Spring Landscaping Ideas

I wanted to offer some fun thoughts on landscaping as spring is coming closer. This is not a how to plant, what to plant, or how to take care of your plants blog because I am not a landscaper or horticulturist. I am only a homeowner and enjoyer of fun, nice landscaping.

 

Over the years as I’ve sat on my back porch, appreciating our landscaping, I realized, in my opinion, there are two different kinds of approaches to laying out your landscaping in order to enjoy it best, as it fits your personality. These are certainly not official and have been created only in my brain. I named them “photograph landscaping” and “discovery landscaping”.

 

 

This to me is the traditional plan we are all used to doing. I use the term “photograph” because if you sit on your porch and look at your garden, you will see everything there is, just as if you took a photo. Smaller plants are in the front, larger and fuller bushes in the back, or you may have tiered beds where you can plant smaller plants moving further back but the tiers allow them still to be seen. Essentially there’s nothing that can’t be seen as you relax in your yard or gaze out your back window enjoying your landscaping. It’s pretty and layered and as I suggested, the traditional approach we have all done.

 

 

Here’s a twist to consider if you’re looking for a little unique approach. Why do I call it Discovery Landscaping? Because you must engage in the landscaping to see and experience it all. This approach gains its concept from a walk in the woods where the path takes you to see new things and new growth you wouldn’t see unless you were walking. Plants and shrubs are laid out so they still look lovely and attractive to the photographer’s eye, but get up from your patio chair and walk into the beds to find small flowers or plants thriving. Maybe add a small bench or stool where you can sit for a moment and take in the growth you can’t see from the window. Check with your landscape professional to ensure you’re using plants that will thrive in more shaded areas because this layout may find a large bush (think hydrangea) at the front of the bed not the back.

 

Either way or your own unique way, enjoy being outside!!