Although we’re making a slow approach to lighter evenings and brighter mornings, it can still be hard to look out upon a withered and wintery backyard. When the trees are still spindly and dark, it can cast a bit of a shadow over other plants that don’t really make an appearance until spring.

There are, however, things you can do that keep your backyard looking optimistically bright all year round, and maybe even a bit Scandinavian. Choosing objects and ornaments that give your backyard character can make sure that the colder months don’t suck the life out of it.

Metal Backyard Furniture

If you’re the type of person who likes a brisk sit outside with a coffee, then metal frame backyard furniture might be worth considering, if only for its low maintenance. As anyone who has un-stacked a soggy and soft wooden chair after a rainy season will know, sometimes wooden furniture sometimes needs a bit of looking after.

Placing a metal or stone ornament in the center of your outdoor table will also pull it together and keep it looking stylish throughout the year. Metal outdoor furniture also tends to come in classic designs that have a certain vintage appeal, so your backyard will be timeless all year round.

Stone Ornaments

Stone ornaments are always reminiscent of grander and more regal backyards, so placing them either side of a patio or next to key features such as a pond can make your humble back yard fit for royalty.

Perhaps you do yoga outside in the morning, or maybe you want something to look at that isn’t withered –stone ornaments dotted throughout the backyard will look elegant all year round. Yoga enthusiasts and those who like a bit of peace to stroll out to might want a stone Buddha head next to their pond for a true zen backyard feel.

Clay Features

Clay pots with designs cut out make for great tea-light holders if you enjoy taking a hot cup of cocoa or glass of wine outside in the winter months.

If your tastes are a little unconventional and when you say you want your backyard brighter, you mean much brighter, there are clay features in a spectrum of vivid colors. Hot pink and electric blue backyard gnomes are a key example of this, with even a sunshine yellow one thrown in for good measure.

Glass Ornaments

Glass ornaments handing from your pergola or trees will also glimmer all year round, provided you give them a little TLC every now and then. A hanging dragonfly under any pergola will catch the sunlight in the summer months and brighten up the backyard in the drearier months.

Hanging ornaments from trees isn’t just a Christmas pastime, either. Hanging fused glass birds and decorations from your trees will make a cheerful addition, even when the branches are completely bare. For those who want larger feature pieces, items such as church windows or glass flowers can make for striking stand-out features. Hunting round landscape stores and Etsy is a brilliant place to start hunting for statement feature ideas.

Evergreen Plants

This is where having a backyard that keeps all year round really comes into its own. Although it’s always wise to have seasonal plants, as these add variety throughout the year. If you only choose evergreen plants, you’ll miss the appearance of snowdrops in early spring, the sunshine yellow of daffodils and fruit blossom.

That being said, there are some sturdy plants who manage to keep their head above the water all-year round, which means your backyard will keep a deep green hue to it. Common laurel and privet look bright and leafy all year round, spindle or ‘Silver Queen’ has a wintery white hem to its leaves which will look appropriately festive in the colder seasons. You can also get the best of both worlds with shrubs like English lavender, which not only blossoms in the summer but keeps its pale blue leaves throughout the year.

Outdoor Cabins

If you want to spend time in the backyard but don’t quite have enough northern spirit to withstand the cold, then an outdoor hut is the perfect compromise. Shepherd’s Huts are a more expensive alternative to the common backyard shed, but loans with no bank account might be an option for those who are budgeting for a bigger project. A look through any local manufacturer’s website will give you some inspiration for what to put on the inside. Putting a table and chairs can make it a close-to-home getaway for a romantic dinner, a sofa and coffee table could make it the perfect reading nook, and even a bed could turn it into a guest house. For those on a tighter budget, opting for a small summer house could be turned into a year-round house with some comfy chairs and bright interior decorations.

LED Lights

LED lights now come in a range of styles and even power-sources, with many being solar powered if you’re looking to reduce your electricity bills. LED lights not only keep backyard parties going all night in the summer but in winter time, they transform the backyard into a magical place, particularly at night.

Whether you want a string of solar lights to hang from your patio, a trail of them following your backyard path or a light-up sheep to entertain the kids, there are many to cater for a wide range of tastes.

The key to keeping your backyard looking lively all year round is mostly to do with careful selection and balance. Don’t leave out your seasonal favorites, but instead pair them with shrubs and bushes that will stay perky, even if it’s -10 and raining. In the same way that a puppy isn’t just for Christmas, a backyard shouldn’t just be for the summer. Reading the paper on a brisk morning or just going outside to appreciate one of those rare crisp but sunny winter’s days should be enjoyed and never lamented.

Commercial landscaping maintenance presents unique challenges during the colder winter months. When the mercury begins to drop in the thermometer, and the precipitation begins to fall from the sky, you need professionals who are able to clear the ice and snow accumulation in the parking lots and on the sidewalks. You also need someone who can handle other aspects of cold weather landscape management.

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Even though you may think you only need landscaping services for your commercial property in the summer, it also makes sense to hire these professionals for landscape maintenance in the winter as well.

Whether you need to maintain your office, corporation or retail business, a professional commercial landscaper can provide comprehensive winter care for your property.

Ice and Snow Management

Snow removal is very important business especially in colder climates that receive several inches or feet of snow during the winter season. Heavy snow can make driving and walking around your property difficult, and it can be dangerous for you, your staff and your customers. If the driveway, parking lot or sidewalk around your business is blocked by snow and/or ice, the areas must be cleared so people can easily move around your property.

Commercial landscape companies do not have a lot to do after winter begins, and they generally have the equipment that is necessary to remove snow and ice efficiently and quickly. As a matter of fact, many companies can provide a 24-hour service to ensure the vehicle and pedestrian pathways around your business remain clear until the inclement weather has passed.

Holiday Decoration

Are you planning to give your business a festive look during the holiday season that includes outside ornaments, lights and greenery? Simply having a string of lights outside of the door may be enough to put many of your customers in the holiday spirit. However, climbing ladders and snow packed and icy roofs land many people in the emergency room every year.

Stay warm and safe inside and let professional landscapers handle all your outside holiday décor. They can help with everything including hanging a creative display to even taking down the decorations after the holidays are over. Your business will have a merry look and you will have put forth zero effort.

Landscape Protection

As the frigid and cold temperatures settle in, there may be some areas of your landscape may need some extra care and protection to make it through the winter. Professional landscapers know the measures to take to ensure your plants and trees stay healthy during the cold months.

Using burlap protective wrapping is used by professional commercial landscapers to shelter trees, bushes and shrubs. This protective wrap protects vegetation from ice, wind and snow.

Dormant pruning is a technique used by professional landscapers to look for signs of disease, mold or pest infestation. This type of pruning is important to make sure the landscape stays healthy.

Watching the snow fall onto the ground while sitting inside the warmth of your office can be relaxing. Unfortunately, it can very harsh for your landscape. Save yourself from the difficult winter maintenance and hire a professional landscaping company.