The Best Foliage for Year-Round Curb Appeal

I think it's general knowledge by now that curb appeal enhances a home's desirability. But HOW do you incorporate that easily, and on a budget? The best answer is and will alway be (in my humble opinion) to start with landscaping. Once done, it will do the work for you, year-round. If you're not a green thumb, thats okay - there's always low maintenance options. Options that I enjoy for our climate are:

• Evergreen shrubs - create a lush, green appearance throughout the year and are usually hardy enough to provide structure and a sense of permanence to your landscape with minimal maintenance. The best cold-hardy options include Boxwood, Holly, Yew and Juniper.

• Ornamental grasses add texture, movement and elegance to your garden. Varieties such as blue fescue, and switchgrass can create visual interest with their lively movement and subtle hues. These grasses are particularly effective when planted in clusters or used as borders along pathways. Bonus - they only require a yearly trim. 

• Flowering perennials are essential for adding bursts of colour throughout the seasons. Coneflowers, daylilies, and black-eyed susans not only brighten up your yard but will also come back year after year, making them a cost-effective way to maintain vibrant curb appeal.

• Seasonal evergreens like rhododendron and wintercreeper are perfect for creating focal points in your garden in contrast to traditional evergreens such as pine, spruce and fir trees. The rich green and seasonal changing colours provide a remaining lush look even in colder temperatures.

• Ground covers such as creeping thyme, sedum, hostas and vinca minor are ideal for filling in gaps between larger plants and can work in shady areas. These low-growing options help prevent weeds while adding another layer of visual interest to your landscaping.

• Trees are a game changer to add depth, shade and privacy to your yard plus a little seasonal beauty. Cold hardy options such as japanese maple and dogwood, will compliment your garden with it's dull to sharp red shades.

A well-designed landscape not only enhances curb appeal but can also increase property value by up to 10%. For home sellers, this means making a strong first impression that leads to faster offers and higher selling prices. For those just looking to increase their homes curb appeal, this means voila - you've done it. By choosing easy-care, cold-hardy plants, you ensure your home stands out in any season—without the hassle of constant upkeep.

If you’re preparing to sell your home and want expert advice on your landscaping to maximize market appeal, contact me  and let's get our green thumbs out of winter storage.