WHAT IS A LOW MAINTENANCE
GARDEN?
Wise Plant Choices Low pruning, fertilizing and watering requirements
Effective use of mulch Reduction of high-maintenance lawn areasContainer GardeningBeautiful Hardscaping
Work with, not against Nature!
Plant SelectionsChoose plants according to:
Size at MaturityGrowth HabitPruning Requirements
Choose a mix of:Shrubs – evergreen , deciduous and flowering
Perennials – choose compact, self-supporting varieties
Annuals –choose spreading varieties that do not require deadheading
Plant SelectionsSome good shrub choices are:
Dwarf Varieties of Balsam Firs, Spruces, Mugo and other small pines
Plant SelectionsCompact Varieties
“Encore” Azaleas, Little-leaf Boxwoods, Creeping or Prostrate Junipers, Dwarf Japanese Hollies
Plant SelectionsSlow-growing Varieties
Dwarf Japanese Maples (Acer Palmatum) (photo courtesy Maple Ridge Nursery)
For shrubs with both flowers and winter interest Oakleaf Hydrangeas, Daphnes, and Viburnums
Plant SelectionsSome good perennial choices are:
Compact Varieties Asters, Coreopsis, Shasta
Daisies, Daylilies
Plant SelectionsSome good perennial choices are:
Slow-spreading VarietiesEvening Primrose, Blanket
Flowers, Verbena
Plant SelectionsSome good perennial choices are:
Drought-tolerant VarietiesSedum , Caryopteris, Lambs
Ears, Blue Fescue
Plant SelectionsChoose annuals that spread and do
not require deadheading: “Wave” Petunias Winter Pansies
EFFECTIVE USE OF MULCH Mulches conserve soil moisture, allowing you to water less often; keep down weeds; reduce erosion; keep plant roots cool; provide winter protection; and make your yard more attractive.
A good all-purpose mulch to use is shredded or chip bark mulch, at a 3-4 inch depth.
Keep mulch away from tree trunks and plant stems. Avoid “mulch volcanos”
REDUCTION OF HIGH-MAINTENANCE LAWN
AREASReducing lawn areas can help reduce the effects of pollution, resource depletion, and global warming. By planting ground covers or under-story shrubs, less mowing is required. Plus, if drought-tolerant plants are used, water use can be significantly reduced. Even mulched beds, without plants, can help to reduce these effects.
Replace lawn with:Ground covers Perennial
BedsShrubs MulchXeriscaping Hardscaping
CONTAINER GARDENINGThink Big! Small containers dry out quickly and need more care. Think of using them for your dwarf shrubs, and of using your containers for your annuals.
BEAUTIFUL HARDSCAPING Permanent installations: Walkways Patios Retaining Walls
Non-permanent installations: Statuary Fountains Birdbaths Sculptures
REVIEWRight Plant, Right Place
Use Mulch Effectively Reduce Lawn Area
Embrace Container Gardening
Incorporate Beautiful Hardscaping