If you live in an area that experiences harsh winters, your idea of cold-weather landscaping may be to keep your driveway shoveled after a snowstorm. Sure, your kids may build an occasional snowman on the lawn, and you may put up a few holiday lights, but you save most of your efforts for the spring and summer. Your lawn doesn't have to be dreary the rest of the year, however. You can install some attractive features to your yard that add visual interest during the dreariest months. 

Water

Experts note that installing water features in your yard can add beauty even when the temperatures are freezing. Koi ponds and even front yard fountains can make your landscaping distinctive as long as you properly maintain them. If you want to have fish in your fixtures, you will have to install the appropriate equipment, including heaters and aerators. If you want to make a really big impact, consider adding a waterfall to your yard. Just imagine an otherwise frozen vista broken up by the presence of beautiful bubbling, flowing water. If you are planning to sell your home in the future, adding a water feature will help your home to stand out. 

Berries

Another excellent way to give some zing to your winter lawn is to add plants that produce colorful berries. Plants such as cranberry bushes, chokeberry bushes, and sumac add splashes of red and crimson to your yard while they provide food for the birds that often struggle during the wintertime. You should also make certain that you have some evergreen bushes and/or trees. When everything else is gray, their various shades of green add a level of interest to your lawn.

Arches

If you add an arch or an arbor to your yard, you will enjoy how they look in the spring and summer when they are covered with flowers and foliage. They can also look stunning when they are covered with a layer of snow or even ice. Suddenly, they are transformed into winter sculptures that really stand out in the neighborhood. 

You do not have to face a long winter with only a bland lawn to look at. If you plan ahead, you can add  shrubs and trees that provide color all year long. Water fixtures can also be a lovely addition to your winter landscape, as can some hardscaping. A little creativity and forethought can make your lawn a winter stunner. For more home landscaping tips, contact a company like Hedahl Landscape Deck & Patio.