Is your landscape sending out distress signals louder than your neighbor’s leaf blower at 7 a.m.? Maybe your shrubs have taken on that “post-apocalyptic hedge maze” vibe, the lava rock has become a relic of a bygone era, or your needs in a landscape have changed as your children have left the nest – so you have taken up bird watching.
It’s time to take a closer look at the telltale signs your yard is ready for a glow-up—and what you can expect when you work with a professional landscape designer to renovate your pre-existing landscape.
Table of Contents
TL;DR: Is your yard begging for a makeover?
Answer:
1. Your Landscape is Outdated
Lava rock and landlines. Red mulch and VHS tapes. Is your landscape giving you the nostalgia of 1987 rather than making you feel tranquil? Landscaping trends change with the times, just like interior design. In fact, looking toward interior design trends often provides a template for popular colors and styles to extend outdoors.
Here are several “out of date” features in your landscape that might tell you it is time to change it up:
- Lava Rock – Lava rock was HOT during the 1970’s-1990’s, which is a prime reason it is not used any longer! Lava rock absorbs and radiates heat, making it a bad choice for plant health.
- Red or Gold Toned Rock – While still utilized when appropriate, such as to match the tone of the exterior of your home, landscape design is currently trending toward grey and cool neutral tones for rock selections.
- Dyed Mulches (Especially Red) – Current design trends favor natural mulches such as dark brown gorilla hair mulch.
- Timber Retaining Walls – Rock and block walls last longer than timber walls and are more popular with today’s homeowners.
- Large Areas of Turf Grass – Turf areas have become smaller in local yards as people opt for lower water use options, especially here in Colorado Springs
- Juniper Hedges – These were all the rage in the 80’s and 90’s but now tend to cause more frustrated rage as homeowners opt to remove them.
2. Your Landscape is Overgrown
Is it a jungle out there? Sometimes a clean slate in your yard is more appealing than attempting to tame the wilderness. In other cases, it may be a requirement as large trees grow into neighboring properties or pose a threat during Colorado wildfires due to overgrowth.
Here are some additional reasons that overgrowth of plants and trees may necessitate a landscape renovation:
- Shrubs or trees have outgrown their space
- Often we see that the mature size of a cultivar was not considered when it was originally planted, causing them to drastically outgrow the space they were designated for. As they grow you will see that sun vs shade conditions change in your yard. Things that thrived in the sunshine may now be shaded by large trees. It is also important to research the mature plant size when making selections. Often, landscape designers will aid in selecting dwarf sizes to appropriately accommodate Colorado yard sizes.
- Plant Health Care was Neglected
- If you’re seeing damage from pests, misshapen structure, or declining plant health it may be time to consult a landscape team with a Certified Arborist on staff. They’ll know if it’s a case for structural pruning, pest control, or complete removal.
- Heavy Weeds
- If your yard is heavily weeded it may be appealing to “scrape it clean” and start fresh. Just be sure that your ongoing maintenance plans account for proper weed control going forward.
3. Your Existing Landscape Is Not Water Wise
With Colorado in what we call a “Prolonged Megadrought” since 2000, low water usage is making waves and remaining at the forefront of landscape renovation goals. With older landscapes often containing large areas of turf grass and high-water use plants, we have good news for you if you’re interested in saving water and beautifying your yard!
- Xeriscaping – This low water use form of landscape design is here to stay in Colorado. Plants are carefully selected to be drought tolerant and design principles reduce turf grass.
- Bluegrass Alternatives – As a water saving measure many homeowners are using much less turfgrass or are opting for alternatives. Here are some things to ask your designer about:
- Native Seeding
- Low Water Turf Options
- Artificial Turf
- Smart Irrigation – Irrigation technology and installation techniques have improved drastically in recent years. New systems allow for easy adjustments to your watering schedule during periods of increased rainfall, alert you if you have a leak, and can be managed from your smart phone.
- Rebates – Check with your local utility provider for a list of commonly available rebates for making water saving changes to your landscape. These include irrigation renovations and converting turf to native seed.
4. Your Lifestyle, Goals, or Hobbies Have Changed
Many landscape renovations begin as family dynamics change. Perhaps the trampoline or swing set are fostering more cobwebs than laughter as your children have grown and, as they leave the nest, you have become an avid nest-watcher.
Here are some common goals for landscape renovations that we hear from homeowners in Colorado Springs:
- They want to add additional spaces for entertaining or relaxing
- Common features include outdoor kitchens, fire features, water features, and outdoor living spaces.
- They’re adjusting to provide space for new hobbies
- These include vegetable gardens, adding plants to attract pollinators or birds, and even the occasional bocce ball court!
- They’re seeking a design that’s lower maintenance
- Often this dream comes with the reduction of bluegrass lawn space. It is important to note that “no landscape is no maintenance.”
5. Your Landscape is Damaged
Does your existing landscape say “relaxing retreat” or “RETREAT!” as in RUN THE OTHER WAY?! There are many reasons that a damaged landscape can benefit from a design overhaul.
Damage can occur to your landscape over time for several reasons. Here are a few you might see in Colorado:
- Freeze / Thaw damage causing hardscapes (patios, walkways, retaining walls) to crack.
- Weather Damage from Heavy Snows or High Winds
- Water Damage from Improper Drainage and Flooding
- Poor Original Installation Quality
- Wildlife or Pet Damage
6. You Want to Increase Home Value or Boost Curb Appeal
Some features of landscape renovation can help increase the value of your home while others help to boost your curb appeal.
Download our FREE Guide to the ROI on Landscaping Features:
Whether or not you’ are looking to sell your home here are some ways a landscape renovation can boost your ROI:
- Creating a positive first impression of your home
- Xeriscaping – The design method that keeps coming up! Reduce water bills and create an appealing landscape for buyers in one fell swoop.
- Planting for Energy Efficiency – Strategic placement of your trees can impact your homes energy efficiency! LEARN MORE HERE How Landscaping Can Increase Energy Efficiency – Timberline Landscaping
- Added Value – Items like fire features, patios, water features, and updated irrigation all add to the value of your home as ranked by REALTOR®.
What to Expect During Your Landscape Renovation
Ready to reno? Our team of experts gathered some helpful information and considerations.
- The cost of landscape renovation may exceed that of new installations due to the need to remove existing features.
- Some people have a hard time envisioning beyond the landscape they have now. Choose a designer who can provide renderings and a professional plan to help you visualize.
- A professional designer can assess which materials may be retained and incorporated into the new landscape design; however, reusing materials is not always the most cost-effective option. They will guide you!
- Selecting larger plants and trees can help achieve your desired visual impact and minimize the adjustment period that comes with transitioning from mature specimens to smaller ones.
- If you live in an HOA your renovation plans will need to be submitted for review before you begin construction.
By carefully planning your landscape renovation, you can boost your home’s curb appeal, add value, and create an inviting environment tailored to your needs. Whether it’s embracing water-wise xeriscaping, planting for energy savings, or working with a professional designer to bring your vision to life, each step you take is an investment in the future beauty and functionality of your property. With thoughtful choices and expert guidance, your outdoor transformation is sure to make a lasting impression.
If your home’s yard is in need of an overhaul contact us to begin designing your dream landscape.
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