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What Are the Best Low Maintenance Shrubs?

Shrubs are often used as exterior focal points by which a property owner makes a statement about the level of pride they take in sustaining the appearance of their home. Shrubs can really enhance your home’s look from the outside while also showing that you take property maintenance very seriously.

One of the major factors that turn a lot of people off from installing shrubs around their homes is the fact that they require a lot of maintenance. This is mostly due to the fact that shrubs grow fast and need to be trimmed every month to maintain their appealing look. If you’re someone facing a situation similar to this, you’ve come to the right place.

The good news is that several shrubs are available on the market, requiring little to no maintenance after installing them. Below, you’re going to find a comprehensive guide on how to go about finding the best shrubs for your home that require the least maintenance.

Finding quality low maintenance shrubs for your property 

When it comes to selecting the perfect shrubs for your home that look great but are low maintenance, you have several options. Before deciding on which shrub type is right for you, there are various factors you must consider. The size of your shrubs, their proximity in relation to other plants in your garden, placement, and more will all play a vital role in determining how easy it is to maintain your shrubs.

Certain shrubs are better for specific environments when compared to others, which is also something you need to consider when trying to find the right ones for your home. If you’re installing shrubs for the sole purpose of enhancing the exterior aesthetic of your home, you need to consider the color of the shrubs you choose also. Once you’ve gone over all of these different variables, you can continue to select which shrubs you’re going to install on your property.

Now that all of that is out of the way, it’s time to take a look at some of the best low-maintenance shrubs that you can buy for your home today.

Here are the best low-maintenance shrubs:

  • Forsythia- forsythia is an early bloomer, and it’s also a very stunning bush once it’s at full bloom. Plant this shrub in full sunlight and continue to prune yearly after blooming is complete.
  • Witch Hazel- witch hazel is widely known as of the easiest shrubs to bloom. Only light pruning is required to maintain the look and shape of this shrub over time.
  • Lilac- Lilas blooms directly after the blooming season of Forsythia and are some of the most unique shrubs because of their eye-catching purple color. They are easy to grow, and you can plant them in light shade with very hot temperatures.
  • Oakleaf Hydrangea- oakleaf hydrangea is excellent for multi-season use as their leaves change from red to orange throughout the fall and winter months. It doesn’t need a lot of pruning, which makes it perfect if you’re looking for low-maintenance shrubs.

All of these shrubs are relatively low-maintenance, and they are great options if you’re trying to make your exterior property aesthetic really stand out. Consider your personal style and design preferences so that you can choose the right shrubs that will accent your home perfectly.

Benefits of low-maintenance shrubs 

Low-maintenance shrubs are great because they allow you to create a stunning exterior property aesthetic without the need to shell out tons of monthly shrub maintenance. Shrubs are low-cost upgrades that can make a real difference in the way your home appears from the outside.

Keep in mind; low-maintenance does not mean “no maintenance,” so your shrubs will still need to be maintained. However, they will require significantly less maintenance than traditional shrubs.

People Also Ask 

What are some low maintenance shrubs?

Some of the best low-maintenance shrubs are: Fox Red Curly Sedge, Magic Carpet Spirea, Franklin’s Gem Boxwood, dwarf Norway spruce, and my monet weigela.

What shrubs look good all year round?

Shrubs that look good all-year-round regardless of weather and climate are lilac, mountain laurel, English lavender, and Azalea.

What are the most natural shrubs to grow?

Some of the easiest shrubs to grow include: Grow Spirea, Gatsby Gal, Cherry Pie Rosa, and Arborvitae.

Conclusion 

We’ve covered all of the essential criteria, facts, and tips that you need to know about choosing the right low-maintenance shrubs for your home. Ask yourself, “How much money do I want to spend on shrubs?” and “What look am I trying to achieve?” so that you will make the best decision.

Protect Your Plants in Winter

Our winter weather is starting to turn cold and you need to protect your plans to keep them in top shape all year long. Here are our suggestions on how to protect your plants in December weather.

Adjust Your Watering Schedule

Although your plants require water to thrive, they need less water during winter months. Adjust your irrigation schedule to slow down. Wildflower seedlings, for example, only need to be watered every week or so. Trees need watering once a month or less depending on the weather. Mature trees like mesquite and palo verde trees can handle minimal amounts of water.

Use Protective Materials

Your plants need a little extra protection throughout the winter in the form of blankets and frost cloths. Use this extra protection when temperatures dip under 30 degrees. You can use Styrofoam cups to protect the tips of your columnar cacti.

Watch the Weather Forecast

Be sure to check your local weather forecast regularly to judge how you should be taking care of your plants. The way you care for your plants will change from day to day in certain circumstances.

Would you like additional tips on protecting your plants from December weather? Contact Santa Rita Landscaping or visit our website. We specialize in landscape design and landscape maintenance in Tucson. You can find out much more about our services by calling us at (520) 623-0421 today.

What to Plant in Your Vegetable Garden This Fall

The fall season is coming and now is the perfect time to consider adding vegetables to your garden. As outdoor temperatures start to cool off, you will be able to plant a variety of vegetables that will thrive in cooler temperatures.

If you are wondering what to plant this fall, here is a look at some great vegetables to consider in the upcoming season.

Broccoli

If you have been encouraging your family to eat their broccoli, you should consider adding this bountiful brassica to your fall vegetable garden. Broccoli is a cool weather plant that prefers lower sunlight and plenty of water. After you plant broccoli from seed, your plants will mature in about 80 days.

Cabbage

Cabbage is an edible and decorative addition to any garden. When you plant cabbage in the fall, you can rest assured that this vegetable is well suited to Tucson’s weather. As you are selecting cabbages to plant, you may want to consider alternating species that develop in vibrant shades of green, purple, and even blue.

Collard Greens

Many chefs and gardeners are turning to collard greens as the latest vegetable trend. When you plant collard greens in the fall, your plants will be ready to harvest in as few as 40 days. Additionally, collards are remarkably resistant to both hot days and cooler temperatures.

For help planning your fall garden, be sure to get in touch with Santa Rita Landscaping. We proudly provide the Tucson area with a variety of landscape design and maintenance services, and we will help you create a beautiful and seasonally appropriate garden. To set up a consultation for your landscaping today, give us a call at (520) 623-0421.

Trim Your Trees Before Spring

This is the month to trim your trees. Trimming trees will encourage them to grow strong and healthy.  Trimming will allow trees to withstand harsh weather and not become uprooted.  This is especially important if they are located around your house or other structures.

In addition, tree trimming adds aesthetic beauty to your property creating a fuller tree with great structure and provide shade.

The Best Time to Trim

Trim your trees before spring.Major pruning should be done between late fall through March 1st. Minor pruning can be done year-round.

We recommend that you do some arbor research before pulling out the pruners.  Research can be acquired from online, through books or the library, or by consulting a professional arborist.

Major Tree Trimming

When tree growth has gotten out of hand you will need a different approach than normal trimming.

First, remove all scraggly, weak, and dead branches. Cut them flush with large branches or the trunk.

Second, you will want to reduce the size of the full canopy by approximately a third.  Begin by cutting growth on the outer portions of larger branches. Then work your way into the target point. Cutting smaller portions will make removal easier as well as relieve tension gradually which is much safer.

Third, keep overall trimming as symmetrical as possible for the best appearance. Any branches you want to remove totally should be cut flush with the larger branch being left.  It is important to avoid cutting a branch at a midpoint. Always try to find a joint to make the cut.

Finally, give your tree a long deep watering after pruning. Consider fertilizing the tree around mid-April.