Seasonal Plantings a Horticulturist May Recommend for a Wellesley, MA, Front Yard

Having a mix of plantings that show their best selves at different times of the year can make your Wellesley, MA, front yard frequently pop with visual appeal—and color. The seasonal variety can improve the landscape design as color can be the first thing people notice about your front yard. Here is what a horticulturist may suggest for bringing out the most beauty in your front yard.

Related: 5 Plantings You Can Find for Your Concord, MA, Landscape in Our Plant Yard

Preparing the Soil 

Without treatment, most soil lacks the nutrients necessary to boost the growth of the plants and flowers on its own. That is why proper soil preparation can be the essential foundation for successful seasonal plantings. 

Mixing in organic matter helps the soil retain moisture and drain well. Many garden and landscape specialists recommend having half the soil be an organic matter for the best results. Creating a raised plant bed could be another way to create the perfect soil for beautiful plantings. 

The soil pH levels would be tested, as the optimal range for most flowers is between 5 and 7. Feeding your new and established plants with fertilizer tailored to the needs of flowers and bedding plants can help them grow strong and stay healthy.

Stopping Weeds and Pests 

Weeds and pests are not only a nuisance; they interfere with the health and well-being of your lawn and plantings. A horticulturist can advise on being proactive through the use of weed preventives and signs to look out for in case pests do arrive. 

Regular Watering 

Regular watering is essential for thriving plants and flowers. You could plan to have the irrigation set to water two or three times a week for a long enough time that the water reaches 2 inches below the ground. Getting the water to the plant roots is the goal, and this can happen when the watering is scheduled for early in the morning before the sun comes up. This way, the plants have extra time to soak up the water before the sun burns the residue away.

Choosing Seasonal Plantings 

Each season brings a unique combination of plants and flowers to grace your front yard space. 

Spring plants can be the early selections that can thrive in the chilly spring and bright sunshine. White forsythia has tiny white flower spikes on its branches. The pink and purple flowers of Daphne can complement viburnum with pink flowers. The Lenten rose has flowers that bloom for weeks. 

Summer plants bring bold colors as the temperature warms up. Coneflower and Black-eyed Susan join daylilies and hydrangeas of all colors. You could also add some ornamental grasses and roses, too.

Fall plants can be the traditional mums, the purple leaves of Beautyberry, and Autumn Joy sedum. Ornamental cabbages and pansies can complete a fall planting plan. 

Winter plants might seem sparse, but there are many holly varieties that add colorful berries, varieties of evergreen shrubs that lend a blue-green and dark green color to the front yard, and the Red Twig dogwood has bold red bark. 

A trained horticulturist can assess your front yard for soil amendments, fertilizer, and more so that plants and flowers can thrive, and they can be a valuable resource if you want to provide input on your planting selections.

Related: 3 Ways Carefully Selected Plantings Can Bring More Life and Color to Your Newton, MA, Front Yard