Home improvement projects are all the rage amidst the on-going pandemic. If you’re looking for something to give your yard a boost, consider one of these lovely landscaping ideas for your front or back yard!
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Landscaping 101
Some Things To Consider
Before you dive into a landscaping renovation, there are several key things to consider aside from which features you’d like to have in your yard. 
Seasonality
Michigan yards are not blessed with the year-round sun that our neighbors have to the south. As such, flowers, trees, and shrubs will look drab in the winter. It may be a good idea to balance out plants with a hardscaping feature like stones, a garden path, or gazebos. Just because you can’t relax in your garden as you would in summer doesn’t mean it needs to be an eyesore.
Maintenance
Some landscaping features require more diligence than others. Smaller flowering ornamental trees won’t drop as many leaves as their larger oak or maple friends, which means less work for you in the fall. Keeping a realistic approach to your landscaping project will prevent your dream from turning into a nightmare.
Natural Habitat
Being in a temperate zone, some plants will perform better than others. Native perennials are more likely to take root and return year after year successfully. Soil conditions can also affect how well a plant does in your garden. Be sure to speak to your landscaping professional about finding a balance between aesthetics and performance, so your garden looks good and grows well.
Landscaping Ideas
Ornamental Trees And Shrubs
Flowering trees and shrubs make an excellent addition to any garden. They can serve as a focal point or accent, and unlike traditional species, they don’t grow to towering heights or require the same amount of maintenance. Nothing’s lovelier than witnessing the arrival of spring via the blossoms in your yard. Black Gum, dogwood, and Common ninebark are all beautiful Michigan-native flowering trees to consider.
Flower Beds
Having various colors, textures, and blooming windows is the key to a beautiful flower bed. If you don’t have room for a full-scale flower bed, consider using flowers as borders, as you might landscaping stones or bricks. We’d recommend opting for perennials, as they will return year after year without needing to be replanted. Here are a few of the most popular Michigan landscaping flowers:
- Hibiscus
- Phlox
- Black-eyed Susan
- Dianthus
- Stonecrop
- Bleeding Hearts
- Hostas
Decorative Stones
Decorative stones could take the form of stepping stone pathways, river rock ground covers for flower beds, or larger boulders for a statement piece. There are several varieties available, and each type of landscaping stone has its own benefits. You can even use stones to create a realistic-looking dry stream or creekbed, similar to traditional Japanese gardens. It’s ideal as a middle ground for those who want a water feature but may not have the time to keep up with maintenance. 
Hardscaping
Similar to stonescaping, hardscaping refers to things like driveways, pathways, or other immovable features in your landscape. If you’re going for an ultra-modern look, this could mean a concrete half-wall, for instance. Many homeowners choose hardscaping because it looks good year-round and also requires less maintenance than organic landscaping. All those pebbles you’ve saved from trips to the beach? You could easily turn those into a cobblestone mosaic in your garden! Other hardscaping features include pergolas, gazebos, swings, and benches.
Fountains And Water Gardens
The gentle sound of water tumbling in a fountain or into a pond might be the most tranquil ambiance a garden can achieve. When many people hear “fountain,” they may falsely believe their yard isn’t big enough for such a feature. Fountains don’t have to be grandiose installations – unless that’s what you’d like, of course! If you’ve always dreamed of having one in your yard, your landscaping professional can help you realize your dreams and scale them to your yard. Like fountains, ponds come in all shapes and sizes, as do the plants that can inhabit them. Some plants require to be potted in soil and then fully submerged in water. Others can obtain all their nutrients from floating in the water. Keeping a variety in your water garden will add visual variety and create a robust, diverse eco-system.
Fences
Fences aren’t just for creating a boundary for your property. Decorative fencing can define spaces or add a cozy cottage feel! Wooden fences are great for a traditional look and can be stained in a variety of finishes. Vinyl fencing adds bold solid colors – like white and black – and requires less maintenance over the course of its life. Both materials can make your yard look well-groomed. Corner fencing acts as a way to punctuate a space without closing it off entirely. Half fences are ideal for protecting garden beds or guide the eye. Picture a countryside cottage with a half fence and a small gate. Like the focal point of a painting, the fence guides the eye, and the visitors, to the front door.
Walkways
Like other garden features, walkways and paths don’t have to be entirely functional. Stepping stones or other smaller paths can be visually pleasing, even if they won’t see human traffic. The eye follows them through the garden, which can give a small space more depth. 
Benefits Of Professional Landscaping
Increased Curb Appeal
A well-landscaped yard can improve your curb appeal, and therefore your property value by as much as 12.7%!
Less Work For You
Designing, building, and maintaining landscaping is no small feat. When you hire a professional landscaping company, you can sit back and enjoy the perks without wearing yourself out.
A Prettier Place To Call Home
The concept of “home” is different for everyone, but no one wants to look out their window and see disheveled bushes, thinning grass, and tired flowers. Professionally designed landscaping will create a feast for the eyes and help you feel more at home.
Get Professionally Designed Landscaping From PPM Landscape Contractors Inc
From custom designs to installation, the experts at PPM Landscape Contractors Inc provide professional landscaping services for commercial and residential customers. No job is “too big” or “too small,” so don’t hesitate to give us a call! Talk to our customer service members at (877) 454-8733 or contact us online here. Looking for more landscaping and lawn care tips? Be sure to visit our monthly blog!