Shrubs And Bushes For Your Landscape Design
For some people, the thought of a well-manicured lawn and beautiful landscaping, is only a reality for large mansions and wealthy home owners. There are a lot of things that you can do on your own and for very little money, which can drastically alter the look of your landscaping. This article will show you how.
Think about water requirements. If you live in an area that doesn't get a lot of rain, try to use plants that don't require a lot of water. Grass needs more water than any other type of plant, so replace your lawn with wood chips, gravel, or a type of ground cover that is suitable for high drought areas.
You can save money by timing purchases. If you purchase plants like shrubs and trees late in growing seasons you will save money because they are in lower demand. If you need lumber, the winter is usually when the prices are the lowest. As new plants become available, wait a couple of years before purchasing them, so the prices will be lower.
Although some home owners swear by it, you will find that you can create a very attractive landscape on your own without the assistance of a professional. Hiring a professional can lead to paying out a serious amount of money before all is said and done. Consulting with a landscaper or designer is not a bad idea, though, if you would like some tips and guidance before undertaking a project.
Before choosing a type of grass for your yard, consult a local landscaper. There are many varieties of grass seed and sod, and some will do better than others in different areas of the country. Some grasses prefer heat, while others need a dormant cold period. If you do not choose the right variety, you will spend a lot of time trying to maintain your yard.
Befriend your neighbors. You might be able to share costs when you rent equipment or buy large quantities of landscaping supplies together. Offer to help your neighbors with their landscaping project and they will probably help you with yours. Let people borrow your tools and talk about creating a common tool collection.
If your yard features a sizable tree, it may be tough to grow flowers beneath it. Rather than a fruitless effort with flowers, try using a ground cover. This can make your yard look beautiful, and it's also easily maintainable. Hosta and sweet woodruff are some ground covering options.
Use evergreen and other foliage plants to give your yard a sense of continuity. Many plants blossom for brief periods, so you may get a dull yard at times. Place these plants between each bed so your yard will continue to look green.
If you want to achieve your dreams with your landscaping plan, you might want to seek the consultation of a professional. The professional has done many landscaping jobs, and has the experience to see how natural features in your yard can be utilized to minimize cost, and enhance the appearance.
For flowers, or garden beds that you add to your landscape, go for a narrow approach. You will need to weed, and maintain these beds throughout the year. A thinner bed is easier to reach across, and requires less moving around. Remember, to keep them wide enough to prevent plants from overgrowing the boundaries of the bed too quickly.
When selecting trees for your landscaping project, look for those with rough, glossy or peeling bark. Birch, crepe myrtle, paperbark maple and Japanese cherry trees all have interesting bark that can add texture and visual appeal to your landscape design. Choose trees with bark colors that complement other aspects of your landscape, such as stones or flowers.
Think about how big your plants will eventually get, before deciding where to place them, or whether you should use them at all. This is vital, so that you do not use plants that end up outgrowing their planting space, and overshadowing their neighbor plants. Plan now so you do not have to move plants around later.
Do not assume you're stuck with a boring, dead landscape in the winter. Look for ways to add splashes of color to your lawn. Brightly colored furniture, berry-producing woody shrubs, evergreens, and attractive hard scape designs, like pathways, can all keep your yard interesting when everything else is grey and brown.
One of the keys to successful landscape design is to be completely honest with yourself about the time you are willing and able to dedicate to maintenance and plant care. If you design a space that requires labor-intensive plants and other materials, but have little time in which to tend them, you will ultimately end up disappointed.
As you can see, the ideas here are not that complicated. Many of them, you may be able to do yourself, in a weekend or so. Others may require more time or even, the experience of a professional. In the end, all of these tips will make a huge difference in the appeal of your home.