Easy Landscaping Ideas for Cooler Climates to Boost Your Home’s Curb Appeal

Are you wandering around your neighborhood admiring everyone’s landscaping? You want to do something with your yard but the cooler weather is making it difficult? You love plants like hibiscus and birds of paradise but nothing seems to survive Denver’s frigid winters. You can rely on landscape design services in Denver, the professionals know what they’re doing. 

However, even if you’re letting the professionals take care of all the work it’s still a good idea to know what will thrive in cooler climates.

Extend the Growing Season

Whether you live in Denver or Centennial, Colorado, summers are short and winters can seem to last almost all year. Snow in October isn’t surprising. Freezing temperatures as late as May are also common. This means you only have a couple of months to get a garden in and blooming.

Did you know you can extend the growing season even when temperatures start dipping close to the freezing mark? Instead of focusing on flat garden beds, go up. Raised flower beds retain more heat and improve drainage. This way water from snow and freezing rain isn’t settling into the bed. Your plants still get plenty of water without ice forming on the roots. 

Since a raised bed retains heat, you also get a head start on the spring growing cycle. Your plants will start popping out of the ground while your neighbor’s garden is still lying dormant.

Another way to keep plants growing for a while after temperatures drop is to invest in covers. You can find plant covers at almost any garden store. The covers can be a little pricey but are effective at preventing frost damage on your plants. If you want to save a little money, gather up your old blankets and comforters. The bedding can help keep your plants warm in the winter.

Pay Attention to What You Plant

Do you get gardening catalogs in the mail? If so, looking through the various plant selections can give you plenty of ideas for your yard. A bright splash of color along the driveway or walkway can do wonders for your home’s curb appeal.

However, what looks great in southern yards probably isn’t going to do well in Colorado. The southern United States is a different growing zone than in the northwest. Paying attention to a plant’s growing zone can help ensure you pick something that will thrive in your yard.

So, what type of plants should you look for? You want to pick hardy perennials. These are plants that often die back in the fall and return the following spring. Some perennials even hang around throughout the year. 

You can also go with annuals. These types of plants typically only last for the growing season. However, their shortened lifespan often means they put on an amazing show. If you’re looking for plenty of color, annuals may be your best option.

Don’t forget about evergreens like firs. Evergreens tend to prefer cooler climates. Since the foliage stays green throughout the year, your yard always has a point of interest. If you decide to go with an evergreen tree or shrub, you can even decorate it for the holidays.

Go with a Container Garden

Maybe you don’t want to dig up your yard to plant a flower bed that only blooms for a few months each year. No worries. You can still add plenty of color and give your home some curb appeal with a container garden.

Head to your local garden center or home improvement store. They almost always have a great selection of containers in all shapes, colors, and sizes. You can even find hanging baskets that look great on front porches or hangers in the yard.

When it comes to planting a container garden, pay attention to size. This includes the container and plant size. You don’t want to plant a fir tree in a pot designed to hold bearded irises. Chances are, the plant will die since its roots don’t have room to spread and grow.

With a container garden, you get the best of everything. You can expand your selection of perennials beyond your growing zone. Just bring the pots indoors when temperatures dip below freezing. You can also mix and match container styles so let your imagination run wild.

With these tips, you’re ready to start adding some color to your yard. You also have a little more knowledge if you decide to go with professional landscapers. You’re better prepared to explain what you want from your garden.