An article about flowers? In January? Groundbreaking. The winter chill, warm fire, and winterized lawn may have you in that low-key midwinter mood, but it’s also prime bored-in-the-house time. If you’re looking for something to plan or even something to look forward to, it’s never too early to scheme up your spring landscaping ideas. DRC Landscaping is available year-round to help you achieve the lawn and outdoor space of your dreams, and it’s easier than ever to book ahead and be among the first on our spring schedule. So forget the winter wonderland for a little and spring ahead to warmer weather–in your head, at least.
We work hard on our homes, especially our gardens and lawns. Planning, planting, and maintaining our outdoor spaces is a lot of work. Isn’t it time that our flowers started working for us? While a self-maintaining flowerbed is still a futuristic dream, we can take at least some of the lawn care off our plate by investing in these hard-working flowers that take good care of themselves.
Month after month, they will bloom for a long time while remaining easy to care for due to their low susceptibility to disease and insect pests. Northern Nevada conditions call for plants that can handle the heat and high winds. Pests mostly avoid these plants, are perennials, require little water, and thrive in sunny environments.
LAVENDER
A wildly popular and fragrant favorite in low-maintenance landscaping is lavender. English lavender releases scent upon contact and does well with both drought and frost. They are famously low-maintenance. According to Roger Bastin of Bastin Nursery in the Netherlands, there is hardly ever a need to fertilize lavender, and he advises not even to water them unless they’re potted. You can plant them year-round (unless the ground is frozen)–in fact, the best time is October. Pruning is essential but only needs to happen twice a year: once in the spring to stimulate growth and once in the fall to retain their shape. Aesthetically, they’re great for lifting flower arrangements with their long, spiky blossoms.
HERBS
Cook up outdoor floral concepts that include thyme, oregano, rosemary, chives, and mint. Thyme spreads quickly and has small purple flowers (perhaps a low-high arrangement with lavender?) Mint herbs spread quickly as well–so fast that they can take over your yard, so to be safe, plant them in a pot in the ground. These low-maintenance plants keep a low profile while smelling spectacular. Look into catnip for something that grows vigorously and will attract your friendly neighborhood felines.
ROSES
While roses themselves can be a challenge to grow and maintain, there is a hardier option out there for landscaping. Landscape roses grow on their root, so they require very little pruning. They’re also disease-resistant and grow quickly (and horizontally, so they’re great to use as a filler.) They bloom all season long, even if virtually unattended. There are different types of landscape roses, so look into them further to find the perfect fit for your specific wants and needs.
BLACK -EYED SUSAN
Other colorful yet rugged options include black-eyed Susan and coreopsis for a yellow or gold display. Coreopsis’ yellow blooms last all summer long, and if you shear off the first flush of blossoms, it’ll bloom even longer. Black-eyed Susans grow on sturdy stems from last summer through frost and are available in reds as well. They’re also drought-tolerant, self-seeding, and thrive in pretty much any soil.
SHASTA DAISIES
Shasta daisies are survivors. These pretty perennials will last in a cut arrangement for weeks. They feature one archetypal white-and-yellow bloom on a sturdy stem and make for excellent patio arrangements when potted. Their bright blooms last all summer and will come back even after the most freezing of winters. Drought-resistant coneflowers will bring butterflies to your yard and require very little assistance (after they become established–a good rule of thumb is not to plant a new coneflower after July).
Get in touch with the pros at DRC Landscaping to put together your perfect perennial plan. We’re taking on clients for the spring 2021 season already, so it’s time to get on our radar and let us help you realize all your landscaping dreams–for spring and beyond!
