5 Ways to Achieve Low Maintenance Landscape Design

Many homeowners aspire to have gardens akin to those at the Palace of Versailles, but many more feel as though they barely have the time to be proper caretakers to a houseplant.

If that sounds familiar, don’t get discouraged. Low maintenance landscape design can be achieved with a little bit of ingenuity, patience, and the proper help.

Here are a few tips to get you started:

• Reduce the size of your lawn. More grass means more mowing, fertilizing, and all-around fretting. Options abound for minimizing your coverage area, from planting flowering ground cover or beds of shrubs, to replacing the lawn below trees with mulch.
• Incorporate hardscaping and architecture. Patios, decks, and walkways are functional and aesthetically pleasing enhancements that do not require watering or weeding. Upkeep is minimal, and the upsides are endless. A professional designer can provide options custom-tailored to your home and its environment.
• Use perennials. Unlike annuals, these hearty flowers return year after year, giving you more bang for your gardening buck. Their ease of care and incredible durability has made them a favorite among landscapers, and they offer a dazzling array of colors and textures to choose from.
• Go native. Because native plants have evolved to thrive in conditions indigenous to their geography, they have developed defenses against diseases and pests, eliminating the need for pricey pesticides and herbicides and protecting the environment in the process. They require less water, which protects your utility bills, and provide a haven for local wildlife. Oh, and they’re pretty, too.
• Keep things simple. Start small. Opt for a few, select, easy-to-manage and colorful plantings, and build from there as your budget allows. Beauty does not necessarily require a big gesture, but is often found in subtle grace notes.

Low maintenance landscape design is a common dream among homeowners. McHale Landscape Design can help make it a reality. We specialize in native plantings, and we own and operate our own nursery. Contact us today.