Five simple solutions for adding interest to boring landscapes
Thanks to quarantine, many of us have become super familiar with our yards. And what seemed nice when we were busy with summer events and trips now feels rather, well, boring. But your yard doesn’t have to stay that way! We’ve spoken with several local gardeners and designers for some simple ways to add visual interest to your landscape.
Add Some Chairs
Interior designer Sharon Bledsoe, who has her own design studio in Pleasant Hill, has created little destinations in the gardens around her restored 1884 Victorian farmhouse using pairs of comfortable chairs.
“It’s easy to take a glass of lemonade outside and just rest for a moment enjoying the flowers,” she says. “It’s a sigh of relief from a busy day.”
Bledsoe added to the comfort of the outdoor space by incorporating red geraniums, which are a cheerful highlight in a window box against the house. The country feel of the wood-sided house adds a nostalgic atmosphere while simple lines and solid colors make it feel modern. The natural materials of the chairs themselves add texture and handcrafted appeal.
Dining Al Fresco
Your favorite outdoor dining spot could be in your own backyard. A secluded table for two in a cool shady area or a candlelit dinner in the gazebo can add mystery and romance to any meal. Cocktails on the veranda, anyone?
Break Up the Flora and Fauna
Bill and Mary Kate Peters have multiple garden zones within their large property in Covington, Ohio. Vegetables, fruits, flowers and ornamental areas can all be found on their land. Bill, who is a landscaper for Siebenthaler’s Garden Centers, has a wide range of skills and is able to use them at home by punctuating the flora and fauna with wooden structures that direct and delight the eyes.
Build a Potting Shed
Scott and Julie McMiller created a charming potting shed as a focal point in their Troy garden. Julie is a retired art teacher who had the vision of a structure that looked like it “had always been there.” Scott, a retired stone mason, took the ordinary garden shed and turned it into an enchanted cottage.
Include Sparkle and Soothing Sounds
The addition of a fountain or bird bath as a focal point in the garden adds sculptural interest as well as sensory appeal. Deb DeCurtins has incorporated vintage garden accessories into the gardens she has designed to attract birds, bees and butterflies in abundance to her property in Troy. DeCurtins also loves to share this sight with visitors—her home near Lost Creek is the site of the annual Lost Creek Garden & Antique Show.
