature can provide something new to look forward to each season. [[14]]
- Letting the Garden Grow Wild: Allowing plants to flourish without excessive trimming creates a more natural and wildlife-friendly landscape. It provides nesting places for birds and small mammals. [[15]]
- Designing for Drainage: Proper drainage is important in landscaping. Grading the land away from the foundation, using well-draining hardscape elements, and installing permeable pavers or drains can help prevent yard flooding. [[16]]
- Garden Edging: Garden edging uses materials like stone, plastic, metal, or wood to create a clean edge around the garden. It prevents weeds, erosion, and water runoff. [[17]]
- Enriching with Shrubs: Shrubs are a must-have in most landscapes. They are drought-tolerant, have deep roots that prevent erosion, and add color throughout the seasons. [[18]]
- Structuring with a Rock Wall: Building a rock wall can serve as a property line marker, enclose a garden, prevent erosion, and add a stylish focal point to the landscape. [[19]]
- Planting for the Seasons: Planting tulip bulbs before the first frost of fall allows them to bloom in spring. Many tulip varieties are perennials, so they come back year after year. [[20]]
- Growing Alternative Ground Cover: Ground cover plants are low-maintenance and offer unique texture and color in the yard. Choose ground cover plants that do well in your USDA planting zone for year-round resiliency. [[21]]
- Framing Your Gate: Extend your gardening style to the sides of your fence or front gate by adding vibrant blooms for a great first impression. [[22]]
- Planting for Pollinators: Creating a pollinator garden attracts birds, butterflies, and bees, which encourages cross-pollination and supports a balanced food chain in your backyard. [[23]]
- Growing an Herb Garden: Planting fresh herbs and aromatics in your yard provides a convenient source of ingredients for cooking and adds beauty to the garden. [[24]]
- Layering with Color: Planting small colorful annuals in the front and thicker perennials in the back creates layers of color and texture in the flower bed. [[25]]
- Showcasing Boulders: Incorporating larger boulders into the landscape can create focal points and add visual interest. They can be surrounded by flower beds, mulch, or used in water features. [[26]]
- Preparing for Winter: Winterizing your landscape includes mulching flower beds, aerating the lawn, and bringing container plants indoors. It's also a good time for major maintenance tasks. [[27]]
- Expanding with Climbing Plants: Installing trellis, stakes, or growing ladders allows plants that love to climb, such as morning glories and ivy, to add height to the garden. [[28]]
- Planning Around the Fire Pit: Designing the hardscape and landscaping around a fire pit creates a cozy and inviting outdoor space. Safety should always be a priority. [[29]]
- Adding a Gravel Path: Gravel paths are easy DIY projects that work well for walkways, driveways, and patios. Proper support and drainage are important. [[30]]
- Contrasting with Color: Choosing bold-colored perennials against a neutral backdrop can create a striking contrast and increase curb appeal. [[31]]
- Working with Natural Stone: Using natural stone in landscaping adds a rustic look and can provide structure. Professional help may be needed to ensure proper support. [[32]]
- Insulating with Mulch: Mulching protects the soil, regulates temperature and moisture, and helps control weeds. There are different types of mulch to choose from. [[33]]
- Adding Antique Details: Using antique items like wagon wheels, wheelbarrows, and watering cans as garden planters and focal points adds a vintage touch to the landscape. [[34]]
- Keeping it Drought-Tolerant: Xeriscaping with native plants, ground cover, and rock gardens reduces water usage and maintenance. [[35]]
- Diversifying Your Plants: Planting new shrubs or trees that change the average height of the lawn can add visual interest and create privacy. [[36]]
- Highlighting Your Succulents: Using low-maintenance succulents in rock gardens and well-draining soil adds texture and vibrant color to the garden. [[37]]
- Collecting Rainwater: Collecting rainwater in barrels or cisterns for watering the garden is an eco-conscious practice. Rain chains can redirect water into containers. [[38]]
- Surrounding Your Porch: Planting dense and tall shrubs around the porch creates a lush wall of greenery and adds curb appeal. Hanging plants and container gardens can be added for extra color. [[39]]
- Extending to the Patio: Patio gardens can be created with plants that thrive in pots and different sunlight exposures. Plants can be moved to match the sunlight each season. [[40]]
- Mixing Up the Pots: Using colorful pottery as containers for roses, begonias, and lavender gardens adds style and color to the container garden. [[41]]
- Growing a Spring Starter Garden: Starting plants from seeds indoors before the end of winter allows for an early start and a flourishing yard in the spring. [[42]]
- Considering Your Kitchen: Planting an array of peppers and herbs in your yard can spice up your cooking and provide fresh ingredients. [[43]]
- Creating an Outdoor Workstation: Creating a mini outdoor workstation near your veggie garden allows for easy access to gardening tools. [[44]]
- Illuminating Your Poolscape: Pool landscape lighting enhances the beauty and safety of your pool area. Walkways, shrubs, trees, and water elements can be illuminated. [[45]]
- Lining Your Driveway: Planting hardy plants and low ground cover along the driveway can assist with water runoff and erosion. [[46]]
- Taking a Seat: Placing a bench, seating area, or dining table in the garden allows you and your guests to enjoy the view and relax. [[47]]
Please let me know if you would like more information on any specific concept or if you have any other questions!
