Friday, July 23, 2010

Leave leaves, and other reduced maintenance gardening tips...

On Barbara Eisenstein’s blog “WeedingWildSuburbia”, in her post today titled “But is it really low-maintenance?” in regard to native (lawn replacement) gardening she invited other native gardeners to share their thoughts on creating a low-maintenance garden. Here are a few of mine:

Embrace seedheads! Many, like buckwheat and sages add interest, even soft colors when there isn't a lot else going on in the garden. (Less work if you don't cut them right off, and seeds are probably food for somebody!)



(Seedheads of Salvia clevelandii 'Allen Chickering' at Theodore Payne Foundation.)

Space plants far enough apart so they can grow to full size. Most natives don't need a lot of pruning, shearing, and shaping -- some don't tolerate it.

Drip tubing for native plant establishment: now you see it...


Now you don't...



(Recently installed mostly native garden – THEME: “Woodland meets Sage Scrub”)

Create interest, even drama, with foliage contrasts, interesting plant combinations, rock and other features. When the whole picture is engaging, who cares about a few untidy bits?



(Salvia mellifera 'Green Carpet' with Artemisia californica at Theodore Payne Foundation.)

To me, the naturally occurring litter is not so objectionable as are piles of grass-clippings and hedge trimmings. Much less sweeping and raking to do when you leave leaves!


2 comments:

Barbara E said...

Thanks, Janis. All great ideas, and I love the Green Carpet - Artemisia combo. I leave seedheads in my garden but last year my unfriendly neighbor reported me to the fire department and I had to mow down the grass seedheads (Nassella - and just beautiful). I guess it is always a bit this way and a bit that - neat versus natural. Barbara

Janis said...

Thank you, Barbara! I loved that combo, too.

By the way, at recent Sustainable Landscape "Policy Session" in Santa Monica there was quite a discussion about what to allow in parking strips. Russell Ackerman and his colleague, Kim O'Cain, discussed possible plan to provide a list of suggested plants, and I am sure they will want to include natives!