Color is the harbinger of changing seasons and adding color to your landscape makes a bold statement that immediately catches the eye. Your landscape is truly the welcome mat for your property and spring color is one of the easiest and most efficient ways to create an instant “wow” factor.
When it comes to spring color, bright annuals are the plants most commonly used for significant impact. You’re not limited to annuals, however, as beds and containers can also be designed to include some perennials, foliage, and green ivy.
If you are itching to create a colorful fresh look for your landscape as it emerges from the dormancy of winter, here are the top five things to keep in mind:
1. Choose the Right Plant Material for Your Property
Spring color gives your property a noticeable “pop” that will take you from spring well into summer and beyond if you select the right plants. Annuals, which are designed to be a riot of color and blooms for a short period of time, provide a fresh splash of color each season and can be designed to suit your changing tastes or moods
It’s important to choose plants that will thrive in Atlanta’s hot, humid environment. For example, a brief list might include:
- Begonias that come in several colors and varieties
- Lantanas that are vibrant with small clusters of flowers
- Salvia which are not only beautiful but also attract pollinators
- Petunias which will bloom throughout the spring, summer, and fall
- Coleus and Caladiums which are colorful foliage options that can enhance beds
Remember too, it is not all about aesthetics. While it’s easy to get caught up in what you think may look best, you can’t disregard the details that will ensure the ability of the new plants to thrive on your property. For example, shade annuals will be a poor match for an area that receives full sunlight throughout the day. Conversely, if your beds are surrounded by trees that will block sunlight, full sun annuals will not be able to survive.
2. Don’t Overlook Design
Before getting started, the overall design of your landscape needs to be taken into consideration. This includes factors such as spacing and color scheme. Planting a few colorful annuals here and there on your property will fail to provide the dramatic impact that you seek. Instead, you risk creating a scattered and messy landscape that looks as if it there was no design plan at all. Annuals are often planted in close proximity to create color density and an immediate effect but, of course, spacing will vary with different types of plants. Additionally, you will want to make sure that the colors you choose are complementary and will work well together.
While many homeowners set out to match the vision they hold in their mind’s eye, it is not always easy to bring that vision to life. In fact, creating showstopping spring color is more complicated and time intensive than most anticipate. Working with a landscape design professional – one that offers spring color enhancements – is a smart choice and wise investment. A landscape designer will create a plan for your property that incorporates your vision along with all the important property conditions. This will ultimately save you the time and headache of figuring it out as your go along.
3. Soil Prep and Maintenance Are Part of the Equation
While the choice of colorful plant material is where most homeowners place their initial focus, that doesn’t encompass the whole picture. Before any planting occurs, garden beds need to be prepped so the annuals can flourish. Typically, they will do best in loose, well-draining soil which might need to be amended or tilled. This may also be the time to incorporate a slow-release fertilizer that can provide ongoing nourishment to the plant material.
Once the plants are in the ground, a fresh layer of mulch not only looks fantastic, but can also serve to insulate the roots, retain moisture, and suppress weeds.
If you are working with a professional landscape design company, you will likely have the option of ongoing maintenance service. Depending on the budget and the services offered, this might include hand watering, weeding, deadheading, checking nutrient levels and applying pesticides. These maintenance services are a huge benefit and will ensure that your property looks pristine throughout the spring and summer.
4. Start With a Clean-Up
To ensure that you get the most benefit from these spring color ideas, it is worth mentioning that a spring clean-up should be conducted on your property before getting started. The harsh winter months have left their mark in the form of scattered branches and twigs, dead plant material and stray leaves. Adding bright spring flowers to a messy property isn’t going to result in the curb appeal that you are seeking. Fortunately, this is a service that most full-service landscape companies provide.
Spring is also an ideal time to make sure that your irrigation system is in good, working order so that your newly installed plants and flowers will remain watered during the longest and hottest days that the upcoming season will surely deliver.
5. Consider Enlisting a Professional to Bring Your Vision to Life
Beyond curb appeal, your landscape is an important part of your home’s value and investing in the services of a local landscape design professional will pay dividends in the long run. Not only can they expertly assess the soil conditions and growing environment on your property, but they can also save time by offering recommendations and guiding you through the selection and subsequent care of plant material. Most importantly, enlisting a professional landscape design company means that your valuable time can be spent enjoying and not toiling in your yard.
Buckhead Landscape & Design has a long history of serving the greater Buckhead area, providing landscape design and maintenance services as well as hardscape design, irrigation, and outdoor lighting. When it comes to spring color, the professionals at Buckhead will take the time to understand your needs, expectations, color preferences and budget to create that differentiating “pop” that will take your landscape from spring well into the summer months and beyond.
