Tired of Feeling Overwhelmed by Your Landscape? Here's What to Do

Have you ever gotten stuck in the details when trying to figure out how to dress up the outdoors? Has your mind ever spun in circles while you think about which plants you should choose? You know you want to create a special place, but how do you get started?  

When this happens, you may need to take a few steps back and look at the bigger picture. This is especially important when you want to coordinate uses and experiences across the entire landscape. It's time for a master plan.

Master planning takes a bird's eye view of your outdoor space and uses larger groupings of plants and general hardscape areas to identify spaces and uses. At a final level of detail, master plans can name materials and specific plants to choose from. They typically don't get overloaded in detail; that comes later with further final landscape design investigation. A master plan functions as a road map, coordinating future outdoor development with existing structures, human circulation patterns and rainwater drainage needs. 

A master plan gives you license to dream. Put all of your want list down on paper and then implement it over time. If you change your mind along the way, no problem! Just rework that part of the plan. 

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For example, when Country Club Christian Church changed their minds about what uses they wanted to provide their members and the surrounding neighborhood on a vacant lot adjacent to their main building, they opted for a redo. In two quick meetings, Landgenuity had all the info needed to draw up the new space and incorporate it into their overall plan. 

The Church's master plan is now up-to-date and the Green Team is moving forward to implement phases of new installations. If you feel stuck, call Landgenuity today to talk about your master planning needs. We can help.

Which Landscape Plants Generate the Most Winter Impact?

You've known for years that if you want your landscape to have a wintertime presence, you have to incorporate evergreens in your plan. While evergreens have much to offer during the colder months, relying on them alone can bring out the winter blahs as often as not. Here are six alternatives that will knock your socks off in the winter.

1. Northwind Switchgrass

As the weather cools in the fall, switchgrass turns up the heat. Test this one out and you may find you love the orange tinge in the yellow fall color and the way the winter warm tans contrast beautifully against evergreens. You may most love the whisper of the wind through the leaves, adding kinetic energy to your landscape. Great year-round features include sturdy stems that keep this grass from flopping over, its high suitability for rain gardening, and the fluffy seed heads that feed wildlife.

2. Echinacea

No surprise here. Echinacea is a favorite among die-hard native gardeners. And it has gained tremendous respect in the general nursery market due to some outstanding cultivar introductions. This plant's sturdy dark stems will hold a beautiful cap of snow if left untrimmed until early spring. Songbirds who feed on the seeds will love you for leaving it standing in the winter garden.

3. Winterberry Holly

What's not to love about this deciduous holly's striking red berries. pair this with dark green evergreens and pray for snowfall. It's a stunner. And your favorite winter birds will thank you for the delicious treats. Be sure to plant at least one male plant for every six females to ensure fruit development.

4. River Birch

At one time, this tree may have been a bit overused. However, specimens are no longer that easy to spot through town and with the exceptional exfoliating bark of this native birch, it's time to give this guy another shot. Pliable branches droop under the weight of snow and ice, so consider its location accordingly, and use this to your visual advantage.

5. Red (or Yellow) Twigged Dogwood

Check out that contrast between the red stems and snow blanket. This is another beauty that pairs well with an evergreen backdrop. And pick your poison - you can wow the neighborhood with stunning yellow stemmed varieties as well. Just remember to cut this plant back in early spring to ensure the brightest stems the following winter.

6. Autumn Joy Sedum

The only plant in our lineup that isn't native, but it is a long-time gardening favorite. Now if I can just convince Autumn Joy owners not to cut the plant back until early spring. Do you see those gorgeous dark umbels complementing reds, tans and whites? This is where beauty lives.

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Despite the harsh rap I gave evergreens in the intro, you know they are still handy in use. Choose varieties that stay compact on their own (if your space is compact) so you don't have to prune away their natural shape. It's those graceful arches that hold such beauty when snow-laden. Also watch out for varieties that winter-burn. You want your evergreens to stay green to set off the colors of your perennials and grasses.

Bayless Design Premier

What a transformation for a beautiful brick-front home whose landscape had fallen off the previous owners' priority list. The before and after are testimony that an outdoor refresh can completely change the perception of a home's comfort and usability. This design is a fresh start for new owner, Debbie Bayless, who is looking forward to starting a community garden for the neighborhood right in her own front yard. Debbie likes to add new touches to her landscape each growing season, so ample room was provided in key locations for annuals and bulbs.

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