Older properties are charming, but they also come with their own peculiarities that can be challenging to manage as a homeowner. Particularly in the outside space, you may be dealing with overgrown plants and an outdated design.
If your outdoor space feels overwhelming to maintain, let a top-tier luxury landscaping and design professional alleviate the stress. They can completely transform how you feel about your yard. With the right approach, you can turn your aging yard into a perfect outside oasis to enjoy.
Understand What Your Landscape Needs Now
Mature gardens were typically established with a completely different set of priorities than those you would use to set up your dream outdoor space today.
Your yard might have overcrowded plant beds with poor drainage or an ancient irrigation system, meaning the space isn’t as healthy or sustainable as it could be.
But you don’t need to jump straight into a complete redesign. First, assess what works and what doesn’t.
Begin by taking a walk around your property. What areas could they benefit from some TLC? Are there spaces that are unusable to your family? Do you really want to retain some elements and discard others?
This initial assessment will start from the point that your local, experienced softscape designer can use as a springboard to plan your ideal yard.
1. Refresh Overgrown or Outdated Plantings
Many mature properties feature plants that have outgrown their original design. Large trees or overgrown hedges can make your space feel claustrophobic and unwelcome.
While you don’t need to remove everything, thoughtful pruning and selective replacements can dramatically open up your space.
Focus on rebalancing your plant palette with a mix of evergreen structure and seasonal interest. Consider swapping older, high-maintenance species with native or drought-tolerant varieties.
These changes will modernize your landscape, providing a more usable and sustainable space.
2. Improve Flow and Functionality
As your needs evolve, your outdoor space should too.
The original patio may be too small for gatherings, or there’s no clear path between your home and detached garage. Mature properties often lack the layout flexibility of new builds, but thoughtful landscaping can create new flow and usability.
Design elements, such as paver walkways and expanded patios, help define zones and guide movement throughout the yard. Adding seating areas and shaded structures can also extend the usefulness of your space.
3. Upgrade Irrigation and Drainage Systems
Outdated irrigation systems are common in older landscapes, resulting in water waste and inadequate coverage.
Adding a modern system tailored to your current planting layout improves efficiency while conserving resources. Smart irrigation controllers and rain sensors ensure that your landscape receives the right amount of water with less manual effort.
Alongside irrigation, address drainage concerns. Over time, soil compaction, root growth, and settling can change how water flows through your property. If you’ve noticed puddling or soggy areas, targeted drainage solutions, such as French drains or dry creek beds, can help restore balance.
4. Restore or Rebuild Hardscape Features
Like older houses, older gardens can have features that need attention. Cracked patio pavers, sinking steps, or tumbling down retaining walls are common signs that your yard’s hardscape needs attention.
It can look unsightly, but it is also unsafe for your family. Fortunately, an experienced hardscaping service can provide an upgrade tailored to your own home, from more minor refreshes like paver cleaning all the way up to a complete rebuild if that is what is needed.
5. Bring in Landscape Lighting for Evening Impact
Outdoor lighting enhances beauty and safety, especially for mature properties that may have more twists and turns than a modern yard. Use warm, low-voltage lighting to highlight hardscape details and guide you along your paths. These will help showcase your yard’s special details and redefine how your landscape looks and feels after dark.
6. Blend New Features with Existing Character
One of the biggest advantages of mature properties is their established grandeur. Instead of removing everything and starting over, you can layer in thoughtful updates that honor the existing character. Work to retain focal points that give the space its charm.
Even small new additions, like a new seating nook beneath an old oak, can feel intentional and timeless when integrated with care. The goal is to modernize your landscape without erasing its history.
7. Incorporate Seasonal Maintenance and Planning
Once you have refreshed your mature property, you want to keep it looking its best with seasonal care.
In winter, consider landscape protection services like mulching, tree wrapping, and irrigation shutdowns to prevent damage. Come spring, a professional prep package can help jump-start growth and get everything in shape for the warm weather.
By working with a landscaping team familiar with mature properties, you gain peace of mind knowing that your space will continue to thrive season after season.
Unlock Your Home’s Endless Potential
Your mature property holds endless potential, and you need the right approach to unlock it. With an expert hardscape and softscape concierge service supporting you, you can breathe new life into your outdoor space whilst preserving the features you cherish. The result? A unique space that you can enjoy for years.
Infographic
Older properties have plenty of charm, but they also come with unique landscaping challenges. If maintaining your outdoor space feels overwhelming, check out this infographic for seven effective ways to refresh mature landscaping.
