First impressions are important, and your home’s is often its landscaping. But many homeowners are unable to dedicate the necessary time and energy to upkeep intricate landscaping. Thankfully, modern advancements in the landscaping industry have resulted in low-maintenance landscaping options that look great and don’t take up too much of your time. Here are some of Landscape By Design’s favorite low-maintenance landscaping options for the residential homes of Fort Worth, Texas.
The Wonders of Xeriscaping
Xeriscaping is a landscaping technique that reduces or eliminates the need for irrigation and constant watering while still maintaining a captivating aesthetic. This eco-friendly landscaping option is done by making use of hardy drought-tolerant plants in combination with stones, cacti, and no-mow grasses.
What Kind of Plants Would I Use in Xeriscaping?
Xeriscaping makes use of native plants. While Texas is known for heavy rains during the summer months, we also get long dry spells, making plants native to Texas extremely hardy. By using these plants, you’ll create a captivating landscape that also reduces time spent outside watering plants as well as your monthly watering bill.
Here are the native plants that our team highly recommends:
- Bald Cypress
- Red Yucca
- Yaupon Holly
- Rockrose
- Blackeyed Susan
Additionally, by adding native habitats to your landscape, your property becomes more compatible with its surrounding environment. This is good practice as a homeowner and it may help reduce invasive species or pests that could damage your property.
Creating a Rock Garden
Rock gardens can add visual interest and curb appeal by allowing the natural earth tones of the rocks to complement the more vibrant plants.They typically make use of drought-resistant plants that don’t need much care.
Implementing Automatic Irrigation Systems
Having an irrigation system set up on your landscape can help save you time and money on watering your grass and plants. The timer functionality helps ensure your plants are watered properly without you having to lift a finger. All you need to do is schedule when you would like your plants watered and the automatic irrigation system will handle the rest.
Note: It is important to turn off your system during the rainy season to avoid overwatering your plants.
Make Use of Mulch
Mulch is one of your biggest allies in low maintenance gardening. Mulch should be applied 2-3 inches in thickness, as this depth will help suppress weeds by preventing light from reaching them. It also aids in the reduction of water evaporation from the soil, effectively reducing the amount of watering needed.
In Texas’s warmer clients, it is recommended to apply mulch at least twice a year, once in the spring to protect your plants from the coming heat and once more towards the end of fall to get your plants ready for the cooler temperatures of winter.
Plant Drought-Tolerant Perennial Plants
Drought-tolerant plants are perfect for the areas of your yard where there is no shade cover. They add a splash of color and ensure that every spring you’ll have a gorgeous blooming plant that doesn’t need much water to survive.
- Yarrow
- Blanket Flower
- Agastache ‘Desert Sunrise’
- Bush Sage ‘Raspberry Delight’
- Purple Coneflower
Using Low-Maintenance Ornamental Grass
Ornamental grasses are beautiful, low-maintenance alternatives to traditional grass lawns. Unlike traditional grasses, ornamental grasses were not made to walk on. Instead, they are better for filling in the space of your landscaping with texture, height, and vibrant colors to bring in the eye.
Hardscaping
Hardscaping involves the non-living components of your landscape. Whether that means a brick patio to enjoy a glass of wine, concrete walkways to lead guests around your property, or dazzling water features such as a stone fountain, these elements create an extra visual effect without requiring much maintenance.
Create a Low Maintenance Landscape That You Can Be Proud Of
Landscape by Design provides high-quality landscape design services for the residential clients throughout Fort Worth, Texas and the surrounding areas. We handle everything from new construction projects to renovations, helping you create a landscape that compliments the beauty of your home’s architecture. Contact our team today for more information on our services or to schedule an appointment with our design team.