Select the right plant for the right place by reading the plant tag or description. Sun lovers need sun, while shade lovers will struggle in hot sun.
Pay Attention to Sun Exposure:
Evergreens come in various shades and provide year-round interest. Opt for dwarf varieties for small spaces and those that maintain their shape without pruning.
Go With Evergreens:
Flowering trees, like Kousa dogwood and redbud, add beauty with minimal upkeep. They provide seasonal interest without creating a mess when flowers drop.
Use a Flowering Tree as a Focal Point:
Raised beds made from natural stone keep the yard neat and are long-lasting.
Invest in Raised Beds:
For fences and decks, choose durable materials like Brazilian ipe, black locust, composite decking, and vinyl or hardwood fencing to ensure longevity.
Opt for Durable Materials:
Ornamental grasses like carex and hakonechloa add texture and are hardy, deer-resistant, and low-maintenance.
Plant Ornamental Grasses:
Hardy shrub roses like Knockouts are disease-resistant, self-cleaning, and bloom from spring to frost without needing constant care.
Add Shrub Roses to Beds and Borders:
Plant daffodils, hyacinths, and muscari in the fall for reliable spring blooms. Tulips need replanting annually as they don't perform well in subsequent years.
Plant Spring-Flowering Bulbs:
Window boxes provide seasonal color and can be easily changed. Self-watering containers reduce the need for frequent watering.
Hang Window Boxes:
Perennials like catmint and coreopsis for full sun, and heuchera and dicentra for part sun, return each year, making them a great long-term investment.
Make Perennials Part of Your Landscape: