What Can I Do With My Landscape in Winter? Designing a Landscape That Looks GREAT Year Round

As winter settles in, many homeowners start to feel disconnected from their outdoor space. The landscape that felt lush and engaging in summer can suddenly feel flat, quiet, and uninspiring once leaves fall and gardens go dormant.

As a landscape designer, I often remind clients that winter is not a pause button. It is a season that reveals structure, texture, and thoughtful design. With the right plant choices and a long term approach, your landscape can remain visually engaging, low maintenance, and beneficial for wildlife all year.

Does Your Landscape Feel Flat During Winter?

If your landscape feels dull in winter, it is often because it relies heavily on plants that only perform during the growing season. A well designed landscape considers how a space looks in every month of the year, not just when everything is in bloom.

Winter is when strong design really shows. Form, structure, and plant selection matter more than flowers. This is also where native plants and resilient plant communities quietly do their best work.

Trees and Shrubs That Add Color and Structure in Winter

Some of the most impactful winter landscapes rely on woody plants that shine when everything else fades.

Trees like Hawthorn and shrubs like Winterberry produce bright red fruit that stands out beautifully against snow and gray skies. These berries not only add color but also provide an important food source for birds during the coldest months, making your landscape more supportive of local wildlife.

Wonderful evergreens like Southern Magnolia and Eastern Red Cedar provide beautiful foliage in a variety of forms.

Shrubs such as red twig dogwood bring strong visual interest through their vivid red stems. They create contrast and energy when the garden would otherwise feel dormant.

Evergreens like Inkberry and Rhododendron anchor the landscape year round. Their foliage maintains structure, reduces the need for seasonal replacements, and supports a low maintenance landscape that still feels intentional in winter.

Native Grasses Bring Texture and Movement to the Winter Landscape

A winter landscape does not need to feel rigid or bare. Native grasses play a key role in keeping the garden dynamic long after fall.

Little Bluestem and Panicum, commonly known as switchgrass, stay upright well into winter. They catch frost, snow, and low winter light, creating movement and texture even on quiet days. These grasses pair beautifully with shrubs and evergreens while also providing shelter for birds and overwintering insects.

Leaving grasses standing through winter is a simple design choice that supports wildlife while reducing unnecessary cleanup.

Perennials That Hold Their Presence Through Winter

While many perennials disappear completely, some maintain basal or semi evergreen foliage unless temperatures become extreme.

Plants like Husker Red Penstemon, Heuchera Autumn Bride, and Creeping Phlox offer subtle color and ground coverage well into winter. These layers help the landscape feel finished rather than forgotten, especially in more protected areas of the garden.

Thoughtful perennial selection reduces the need for seasonal replanting and contributes to a landscape that feels stable and cohesive year round.

Winter Is the Best Time to Plan Your Landscape

If you are spending more time indoors than you would like and looking out at a landscape that feels uninspiring, winter is actually the perfect time to make changes.

Designing in winter allows space to think clearly about structure, long term maintenance, and how you want your landscape to function. Without the pressure of immediate installation, we can focus on creating a landscape that feels beautiful in every season and works with your lifestyle.

If you are considering updating your landscape, adding native plants, or creating a low maintenance outdoor space that supports wildlife, winter planning sets everything in motion for spring.

If you are curious about what your landscape could become, or if it feels like time to design an outdoor space that brings interest even in winter, Union Landscape Design is here to help. Thoughtful design now means a landscape you can enjoy all year, not just during the growing season.

Explore our Pricing Packages to see real examples and find the right starting point for your project.

— Union Landscape Design

How Much Will My Landscape Design and Installation Cost? 5 Questions to Ask Before Starting a Landscape Design and Installation Project on the Main Line

Beginning a landscape design project often starts with one big question: How much will my landscape design and installation cost? Many homeowners across the Main Line and the greater Philadelphia area know their current landscape is not meeting their needs, but are unsure about the aesthetic direction, project scope, or what investment is appropriate.

At Union Landscape Design, we help homeowners bring clarity to the process. By asking a few essential questions at the outset, you can define what is working, what is not, and what kind of outdoor experience you truly want. These questions also help us match your goals to the right project scale and budget, ensuring a design that is both beautiful and realistic.

What challenges or problems exist in your current landscape?

Many landscape projects begin with frustration. Poor curb appeal, overgrown plantings, awkward layouts, lack of privacy, or outdoor spaces that feel underused are common concerns in Main Line and Philadelphia homes. Identifying what is not working helps us focus on solving the issues that matter most and ensures your investment addresses your top priorities.

How does your existing landscape differ from the vision you have for your outdoor spaces?

