Plants may need to be thinned at maturity if they do grow to the high end of their spread potential.įigure 20. The shade of the foliage also prevents moisture evaporation from the soil, requiring less irrigation. Dense foliage keeps weeds down from lack of sun. This ensures that the plants will at least touch when they reach maturity. For example, a plant that has a range of 5–10 ft for the spread should be drawn at a spacing of 8.5 ft apart from center to center. When drawing planting plans, a typical rule of thumb is to use 85% of the high end of the range for the plant spread. Most plants will not reach the high end of the height and spread growth range unless they are growing in optimal conditions.
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For low maintenance, install plants so that they touch a little sooner but don't overlap too much (Figure 8). Conventional planting techniques recommend spacing plants so they barely touch only at their mature size. Slightly crowd plants together in the plant beds. Large beds with fewer plants require less care.Ĩ. Group plants with the same water needs, and use drip irrigation when possible to reduce water use throughout the garden.įigure 7. Repeating the same types of plants in several plant beds simplifies the maintenance with the same care requirements. Select 10–15 plants to use in large masses and repeat them throughout the yard (Figure 7). Use a simple plant palette with fewer, hardier plants.
Consider the following when locating plants:ħ. Use organic mulch, such as pine bark or pine straw, to keep soil moist, build soil structure, and insulate plant roots from winter cold and summer heat. Amend and improve the soil with compost in the most visible planted areas, such as by the front door and patio areas. The best strategy is to use plants that naturally thrive in your soil type, particularly if you have a large garden. This test is available through your local county Extension office. Conduct a soil test to determine the pH, fertility, and structure of the soil. Plants with a pleasing natural form require less trimming for appearance.Ħ. The guide includes important information for each plant, such as height and spread, growth rate, soil pH requirements, soil moisture and light requirements, and salt tolerance.įigure 6.
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Download The Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Guide to Plant Selection & Landscape Design for a complete list of Florida-Friendly plants. Additional information about plant selection is available from your local county Extension office or at the Florida-Friendly website.
Pay attention to plants that work well and repeat them in areas with similar conditions. Check the hardiness zone for cold tolerance, select long-lived plants that thrive in your soil conditions, note insect problems and susceptibility to disease, and consider sturdiness and wind resistance. Drought-tolerant plants require less water, and pest-resistant plants need less time and fewer chemicals to prevent and treat pest problems. Select Florida-Friendly plants (Figure 1).
Consider the following when selecting plants: The tips below for low-care, low-cost landscapes include ideas for plant selection and organization as well as hardscape selection and design.
The goal is to do less trimming, weeding, and fertilizing and use less water, energy, and chemicals. Don't waste time trying to control every weed or errant twig on a shrub. Learn to appreciate the perfect imperfection of nature.
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