Transform your outdoors into a relaxing oasis and make the most of every summer day. Add colorful plants, hardscaping, water elements and furniture to show your yard some extra love. We talked to four local experts for tips on integrating and maintaining features that’ll reinvigorate your home’s great outdoors.
Foundational elements like patios, walkways and retaining walls add to aesthetics and functionality.
Small Touches, Big Impact
“The best way to begin refreshing the landscape is with a good spring cleanup, crisp bed edging and mulching,” says Linda McLeod-Connelly, communications manager, Connelly Lawn & Garden, Inc. “Mulch instantly gives your landscape a beautiful, finished appearance, but the advantages go far beyond cosmetic. Mulch breaks down and improves soil over time, protects plant roots against extreme temperatures, conserves moisture and prevents weeds.”
In addition, take a good look at existing plants in your yard. “It’s important to identify any plants that did not overwinter to get them replaced and removed,” explains Missy Spayd Kauffman, co-owner, Spayd’s Outdoor Environments. “Having your plants trimmed and maintained at the appropriate time of year is critical to keeping your landscape looking its best.”
Besides mulching and pruning, new plants are a fabulous way to infuse your yard with color. “Spring is a great time to plant flowering perennials and give them a chance to become established before the hot days of summer,” notes Alaina Salks, marketing coordinator of Riverview Tree & Landscaping Inc. and Riverview Gardens & Gifts. “Summer is a time for color. This can be achieved through the use of flowering annuals and perennials.”
Mulch gives your landscape a beautiful finished touch and improves soil over time.
Since you’ll be spending more time outside, “Installing pathway lighting, string lights or uplighting creates a warm and inviting ambiance,” observes Tricia Williams, vice president of sales & marketing, New Castle Lawn & Landscape, Inc.
Establish A Foundation
Hardscaped elements work hand in hand with landscaping to create a harmonious yard. “If you’re just getting started with hardscaping, we recommend focusing on foundational elements that add both aesthetics and functionality, like patios, walkways and pathways, and a firepit or seating wall,” says Williams. She also recommends adding a retaining wall in certain situations to level a space and minimize erosion. Patios, seating walls, plunge pools and firepits all provide an ideal place to socialize outdoors while walkways help connect your yard and make it easy to navigate.
“For homeowners with an established outdoor space looking for an upgrade, we suggest adding elements that elevate comfort, style and entertainment, such as an outdoor kitchen and bar, covered pergola or pavilion or a driveway makeover,” advises Williams. These upgrades can add shade and convenience, so you’ll want to spend as much time as possible enjoying the outdoors.
Williams also notes that some elements, like built-in seating, are a perfect way to combine plant life with hardscaped elements. Others offer practicality you can enjoy daily. “Upgrading to paver or natural stone driveways adds curb appeal and durability,” Williams explains.
When it comes to maximizing your investment, Williams offers some maintenance tips.
“Regularly sweep and rinse surfaces to prevent buildup of dirt, leaves and debris that can stain or damage materials.” She also recommends sealing any pavers and stonework to protect it and prevent weeds from sprouting in joints. In addition, “Check for settling or shifting,” she cautions. “If you notice movement in pavers or walls, address it early to prevent larger issues.” For general care at the beginning of the summer season, Williams likes to pressure wash hardscaping to make it look its best.
No matter which projects you embark on, adding hardscaping is a win-win. “These additions not only enhance your property’s value but also transform your backyard into a luxurious retreat,” Williams says.
Floating plants shade the pond and reduce algae growth. They are also important for animal life.
Wow With Water
Take your yard to the next level with a custom-designed water feature. “We design and install all of our ponds and pond-less water features individually, based on the site and the customer’s wishes,” explains Diane Salks, president of Riverview Tree & Landscaping, Inc.
Riverview offers fountains and water pots for customers who’d prefer a smaller water feature. On the other end of the spectrum, Diane recommends a pond size of 1,000 gallons or more for customers with Koi ponds. “We use rubber pond liner, which allows people to conform their pond to any shape, which can be repaired fairly easily if the pond sustains damage or if it springs a leak,” adds Alaina Salks.
When placing a water feature, Diane advises choosing a location for maximum enjoyment. “Ponds in full sun can have the most plant variety, as most pond plants need full to part sun, but these ponds have more of an issue with algae growth,” she explains. “This can be resolved easily with the addition of an ultraviolet sterilizer unit, which we recommend and use for all our installations.” As far as regular maintenance is concerned, “You can greatly reduce the amount of work needed to maintain a pond by purchasing a highquality filtration unit,” Alaina notes.
Gazing at bodies of water can help lower your heart rate and blood pressure, increasing feelings of relaxation.
Water features look amazing combined with plants, and different types play important roles. “Floating plants shade the pond and reduce algae growth,” says Alaina. “We recommend that about 60 to 70 percent of the pond surface should be covered with water plants.” She explains that deep water plants, like water lilies and lotus plants, are important for animal life. “These plants provide fish with shade and protection from predators. Submerged/ oxygenating plants provide vital oxygen for fish and other pond inhabitants.”
