Creating a Beautiful Winter Landscape

During Autumn, throughout most of the United States, the leaves fall from the deciduous trees and plants, the grass browns, and in some landscapes, the scenery becomes very dull. But regardless of how far north you live, there's many ways to plan for a greener and lusher looking landscape throughout the winter months. See our collection of tips below. 

Always Use Evergreens 

Many landscapers and gardeners across the United States overlook the value of using evergreens in the landscape. Evergreens will not drop their leaves or needles in the winter meaning they will provide color year-round. Not all evergreens are prickly pines either! Nowadays there’s an enormous variety of evergreens to pick from even ones with leaves (broadleaf evergreens). 

Although they may not be bursting with blooms during the spring or summer, evergreens serve a very important role in the landscape, maintaining color and interest throughout the winter months. 

Popular evergreens selected for their winter interest include boxwoods, arborvitaes, cypress, spruces, and pines. Every one of these doubles as a beautiful specimen year-round as well. 

Consider the Bark 

The last thing most consider when selecting a tree or shrubs for the landscape is the bark. However, once all the leaves drop in the fall, the appearance of the bark on trees or shrubs becomes a valuable consideration for winter landscape design. 

Some particular trees and shrubs display bright beautiful colors or interesting textures on their bark during the winter such as dogwoods, birches, and willows. 

Use Berries 

In the colder states, one of the most beautiful winter sights is branches covered in snow with brilliant red berries bursting out from the white fluf. The groups of red berries on a white snowy backdrop bring added joy to the holiday season. But snow or not, using berries in the landscape are an easy way to bring more color to a dull season. 

Winter berries can be found on a variety of trees and shrubs and come in different hues and colors. Examples include holly, crabapples, winterberry, burning bush, and chokeberry. 

Seed Cold Hardy Grass Developed For Your Region 

Brown grass used to be an uncontrollable part of the winter season, but thanks to advancements in cold hardy grasses there's many variety's available now, no matter your region, that offer green color 12 months out of the year! Seeding your lawn with properly selected, newly developed, grass seed can change the entire look of your landscape during the winter months. 

A great grass for green winter color in colder states is Kentucky Bluegrass and the further south you go Zoysia and Bermuda Grass become a strong option.  

Consider Garden Art and Hardscaping 

Some garden art and hardscaping seem to blend in with the sea of colors and blooming plants during the spring and summer but when the winter comes and the branches are bare, garden art and other parts of the “hardscape” shine. Consider the use of sculptural elements, fountains, arbors, retaining walls, and pathways to add to the visual interest of your winter landscape.