Is the bland winter landscape bringing you down? If so, it is probably time to breathe some new life into your yard. There are several ways to add to the winter beauty of the landscape, even when you are dealing with a cold climate. The following are a few ways to overcome the midwinter doldrums.

Tip #1: Perk up with potted grasses

Large, colorful pots planted with evergreen ornamental grass is an excellent way to add a pop of color. Vinyl pots are a better choice than glazed, since they won't crack in the cold. These are available in a large array of eye-popping colors. You can then fill out the pot with a tall evergreen grass that has attractive seed pods. Plant a hardy evergreen ivy around the base of the grass so it can trail over the sides of the pot and provide more lush color.

Tip #2: Enjoy your veggies

Some of the best winter plants are actually vegetables. Winter chard and kale are both hardy plants that can survive a freeze. The large, green leaves are both ornamental and edible. Plus, there is no reason to stick to green – both plants come in varying shades of green, purple, and red so you can easily add a punch of color to otherwise empty beds and borders.

Tip #3: Bring in the birds

Not all winter interest needs to come from plants. Both over-wintering and migrating birds can add enjoyment and color to the garden. Provide a source of water to attract the birds. A bird bath or two works great, but you may need to install a bird bath heater so the water doesn't freeze. Then, hang up bird feeders and suet blocks to provide a food source. Just make sure the food is hung high enough so the birds are safe from ground-based predators.

Tip #4: Plan for next winter

Some plants can add color but they need to be planted the year before, so you can begin planning next year's winter garden today. For example, Lenten rose flowers in midwinter through early spring, but it should be planted in summer. Some dogwood trees have bright orange twigs that really stand out in the winter, but you must also plant these during the warm season. Plan ahead so you can have a few winter-interest plants in place for the next cold season.

For more help with landscaping your garden, talk to a professional landscaper in your area.