There’s no reason front yards should be boring while backyards have all of the fun. Doing something more creative than grass and occasional hedges can add curb appeal and interest to a home. When considering more unique ideas for lawn care Toronto has bevvy of inspiring landscapes, from whimsical to minimalist with everything in between.

A Mad Hatter’s Tea Party
The iconic imagery of Alice in Wonderland is full of ideas and colors to inspire a landscape. There are a million ways to incorporate these images in ways that spark the observer’s imagination and fond childhood memories. One of the most wonderful homages I have seen to Wonderland was a checkerboard lawn of dark vs. light green grass, surrounded by sculpted hedges alluding to the imagery of the book. To the side was an archway covered in vines through which the viewer could see roses of every color imaginable surrounding a table set for tea and a tall, frayed hat hung on the edge of a rustic, paint peeled chair, as if waiting there for its owner to return.

Zen Minimalism
There is something to be said for the relaxation and harmony that minimalism can inspire. Zen gardens can add beauty and interest the front of a home as well as the back, giving it a more peaceful feel. They are simple to make requiring only a raised wooden rectangle, sand, a wooden rake to draw the patterns and a few smooth colorful rocks for texture. Water elements or a traditional bridge make a wonderful addition to this space, depending on the size and shape of your lawn, but the absolute must have is a small wooden bench which provides a quiet place to sit and relax.

Victory Gardens
Rather than the traditional turf and hedges style of lawn care, Toronto has been embracing more edible gardens, even in front yards. But if you are imagining that these gardens must have the drab, utilitarian look of back yard vegetable gardens, think again. Circles of green grass are surrounded by paths of strawberries. Archways are hugged by grapevines and kiwi and complemented with a benches and chairs to sit and enjoy the fruit. Traditional hedges are being replaced by perennial fruit-bearing hedges that still provide color and beauty. Lingonberry bushes are especially hardy, and grow perfectly in colder northern climates. Edible landscaping is definitely making its comeback, and bringing a rustic beauty to yards as well as nutrition and good health to family dinner tables.

Chrysanthemums are a popular fall flower. With rustic colors and hardy blooms, traditionally mums are a major part of decorating late summer gardens and autumn displays.

Pots of mums in every color are clustered throughout stores. You may feel tempted to plant them into your garden for fall, but chances are if you plant them this late in the season, they won’t be able to last through winter. Knowing when to plant mums will help you avoid purchasing multiple plants that may not survive in your garden.

Spring Planting
If you live somewhere in zones 5-9 and want your mums to survive the winter, you should plant them into the ground in the spring. Although you will need to care for your mums with mulching and pinching buds to promote growth, planting mums in the spring allows the roots to establish and gives the plant a better chance of surviving the cold. Many gardeners don’t ask when to plant mums, and their flowers struggle (and usually die) in the cold winter months when they plant them in August or later.

Hardy Garden and Florist Mums
Knowing the difference between hardy (or garden) mums and florist (or cutting) mums is also an important factor in determining which mum will be able to survive the winter. Florist mums, with their diverse range of bloom types, are only able to survive indoors. Only a hardy mum will be able to produce the kind of root system needed for surviving the cold. No amount of protection or care will keep the florist mum alive outside during the winter.

Decorating With Mums
Whether you are planting your garden or just purchasing plants for a autumn display, don’t overdo the color scheme. Both Better Homes and Gardens and Southern Living both agree that only two colors of mums should be used to decorate. Also, choose blooms in deep rust or dark burgundy colors for longer lasting beauty, since dying blooms are not as apparent in these colors.

Taking care of your mums will help them bloom longer. Keep the soil moist for mums (not wet) and pinch off dead blooms to encourage new ones to grow. With proper care your flowers will stay bushy and vibrant well into fall.