Now that the holidays have passed and 2008 has arrived, it’s time to start thinking about your springtime landscape and gardening plans! In fact, with New Year’s resolutions on everybody’s mind, it may be a great idea to come up with a list of gardening resolutions to make this year’s landscaping experience an enjoyable and productive one. You know, a list of all those things you’ve wanted to do with your yard and garden over the years but just never seem to accomplish.

Start with your foundation. Maybe you have those standard shrubs and hedges that seem to adorn the foundation and border of every new house. It’s time to replace those with something a bit more colorful and inviting. Do you have one of those standard evergreen hedges to separate your house from the neighbors? Replace it with something that offers some fall color to jazz things up and make the most of something that’s normally overlooked. The foundation and perimeter of your home make up the majority of focal points for landscape design. Make this the year you utilize them for creating a polished scene that will be the envy of the neighborhood!

Moving on to the garden! Fill your existing beds with some brightly colored perennials to create an outdoor oasis for your summer lounging, or plant that rose garden you’ve always dreamt of. For the ultimate charm, add a traditional vine covered arbor to your garden. If you are looking for something a bit more dramatic and don’t mind spending the money, rock gardens and retainer walls are ideal additions to any backyard! Surround with ground covers and ornamental grasses, and you’ll turn your yard into your own exotic hideaway.

Read the rest of this entry »