Ready to Refresh? Spruce Up Your Outdoor Spaces This Spring

By Julie Young House and Home Feature Writer

Think spring cleaning only applies to interior spaces? Think again. Outdoor spaces deserve to be refreshed as well. Your landscape is important to the overall look and value of your property so why not hop to it and get in on the latest trends?

Before planning your landscape plans for 2023, begin by washing the grit and grime from every exterior surface, clearing debris, and making any necessary repairs so you have a blank canvas upon which to dream. These small tasks can make a big difference to your property and allow you to prepare for bigger projects such as hardscapes, outdoor living spaces and special features.

Chuck Roth of Chesterton Feed + Garden Center said today’s homeowners are looking for plants that grow quickly, look great and require little to no maintenance for their outdoor living spaces. They are also mixing it up by incorporating container gardens into their raised and traditional beds which offers a lot of topography and interest to the landscape.

“They are also moving away from exotic plants to more native plants that can give them the look and color they want without the time and effort involved,” he said. “A native plant is great because you can just put it in the ground and walk away knowing it will thrive in our region.”

Don Fouce of Fouce Landscaping, LLC, which serves Warsaw and Kosciusko County says Vanilla Strawberry hydrangeas add beautiful color to your sunny spaces, while the narrow skyrocket juniper tree can give your property some privacy and screening thanks to its 15–20-foot elevation. However, many homeowners are looking for glorious groundcovers and there is nothing quite like a Drift Rose.

“A Drift Rose is like a Knockout Rose, but it has a bigger flower, and you don’t have to deadhead them so it’s less maintenance than other varieties,” he said. “If you do deadhead it, it will grow even more but it’s a great little rose that produces all year round.”

Beyond plant material, landscape trends also focus on outdoor living spaces and aesthetics. Fouce said one of the hottest trends in landscape is the fire feature (no pun intended) as well as a space to enjoy some quiet time together.

“It seems like everyone wants a paver patio right now with a fire pit and a seating area around it,” he said.

Of course, cool spring evenings will give way to blisteringly hot summer days and when it is time to get a respite from the sun’s rays, homeowners may want to invest in a retractable awning, which will not only help them beat the heat, but also make their home stand out from the rest.

“A retractable awning can make any unusable space useable by getting you out of the sun and the UV elements,” said Mark Bidelman of Sun and Shade Awning in Three Rivers, Mich. “We have 250 colors to choose from that will help create a cross breeze and help your space feel 20 degrees cooler during the hottest months. They really are a game changer that can not only help you enjoy your yard but can also help boost your curb appeal.”

Spring into action now and get a jump on these timely trends that will have you loving the way your landscape looks! n