Is It Time For A Landscape Renovation?

The winter ascending on our corner of the world might provide the incentive to take stock in that landscape you enjoy watching out the window. Ask yourself a series of questions:

• How long have you lived in your home?
• When was the last time you did any interior renovation work?
• When was the last time you renovated your landscape?

We believe that most will answer that they have done interior renovations within the last five-to-10 years. The number who answered that they have never renovated their landscape will be in the majority also.Few people would live in homes with outdated appliances, decades old paint and wall coverings, or colored bathroom fixtures. They renovate when their décor goes out of style.Because plants are alive, however, many think landscapes were intended to live forever without any changes. Outdoor tastes do change, and your landscape is the measure of your home’s curb appeal.May I suggest that you use the winter wisely to consider changes you’d like to make to your landscape this spring? This doesn’t mean cutting down large, mature trees and yanking out every shrub. It means designing around these mature plants because they form the framework, or skeleton, of your landscape.However, if your shrubs have become “overmature,” it might be time to replace them. For example, Taxus (yews) that you have sheared and sheared over the years may have gaping holes in the foliage. This would be a good time to replace them as part of your yard renovation. This time, consider plants that will always fit their spaces, eliminating the need to shear them each year.Growers have developed new flowering plants and new cultivars of your old favorites. Be bold and adventurous and select annuals and perennials that are in style. Most of all, though, select them because you like them. You can give the old perennials to friends or donate them to a charity plant sale.If you don’t know where to start with your renovation plans, one of our landscape designers would be happy to help you. Designers are under less of a time crunch and can spend more time with you during the winter than they can during the growing season when they also have to oversee installations.Remember, your landscape is a reflection of who you are, and you only get one chance to make a good first impression.