Landscaping can be a bit intimidating for beginners because of the belief that only savvy landscapists can grow a garden full of thriving plants and flowers. You don’t have to be a seasoned gardener to turn a barren yard into a beautiful garden. You only need to be resourceful and to start with the basics.
The most challenging process of landscaping is growing plants. There are plants that are not tolerant of the harsh weather. When exposed to various elements, your dream of having an appealing garden will turn into a nightmare.
The good news is that there are low-maintenance plants you can consider. They are specifically adapted to local climes, and thus perfect for those who want to turn a drab-looking yard into fabulous space. Plants that are considered as low maintenance don’t need regular watering, spraying, or pruning. It will remain healthy and aesthetic even with only low fertilizer.
Low maintenance plants are ideal for South Florida landscapes. These plants can still grow healthy regardless of the soil. They have both a high tolerance for wet soil conditions or even periodic flooding, as well as occasional drought. So what plants are considered to be low-maintenance? They are divided into several categories. Here are some of them:
Annuals
The life of annuals lasts for a year or even less. While most of them require to be planted in moist soil, a few are deemed low-maintenance. South Florida has cool-season plants that can’t stand humid or wet conditions during summer. You will need to consider annuals which are drought- tolerant.
Perennials
These plants have the ability to live for up to three years, sometimes, even more. They bear pretty flowers ideal for covering the ground.
Shade & Flowering Trees
These are trees that grow very tall and large. They are cultivated because of their showy flowers. Shade trees, on the other hand, don’t necessarily have any floral displays.
Hedges & Shrubs
Shrubs are woody plants consist of several stems. Hedges form a row of shrubs which are closely planted. They usually serve as a boundary or border. If you want to maintain proper function or form, be sure to consider regular pruning.
Fruit Trees
Fruit trees have edible fruit and to make them productive, you need to water or feed them during their growth process.
Vegetables & Herbs
Herbs refer to plans whose stems, roots, or leaves are cultivated to be used as food flavoring. They are also known as traditional medicines. Vegetables have edible parts as well including their fruit, stems, leaves, and roots. They are usually nurtured and cultivated for food. Herbs and vegetables may not always be included in your landscape project, but their edible value makes them a great option.
When choosing the suitable plants for your landscaping project, be sure to consider the right plant species. There are plants that only grow on one particular location so make sure you take note of this. Common names can also be misleading. To ensure success in creating a Florida landscape, it’s much better to refer to the plants’ scientific names. The next time you consider a landscaping project, be sure to keep these low-maintenance plants in mind.
Examples of low-maintenance plants include:
- Blacket Flower
- Beautyberry
- Firebush
- Pentas
- Buttonwood
- Liriope
- Longleaf Pine
- Saw Palmetto
- Spiderwort
- Bluestem Palmetto
- Seagrapes
- Coreopsis
- Croton
- Shady Lady black olive tree
If you want to know more about growing low-maintenance plants, contact us: