Summer Landscaping Ideas That Will Transform Your Garden

Summer is just around the corner, and we’re all eager to relax in the sun. But, we’re not the only ones who had to endure the cold winter months. Our gardens also suffered in the snowy season and are due for a makeover to welcome the sunshine.

There’s a massive collection of summer landscaping ideas trending on the internet. As a result, figuring out where to start can be overwhelming. So, we’ve found some of the most popular landscaping ideas that can help you narrow down your options.

Tropical garden ideas

Nothing shouts summertime like a tropical oasis. You can bring Bermuda to your backyard with exotic plants and vivid colors. The bright colors and scents of tropical plants will energize your yard and make you feel like you’re on vacation. Plus, these large-leafed plants can fill big spaces to give you more privacy like you’re in a cabana.

A great tropical garden lighting idea is to add bamboo torches. These will illuminate your vibrant, feature plants. They’re also consistent with a tropical vibe. Bamboo torches are relatively inexpensive and easy to find in most home improvement retailers.

How to care for your tropical garden

If your summer landscaping idea is to create a colorful paradise, you’ll need to commit to regular maintenance checks. This is because tropical plants need an abundance of water and nutrients to thrive. So, make sure to feed the soil frequently and hydrate the roots of each plant.

Summer landscaping ideas for garden lights

What’s the point of a garden makeover for the sunny season if you can’t see it at night? Outdoor lighting is crucial to ensuring your yard can be enjoyed once the sun sets. There are a variety of lights to choose from, so you can relish those hot summer nights.

Fairy lights

Fairy lights are a creative summer landscaping idea because you can drape them around shrubs or trees any way you like. These tiny lights create a pleasing ambiance that will shimmer through the night.

LED lights

LED lights won’t be as subtle as fairy lights. But they cast a brighter glow. This makes it easier to see people and move around on the evenings you entertain guests. These lights are also more reliable since they’re energy-efficient and can last up to 50,000 hours!

Paper lanterns

Known for their clever ability to line garden paths, paper lanterns are a popular summer landscaping idea. They can help reduce shadows and give your yard a radiant shine.

Outdoor fire pit

Not only does it get dark when the sun goes down, but it also gets chilly. A fire pit can function as a light source as it emits a delicate glimmer. It also keeps you warm on cool, breezy nights. Other perks of fire pits are that you can roast marshmallows for s’mores, and they keep mosquitos away!

Aquatic landscape

A water feature like a bubbling fountain or a tranquil pond will make a big impact on the atmosphere of your yard. Listening to the movements of water can promote a serene feeling on a busy summer day. Plus, modern landscaping technology makes water features easier to install and more cost-efficient.

Pool house

Pool houses have become a trending summer landscaping idea. This is because they can provide an exciting summer getaway without you having to hop on a plane. Your pool house can function as a true escape when you need a mental vacation. And, if you want to feel the sunshine while you swim, you can opt for a removable canopy ceiling to allow light filtration.

A pool house serves a dual purpose as you can take a dip in the refreshing water on hot days or relax inside on chilly nights.

To ensure comfort in your pool house, play around with your patio furniture and pool area to tie it all together.

Garden furniture

Having a place to sit down and place your morning coffee or nighttime cocktail is key to a summer sanctuary. This season that’s filled with long days and warm sunshine should be spent outdoors. So, you’ll want to make sure your outside sitting area is just as comfortable as the living room inside your home.

Furniture pads

Nothing is as uncomfortable as sitting on a chair with a wet cushion. To combat the summer rain and storms, consider replacing your furniture covers with all-weather pads. This will ensure you and your guests stay dry and cozy. An easy summer landscaping idea is to remove your furniture pads altogether and go for bare wood-stained chairs. A cheaper option is to buy plastic patio furniture. Plastic chairs come in a wide-array of fun, summer colors and are easy to rearrange.

Hammocks

A hammock is a fantastic corner garden idea that’s easy to install. This is due to its flexible nature to hang between any two solid points that are close together. Popular spots to hang these fabric swings are between trees, fence posts, or walls inside a porch or pool house. Hammocks are an easy way to create a peaceful nook where you can nap, read or bask in the sun.

Structured plants

You can use structural plants to draw the eye to a special focal point. There are two main types of structure planting: Topiary and Espalier.

Topiary

Topiary is the art of pruning shrubs into decorative forms. This method allows you to play around with depth and shadows as you trim different shapes. Make sure to stand back and view your shrubs from various angles to verify their appeal from all directions.

Pro-tip! Place long, elegant vines over the ornamental shrubs for a bewitching look.

Espalier

The espalier method is where you plant a tree that’s trained to grow against a flat structure. Espalier trees are a beautiful summer landscaping idea because of their enchanting effect. They can be grown against a fence, a window, a wall, or a pergola.

Summer landscaping ideas that won’t break the bank

Landscape maintenance doesn’t have to be expensive. Adding simple touches to spruce up your garden will greatly enhance your backyard. There are many affordable plants that add vivid imagery all season long.

Colorful foliage

One of the most common summer landscaping ideas is brightening up your garden with pops of color. Plants with colorful leaves and flowers give a youthful and welcoming feel to any home. Here are some inexpensive colorful plants that will make your yard stand out.

• Cleome. These can grow to be about four feet tall and are pink, purple, and white.

• Lilies. Known as being cheerful flowers, lilies come in red, orange, yellow, purple, and pink.

• Helenium. These flowers will bring your garden exquisite hues of gold, mahogany, and amber.

Flower boxes

Flower boxes are a quick and cheap way to add some colorful charm to your yard. You can place them on your window sills or on the railings of your deck.

It’s important to know that flower boxes can be easy to go overboard with. So, make sure you choose a consistent color scheme to avoid a chaotic-looking garden.

Another option for affordable, colorful flowers is native plants.

Native plant alternatives

Native plants are easy to incorporate into any landscape. This is due to their low-maintenance reputation. These indigenous plants are specially adapted to thrive on only the local rainfall. For this reason, choosing native alternatives over invasive plants won’t disrupt your garden’s ecosystem. Plus, they’re cost-effective because you won’t have to spend much money to take care of them. Some Minnesota native plants are Purple Coneflower, Blue False Indigo, and Wild Petunia.

Summer is the perfect time to liven up your backyard for those hot days and breezy nights. Try out these summer landscaping ideas to see which one fits your style best!