Migrating to a Lower Maintenance Garden Presented by Elaine Homstad, MG February 2, 2011

Wise Plant Choices Low pruning, fertilizing and watering requirements Effective use of mulch Reduction of high-maintenance lawn areas Container Gardening Beautiful Hardscaping Work with, not against Nature!

Choose plants according to: Size at Maturity Growth Habit Pruning 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

Some good shrub choices are: Dwarf Varieties of Balsam Firs, Spruces, Mugo and other small pines

Compact Varieties “Encore” Azaleas, Little-leaf Boxwoods, Creeping or Prostrate Junipers, Dwarf Japanese Hollies

Slow-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

Some good perennial choices are: Compact Varieties Asters, Coreopsis, Shasta Daisies, Daylilies

Some good perennial choices are: Slow-spreading Varieties Evening Primrose, Blanket Flowers, Verbena

Some good perennial choices are: Drought-tolerant Varieties Sedum, Caryopteris, Lambs Ears, Blue Fescue

Choose annuals that spread and do not require deadheading: “Wave” Petunias Winter Pansies

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”

Reducing 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 coversPerennial Beds ShrubsMulch XeriscapingHardscaping

Think 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.

Permanent installations: Walkways Patios Retaining Walls Non-permanent installations: Statuary Fountains Birdbaths Sculptures

Right Plant, Right Place Use Mulch Effectively Reduce Lawn Area Embrace Container Gardening Incorporate Beautiful Hardscaping