Garden dilemma: Seasonal plants or a landscape renovation?

2017-05-04

Author: Dragana

Have you ever noticed that your garden looks beautiful during one season, but not so great during other seasons? If you see it short term, you may say that adding some seasonal plants will solve the problem.  But for plants to perform beautifully in all growing seasons, the help of a professional is crucial.

Why should you hire a landscape architect?

 

Despite all good intentions, relying only on detail-oriented seasonal gardening will cost you more time and money in the long run. On the other hand, landscape architects are trained to think about landscapes as systems in which the carefully chosen plants will thrive with the correct maintenance. They will recognize your property’s problem areas as well as opportunities and create a solid plan that addresses both the big picture and exact details of how your landscape will look like.

Depending on your site, a landscape architect will create a vision of a nice-looking and functional garden all year round and will give you instructions regarding the necessary garden maintenance.

 

Landscape design tips for an all-season thriving garden

 

 

1. Plant selection

 

For those who are looking for low-maintenance gardens that can survive different weather conditions, beautiful native plants mixed with a few exotic plants may be a way to go. However, even native plants perform no better than exotic ones if they are not carefully matched to the site. In such case, native plants often decline or die within the first growing season after they were installed. The heavily disturbed site, like denuded and compacted topsoil, can mess up the whole situation.

 

2. Plant arrangement

 

For seasonal weather changes, it is very important to know where to place trees and plants to lower energy bills and save your property from seasonal flooding. Proper plant placement can actually help you save money by reducing heating and cooling costs. A knowledgeable landscape architect knows exactly where each plant should be placed in order to achieve best results.

 

3. Proper aesthetics

 

One of the ways to keep your garden nice-looking through all seasons is planting low amounts of flowers. It’s better to plant just seven perennials and one annual for color and texture in the summertime. In the fall, the garden can be endorsed with collections of trees, shrubs, perennials, and bulbs. Grouping plants into masses will unify the design, act visually pleasing and provide environmental benefits.

You may face challenges if you want to have a healthy and beautiful garden in urban areas, but success lies in finding a suitable landscape design for your space to look lovely in every season.

Would you like a special green place for you and your family to enjoy for years to come?