The Low-Cost and Low-Maintenance Garden Plants
Succulents and native plants use few natural resources and take little time to maintain in the garden. Succulents are known for their water-holding ability even in arid conditions. Native plants are perfectly adapted to local growing conditions and thrive without supplemental water or fertilizer. Both succulents and native plants are more disease resistant than cultivated garden ornamental plants and both are self-propagating. Lower water costs, lower fertilizer costs and lower replacement costs add up to low-cost and low-maintenance gardening. Does this Spark an idea?
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Succulent Availability
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Portions of succulents such as hen-and-chickens, sedum and crassulas can be broken off of established plants and placed in containers or flower beds without rooting them in water or hormone powder. They thrive in well-draining soil that is sandy or rocky, but are also tolerant of ordinary garden loam. Smooth-skinned succulents do well in full sun, while succulents with sharp edges or spines tolerate partial shade. Succulents are also available from garden centers and mail-order specialty nurseries.
Native Plant Availability
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Native plants are already adapted to local soil nutrient content and rainfall conditions, so they are inherently low-maintenance. Native plants such as California ceanothus and manzanita add color to the garden and require no fertilization. Wild columbine and butterfly weed both attract butterflies and beneficial insects to the garden.
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Cost-saving
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Wildflowers in the landscape conserve water, reduce mowing costs, provide habitat for birds and butterflies and protect the soil. Flower varieties such as lupine, poppy and yarrow re-seed, saving the cost of purchasing more each year. Native plants and succulents are a one-time-only plant purchase. Indigenous native grass varieties such as grama grass and buffalo grass outperform traditional turf grass in weed resistance, turf thickness and mowing rates, saving considerable maintenance cost. Maintaining native plants requires less cost and maintenance for commercial landscapes as well.
Landscape Uses
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Succulents can be used to create a landscape feature such as a walkway border or planter that does not require frequent weeding or watering. Larger succulents such as yucca, the chalky-blue finger-like leaves of the New blue Chalk, or jade plants create a garden focal point that uses little or no water. Succulents and native plants wilt and become unhealthy when they are over-fertilized or over-watered. They thrive on neglect. Plants such as the mezzo trailing red succulent make an attractive fast-growing groundcover.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit succulent image by Dragana Petrovic from Fotolia.com
