As the holiday season unfurls its festive charm, our homes and businesses become a canvas for our creative expressions. Twinkling lights, shimmering ornaments, and the rich green of Christmas trees transform our living spaces into holiday havens.

As the New Year chimes in, these decorations often retreat, leaving a longing for that continued warmth and color amidst the winter landscape.

Yet, your outdoor space holds a multitude of possibilities to keep the seasonal spirit alive. Here, we’ll delve into four ways to spruce up your Georgia landscape, ensuring that the color of the season continues well beyond your interior!

1. Extend Greenery with Evergreens 

Evergreens are a surefire way to keep your winter landscape looking lively all season. While deciduous trees are popular, they leave you with bare branches come winter.

Evergreens, on the other hand, offer rich green and blue hues throughout the season. They look more enchanting with a light dusting of Georgia’s rare snowflakes. Some great choices are:

• Eastern Red Cedar
• Brody Juniper
• American holly cultivars (there are many!)
• Tea Olive
• Magnolias
  
  

2. Add Pops of Winter Color

When most of the winter landscape starts to look a bit dull, certain trees and shrubs can bring a welcome splash of color. Plants like winterberry hang onto their bright berries, giving your yard a festive look. Some of the best picks for Georgia include:

• Yaupon holly
• Inkberry
• Winterberry
• Dahoon holly 
• American Beautyberry 

3. Improve Safety with Outdoor Lighting

In winter, when nights are longer, proper outdoor lighting becomes crucial, not just for aesthetics but for safety and security.

Strategic lighting can transform the functionality and appearance of your outdoor spaces. Illuminating pathways, driveways, and entryways ensure safe navigation and add a welcoming warmth to your home.

It also serves as a deterrent for unwanted visitors, providing peace of mind. Consider soft, warm lighting for a cozy atmosphere, or LED sensor lights for efficiency and security. A well-lit landscape is not only practical but can also highlight the beauty of your winter landscape.

Consider adding outdoor lighting in these key areas on your property:

• Main entrance 
• Entry points 
• Windows 
• Pathways 
• Driveways
• Steps
• Mailbox
• Garage
• Parking Lots 
• Sidewalks 
  
  

4. Incorporate Hardscape Elements 

Winter's bare landscape provides a unique opportunity to reassess the foundation of your outdoor space. It's the perfect time to consider adding or upgrading hardscape elements. 

These features not only enhance the visual appeal of your property but also increase its usability year-round. 

If your landscape has a lot of open space and needs a lot of filling in, consider:

• Patio: Create an inviting outdoor gathering space with comfortable seating and heating options for winter evenings.

• Stepping Stones and Walking Paths: Connect different landscape areas with elegant pathways that add both functionality and charm.

• Fire Pit: Install a fire pit to provide warmth and a focal point for cozy winter gatherings.
  
  
• Outdoor Kitchen: An outdoor kitchen complete with a grill, countertops, and seating is perfect for cooking and entertaining through all seasons. You can even invest in winter-proof appliances and covers for your outdoor kitchen. And when winter gives us those temperature spikes, grilling outside is a breeze - saving you from the kitchen mess!

If your landscape is already filled with a lot of plants or existing hardscapes, consider finishing touches like: 

• Water Feature: Enhance tranquility with a water feature like a fountain or pond, creating a soothing ambiance in winter.

• Decorative Boulders: Strategically place decorative boulders to add visual interest and natural beauty.

• Archways: Install archways for elegant transitions between garden areas, framing picturesque views.

• Pergolas or Shade Structures: Add shelter with pergolas or shade structures, creating comfortable outdoor spaces year-round.

• Trellises: Support climbing plants with trellises, adding vertical interest and greenery to your landscape.
  
  

Hardscaping can dramatically transform your landscape, turning it into a year-round retreat, even in the colder months!

Elevate Your Winter Landscape with T. Lake

At T. Lake, we specialize in seamlessly incorporating your chosen elements into a cohesive winter landscape design.

Contact our dedicated team, which is committed to enhancing your outdoor space and ensuring it becomes a source of year-round enjoyment and pride.