Most gardeners who live in cold climates just pack up for winter and head inside. Watching the landscape through a window, they see stretches of snow covered ground, dead stalks and a few hardy evergreens. Not a bad view, actually!

But for the truly adventurous there are many choices of shrub or tree that can help brighten the landscaping of even those gloomy winter scenes, inside and out.

Holly has been popular around Christmas for centuries. With year-round foliage and colorful berries, it will bring life and color into your life.

The bush tolerates cutting even in the dead of winter, so you can prune a few to hang on the door, or make a nice decoration for the dinner table.

China Holly is a delightful variation. Rounded and about 8 foot high, they're drought tolerant and just beautiful.

Inkberry Holly is a nice choice, too. It's shorter and the black berries make for an interesting difference from the usual type.

Winterberry Holly is a good choice if you want to attract those few bird species that hang around during the cold months.

Birch trees add an artistic touch to the landscape and can be used as lining around your property or as a centerpiece in the lawn. Since they're deciduous they lose their leaves in the late Fall, but the subtle coloring of the wood and the shape of the branches make them natural sculpture.

Paper Birch has bark that makes an interesting appearance, as it sheds and folds. A variety known as Yellow Birch is a colorful type. Young's Weeping Birch grows only to six to twelve feet, making it a wonderful shorter version. Most birch trees can grow 60 feet or more over a period of decades.

Yew trees have long been associated with the Christmas season in Great Britain, but can be grown in many countries. Their evergreen needles and bright red berries provide a nice bit of color during winter. Be sure not to eat the berries, which are poisonous.

Several Japanese species have evolved in the windswept areas and form lovely additions to the home. The Japanese Barberry is a roundish shrub that does well in certain parts of the country. They're hardy up to Zone 3. A few feet high and wide, they produce lovely Fall colors and the berries will last until very late into the season.

The American version will thrive in Zones 2-8 and its fruit is a favorite of birds. They're also deer resistant, so if you live in an area they frequent you get two benefits in one bush. During the other seasons you might enjoy the fragrant foliage.

Complete the picture with a tall grass that can add to the scene in winter. Plume grass is an ornamental and will last all year round in Zones 4-9. With a thin shaft and puffy top, you'll enjoy seeing them against the background.

Don't let winter stop you from enjoying your green thumb. Pick some winter plants today.

Landscaping has become a common feature not only in big garden areas, but even in small spaces inside and outside buildings and homes. Home and building-owners believe that appropriate landscaping can make a significant difference in every structure’s appearance.

The term landscaping may sound complicated and technical to outsiders, but it really is just the art of putting the right plant in the right place. Landscaping is an ongoing process because later, what is considered the right plant now may become the wrong choice due to some factors.

The choice of plants is one of the most important factors in landscaping because plants can make or break the landscape design. Plants will give form and color to the landscape.

Before choosing the types or kinds of plants to be used in landscaping, a landscape designer must first decide the style or theme of the landscaping project. A creative landscaping artist can choose from various themes and designs like a small garden design, a Victorian theme or a garden around a swimming pool design.

What should be considered in choosing plants for landscaping?

1. The Color, Size and Texture of Plants

The color, size and texture of the plants should be given consideration as these characteristics will give life to the landscaping project. A landscape artist must choose plants depending on the kind of garden being designed. If it is a small space, then appropriate plants should be chosen. The purpose of the landscaping should also be considered in the choice of plants

2. Plant Characteristics

Identify the characteristics of plants that will be used for the project. An important factor is the size or the height the plant will reach upon its maturity. The weather and climate needs of the plant should also be considered, as well as the type of soil where the plant will grow best.

3. Does it Attract Pests?

Choose plants that are not attractive to pests. There are plants that are pest resistant, and if they fit the landscaping project, then they would be an ideal selection.

4. How Big Will it Grow?

Estimate the place that the plant will occupy when it is fully grown. There are plants that grow horizontally and failure to take this into consideration may pose a problem later.

5. Good Color Combinations

Make sure that the plants you choose for the project have good color combinations. Choose from colors that will either complement or contrast with each other. A striking color scheme can make or ruin a landscaping project.

The Final Word

Whatever the design or theme of your landscaping project is, make sure that you choose plants that are easy to take care of, efficient, and which have high chances of survival.

Exploring nature is a rejuvenating experience. However, exploring the forest may not fit into the daily schedule. Why not bring nature right into your courtyard?

Landscaping Options

Landscaping brings nature closer to home. It includes many elements: the area, design, weather and others. The over all look depends on the owner’s taste. Some want the effect of water (pools, waterfalls, etc.) and some like rocks, stones, etc.

To create a very natural feel, you must use plants. They are most helpful in creating the total effect of the landscape. It should not be just any plant; it should be the most appropriate plant for the area and climate.

Best Choice of Plants for the Landscape

1. Groundcovers

These plants are indispensable to a landscape as they can serve as backdrops for trees, shrubs, etc. There are many types of groundcovers to choose from.

Sun-Loving
Sunny areas are considered problematic. Many plants do not like direct sunlight. Juniper groundcovers and hardy perennials are very helpful in resolving this problem.

Shade
These plants cannot stand the heat of direct sunlight. They should be used in areas that are not exposed to the sun except for short periods of time. Most of the shade-loving plants are low-growing or mid-sized.

“Attractive”
Many flowering plants attract birds, butterflies, bees, etc. It is important to choose plants that grow pollens. Plants like bee balm, holly hock and red columbine attract hummingbirds.

Aroma
The garden can be made aromatic by using foliage plants. The lavender perennial plant’s flowers provide therapeutic scent. At the same time, it serves as a beautiful border.

2. Wet Plants

Some landscapes come with wet areas like artificial ponds or waterfalls. To avoid leaving it bare, plants that thrive in wet soils are used to give beauty and natural effect.

3. Repellent Plants

More than coming up with a good landscape, it is also necessary to maintain it and keep it free from intruders. Some plants are able to repel pests like the deer. Some ornamental grasses and flowers are used for deer control.

4. Grasses

These are also helpful in the garden. There are varying kinds of grasses, the ornamental type and the functional ones.

Functional grasses are those that are used in the background. Lawn grass is an example. It serves as an outdoor carpet.

Ornamental grasses appeal more to aesthetics. They are used for decoration and for landscaping just like flowers. These can be mixed with trees and shrubs or can stand alone.

Plants are beautiful, but the appropriate ones in a certain design must be selected and properly situated. They must thrive and be able to serve their purpose. This is the only key to bringing nature closer to the home.