Low Maintenance Shrubbery 101: The Basics

There are many of us out there who love having an attractive and well-maintained yard, but do not necessarily want to put in all of the effort needed to make it happen. Luckily, there are low effort and low energy options that can help fulfill your need for visual appeal while not causing you to lift too many fingers. Shrubs, for instance, might be just what you need. They can be beautiful, do not require much maintenance, and also provide extra noise-reduction and privacy benefits.

Shrub Costs

Just like any other landscaping project, there will be costs associated with installing shrubs. Different shrub types will cost different amounts, plus there will be differing time frames between trims. If you have a landscaping professional who does your maintenance, then the more often a shrub needs to be trimmed, the more it will cost. Make sure to choose a shrub that not only fits your aesthetic and low-maintenance requirements, but also fits your budget.

Low-Maintenance Shrub Types

Shrubs will generally last for a long time, so you do not need to plant them again every year. One time will be enough, and as long as you perform the necessary trimming they will be just fine. You can purchase shrubs at just about any home and garden outlet. There are several varieties, from flowering to evergreen and everything in between. It’s a good idea to consider what is native to your area. That way you know that your shrubs will grow well in your climate and stay strong throughout its lifespan. They will also better protect other native plants and species, such as bees and butterflies.

Flowering Shrubs

Using flowering shrubs are a great way to add a splash of color to a yard full of green. Having flowers may make you think that they will need extra maintenance, but there are several easy-care options available. These varieties include hibiscus, hydrangea bush, weigela, forsythia, and lavender, among others. The only maintenance needed with these shrubs is pruning off any dead flowers as you notice them. That way, new flowers can bloom to replace them. Before planting, make sure that they will have the right amount of sun to properly grow and develop.

Evergreen Shrubs

Evergreen shrubs will keep their look throughout the entire year. Maintenance will focus on keeping their shape and neatness. There are some varieties that will only need trimming once a year at most, which is about as low-maintenance as it gets. Some good evergreen varieties include dwarf boxwood, arborvitae, cypress, blue star juniper, and holly.

Privacy Shrubs

One thing that a lot of people love about shrubs is the added privacy they can provide. Fencing is always one way to keep your privacy, but shrubs can add an appealing natural backdrop to your yard. They can also help dampen noise from other yards so your yard can be more relaxing and calm. For privacy shrubs, you will want to choose varieties that are easy to control so that you won’t spend a lot of time and effort trying to keep them from spreading. Some good low-maintenance privacy shrubs include wax myrtle tree, boxwood hedges, buckthorn, and thuja green rocket, among others.

Soil Testing

The best way to make sure that a shrub is low-maintenance is to make sure that it is growing properly in the first place. A big part of that is making sure that the soil has the right nutrients to encourage growth. It is never a bad idea to have your soil tested and to choose shrubs that will thrive in that soil.You can pay big bucks for soil testing, or for a simple at home pH test it only costs a few dollars.

We all want our landscaping to look better, but we do not necessarily want to spend too much effort on it. Shrubs are not only a great low-maintenance option, but they can also add additional benefits like privacy and noise-reduction. You will never be able to find a plant that has no maintenance at all, but shrubs require very little effort and can look amazing too.

The experienced professionals at Dean Bjorkstrand, Inc. can help complete all kinds of landscaping projects to increase the value of your home. Reach out to us online or by phone today!

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