Selecting landscape plants
- Select slow-growing plants that require minimum trimming.
- Use plants that do well in your climate and require minimum special care.
- Use ground covers rather than grass in small or isolated areas such as beneath shade trees.
- Avoid isolated plants in lawn areas, because the lawn creates an overall green carpet which unites the landscape. A mowing strip between shrubbery beds and lawn areas will reduce maintenance time.
- Properly install plant material, and apply mulch to retain soil moisture and retard weed growth.
- Select plants whose natural growth form is best suited to the overall design.
- If it’s color you want, flowering shrubs and trees can accent annuals and perennials and require less care than flowerbeds. Trees and shrubs offer vertical accents.
- Inspect the landscaping once it has been installed to make certain it serves your desired purpose. You can use plants to screen unattractive surroundings and to frame the building. In some areas, landscaping is inspected by the city or town.