Water features add more to your yard than visual appeal. “The sound of running water is so soothing,” Diane enthuses. In addition, Alaina notes that water is useful for blocking out unpleasant noise. “Gazing at bodies of water can help lower your heart rate and blood pressure and increase feelings of relaxation,” she adds.
Creative With Containers
Utilize planters to easily change up plant life around your yard. “We offer four seasons of planter designs: spring, summer, fall and winter/holiday,” says McLeod-Connelly. “Our designs are custom made each season, all season long, to our clients’ preference.” For Connelly’s Personal Gardening Program, their designers can provide planters or use ones supplied by the customer.
Swapping out plants with the seasons is an affordable way to create fresh, vibrant displays.
Once you’ve decided where you want your planters located, pick plants appropriate for the amount of sunlight the spot receives, like full sun or part shade. “The plants that you choose to combine in your container have to all require the same watering amount and frequency,” explains McLeod-Connelly. “As a rule of thumb, most plants want to live in a soil that retains moisture but drains well.”
Key things to consider when choosing plants: hardiness zone, light availability, soil type and exposure to environmental challenges like wind or rain.
Plants are swapped out with the seasons — even in cold weather — to create fresh, vibrant displays and a feeling of what McLeodConnelly calls “affordable luxury.” In spring, Kristin Horton, Connelly’s garden services manager and container designer, relies on pansies, ranunculus and flowering bulbs. In summer, dahlias, fountain grass, calibrachoa and lantana create an eye-catching look. “For fall, we use a lot of ornamental cabbages and kale, mums, celosia, ornamental peppers and asters,” notes McLeod-Connelly. “In winter, we heavily use fresh-cut greens and berries, dried flowers, seed pods and cut branches.”
Whether you’re using containers or planting in the ground, McLeod-Connelly recommends taking a practical approach to finding appropriate spots for plants. “It’s easy to get tripped up visiting a nursery and you see a gorgeous plant with stunning blooms or foliage,” she says. “You must practice some restraint and take into consideration if it will thrive in the desired location. Some key things to consider when we choose our plants: hardiness zone, light availability, soil type and exposure to environmental challenges like wind or rain.” In particular, she likes to use native plants since they’re uniquely adapted to local conditions. As a bonus, she notes that they flourish with fewer interventions, use less water and help sustain local wildlife.
Placing one exceptional chair anywhere can make a huge difference.
Finish With Furniture
Bask in the beauty of your backyard surroundings while relaxing in a comfortable chair. Furniture adds the final touch to your spruced-up yard. “We offer outdoor dining collections, deep seating sofas, loveseats, swivel rockers and lounge chairs, cantilever and patio-style umbrellas, daybeds, chaise lounges and much more,” says Spayd Kauffman. “Many of our clients remark that our furniture is more comfortable than any indoor furniture!”
Besides comfort, these pieces offer durability with fabrics and other components made to handle any weather. “Outdoor furniture undergoes a much more detailed manufacturing process as compared to indoor furniture, so it can withstand the elements and only needs minimal maintenance,” she adds.
Even so, if you’re away from home for an extended period, Spayd Kauffman suggests covering furniture in the summer. “When it’s not covered, I recommend using a soft blower to blow off any organic matter, such as dust and tree droppings. It only takes a few minutes and makes a big difference in keeping it clean.” If needed, cushions can be spot cleaned with mild soap or detergent.
In winter, she suggests covering furniture or placing it indoors. “I highly recommend cleaning the cushions and bringing them inside for winter,” she says. “The better care that you give it, the longer it will last, and the better the paint finishes and fabrics will look.”
Although it’s often the last step, furniture is a crucial component for patios and poolsides. “To enjoy those beautiful outdoor spaces, you need comfortable furniture,” explains Spayd Kauffman. She notes that placing two chairs together is ideal for shared activities like reading, chatting or sitting back with your favorite beverage.
She advises homeowners to make sure there’s room in their budget for adding quality, long-lasting furniture. “The aesthetics alone of adding exceptional furniture can make or break a space. You can make your backyard look like a resort.” She also notes that small additions are significant. “Just placing one exceptional chair anywhere can make a huge difference.”
SOURCES
Connelly Lawn & Garden, Inc.
703 Henry Circle Sinking Spring 610.678.8949 connellylawn.com
New Castle Lawn & Landscape
3 E. Pointe Dr. Birdsboro 610.796.7818 newcastle94.com
Riverview Gardens & Gifts Riverview Tree & Landscaping, Inc.
3049 Pricetown Rd. Temple 610.929.5049 gardensandgifts.com riverviewtree.com
Spayd Outdoor Environments
3225 Pricetown Rd. Fleetwood 610.929.2026 spayds.com
