Home gardening is one of the most cost effective tools for improving the value of a home as well as the quality of life. Through our gardens we acquire an awareness and responsibility for the natural environment while we relieve the tensions of everyday life. Most homeowners desire a low-maintenance landscape that also satisfies their appetite for year-round interest and color. This can be achieved quite easily with some careful planning and thoughtful plant choices.
You do not have to go further than your local independent nursery to discover an abundance of plant choices that will take your yard from ho-hum to hi-ho. Below are examples of some hardy and low-maintenance plants that when combined, will create an ever-changing and colorful landscape.
The Crape Myrtle is the easiest of all the blossoming trees, producing color all Summer. They are available in several cultivars and many growth habits; so be sure to select the proper growth habit for the planting area. Maple and Ginkgo provide a display in Autumn that can’t be beat. The early Spring blooming trees, such as Dogwood, flowering Cherries, and Japanese Magnolias herald in the new year of growth and provide light shade in Summer months. Select trees for interest in different seasons to add a sparkle of crowning glory to the landscape.
We have more choices than ever before when considering blooming shrubbery. New hybrid Abelia such as ‘Canyon Creek’, ‘Kaleidoscope’ and ‘Rose Creek’ can bring new life to a tired garden. The ‘Encore’ Azalea produces flowers three times a year and is available in over twenty varieties and many growth habits. At twice the cost of regular Azaleas, they are well worth it. Move over ‘Knockout’ Roses and make room for ‘Drift’ Roses. With their tidy, compact growth habit and ease of care, these are really catching on. The Hydrangea varieties available are outstanding. From the chartreuse panicles of the ‘Limelight’ and ‘Little Lime’ to the mop-heads of the ‘Endless Summer’ varieties and the lacey flowers of the ‘Fuji Waterfall’, Hydrangeas can add personality to almost any garden.
Variegated foliage can add drama to otherwise non-descript surroundings. Some exceptional variegated plants are Iris, Hosta, Bear Grass (Yucca), Golden Shell Ginger, and ‘Mojo’ Pittosporum. Old favorites like variegated Aztec Liriope, Gardenia, and Hydrangea can heighten the garden experience. Variegated foliage usage in the landscape is relative to cosmetic make-up. A little goes a long way, and when you get the right color in the right spot….. oh, la, la!
Consult with a landscape designer to help you plan your next project. The cool days of Autumn are the best months to install new plantings. After all, what could be better than a garden? 
Anna Dickey
Landscape Designer
17 years with Esposito Garden Center
