From Pumpkins to Icicles: How to Create Seasonal Curb Appeal in the Colder Months

Work with fall’s natural colors

During autumn, nature puts on a vibrant display of oranges, reds, golds, and purples. Consider adding some plants with leaves that turn bright colors in the fall, especially if you find out that most of your current landscaping shifts to basic brown when the climate gets cold.

• Japanese maple: The deep red tones of the Japanese maple make it a stunning accent tree in the fall.
• Mexican feather grass: With stalks that turn amber in the fall, these low grasses add fullness and vibrancy to landscaping beds.
• Ornamental kale or cabbage: Bitter to the tongue but pleasant to the eyes, ornamental cabbages can add some bright purples to your edging or ground cover.
• Virginia sweetspire: The leaves of this shrub turn bright red in the fall, which could make a bold statement along your foundation or within a tree berm.
• Burning bush: Watch in awe as the burning bush’s leaves transform from green to pink to red as the weather cools.

Keep some (ever)greenery

Evergreen trees, bushes, and plants are a great way to keep some consistent color in your landscaping throughout the cold season. Even beneath a layer of snow, evergreens keep their shape, adding fullness to your yard when other trees look bare.

• Japanese yew: This lovely plant stays green year-round and can be used in a multitude of settings, from groundcover to pots to trees.
• Blue spruce: Commonly used as Christmas trees, this evergreen can also be planted in porch pots.
• Hinoki cypress: Feathery greenery can be trimmed into lovely shapes to add character to your entryway.
• Inkberry holly: This circular evergreen shrub grows slowly and never looks bare. It can be used as a hedge or edge plant.
• Hemlock: The tiny pinecones of the hemlock bush give it wintertime charm.

Don’t forget the flowers

Though we normally think of flowers as a spring thing, plenty of flowers continue blooming well into the fall. Consider adding some of these beauties to garden beds, window boxes, or ceramic pots.

• Chrysanthemums (aka mums): Cady-Kampmeyer advises her clients to use these thick, golden flowers to give a bright pop of color near the front door.
• Anise hyssop: The tall, lavender-colored blooms of this mid-height shrubbery stay well into the fall.
• Strawflowers: Deep crimson petals with sunny yellow centers make these perennials a winner for fall garden beds.
• Snapdragons: Tall, lacy, and super-fun, these multicolored flowers can keep blooming into early fall in some regions.
• Aster: As summer turns to fall, the aster bursts forth with daisy-like flowers in pretty shades of pink, purple, or white.

Add berries for a pop of color

Some shrubs begin producing berries in the fall and keep them throughout the winter months. When viewed against crisp white snow, colorful berries stand out even more.

• American beautyberry: These bright purple berries continue even after the plant’s leaves have fallen. They’re almost maintenance-free and help attract small wildlife.
• Firethorn: White flowers in the summer yield dark orange berries that last throughout the winter.
• Winterthur viburnum: Dark blue berries sprout on this shrub in the fall, and its leaves also turn a nice shade of red.
• Ornamental peppers: These tiny peppers add some spice to your landscaping.
• Winterberry: This shrub loses all its leaves in the winter but keeps its bright red berries, creating a gorgeous contrast against white snow.

Keep things tidy

As leaves begin falling, your curb appeal can go from unbelievable to unkempt overnight. To stay on top of leaves, you may want to invest in some time-saving tools.

A lawn sweeper can make quick work of leaves in the yard, and a leaf vacuum might be helpful for clearing leaves out of landscaping beds.

With branches and stems easily accessible, you may be tempted to do some pruning and trimming. But before you go crazy with those shears, check with a local garden expert, as some shrubs, trees, and plants don’t respond well to fall pruning.

As a general rule, it’s safe to prune away diseased or distressed branches to promote overall landscape health. Also, be sure to clear away plant debris before it has a chance to decay. Decay can lead to mold or disease, which could endanger your plants.

After getting your landscaping under control, turn your attention to your home’s hardscaping, where a few changes can go a long way.

Decorate your garden

As chilly weather approaches, you’ll obviously want to put away spring and summer garden ornaments. Be sure to store or winterize any water features and pull in all painted springtime statues to preserve their finishes.

But you don’t have to leave your garden completely without decoration. Consider adding weather-resistant concrete accessories, such as a bench or gazing ball to keep interest and color in your garden throughout the season. You could also add a hardy bird feeder to keep your feathered friends stopping by during the cold months.

Prep the porch for visitors

Prep your front entryway to welcome guests — trick-or-treaters and carolers — by sweeping and pressure-washing before it gets too cold. In addition, your concrete, pavers, or stained wood decking may need a coat of sealant to protect them against the elements. Check with your home supply store for the products and procedures best suited to your porch materials.

In addition, your front door may need a new coat of paint. Consider updating the look with a complementary color that will add interest during bleak days. For example, a white and black home might look great with a red door; a tan or brown exterior might get a facelift from a dark shade of green or blue at the front door.

Cady-Kampmeyer says, “I always like a black front door that can be accented with a wreath or garland. It’s clean and crisp and goes with anything.” Her go-to color is Sherwin Williams Tricorn Black.

Light up the night

Colder months mean longer nights, but you can maximize curb appeal during evening hours with outdoor lighting. For some easy, electrician-free additions, try:

• Solar walkway lighting.
• Solar fence cap lighting.
• Solar uplighting.

You may also want to consider adding some temporary string lights on the porch or garden trellis during the darker season.

Add seasonal decor

Fall and winter are a great time to add seasonal decorations to your home’s exterior. Whether your style is trendy or timeless, there’s a way to bring “festive” to your front yard.

“Curb appeal is very important all the time. It’s telling the story of a home,” says Cady-Kampmeyer. “Using fall and winter decorations can be a huge asset in telling that story.”

Fall accents

Create your own mix of classic harvest elements and updated accents that will make neighbors do a double-take.

• Pumpkins: Place pumpkins and gourds of differing sizes on porch steps. If you’re not into orange, spray paint pumpkins in shades that compliment your home’s exterior. In warmer climates, consider using artificial pumpkins to avoid rot.
• Straw bales: Use rectangle bales to add tiers to front door decor. Place decorative lanterns, baskets, or harvest items on top.
• Wreaths: Grapevine and burlap wreaths are a hardy and easily-stored option for subtle fall charm. Change the greenery or florals as you see fit throughout the season.
• Garlands: Drape a garland over front porch windows; this buffalo plaid option would transition nicely from Halloween to Christmas.
• Planters: Galvanized tin planters provide lightweight durability and an extra bit of shine. Fill with marigolds or cut sunflowers for a cheery fall look.

Winter decor

Winter decor is all about adding some warmth to a bleak landscape. Take a look at these general winter options, and incorporate elements from whatever holiday you personally celebrate.

• Wreaths: A eucalyptus wreath adds a consistent basis of greenery that can be enhanced with colorful ribbon during the holidays. Add natural sprigs to treat guests to a pleasant aroma upon arrival.
• Topiaries: Natural or artificial evergreen topiaries provide a great foundation for holiday decorations and can be left up sans-decor throughout the winter months.
• Extra lighting: Add some twinkle branches for a glow that lasts all season.
• Blankets: Place an outdoor blanket over your porch bench or rockers for extra color and coziness.
• Garlands: Hang a basic green garland over the front door, and add small ornaments during the holidays. This long needle option features tiny LED lights.

Maintaining curb appeal year-round

The shifting of seasons definitely brings changes to a home’s curb appeal. But with a little preparation, your home can remain eye-catching throughout the year — and for years to come.

Header Image Source: (Magda Ehlers / Pexels)