Homeowners often have a sense of what they want, even if the details are unclear. Maybe you want better flow for entertaining, a low-maintenance native plant garden, improved seasonal color, or more privacy. Understanding the difference between your current landscape and your desired outcome allows us to design a space that truly reflects your lifestyle and aesthetic preferences.

Are there areas of your property that are underused or not fully optimized?

Many properties have hidden potential. Shady corners, side yards, small patios, or outdated garden beds can often be transformed into functional and attractive spaces. By identifying areas that are not being fully utilized, we can create a cohesive landscape plan that maximizes your property’s potential while aligning with your budget.

What landscapes or sources of inspiration resonate with you?

Inspiration can come from many places. You may admire gardens in your neighborhood, photos saved from social media, or public spaces you have visited. Sharing these inspirations helps us understand the styles, plantings, and layouts you are drawn to. Whether you prefer naturalistic native plantings, modern clean lines, or a traditional Main Line aesthetic, these ideas guide the design process.

What is a comfortable budget range for your landscape design and installation?

Determining a budget early is one of the most important steps in a successful landscape project. Knowing your budget allows us to create a design that fits your comfort level and aligns with your goals. At Union Landscape Design, we offer transparent project budget packages so homeowners can select the investment level that works best for them. Discussing budget upfront removes uncertainty and ensures the final design is both achievable and beautiful.

Why These Questions Matter for Main Line and Philadelphia Homeowners?

These five questions form the foundation of a clear, predictable, and enjoyable landscape design process. They help you understand your goals, define your priorities, and choose a budget package that aligns with your vision.

For homeowners across the Main Line and Philadelphia region who want a landscape full of native plants, better functionality, and year-round beauty, answering these questions first ensures your project is thoughtfully planned, realistic, and satisfying from start to finish.

Explore our Pricing Packages to see real examples and find the right starting point for your project.

— Union Landscape Design

Planting in the Shoulder Seasons: Why Spring and Fall Are the Best Times to Build a Beautiful Garden

When most people think of gardens, they picture the lush greens and bright blooms of summer. But behind every vibrant July garden is thoughtful planning and planting done months earlier in the quieter seasons of winter, early spring and late-fall. These shoulder seasons are the perfect time for creating lasting, low maintenance landscapes.

Spring and fall share mild temperatures, consistent moisture, and soils that are workable. In early spring, the ground is soft from winter snow and rain, ready to welcome new roots. By fall, the summer heat has eased, but the soil still holds warmth, encouraging plants to settle in before winter dormancy.

During these times, roots grow strong while top growth remains modest and prepares to go dormant. This allows plants to establish deeply and securely, setting them up for lush, resilient growth when summer arrives.

That full, thriving garden you admire in mid summer didn’t happen overnight. It’s the result of careful design and well timed planting earlier in the year. Spring and fall plantings give shrubs, perennials, and native grasses the time they need to adapt to their environment, ensuring they’ll be healthy and low maintenance for years to come.

At Union Landscape Design, we guide clients to take advantage of these natural rhythms. By planning in fall or early spring, we can install new landscapes at the perfect time so when summer arrives, your garden already feels mature, balanced, and beautiful.

If you’re planting in fall or early spring, here are a few of Union Landscape Design’s favorite choices that deliver color, texture, and seasonal interest for months to come:

• Phlox subulata ‘Purple Beauty’ A durable groundcover with evergreen foliage and carpets of lavender purple flowers that bloom in early spring.

• Amsonia ‘Grande’ A larger, more robust blue star that provides soft blue spring flowers and brilliant golden foliage in fall.

• Penstemon ‘Husker Red’ Burgundy foliage with clean white flowers in early summer, pairing beautifully with native grasses and perennials.

• Baptisia australis A long lived perennial with deep blue flowers in late spring and elegant seedpods that add structure through winter.

• Amsonia ‘Starstruck’ Compact and upright with starry blue flowers and lush foliage that glows with amber tones in fall.

If you’re dreaming of a lush, sustainable landscape next summer, the best time to start is now. Whether you’re refreshing a small garden or designing a full property, planting during the shoulder seasons is the smartest investment you can make in your landscape’s long term beauty.

Explore our Pricing Packages to see real examples and find the right starting point for your project.

— Union Landscape Design

Clarity from the Start: How Our Pricing Packages Work

When you’re planning a landscape project, surprises can be exciting — but not when it comes to your budget. At Union Landscape Design, we believe the process of creating your dream outdoor space should be clear, transparent, and enjoyable from the very beginning.

