Migrating to a Lower

Maintenance

GardenPresented by Elaine

Homstad, MGFebruary 2, 2011

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

Questions?