Creating an outdoor space that looks great all year can be a challenge. Most landscapes look their best in spring and summer, only to lose their luster during colder months. With the right plants and design elements, though, you can create a landscape that stays inviting all year long! Here are some landscape design ideas that are practical, beautiful, and designed to shine in every season.
Choose Long-Lasting Plants
One of the best ways to create a year-round landscape is to start with plants that can last through the changing seasons. This includes flowering shrubs, evergreens, and other plants that naturally change with the season in eye-catching ways. These can add life, structure, and interest to your garden, no matter what the calendar says.
Camellias
Camellias are a wonderful choice for winter, as their beautiful blooms can start appearing as early as late winter, bringing hints of color when you need it most. These evergreen shrubs provide lush, green foliage year-round, and their flowers come in shades of pink, white, and red, adding a soft, colorful touch to your yard. They are perfect for adding color and structure to shaded areas, and with the right pruning, they can grow into well-shaped, long-lasting hedges or focal points in your garden.
Burning Bush
The burning bush (Euonymus alatus) lives up to its name with vibrant red leaves that steal the show every fall. Its dense green foliage also looks great throughout spring and summer, adding a full, lush look to your garden. Hardy and low maintenance in nature, it’s a great choice for adding texture and vibrant color to your landscape in every season, especially if you’re aiming for an unforgettable fall display.
Dogwood
Dogwood trees offer something special in every season. In spring, they bloom with delicate white, pink, or red flowers. During summer, their lush foliage provides shade and greenery, while fall brings a stunning display of orange and red leaves. As a native tree to many parts of the U.S., dogwoods are a great option for landscapes seeking sustainable, long-lasting plants.
Japanese Maple
Prized for their striking, lacy foliage and brilliant colors in the fall, Japanese maples are an elegant choice for your outdoor space. Their delicate leaves range from fiery oranges to deep reds and make them excellent focal points or accent trees. Even when the leaves fall in the winter, their unique branches twist and curve to create beautiful shapes that add character to your backyard.
Holly
Holly bushes or trees are iconic for their glossy, dark green leaves and bright red berries that appear in winter and often last until early spring. Not only do they add color to a winter garden, but they also provide shelter for birds. They are versatile and can be used for hedges, as foundation plants, or as standalone shrubs. Plus, they’re naturally resistant to pests, making them a durable choice for any landscape.
Incorporate Hardscapes
While plants add life to your garden, hardscapes can add a “wow” factor to your garden design! With the right hardscape features, you can create spaces that are perfect for relaxing and entertaining in every season.
Firepits
Nothing says cozy like a firepit. It’s the perfect spot for roasting marshmallows on a summer evening or keeping warm on a crisp fall night. Firepits come in all sorts of styles, from rustic stone to sleek metal, so you can easily choose one that matches your home’s aesthetic. With comfy seating around it, a firepit quickly becomes the heart of your outdoor space—somewhere everyone can gather, whenever they want.
Gazebos
A gazebo offers a perfect outdoor retreat, allowing you to enjoy your garden rain or shine. It’s a great place for morning coffee, a peaceful afternoon read, or an evening meal. They can also be dressed up with hanging plants, climbing vines, or even twinkling lights, and because gazebos provide shade and cover, they’re a feature you’ll use all year long—just add cozy blankets in winter or a fan in summer!
The Benefits of Year-Round Landscape Design
Designing a landscape that you can enjoy in every season doesn’t just make your yard look good; it also offers a lot of practical benefits. Here’s why a year-round landscape might be just what your outdoor space needs.
Maximized Use of Your Outdoor Space
Why let your backyard go unused for part of the year? Hardscapes provide areas to gather and relax no matter the weather, while evergreen and seasonal plants add beauty and texture even during winter. Instead of an underused yard, you’ll have a place that invites you to spend more time outdoors and enjoy every bit of it.
Boosts Your Property Value
Landscaping is one of the best investments for increasing property value. Homes with year-round curb appeal can stand out beautifully. Adding hardscapes and durable, seasonal plants shows a commitment to quality and attention to detail, which can significantly increase the value and attractiveness of your property.
Low Maintenance and Sustainable
One of the perks of picking out plants that stick around all year is their minimal upkeep. Many year-round plants are resistant to common pests and diseases, requiring less treatments. The addition of hardscapes also reduces the need for lawn maintenance, as they take up space that would otherwise require mowing, watering, and care.
Beautiful Designs for Every Season
Creating a landscape that’s beautiful in every season doesn’t have to be overwhelming—Oasis Landscapes & Irrigation is here to help! Our team offers a variety of services to put together a design that you’ll love, from seasonal color to design-build services. If you’re looking to spruce up your backyard or other outdoor space, get in touch with our team today! We’re dedicated to keeping your property beautiful at any time of the year.