Many homeowners come to us knowing they want a beautiful, low-maintenance landscape filled with lush native plants — but they’re not sure where to start or how much it might cost. That’s completely normal. Designing and installing a landscape is a big investment, and we’re here to help you make confident decisions at every step.

Why We Use Pricing Packages

Our pricing packages were created to take the guesswork out of budgeting. Instead of designing first and then discovering that the installation costs more than expected, we start by identifying the best budget range for your property and goals. This ensures your design and investment are aligned from the start — no surprises later on.

Each package includes a flat design fee and a typical installation budget range, based on real projects we’ve completed. These ranges reflect different project scales, from small garden refreshes to full property transformations.

Our Design & Installation Packages

• Small Garden – Design Fee $800 / Typical Install $5K–$15K
  Ideal for front yard updates or intimate garden spaces.

• Medium Yard – Design Fee $1,200 / Typical Install $17.5K–$27.5K
  Great for outdoor living areas with patios, lighting, and layered plantings.

• Larger Home – Design Fee $1,800 / Typical Install $28K–$45K
  For complete property updates and more complex landscape designs.

• Custom Estate – Design Fee $2,400+ / Typical Install $45K+
  Tailored for expansive properties and highly customized designs.

A Process Built for Clarity and Confidence

1. Initial Consultation – We start with a conversation about your goals, site, and how you’d like to use your outdoor space.

2. Select Your Package – Together, we identify the pricing tier that best matches your project’s scope and investment range.

3. Design Phase – We create a detailed plan that brings your vision to life, refining layout, materials, and planting design.

4. Installation & Enjoyment – With clear expectations set early, the installation moves smoothly and results in a landscape you’ll love for years.

Why It Works

By starting with the right budget range, we can design responsibly — selecting plants, materials, and features that fit both your goals and your investment. The result is a landscape that’s beautiful, low-maintenance, and full of life, with no hidden costs or last-minute surprises.

At Union Landscape Design, our goal is simple: to make the process of designing and building your landscape one of the most rewarding parts of owning your home.

Explore our Pricing Packages to see real examples and find the right starting point for your project.

— Union Landscape Design

Year-Round Beauty with Native Perennials

native landscapes can support wildlife, look beautiful year-round, And be low maintenance, with a design that incorporates the right combination of plants

At Union Landscape Design, we love showing clients that a beautiful, low-maintenance garden doesn’t have to be fleeting. With the right mix of native perennials, grasses, and shrubs, your landscape can look alive and interesting in every season — not just when flowers are in full bloom. Designing with plants that thrive in our local climate and provide more than one “moment” of beauty means less work for you and more enjoyment year-round.

Our Favorite Native Perennials (and a few shrubs) for Multiple Seasons of Interest and Beauty

Amsonia tabernaemontana ‘Grande’
Clusters of soft, sky-blue flowers in spring, lush green foliage through summer, and leaves that turn lime, amber, and red in fall. Stands gracefully through winter.

Penstemon digitalis ‘Husker Red’ (Eastern Beardtongue)
Delicate white flowers in late spring, seed heads through summer, and deep burgundy foliage year-round.

Baptisia australis (Blue False Indigo)
Indigo-blue blooms in spring, deep green foliage through summer, and ornamental pea-pod seed heads in fall.

Rudbeckia fulgida (Black-Eyed Susan)
Bright golden petals with dark centers from mid-summer into early fall; dried seed heads provide winter interest and food for birds.

Heuchera villosa ‘Autumn Bride’
Evergreen, velvety foliage year-round; airy white flowers in early fall.

Phlox subulata (Creeping Phlox)
Evergreen succulent-textured foliage; brilliant blue or purple blooms in spring.

Panicum virgatum ‘Shenandoah’ (Switchgrass)
Upright green blades all season, turning rich red by midsummer; soft strawy tan in winter.

Muhlenbergia capillaris (Pink Muhly Grass)
Airy pink blooms in October–November, fading to delicate texture that catches the light.

Cornus sericea (Red Twig Dogwood)
Brilliant red stems throughout winter once leaves drop.

Ilex verticillata (Winterberry Holly)
Bright red berries in winter that feed birds and brighten the landscape.

Why Native Perennials Make a Great Low-Maintenance Garden

When designed thoughtfully, native perennial gardens evolve gracefully through the year. From soft greens in spring, vibrant blooms in summer, glowing foliage in fall, and sculptural forms in winter. They require less watering, fewer chemicals, and less fuss overall, allowing you to enjoy a landscape that works with nature, not against it.

If you’re dreaming of a garden that looks great in every season and supports the local ecosystem, we’d love to help design one that fits your home and lifestyle.

