Landscaping Ideas for the Winter Months

It might be the winter season, but that doesn’t mean your clients have to leave their landscapes out in the cold. While people might not be outside as much, there are plenty of ways to make a landscape look like a winter wonderland.

“The backyard is for year-round use,” says Rich Clark, the landscape gardener for the University of Missouri-Kansas City. “And it can be just as appealing in the winter [as it is in the summer.]”

He adds, the point is to create a totally different look with a winter interest.  
 
Robert Schucker, owner of R&S Landscaping in New Jersey, says there are plenty of opportunities to create visual interest with various plants and structures that can withstand winter’s fury while remaining attractive.

“I think it’s important to consider the views of your garden from inside your home and incorporate year round interest, especially during the late fall, winter and early spring,” he says.

Structures
Pergolas/trellises/arbors: Clark says a trellis is the perfect structure to welcome someone in, and arbors and pergolas add unique structural features and different points of interests to a landscape. Schucker mentions they’re also all perfect for holiday decorations such as garlands and wreaths.

Lighting: Schucker strongly recommends outdoor low-voltage lighting for winter landscapes. He says up-lighting branches creates an incredible effect.  

“Something magical happens when it snows,” he says. “It looks like a winter wonderland.”

Clark says lighting is also especially important during the winter because it adds a safety feature when the ground could be slick.

Fire pit/chimenea: It doesn’t always have to be a summer campfire. Schucker says that a fire pit or chimenea in the middle of yard is the perfect way to utilize an outside space during the cold weather. Clark says it’ll keep your clients warm, and it’s the perfect centerpiece for fun activities such as roasting marshmallows and telling stories.

Other tips
Keeping your clients’ landscapes beautiful all winter long isn’t just about choosing the beautiful plants. It’s also about creating an outdoor landscape that lasts through winter’s fury, and ensuring your clients know what to expect.   

• “First and foremost, tell the customer this is a partnership,” says Clark. “Your job is to educate the customer on what they need to do to properly care for their plants over the winter as well as what the customer can expect from the plants.”
• Make sure your customer knows to winterize all water features, says Clark. All irrigation should be blown out.
• Recommend applying an extra 2-3 inches of mulch around the base of trees, shrubs and perennials to protect them during the harsh weather, says Schucker.
• Clark says one of the biggest missteps a customer can make during the winter is assume they don’t need to water their plants. If anything, it’s more essential to water during the drier parts of the season.
• Apply an anti-desiccant spray to help prevent broad-leaf evergreens from getting winter-burn.
• Make sure clients are keeping water off their brick patios as much as possible to prevent contraction and expansion, says Clark. Recommend shoveling snow off immediately. On the same note, mention plant-safe salt to be used on icy patches.
• Because your business is likely to be slow during the winter, offer dormant pruning services because you’ll be able to more obviously see what needs pruning, says Clark. He adds that you can also add other services such as gutter cleaning or holiday light hanging.
• Schucker suggests talking to your client about the possibility of deer damage. If it seems likely, recommend putting up fencing or using deer repellant.