Your backyard can be so much more than just land in the back of your home. Turn it into a haven where you can relax, entertain and simply enjoy nature while on the comfort of your own property. If you live in Vancouver, where the weather can be cool, there are landscaping ideas that you can follow to enjoy this space to the fullest. Does this Spark an idea?
Trees and Shrubs
Select the trees and shrubs you would like to plant. As the largest natural items that will be incorporated in your yard, trees and shrubs will help set the stage for your design. Coniferous trees and shrubs add interest year round, as they retain their color even during the cold winter months. Pacific silver fir, grand fir and Rocky Mountain juniper are all evergreen plants which do well in Vancouver.
Red bearberry and western dwarf misletoe are two shrubs that will add color to your yard all year. Sarsaparilla and Swedish dwarf dogwood are shrubs that add punches of color with seasonal vibrant blooms and leaves that change color in the autumn.
Big leaf maple, Alaska birch and red alder are trees that add vibrant greens to your landscape during the spring and summer and colorful foliage during the fall months.
Flowers
Whether you plant them or display them in pots, flowers are a surefire way to add interest to your backyard landscape. There are a variety of flowers that are native to the Vancouver area. For easy to care for flowers, opt for perennials, as they return year after year once they are planted. Perennials that thrive in Vancouver include Canada columbine, goldenrod, purple coneflowers and coreopsis.
While annuals are higher maintenance flowers because they only last for one year, they provide some of the most vivid pops of color. Annuals that do well in Vancouver include calendula, Iceland poppy and morning glory.
Outdoor Furnishings
Furnishings help to turn the backyard into an inviting space where you and your friends and family will enjoy spending time. Create an outdoor dining room with a table and chairs. There are a variety of styles and materials from which to choose, including round, oval, and rectangular; and wood, wicker, wrought iron and aluminum. Assemble a collection of lounge chairs for a seating area where you can relax. Adirondack chairs and outdoor chaise lounges provide comfort and add style to your yard. Enjoy those cool Vancouver evenings by making a fire pit the center of your seating area. For the ultimate in outdoor relaxation, string a hammock between two trees.
Decorative Elements
Decorative elements help to complete the look of your backyard. Twinkling lights placed in trees and tiki torches add ambiance to the area after the sun goes down. Attract Canadian fowl with bird feeders and birdbaths. Keep track of the time with a decorative sun dial.
Tags: your yard, seating area, shrubs that, that will, There variety