Follow this link to schedule your design consultation now.

— Union Landscape Design

Fall is for Landscape Designing and Planting

Assess Your Garden While It’s Still Lush

Fall is one of the best times to take a close look at your landscape. While the weather is still warm and your garden remains full from summer growth, you can easily see what’s thriving and what could be improved. Observing your property now gives you a clear sense of where to enhance structure, add color, or improve balance before everything goes dormant.

Use Dormancy to Your Advantage

As plants begin to wind down for winter, the underlying structure of your landscape becomes visible. This is the perfect moment to evaluate your evergreen framework serving as the “bones” that give your garden form all year long. When deciduous plants drop their leaves, gaps and weak areas are easier to spot, allowing you to plan strategic updates with evergreens, plants with colorful stems-berries-foliage, and native grasses that add four-season interest.

Why Fall Planting Thrives in Pennsylvania

Many homeowners in the Philadelphia area think spring is the best time to plant but fall often provides even better conditions. Pennsylvania’s cool autumn air, warm soil, and consistent rainfall create an ideal environment for root growth. Installing trees, shrubs, and perennials in fall gives them a strong foundation before winter, setting them up to thrive next spring.

Get Ahead of the Spring Rush

Planning and planting this fall means you’ll enter spring with a head start. Beds can be prepared and mulched now, reducing the workload when the busy season arrives. You’ll spend less time scrambling to plant and more time enjoying your outdoor spaces as they come to life in spring.

Add Texture and Color to Your Winter Garden

Fall and winter landscapes don’t have to look empty. Perennials like Husker Red Penstemon, Heuchera, and native grasses such as Panicum virgatum (Switchgrass) and Schizachyrium scoparium (Little Bluestem) hold color and texture through the cold months. Evergreens add structure and depth, while deciduous shrubs like Winterberry Holly and Red Twig Dogwood bring bold red berries and stems that brighten the landscape all winter long.

Plan Your Landscape Design This Fall

Fall is the perfect season to reflect, design, and plan your outdoor spaces. Whether you’re updating your foundation plantings or developing a full master plan, fall is the ideal window to start. A professional landscape design now ensures your property is ready to thrive when spring conditions return.

Schedule Your Fall Landscape Design Consultation

If you’re in the Philadelphia area or surrounding Pennsylvania suburbs, now is the best time to begin your landscape design. Our design process helps you visualize your space, define priorities, and build a planting plan that fits your home and budget.

Follow this link to schedule your fall design consultation now.

— Union Landscape Design

Main LIne Landscape Design

The Main Line is a beautiful area.

When you think about designing your dream home, you likely focus on interior spaces. Kitchens, living rooms, and living rooms that reflect your style and bring you joy.

But what about your outdoor spaces? How do the outdoor areas serve to welcome guests to your home?

The landscape surrounding your home is a powerful first impression and can be just as important in creating a beautiful, cohesive environment and is worth considering along with the interior spaces.

Designing a low-maintenance landscape with native plants offers the perfect opportunity to elevate your home’s exterior appeal. In addition to inviting and supporting the local ecosystem, landscapes that require less maintenance can lead to major savings of time and effort.

Along the Main Line with historic homes and charming neighborhoods, designing a thoughtful and classic landscape with low-maintenance native plants is not only practical but also stunningly effective in connecting your property with the natural surroundings.

The Benefits of Native, Low-Maintenance Landscaping

1. Beauty: Native plants thrive in our local climate and soil conditions, which means they require less water, fertilizer, and general upkeep. Developing a landscape that looks lush and vibrant year-round is achievable when working with plants that “belong” here.

2. Environmental Appeal: Incorporating native plants not only connects your home to the surrounding landscape, but supports local wildlife, including birds, bees, and butterflies. These species rely on native flora for food and shelter, so your landscape becomes a haven for biodiversity. Whatever space you can provide becomes a small but impactful step toward environmental stewardship and gives you the benefit of seeing wildlife surrounding your home.

3. Cost-Effective: Lower maintenance demands means lower costs in the long run. Native plants typically require less water, no chemical fertilizers, and minimal pest control, making them a smart financial investment as well as an aesthetic one. Eliminating the need for monthly or weekly maintenance allows your landscape to develop sustainably over time.

4. Seasonal Charm: Native plants offer a stunning array of textures, colors, and blooms throughout the year. From the fresh push of growth in spring, through the lush flowers of summer, to the bold foliage and textures of fall and winter, your landscape can reflect the natural rhythms of the region.

