When you have a beautifully landscaped outdoor living area, you’ll want to be able to spend as much time as possible enjoying the space you’ve created. Sometimes, it can seem like too many maintenance and upkeep chores are getting in the way of your relaxation time. How can you enjoy your outdoor living area to the fullest, without having to constantly work on maintaining it? There are many design layouts, plants and structures you can adopt that do not require such constant attention to their upkeep, so that you can spend more time enjoying them. Here are four low-maintenance landscape design ideas for Allentown, PA homes.
Related: Which Landscapers Should You Entrust With Your Lawn Care in Lehigh County, PA?
Ground Cover and Ornamental Grass
It’s not always easy to keep your grass alive and lush, especially in the intense heat of summertime and the frigid chill of winter. There are many options for incorporating ground cover or ornamental grass into your landscape so that you don’t have to waste your time and your resources with constant watering. Not only will these additions to your landscape typically require less water than a full lawn of grass needs, they will also add dimension to your property with their different shapes, textures and shades of green. Ground cover will help to prevent weeds, dirt, mud and dust from forming or scattering throughout your lawn, and can be instrumental in preventing erosion and keeping your soil healthy. Some ornamental grasses make a large, bold statement, and others that are more subtle can be incorporated with your ground cover. Choose from a variety of options for ground cover and ornamental grasses that thrive in our hardiness zone, including flowering thyme, prairie dropseed, blue oat grass, little bluestem and monkey grass.
Shrubs
Another timeless and easy addition to a landscape are carefully-placed shrubs. Many varieties are low maintenance, and also serve several purposes in addition to the appeal they bring to your lawn. Shrubs keep a landscape looking alive and fresh throughout the winter, and can be used as borders and privacy walls to define your outdoor space. Evergreen shrubs require very little upkeep, retain their color year-round, and many will bloom or grow berries as the seasons change. Consider incorporating deer-resistant shrubbery for even more protection of your landscape and to avoid attracting wildlife. Some deer-resistant, low-maintenance evergreen shrubs that you may want to consider are spruces, boxwood, juniper and barberry.
Perennials
Once the green areas of your landscape are revamped with low-maintenance features, it’s time to turn your attention to your garden beds. It is easy to create a space that is low-maintenance without losing any of its beauty. Use of perennials and flowering plants to make your garden stand out with bursts of color. With these plants spread throughout most of your garden, you can sprinkle in a few of your favorite annuals to modify the look of your garden at the start of every summer season. Some low-maintenance perennials that will bring color and fragrance to your landscape are peony, anemone, butterfly weed and blanket flower.
Hardscape Living Spaces
Hardscape additions to your outdoor living space will help keep your property looking sophisticated and clean, and are durable features that are easy to keep up with. Consider replacing some of your lawn with a beautiful patio space; or finishing your driveway, walkways and entryways (in the front and back of your house) with flagstone or concrete pavers.
Masonry features and seating, such as retaining walls or a stone fire pit and benches, are beautiful and convenient ways to add more low-maintenance hardscaping to your lawn. Integrate elegant hardscape features like these with your easy-to-care-for lawn and garden features to maximize the enjoyment of your outdoor spaces.
