Want some help from an expert? Reach out to a Memphis Lawn Love pro<\/a>.<\/p> Your flower beds can be beautiful even if you don\u2019t have the time or energy to maintain them. When planning what to plant next, keep an eye out for durable perennials that thrive in Memphis\u2019 U.S. Department of Agriculture hardiness zone 7b. A durable perennial is one that requires little maintenance, is drought-resistant, and will return year after year. <\/p> Advantages of planting perennials:<\/strong><\/p> Here we have compiled a list of three common low-maintenance perennials in the Memphis area: <\/p> While you look for more low-maintenance plants, be sure to check their water usage, if they\u2019re disease- and pest-resistant, and whether they will thrive in USDA hardiness zone 7b. Instead of annuals, go for perennials. That way you will save money and time instead of worrying about replanting each year.<\/p> Estimated cost: <\/strong>You could save some money by planting these yourself, or you can save time by hiring someone to do it for you. The average cost of landscaping falls between $3.50-$15.50 per square foot<\/strong>.<\/p> After planting perennials, take it a step further and add some native plants. By planting flowers, shrubs, and trees that are native to the Memphis area, you are saving maintenance time and benefitting your local ecosystem. <\/p> Advantages of Tennessee native plants:<\/strong><\/p> Here are some popular native plants in the Memphis area to get you started:<\/p> Want to find more native plant options? Check out the Tennessee Native Plant Society<\/a> or this list of native flowers, shrubs, and trees for the Memphis region.<\/p> Estimated cost: <\/strong>Again, you can save money by doing this yourself, or you can hire a pro to do it for you. The average cost of landscaping falls between $3.50-$15.50 per square foot<\/strong>, but since native plants are cost-effective you\u2019ll end up saving more money in the long run. <\/p> While it may look simple, grass can be incredibly high-maintenance and water-intensive compared to other landscape features. You need to frequently water, mow, and maintain your lawn in order to keep it disease-free and looking good. However, there are a few other options to reduce the amount of time and energy spent maintaining your lawn. <\/p> Estimated cost: <\/strong>If you\u2019re planting ground covers yourself, you will only need to pay for the cost of the plant. Otherwise, the cost of landscaping falls between $3.50-$15.50 per square foot<\/strong>. If you\u2019re going with the grassless option and wish to do it yourself, you can rent a sod cutter for around $67 for four hours<\/strong>, not including a $150 deposit<\/strong>. If you\u2019d like to hire a professional to remove your grass, it will cost about $1.50 per square foot<\/strong>. <\/p> A growing problem across the United States is an increasing demand for the nation\u2019s water supply. Unfortunately, lawn care is a big contributor to this problem. Grass, flowers, fountains, and pools all use up a ton of water resources. Good thing there is a solution to this problem: xeriscaping<\/a>. <\/p> Xeriscaping (pronounced \u201czeriscaping\u201d) is a type of landscape design that is focused on water conservation.<\/p> Elements of xeriscaping:<\/p> You might be juggling a lot when starting to reduce the water usage of your landscape. You\u2019ll need to consider how you want your yard to look, how your backyard is used, the size of your budget, and how much effort you\u2019re willing to put into the project. Don\u2019t hesitate to reach out to landscaping professionals if you have any questions or concerns. <\/p> Soil testing is a very important step in taking care of your lawn. Soil testing tells you which elements are lacking in your soil, allowing you to make amendments and have the right information to pick the best fertilizer. Once you know your soil conditions, and whether it has the proper nutrients, you will be sure that your plants can stay healthy and thrive — avoiding disease and other expensive problems. <\/p> There are two main ways for you to test your soil:<\/p> Turfgrass is the most water-intensive element of your landscape. A more water-wise choice would be to replace your turfgrass with native plants or ground covers. However, if you enjoy having a lawn, do not fret. You can search for grass types with low water