By Nikki Phipps
(Author of The Bulb-o-licious Garden)
Image by Mike Spasoff As landscapes mature, things change. Trees get taller, casting deeper shade and bushes outgrow their original places in the garden. And then there’s the home in which the lifestyles of its occupants change as well. Children grow up, eliminating the need for play areas (with exception to grandchildren) and caring for the home and garden may prove to be either more difficult as you age or, if retired, more energizing. So depending on your particular situation, a good evaluation of your home and garden may be needed in order to make some necessary changes in keeping with your upgraded lifestyles and overgrown landscapes.
In evaluating your existing garden, you may find that some plants may not perform as well as they used to due to thicker shrubbery or taller trees. This can be easily fixed by simply providing more light. Trees can be trimmed to thin out branches, allowing more light to filter through and overgrown shrubs can also be trimmed back or removed entirely. Alternatively, you could choose to move the existing plants to another location where more suitable light is available. To keep the area from looking drab after their removal, you can replace the plants with more shade-tolerant ones such as begonias, impatiens, and even hostas. You may also want to add another garden bed or two, or if preferable, take some out instead. If your children are gone or if you’ve moved somewhere in which an old swing set or play area once existed, this can easily be made over into a beautiful, relaxing ‘secret garden’ just for you. Incorporate picket fencing or a trellis with climbing plants creeping up to help create that cozy, closed-in feeling. Add some container plants as well; alternating both tall and short containers and filling them with varying plant types and colors.
All gardens can benefit from a good focal point. Small gardens need only one, but larger gardens may need several. Focal points draw the eye to a special feature or planting, giving the rest of the garden a more orderly appearance. These can be as simple as one impressive plant or a feature such as a gazing globe, a fountain or statuary. On a patio, a grouping of different sized containers can serve as a focal point, with one large pot being the center of attention. The same technique can be applied in the garden as well. Place tall plants in a group and surround them with shorter ones. Quick and easy features that will instantly makeover the garden include a birdbath or a bird feeder. You could also opt for large stones, making a natural-looking focal point. Large rocks also look good along the edge of pathways. An arbor or trellis planted with climbing plants such as morning glories can also be an eye-catching focal point. For gardens large and small, a decorative pergola can be a hugely attractive feature, creating an arch or walkway that draws you in. Plant a favorite variety of climbing rose for that romantic touch. Liven up dull wooden fences with a fresh coat of paint or add climbing plants to link or lattice fencing.
Water features of all kinds are great home and garden makeovers. Large or small, there’s a water feature to suit all spaces, all gardens, and all homes from trickling fountains to gushing waterfalls and restful ponds. Use existing walls or structures to set off a garden or patio from the rest of the lawn. Walls can also be used to provide privacy and as barriers for controlling foot traffic through your property. Don’t forget about walkways. Adding containers, rocks, or lighting to these areas can instantly wake up dull walkways. Pavers and paver steps can create an interesting and attractive feature at the front of your property too. With the wide variety of color and texture available in pavers, they can create not only a nice feature but will complement nearly any home and garden. Another good way to instantly makeover the home and garden landscape is with the use of some lighting. Outdoor light features can be dramatic or subtle depending on your tastes with both types easy to install and relatively inexpensive. You probably never guessed that a simple mowing of the lawn, removal of weeds or dead leaves, and trimming the hedges can make your home appear almost new. This is one of the first and best ways to improve the looks of the home. Repainting the house is another option but can be expensive. However, you can reduce this cost simply by painting only the molding and trim. Cleaning shutters, windows, and doors can also make your home look like new.
There are a myriad of options you can employ for making over your home and garden. Best of all, most of these are easy to do and relatively cheap. So if you feel it’s time for a change, step back, evaluate your property, and take notes. We’re not the only ones that enjoy a good makeover, your home and garden may appreciate one as well.
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By Nikki Phipps
(Author of The Bulb-o-licious Garden)
Image by Mike Spasoff As landscapes mature, things change. Trees get taller, casting deeper shade and bushes outgrow their original places in the garden. And then there’s the home in which the lifestyles of its occupants change as well. Children grow up, eliminating the need for play areas (with exception to grandchildren) and caring for the home and garden may prove to be either more difficult as you age or, if retired, more energizing. So depending on your particular situation, a good evaluation of your home and garden may be needed in order to make some necessary changes in keeping with your upgraded lifestyles and overgrown landscapes.
In evaluating your existing garden, you may find that some plants may not perform as well as they used to due to thicker shrubbery or taller trees. This can be easily fixed by simply providing more light. Trees can be trimmed to thin out branches, allowing more light to filter through and overgrown shrubs can also be trimmed back or removed entirely. Alternatively, you could choose to move the existing plants to another location where more suitable light is available. To keep the area from looking drab after their removal, you can replace the plants with more shade-tolerant ones such as begonias, impatiens, and even hostas. You may also want to add another garden bed or two, or if preferable, take some out instead. If your children are gone or if you’ve moved somewhere in which an old swing set or play area once existed, this can easily be made over into a beautiful, relaxing ‘secret garden’ just for you. Incorporate picket fencing or a trellis with climbing plants creeping up to help create that cozy, closed-in feeling. Add some container plants as well; alternating both tall and short containers and filling them with varying plant types and colors.
All gardens can benefit from a good focal point. Small gardens need only one, but larger gardens may need several. Focal points draw the eye to a special feature or planting, giving the rest of the garden a more orderly appearance. These can be as simple as one impressive plant or a feature such as a gazing globe, a fountain or statuary. On a patio, a grouping of different sized containers can serve as a focal point, with one large pot being the center of attention. The same technique can be applied in the garden as well. Place tall plants in a group and surround them with shorter ones. Quick and easy features that will instantly makeover the garden include a birdbath or a bird feeder. You could also opt for large stones, making a natural-looking focal point. Large rocks also look good along the edge of pathways. An arbor or trellis planted with climbing plants such as morning glories can also be an eye-catching focal point. For gardens large and small, a decorative pergola can be a hugely attractive feature, creating an arch or walkway that draws you in. Plant a favorite variety of climbing rose for that romantic touch. Liven up dull wooden fences with a fresh coat of paint or add climbing plants to link or lattice fencing.
Water features of all kinds are great home and garden makeovers. Large or small, there’s a water feature to suit all spaces, all gardens, and all homes from trickling fountains to gushing waterfalls and restful ponds. Use existing walls or structures to set off a garden or patio from the rest of the lawn. Walls can also be used to provide privacy and as barriers for controlling foot traffic through your property. Don’t forget about walkways. Adding containers, rocks, or lighting to these areas can instantly wake up dull walkways. Pavers and paver steps can create an interesting and attractive feature at the front of your property too. With the wide variety of color and texture available in pavers, they can create not only a nice feature but will complement nearly any home and garden. Another good way to instantly makeover the home and garden landscape is with the use of some lighting. Outdoor light features can be dramatic or subtle depending on your tastes with both types easy to install and relatively inexpensive. You probably never guessed that a simple mowing of the lawn, removal of weeds or dead leaves, and trimming the hedges can make your home appear almost new. This is one of the first and best ways to improve the looks of the home. Repainting the house is another option but can be expensive. However, you can reduce this cost simply by painting only the molding and trim. Cleaning shutters, windows, and doors can also make your home look like new.
There are a myriad of options you can employ for making over your home and garden. Best of all, most of these are easy to do and relatively cheap. So if you feel it’s time for a change, step back, evaluate your property, and take notes. We’re not the only ones that enjoy a good makeover, your home and garden may appreciate one as well.
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