Hello . . . Your Landscape is Calling
Just a quick glance outside your front window and the odds are that with Ohio weather you’re either seeing a thin blanket of frost or bouquets of spring bulbs that are deciding if it is safe to move forward with a full bloom. Either way, it’s a perfect time, from the comfort of your warm home, to rethink or design your home landscaping.
While it’s natural to jump right in with summer shrubs and flowers, consider a plan that provides texture, color and beauty over four seasons. No question, choosing among varied trees, shrubs, annuals and perennials can be daunting. However, with the right combination you may find that it requires less muscle and maintenance over time.
The landscaping look of your dreams won’t happen overnight but with a little guidance and resources you could be well on your way.
Getting Started
Know Your Gardening Zone - Living in Central Ohio can be hit or miss in regard to forecasted weather so its important to make planting selections that will thrive in our climate. The USDA Growing Zone for Columbus is 6a and most experts agree that the safest time for in-ground planting, with little threat of frost, is the week of Memorial Day.
The Sun Rules - No matter how much you may love that sun-loving Sedums, Petunias or Roses you can count on it underperforming or even dying if it doesn’t get its 6-plus hours of sun. Conversely, Hostas are typically not the place for sun-loving backyards. While there is no harm in a little experimentation, honor the core rules of gardening to make sure you are giving your investments the best chance to grow and thrive.
Four Season Color Scheme - Evergreens are yes, forever green, but there are other plants that can add more interest to your lawn. Options to consider include Red Twig Dogwood which displays beautiful red branches in winter followed by lush green leaves and clusters of white flowers from spring through summer. Nothing declares the beginning of spring more than a Forsythia, another long-stem shrub that blooms what seems like endless yellow flowers. (Pro-tip: Cut a few stems and bring them inside to display in your favorite vase.) The sky is the limit with the variations of annuals, one season blooms, and perennials, which return each year. Hardy Mums are another popular planting to take color beyond the first frost of fall. The latter species returns yearly versus exhibition mums which are typically one-season wonders.
Building Out - Tall, taller and tallest. Make plant selections that will provide depth, texture and color. Additionally, mix annuals and perennials so that you don’t have to start from scratch every year. Look for plant swaps and sale and clearance buys at nurseries, usually in late summer, that just need a little TLC and water to get started. Treat and condition your soil as you would your home’s foundation.
Resources - Flower and gardening websites are great places to explore and start your plans. A few include Gardeners’ World (gardenersworld.com); The Spruce Gardens (thespruce.com); and Old World Garden Farms (oldworldgardenfarms.com).
Call Before You Dig - Last, but most important, Ohio law requires that you report your plan to dig no more than 10 days before but at least 48 hours in advance by CALLING 811 or 800-362-2764.
Written by: Liz Cook