Landscaping Ideas For a Windy Location

Windy conditions can often make it difficult for a homeowner to create a beautiful landscape.  The harsh winds can damage the plants by drying them out, disrupting the soil and root connection, breaking them and causing erosion. The following tips may give you some landscaping ideas for a windy location.

• Consider some type of windbreak system to curb the high winds.  This may include a row of pine trees, shrubs or a sturdy fence.  Mountain ash, bayberry and twiggy dogwoods are all plants, which will serve as good wind barriers.


• Consider hardscaping the yard. Hardscaping is the use of stone, concrete and brick. This involves building attractive stone walls, retention walls, patios and rock gardens. Create walkways by using stone paths or pavers throughout the landscape.


• Use heavy concrete pots that will not get blown over by the strong winds.


• When planting trees, stake the young trees for a couple of years until they form a good root system and are capable of anchoring the tree into the ground.


• Find plants that are tolerant to windy conditions.  This includes plants that have flexible stems that allow them to sway in the wind such as palms or crepe myrtles.  Choose wind resistant perennials such as feather reedgrass and other ornamental grasses.  These are perfect for windy areas as they tolerate dry soil.  Other options include Russian sage and forsythia.  Perennial flowers, which hold up well in the wind, include daisies, daylilies and flax while the annuals include zinnias and nasturtiums.