requirements. Opt for more drought-tolerant types such as tall fescue<\/strong> and centipedegrass<\/strong>. <\/p> Look for native plants<\/strong> or drought-resistant perennials<\/strong>. If you can, plant trees and shrubs. They require frequent watering until established, and then require very little water. Succulents and ground covers are also great choices. <\/p> Check your irrigation system to be sure that it is not wasting water. Water your grassy areas separately from other plants to conserve water. You\u2019ll also be saving your plants from being overwatered. <\/p> You don\u2019t want to wastewater, so make sure that you\u2019re not accidentally watering your driveway. Check that your irrigation system does not spray water outside of your lawn, such as on your driveway or the roadside. Use automated irrigation systems to get your watering done at the best time of day (between 2-8 a.m.) without having to get out of bed.<\/p> If you follow these xeriscaping guidelines, you will have a yard that you can feel proud of as you save time, money, and the environment.<\/p> Estimated cost: <\/strong>Cost largely depends on the size of your yard. If you have a large backyard, it\u2019s a good idea to hire a professional landscape designer or architect to help. The average cost to hire a professional for xeriscape design is $3,298<\/strong>. For design implementation, the cost will range from $3.50-$15.50 per square foot<\/strong>.<\/p> Add some personality to your yard while reducing its maintenance with hardscaping<\/strong>. Hardscaping is considered to be any non-living element installed in your yard, such as walkways, outdoor kitchens, and firepits. Hardscaping will increase your home\u2019s value and curb appeal and create a fun outdoor living or entertainment space for your family and friends to enjoy. <\/p> Here are some popular kinds of hardscapes:<\/strong><\/p> Organize your backyard with edging. <\/strong>Edging <\/strong>is a form of hardscaping that blocks off areas of your yard, such as flower beds and gardens. Installing edging around your garden is very beneficial, as it will help keep mulch in place, prevent invasive plants from spreading, and keep your grass from invading your garden. While it makes your yard look more organized, it also adds a touch of personality to your backyard and will increase your home\u2019s curb appeal.<\/p> Advantages of hardscapes and edging:<\/strong><\/p> Estimated cost: <\/strong>The cost of hardscaping varies depending on the scope of the project. A large design and installation can cost thousands, or a small addition can cost a couple hundred. For instance, the average cost to build and install a fire pit is $700<\/strong>, while the average cost to install a patio is $3,595<\/strong>. <\/p> Mulch is both a great aesthetic and functional choice for your backyard. It adds some character to your garden, while also adding nutrients, preventing weeds, and maintaining moisture.<\/p> There are two types of mulch:<\/p> Advantages of using mulch:<\/strong><\/p> Estimated cost: <\/strong>The price of mulch is entirely dependent on the type of mulch you are installing. Pine straw mulch is on the cheaper side at only $40 per cubic yard<\/strong>, compared to wood chips which cost around $70 per cubic yard<\/strong>. <\/p> Low-maintenance landscaping is a great investment for Memphis homeowners who are looking to save time, money, and energy that they would otherwise be spending on lawn care services. Low-maintenance landscaping is great for the local ecosystem, your yard, and your wallet. <\/p> Don\u2019t waste your free time worrying about your lawn. Contact a <\/em>Memphis lawn care professional <\/em><\/a>to help create and take care of your low-maintenance landscape year-round.<\/em><\/p> 1. Live more with low-maintenance perennials<\/span><\/h2>
![\"light](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/rsz_4685653683_1806d088d0_c.jpg\")
2. Bring visitors to your backyard with native plants<\/span><\/h2>
3. Grow a drought-tolerant lawn<\/span><\/h2>
![\"close-up](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/rsz_1024px-centipede_grass.jpg\")
4. Embrace xeriscaping<\/span><\/h2>
5. Make it your space<\/span><\/h2>
![\"Arbor](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/rsz_6372993039_55d527ae83_c.jpg\")
6. Be mindful with mulch<\/span><\/h2>
Not sure where to begin? Reach out.<\/h2>