Add Charm to Your Winter Lawn!

Tip of the week: Just because the weather is cold and dreary doesn’t mean your yard has to be!

 As January temperatures linger around freezing and snow showers are plentiful, it’s easy for brown lawns and bare trees to look, well, unattractive. There are many easy ways to bring life back into your yard this winter with some of these landscaping upgrades.

 Evergreens: One of the most obvious solutions to a drab yard is to plant some evergreens. There are many different types to choose from, depending on what color and texture you are looking for and if you want a tree, bush, hedge, or potted plant. Pine, Spruce and Hemlock trees are some of the most common, but there are plenty of more unique options available. For example, the Spartan Juniper has a very unique texture and is perfect for either sides of a door or walkway. The Techny Gold Arborvitae has a lovely hue of gold in its green branches, which will surely stand out and brighten any gray day. Looking for something that will shoot up fast? The Green Giant Arborvitae is known to grow 3-5 feet per year and is perfect for a hedge or to add a little more privacy along your property line. 

 Berries: Evergreens aren’t the only way to maintain color your yard during cold winter months. Berries add a pop of color, and additionally, many types of berries attract birds. The holly bush is a classic shrub presenting bright red berries. The China holly (Ilex meserveae) is neatly rounded with the pointy leaves commonly seen in decorations, and is also very drought tolerant, while the Compact inkberry holly (Ilex glabra 'Compacta') hosts darker berries, and glossy oval leaves. The Bayberry (Myrica pensylvanica) shrub brings lovely gray fruit that grows in generous bunches. The Compact American cranberry bush viburnum (Viburnum trilobum 'Compactum') goes from white flowers with green leaves in the spring to red fruit and red and purple leaves in the Fall.

 Texture:  The low-growing Winter Creeper (Euonymus fortunei 'Emerald 'n' Gold') has two-toned leaves, both a light green and a dark green, and is sure to stand out in your otherwise-empty flower beds. Blue Oat Grass (Helictotrichon sempervirens) grows fine and tall, easily adding a source of color to any lacking lawn. Bark variation is another great way to add winter interest. The ‘Heritage’ river birch (betula nigra) is known for it’s unique bark, which curls, peels and changes color tones throughout the year.

 Landscape Lighting: Another great addition to any yard is landscape lighting. While lighting brings enhanced security to your home, it also is a great way to highlight plants, trees, architectural features and pathways. Illuminate the natural beauty of your yard, the magnificence of a big tree, or the serenity of your patio with lighting installations that – bonus – make everything look extra awesome in the snow.

 Ornamental Decorations: Artfully placed rocks, colorful planters, or even adding a trellis, bench, or arbor are all ways to enhance your yard. If you are not looking to plant, planning some hardscaping improvements can do the trick as well!

Whatever winter enhancement you choose, we’d love to see pictures -- post to our Facebook page!

Aaron Gorski

Owner, The Greener Side Lawn & Landscaping, LLC