An attractive, low maintenance landscape is ideal for rental properties in Shelby Carter Township. Tenants are more willing to keep up maintenance on a yard that doesn’t require too much work, and low maintenance plants, shrubs, and trees will guarantee that they thrive for many years. The best low maintenance landscape designs regularly minimize the use of water, utilizing a variety of strategies and techniques to achieve a look that is both beautiful and easy to maintain.
Zeroscaping and Xeriscaping
If you have ever traveled the American southwest, the chances are that you’ve seen varieties of both zeroscaping and xeriscape. Although they may sound similar, there is a distinction between the two. Zeroscaping refers to landscaping that uses virtually no water. The most common options are decorative rocks and gravel, with possibly some cactus thrown in. While some people find this look appealing, most prefer a little more green in their yard.
So that is where xeriscape enters. Xeriscaping is a landscape design technique that uses drought-resistant plants to create a vibrant, green yard with minimal water use. While xeriscape may incorporate elements of hardscaping (like decorative paths or stone terraces, walls, and rock features), with the emphasis is on green plants. Most xeriscape designs include small areas of lawn, along with drought-tolerant flowers and flowering shrubs. In warm climates, these flowering plants often produce colorful blooms all year long. The plants are supported by drip systems that supply water directly to the roots, eliminating any wasted water. Although it is common in warm areas, xeriscaping can be used just about anywhere if you use native varieties of drought-resistant plants and trees.
Evergreens and Perennials
Several things can minimize the effort required to keep a beautiful yard, such as evergreens and perennials. Evergreen trees and shrubs are easy to grow, which makes them a great option for rental properties. For dramatic greenery, you might also use several different kinds of evergreens in a yard or planter bed. Perennials are another easy-care part of a low maintenance yard. Perennials are flowers that return on their own every year, such as peony, hydrangea, and lavender. The only effort required to enjoy these fascinating plants is to decide which ones to plant in your property’s garden beds.
Elements to Avoid
Creating a low-effort landscape is mostly about knowing what to do as it is about knowing what not to do. Most of us find fruit trees as an attractive option, but they require far more maintenance than other types of trees. They often have very specific water requirements, need annual pruning, and usually need to be fertilized carefully to deliver excellent quality fruit. When the fruit does grow, it often attracts birds, insects, and rodents, none of which your tenants will enjoy. Unless treated with pesticides, the fruit is often inedible, and except if reaped from the tree, it will drop to the ground in the fall, creating a big mess. The smell of rotting fruit is not enjoyable, so your tenant would likely be unhappy with picking it up and disposing of it every year.
By learning about different easy-care landscaping techniques – and things to avoid – you can create a beautiful, low maintenance landscape for your Shelby Carter Township rental property that your tenants will surely enjoy. To learn more about what upgrades would best fit your property, contact our team at Real Property Management Silverstonetoday at 586-992-6419.
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