Bringing Color To Your Landscape

Secrets on how to bring your gardens to light!

Want to bring some zest to that Rhododendron, Yew and Mt. Laurel facade you've been living behind?  Do you want to show off your true colors?  Maybe you've just purchased a home with an older landscape.  In most cases, plants have long since overstepped their boundaries.  You know the type---rhododendrons that eclipse the front windows, upright yews that are taller than the roof line.  Or are you living with a landscape that has outlived the mortgage payments?  Many landscapes are simply past their prime.

Ready for a change?  Thinking about radical surgery?  Sometimes these front yard renovations go to extremes---everything goes---lock, stock & barrel.  Well, bring that barrel back, fill it with flowers and you've started a less dramatic reclamation project.  Here are a few ideas that might help brighten the front of  your house.  Think of it as exterior decorating.  You have your foundation plantings, now create space for your accessories (annuals, bulbs or perennial plantings), and finish it off  with some fun accents.  Try these ideas when looking for a spring pick-me-up:

Decorative Door Hangers/Wreathes:

This is a fun place to start.  The possibilities are endless!  If first impressions are important, how about starting with the front door?  Fresh flower wreaths (in season), dried and even silk flowers can carry the holiday cheer all through the year.

Containers:

Even a simple terra cotta planter with geraniums says "Welcome."  Have fun with all the styles, colors and textures of planters that are available now. 

Shepherds Hooks:

These wrought iron hooks are priceless when you consider how much versatility they bring to the landscape.  How about a bird feeder where you can see it from the front window?  Or a hanging basket to bring life to a pachysandra bed?  No problem.  Give it the hook.  Instant color!  Instant excitement!

Garden Accents:

There are many beautiful, tasteful and decorative options to the pink flamingo.  Flags, statuary, sundials, bird baths all can enhance a landscape.  The key word---Accent.  Less can be more.

There are occasions when you have inherited a real gem-a solid foundation planting with bulb beds and room for annuals and accents.  Not so lucky?  There are solutions.  The key word is to work with the landscape.  If you have to, consider enlarging a bed.  Start with a plan in mind and use these accent ideas to bring your personality and charm to the home and garden.