12 Landscaping Ideas That Will Transform Your Yard

Just like you should plant grass that is specific to your region, pick native plants for less upkeep. By choosing plants that are native or grow well in a specific zone or area, that will keep water and pruning prices down, and the plants will thrive.

Incorporating pots into landscaping makes a yard not only more low-maintenance but also more versatile. Potted plants are an easy way to add color to different parts of a yard, and they are mobile. For an added pop of color, coordinate the flowers to the season. Try whites and pinks in the spring and summer; switch to yellows and reds in the fall.

Landscapers often add edging around flower gardens, the house foundation, and sometimes sidewalks and driveways. Installing the edging in curves rather than perfectly straight lines adds appeal and character. The edging is permanent, so it enhances the landscape all year long and it's an easy way to go from boring to beautiful.

Choose a diverse range of plants that bloom at different times so ornamental leaves will be visible all season long. If all the flowers bloom at the same time, they'll look attractive during that time frame but will lack color the rest of the year. Try using a perennial like Rozanne geranium because it blooms from June through October.

Have kids? Or pets? Don't be afraid to give artificial grass a shot. Artificial grass is the best way to make a yard dog-proof and kid-proof because there's no way they're going to run around and tear up your grass. Plus, it requires zero upkeep on the weekends.

Attractive landscaping deserves to be seen after hours, which is where landscape lights come into play. The lights play many roles, from adding to the home's attractiveness to illuminating steps and sidewalks for safety to showcasing points of interest in the landscape. Placing lights alongside paths and walkways is one of their most common uses, although that doesn't mean they have to be set in straight lines at prescribed intervals. You can place them on alternate sides of a sidewalk to break up a line.

Lavender adds a relaxing aroma, a burst of color, and it needs to be watered only once or twice a week if you don't live in a climate with regular rain. It also doubles as a bug repellent, so plant it near your patio.

Installing a patio or bench near the edge of your lawn, away from the house, provides an outdoor escape. Concrete will do, or you can use stones or pavers. Building it near trees or tall flowers gives the area some privacy, while chairs or benches let you sit or lie down to read or nap. Keep it 6 to 8 feet from your property line and surround it with flowers.

A water feature—even a small, self-contained unit that stands alone on a patio—should look like it belongs in its surroundings. You can use natural stone to build it up, or you can use the same stone or material that you find on the house. Do not to use too many materials or the effort may backfire. A good rule is to use no more than three elements in one area, or the area can get too busy.

Instead of trampling down the lawn and making a makeshift path of dead grass between your patio, fire pit, and garden, create an attractive walkway using concrete stepping stones, natural flagstone, decorative brick, or crushed stone.

Construct a pathway, walkway, or any other landscaping feature from material that's the same or similar to what's used on the exterior of the house, such as a brick or stone, because it will tie the path aesthetically to the home. Or use the material to provide a striking edging along the walkway.

Use crushed stones in beds because it's a great xeriscaping technique. Stone is also a nice option in beds because you never have to replace it.

Xeriscape landscaping using very little to no water, and it's a great way to completely give in to your natural surroundings. You'll be pleasantly surprised at how many native plants require almost zero water once they are established, and they can provide colorful blooms throughout the year.