8 Winter Landscaping Ideas for Your Home

Landscape design isn’t typically on everyone’s minds during the winter, but we’ve gathered some creative outdoor design ideas to cheer up those gloomy midwinter days. We have a bunch of ideas for winter design inspiration, whether you’re looking for some temporary additions to liven things up for the season or some permanent winter landscaping plants to offer year-round greenery.

As always, our winter landscaping services can help you with the planning and implementation process to enhance your property before the holidays if you need a few additional hands to help bring your winter landscape design to life.

1. Add Colorful Bark

Winter is when deciduous trees and shrubs lose their leaves, but some of them also display their vibrantly colored bark, which is a feature in and of itself.

One of the best kinds is Cornus sanguinea “Midwinter Fire,” which produces stems that are as fiery and bright in color as its name implies. While this is going on, the branches of Cornus alba ‘Kesselringii’ are a deep red in the fall before turning an inky purple-black, which can seem very dramatic in a modern story. For a stunning show, use them around the rear of borders between smaller evergreen shrubs and winter blossoms.

2. Add Some Evergreens.

Evergreens are a great way to add color and interest to your yard in the winter. There are many different varieties to choose from, so you can find one that fits your specific landscape.

Some of our favorites include:

• Arborvitae (Thuja): These evergreens are perfect for winter privacy screens, windbreaks, and living fences. They come in many different sizes and shapes, so you can find one that fits your needs.
• Boxwood (Buxus): A classic choice for formal gardens, boxwoods are low-maintenance and can be easily shaped into hedges, topiaries, or other forms.
• Cypress (Cupressus): Cypress trees are known for their dense, conical shape and rich green color. They’re a popular choice for winter landscaping because they remain green even in cold weather.
• Fir (Abies): Firs are tall evergreens that are often used as Christmas trees. They have a pyramid-shaped growth habit and come in many different colors, including green, silver, blue, and even purple.
• Pine (Pinus): Pines are one of the most popular choices for winter landscaping because they’re relatively low-maintenance and come in a wide range of sizes and shapes.

3. Plant Some Bulbs Winter Blooms

The variety of options available for winter flowers may surprise you.

With their colors of cream, blush, pink, and green, hellebores are a classic and look beautiful on the border. Other suitable options include winter irises, cyclamen, violas, and heathers. Witch hazel, one of the best plants for winter color, should also not be overlooked. Some kinds also have a lovely smell.

Before the daffodils and hyacinths bloom, early spring bulbs like crocus, snowdrops, and winter irises give a dash of color.

4. Install a Water Feature

A water feature, like a fountain or waterfall, can add a calming element to your landscape. It will also provide a source of water for birds and other wildlife that visit your yard in the winter.

5. Add Some Lighting

Landscape lighting is a great way to add both function and beauty to your yard. Path lights can help you navigate your way around in the dark, while accent lights can highlight your favorite features.

A winter garden can benefit from outside lighting, especially as the evenings grow longer. For a stylish and useful feature, choose recessed spotlights in paving, decking, or steps rather than wall lights to illuminate the outside of your home. Installing uplights beneath trees would also allow you to display their skeletal winter forms.

Strategically placed lights can also make your winter landscape more inviting and give you a place to enjoy the outdoors even when it’s cold outside.

6. Build a Structure Out of Ornate Grasses

The smooth texture, movement, and height that ornamental grasses provide make them a lovely complement to the winter garden. Use it as a discreet screen between zones, at the back of a border, or to frame a walkway.

As seen in the garden above, they appear especially ethereal when coated in a film of frost. For a splash of ice color, try Festuca glauca ‘Elijah Blue’ or Miscanthus sinensis.

7. Use Berries to Add Color

Planting shrubs with colorful berries is another option to include color in your winter landscaping ideas. Some are also fantastic at luring birds into your garden.

Our preferred plants are the hollies and cotoneaster (a Christmas season classic). Callicarpa, often known as beautyberry, is a plant that yields clusters of bright purple berries that we also adore.

8. Build a Fire Pit

A fire pit is a great way to enjoy your outdoor space on chilly nights. It’s also a perfect spot to roast marshmallows or make s’mores with your family and friends.

When choosing a location for your fire pit, make sure it’s at least 10 feet away from your house or any other structures. You’ll also want to avoid placing it beneath trees or power lines.

Snow Removal Tips for Your Home

As the weather gets colder and the snow begins to fall, it’s important to have a plan for removing it from your property. Otherwise, you could end up with a dangerous situation on your hands.

Here are some tips to help you keep your home safe and clear this winter:

• Start by shoveling the areas around your home that get the most traffic, like walkways and driveways. This will help prevent slips and falls.
• When using a snow blower, be careful not to damage your lawn or sidewalk. Go slowly and make sure all debris is cleared away from these areas.
• If you have stairs leading up to your front door, make sure they are always clear of ice and snow so people can enter safely. Salt or sand can be used on these surfaces to provide traction.

Ways to Protect Your Plants During Winter

The winter season can be tough on plants, so it’s important to take steps to protect them.

Here are some ways to do just that:

• Mulch around your plants to help insulate the roots and prevent moisture loss.
• Place potted plants near a sunny window or heat source.
• Wrap tender shrubs and trees in burlap or frost cloths when temperatures dip below freezing.
• Aerate soil regularly to allow air and water circulation even during cold months.

By taking these simple steps, you can help your plants survive the winter and enjoy them for many seasons to come.

Guidelines for Maintaining Your Lawn in Winter

It’s important to keep your lawn as the weather gets colder to prevent damage from the cold winter temperatures.

Here are some guidelines for maintaining your lawn during the winter:

• Rake up leaves and debris regularly to allow sunlight and air to reach the grass blades.
• Apply a thin layer of mulch over exposed soil areas to protect roots from freezing temperatures.
• Water deeply but less often so that the roots grow deep and strong.
• Mow your lawn short in the fall, so that the grass can better withstand being covered in snow.

You can maintain your grass healthy and green throughout the winter by following these simple tips!

Keep Your Landscaping Looks Enchanting For the Coldest Months of the Year

Looking to add some cold-weather color to your home this winter? Big Easy Landscaping can help! We offer a variety of seasonal and permanent winter landscape design ideas that will keep your yard looking its best all season long. From tips on how to choose the right plants for Louisiana’s climate to advice on what kind of landscaping can be done in the winter, we have everything you need to make your yard look great year-round. So give us a call today at 504-229-6519 and get started!

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