Watch any home design show on television and you’ll hear the stars talk about “curb appeal”. But, what does that mean? Everyone wants their home to look as great on the outside as it does on the inside, while sending a welcoming message to all who arrive. However, it can be overwhelming to organize, design, and implement a domestic landscaping project. The good news? It doesn’t have to be if you follow these great Minnesota tips for landscaping. If you’re ready to tackle a landscaping project for your new home, read on for some helpful hints, tips, and tricks.
If all of your remodeling is on the inside but the outside of the house is challenging, you’ll never have a chance to even show the inside.
– HGTV
Plan Ahead
Planning is a crucial step of the landscaping process. A thorough game plan can help you avoid costly mistakes while also determining the best processes and materials for your landscaping job. Fully evaluating the job beforehand can also help you identify the best opportunities to cut costs, leaving you more money for ongoing maintenance.
Select the Right Plants for Winter
Use these Minnesota tips for landscaping when trying to select the right plants. Winters can be quite harsh—that is why it’s important to invest in plants for your home that will stand up to the elements. Homeowners looking for a splash of color should consider trees like blue spruce. They’re evergreen, so they’ll retain their verdant hue year-round. Another great option is red twig dogwood: while this tree will lose its leaves in winter, the branches will remain vibrant crimson. The dogwood will also sport some beautiful blooms come springtime. Your local landscaping company or greenhouse/nursery will welcome questions about the best perennial plants, flowers, trees, and shrubs to plant, along with the best time to plant and prune.
Top 5 Plants for Minnesota Winters
- Winterberry – loses leaves in late fall and produces red berries into late winter.
- Witch Hazel – very fragrant smell during the summer and during the winter it produces red and yellow flowers
- Red Twig Dogwood – red branches in the winter (after it loses all of its leaves) looks beautiful next to evergreens
- Snowdrop – blooms in late winter with white flowers
- Christmas Rose – not technically a rose, it blooms with white flowers in late December through early spring.
Incorporate Modern Trends
Stay on the forefront of landscape design by investing in a few current botanical trends. Many residents of the northern areas of the United States, like Minnesota and North Dakota, are experimenting with drought-friendly landscaping ideas. As sustainability becomes more and more in vogue, many homeowners are choosing to update their landscaping to reflect a more environmentally-friendly outlook. You can do the same by choosing drought-resistant plants and ground cover, like fescue and other ornamental grasses. You can also use decorative rock to add interest and lower the yard maintenance.
Are you ready to invest in a new model or manufactured home?
Don’t hesitate to call Excelsior Homes West at 1.800.547.4990 or send us a message at [email protected] to schedule an appointment with our sales team.
