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Low Maintenance Landscaping – Does it Really Exist and How to Design for it?

One thing I’ve learned over my 7 years of working as a landscape designer is that no one is looking for a high maintenance garden.  Another thing I’ve learned is that every garden requires maintenance and you should plan for it as part of an effective landscape design.  Read on to learn more about my tips for planning for and managing garden maintenance.

Managing weeds is the most important component of maintaining any garden because once a garden is overgrown with weeds it takes a lot of work to get it looking maintained again.  There are multiple approaches to managing weeds – you can pull them (lots of work) or spray them (effective but undesirable to some people).  Another approach is to use plants that can compete with weeds in your most challenging areas.  I’ve done this successfully on my property by using an aggressive native plant – ostrich fern.  I put it in shady areas prone to weeds, and it has definitely cut down on the amount of weed pulling I have to do.

Leaf removal is another big maintenance issue for my clients, and while fall is a great time to be outside, raking leaves is not a fun project for most people.  While I can’t cut down on the amount of leaves that fall, I can help my clients with a better way of managing their leaves.  One option is to add a dense evergreen planting at the edge of the woods.  In addition to defining the separation between a more maintained lawn area and a less maintained woodland, the evergreens can also create a barrier to blow leaves behind, giving them a place to be composted on site.

Need help designing a beautiful garden that is also low maintenance? Landscape design and installation are our expertise, and we are always happy to meet with new clients to discuss potential projects! Contact Bright Leaf Landscaping at 919-619-4460 or fill out our online contact form.