A Holistic Approach to Home Design

Your home’s landscape is its first impression and the backdrop for outdoor gatherings A view from every window can look out to a beautiful natural scene. The spaces surrounding your home can serve as a outdoor retreat at the end of a busy day. By giving your outdoor spaces the same care and intention as your interiors, you create a seamless flow between indoors and out, enhancing your overall living experience.

Consider designing your landscape with:

• Low-Maintenance Native Plants: Think of beautiful bluestar Amsonia in spring, yellow black-eyed Susans blooming in summer, bright orange Butterfly Milkweed serving as a habitat for Monarch butterflies, and Little Bluestem grass standing tall through winter. All of these native plants can be incorporated into any type of landscape design and will thrive along the Main Line.

• Sustainable Features: Incorporate elements like natural, local stone for hardscaping and stormwater management areas on site to reduce energy use in construction and maximize the positive environmental impact of your space for the surrounding ecology

• Outdoor Living Spaces: Create patios, garden seating areas, or fire pits surrounded by native greenery to encourage time spent outdoors. Extending your living spaces outdoors creates a beautiful atmosphere for day to day living and hosting special events. Seamless transitions from indoor to outdoor living spaces creates an elegant home experisnce.

Transforming your landscape doesn’t have to be overwhelming and you don’t have to do it alone.

If you’re dreaming of a pollinator-friendly garden, a serene outdoor sanctuary, or colorful, show-stopping curb appeal, a low-maintenance landscape designed specifically for your vision and dream is possible this season.

Whether you are a planning a new home, remodeling before moving in, or preparing for long-awaited renovations, landscapes have the potential to inspire joy and create beauty as timeless and inviting as the homes they surround. Make this spring the season for wrapping your home in a beautiful and welcoming landscape

Top Native Plants for Supporting Pollinators along the Main Line

As a landscape designer and gardener, I love the overlap between beauty and function.

Along the Main Line, we have the benefit of beautiful homes and established neighborhoods. Installing landscapes with native plants can create outdoor spaces that are not only beautiful, but support wildlife and enhance connections to broader natural areas,

Designing with plants that are not only beautiful, but provide food and habitat to support pollinators like bees, butterflies, and birds is an extremely rewarding aspect of working with native plants.

Here are some of my top recommendations for trees, shrubs, flowering perennials, and grasses to consider adding to your landsape. The number following the the plant name is the number of native lepidoptera species Doug Tallamy has recorded as being supported by similar plants in that genus

Trees:

1. White Oak (Quercus alba). 518. These gorgeous canopy trees are the iconic spreading oaks you imagine standing proud in an old field. Their spreading form and gently-lobed leaves are beautiful.

2. Hickory (Carya spp.) 233. A classic forest species with Shagbark being one of the most striking bark textures. Bitternut and Butternut are also beautiful species for.

3. Serviceberry (Amelanchier canadensis) 119. Typically grown as a larger multi=stem shrub, Serviceberry provides a beautiful early spring flowers, nectar and berries loved by birds.

Shrubs:

1. Smooth Viburnum (Viburnum nudum). 97. Beautiful foliage, white flowers and late season fruit support wildlife throughout the groiwng season.

2. Winterberry (Ilex verticillata) 34. White flowers early in the season give way to bright berries in fall and winter that attract birds.

3. St John’s Wort (Hypericum prolificum) 20. Beautiful green foliage is covered with yellow blooms in summer. Bees love the abundant flowers and flock to it when in bloom.

Flowering Perennials:

1. ‘Golden Fleece’ Goldenrod (Solidago sphacelata ‘Golden Fleece’) 112. Robust groundcover foliage carpets the ground all season. In late summer, spikes of bright yellow blooms emerge adding an awesome color and texture to the late season landscape.

2. ‘Bluebird’ Aster (Aster laevis' ‘Bluebird’) 105. Beautiful smooth leaves on upright stalks lead to a flush of light blue flowers late in the season that are a magnet for pollinators.

3. Blue False Indigo (Baptisia australis) 15. Beautiful, silver-mint-green foliage emerges in spring followed by rich blue flowers. The sweet-pea shaped flower clusters are stunning.

Grasses:

1. Pennsylvania Sedge (Carex pensylvanica) 36. For a shady location, these sedge provide a beautiful texture. As a nice contrast to broad-leaved perennials, sedge can help diversify a shady planting.

2. Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) 24. This soft textured grass begins to emerge in late-spring and summer as the temperatures rise. The airy seedheads provide a late season food source for birds.

3. Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) 6. Provides habitat and seeds for wildlife and beautiful tan stems that stay up all winter.

If you’ve been curious about how to make your home’s landscape have a positive impact for wildlife, adding any of these species will help your landscape become a haven for pollinators.