A successful landscaping plan or garden requires some consideration to the detailed factors of the entire plan before deciding on the different components of your design. One very important consideration is the climate and weather. Whatever elements or design style you go with, the elements and materials you use should work well with the climate in your area. Having severe climate changes that you’re not aware of can affect your landscaping and your plants. In areas that go through all four seasons, landscaping and gardens will feel the effects of these seasonal changes as well. This is probably one of the better reasons for paying close attention to your landscaping plans and ideas. Here are some considerations that might be helpful in designing landscapes or gardens that will work in most any climate.
Plant choices should be backed by a little knowledge of what works and what’s available in your area. Planting native plants, which is a common practice of most Southwest landscape designs, will increase your chances of a successful landscape in any climate. Planting native plants wherever they will work in your garden or landscape will do a lot to make your landscape and garden more maintenance and care free. Native plants are already use to your local soil types so there’s usually no problem from moving plants to a different soil. Because they’ve been grown in your area, natives will also be adapted to your climate. It’s a good chance that you’ll find a lot of native plants in your area that work well in gardens and landscaping.
You can also plant for climate by using plants for Mediterranean landscape designs or tropical areas. The bright and colorful flowers of many tropical plants will add a lot of flavor to most landscaping and garden designs. The good thing about some tropical plants is that they actually grow in colder climates. Just get to know which of the tropical plants have this ability, and then you’re ready to start planning for that all-climate landscape design of your own creation. Some of the tropical plants that you can grow even in non-tropical climates are Oo-La-La Bougainvillea or Purple Queen Bougainvillea; MidKnight Blue Agapanthus; Full Moon Hibiscus; and the Itsy Bitsy Red Hibiscus. Lantana, a profuse continuous bloomer, is also a good selection in many areas which comes in several different shades from a faded lavender to bright shades of yellow. You can also have Mandevillas, which have trumpet-like flowers attached to tropical vines, and are very fast growing. If you wanted that type of look, there are enough tropical plant varieties to give your landscaping some interest for all seasons in many different climates.
Another key to having an all-climate landscaping design is to diversify. For example, you can use plants in the landscaping with different bloom times and patterns. In this way, when one type of plant finishes its season, you’ll still have something blooming to look at in your landscaping or garden. The key here is a little research and planning for the different bloom schedules of your different plant choices. Choose at least one or two that blooms in each season.
Besides plants, you can also use other ornaments in your landscaping to add more aesthetic interest. Ornaments, garden decor, and other decorative items generally work well since you don’t have to worry about them getting damaged because of climate or weather changes. You can also use different elements like fountains, statues, pavers, pathways, and other hardscapes to make your landscaping more appealing.
