Landscaping adds beauty and appeal to a home. But tending to flowers, weeding, and mowing grass takes up more free time than many of us like. Here are some tips to plan a gorgeous yard that will cut down on maintenance effort after it’s built.

Rock Features. Lay down plenty of rocks to reduce total mowing space. Make a dry creek bed or an ornamental stone patch of land mixed with perennials. Lay larger stones interspersed with smaller pebbles among them to cut down on weeds popping up between them. Besides adding visual elegance to a yard, stones also help prevent muddy run-offs after rain.

Pathways. Stone, brick, gravel, dirt, mulch, or some combination can be used to build pathways in your yard. Even the simplest pathway designs invite the eye. And of course, by taking up more space, you’ll have less grass to cut.

Mulch Beds. Add large beds of mulch around trees and the exterior of your home. Mulch is super low-maintenance and you only have to replace it in the spring. It also helps keep out weeds and fertilizes plants.

Perennials. These type of plants and flowers return year after year, unlike annuals which must be bought and planted every year. Many perennials are quite hearty, meaning you don’t have to check on them every week. Most only bloom for two to four weeks, but the foliage can last until fall. Ask an expert at the nursery for suggestions on perennials so that blooms will stagger throughout summer among the varieties you choose.

Vibrant Colors. Your yard doesn’t require a dozen flower varieties to achieve color. Use bright pots, decorative fencing, bird baths, Adirondack chairs, benches, and other types of yard art to add color and personality to the outdoors.

Potted Plants. Don’t want to deal with weekly weeding? Create beautiful potted plant varieties that only require sun and water. You can move the pots around to change up the look and use shepherd’s crooks for hanging plants throughout the yard.

Crushed Stones in Beds. Instead of mulching large flower beds, use crushed stone. They’re durable and serves as an excellent ground cover in xeriscapes or rock gardens where turf grasses are minimized. And they don’t need to be replaced.

Lavender. Lavender comes back year after year, providing color, beauty, and a lovely scent. It only requires water once or twice a week if you don’t get regular rain. Plant it near the patio or deck to act as a natural bug repellant.

Tall Grass. Plant fast-growing grasses that don’t need mowing, such as bluestem, fountaingrass, muhly, and switchgrass. They soak up water and their height can provide privacy. Group them along a fence line, in geometric patterns, or randomly for a natural look. Just cut them back in late fall when they dry up.

Platform Deck. If your yard is relatively flat, create a platform deck without steps and railings. It’s simple, attractive, and functional. Decks do require annual upkeep, but nothing that compares to weekly mowings. Dense hardwoods last a long time with little maintenance.

Platinum Service Realty