The latest studies show that in the U.S. there are more than 30 million acres of lawn, making grass our #1 irrigated crop. In these days when conservation—of natural resources and your personal resources—is all the rage, now is a good time to consider some alternatives that will save time, money and energy. A landscape with a design for low maintenance can easily be yours. And it doesn't have to come at the cost of a bland, boring yard. All it takes is some knowledge about the right plants and techniques.



“With a design for low maintenance, the goals are basically the same as for any other landscape design, except we focus on using materials that reduce the Big Four of ongoing maintenance: watering, trimming, weeding and mulching,” says Jeff Halper, landscape design specialist with Exterior Worlds.

Design for Low Maintenance: Actions and Choices

• Choose drought-resistant plants, like pampas grass, Plumbago, and Lantana. You might even choose older rose varieties, which are hardier than modern large-flowered hybrids.

• Avoid plants that need continuous pruning, like boxwood and dwarf yaupons (often used in hedges).

• Stay away from plants, such as azaleas, that are susceptible to diseases or insect problems.

• Mulching can be eliminated by using gravel, which rarely needs to be replaced.

• The use of gravel instead of mulch also cuts down on weeds and helps retains soil.

• Use ground covers that don't need regular pruning and will cover the ground so that weeds are controlled. This type of ground cover is another choice that eliminates or reduces mulching.

• Maximize your seasonal color by installing flowers in planters, urns or bowls to lower the costly replacements season to season.

Design for Low Maintenance:

Develop Other Focal Points

Consider using non-plant material as focal points. Get creative with:

Pathways. Functionally, pathways are the way into the space, and visually, they lead the eye in, through, across and around the landscape design. Pathways can have a big impact on the landscape and your experience as you transition from the street to the home. As an approach to a home, pathways tend to be the first insight into the homeowner's personality.

Landscape lighting. The right landscape lighting allows you to showcase beautiful trees and garden elements, but, at the same time, lets you control what you don't want people to see by leaving some things dark. From a practical standpoint, it provides security and safe access and is often recommended as a relatively inexpensive way to increase your property value.

Outdoor water fountains. Outdoor water fountains make a graceful statement about a home by creating a pleasing and welcoming ambiance. They can be used to enhance the architectural style of a house. Outdoor water fountains are especially beneficial in these technological times, serving as camouflage for traffic noise, humming air-conditioning units and thrashing lawn mowers.

Design for Low Maintenance: Other Ideas

A common mistake is to choose plants that look perfect the day you plant them, but then they take over the space. Thus you create an ongoing maintenance task. A professional Houston landscape designer will help you with this issue.

Even if plants require only minimal maintenance, water is still essential. An irrigation system on a timer eliminates the need to move sprinklers around and rush around to water at just the right time. Since a little water for a long time is healthiest for plants, you might consider investing in a drip irrigation system.