Big family homes on small blocks and even downsized homes on courtyard allotments are marketed as “low maintenance living” – a term that entices buyers with visions of relaxing lifestyles and social weekends spent out and about, not mowing lawns, trimming hedges and weeding gardens.
But in fact low maintenance homes often occupy a large portion of the block so the backyard becomes a paved hot-box enclosed by colourbond fencing with little greenery in sight.
If a stark yard turns you off but you don’t want to be a slave to the garden, there are easy ways to create a fresh, cool and leafy vibe in your low maintenance yard, bringing maximum enjoyment with minimum work.
Firstly, choose cool colours and light tones. Dark colours absorb heat, so keep pavers and fencing in small areas light to create a sense of cool and airy spaciousness.
Then introduce drought-tolerant plants into planter boxes or mulched garden borders with automated garden irrigation. Plants add fresh appeal and soften a bare area.
Choose your plants with careful consideration of the amount of sun and shade your yard receives. The right plants in the right space will need less care, and you can create quite a leafy vibe using hardy plants of different colours, textures, shapes and heights!
If you’re unsure which plants will work, take morning and afternoon photos of your courtyard and visit your local garden centre for advice.
Opt for perennial shrubs that require minimal water and look good year-round, not annuals that look pretty for a short time but then need replacing.
Objects such as water features, garden sculptures and egg chairs add focal-point interest alongside easy-care shrubbery or pot plants.
If you’ve bought a low-maintenance home these tips will help you create a stylish outdoor area requiring minimal upkeep. And if you’re thinking of selling, a modern low-maintenance garden is a great way to add buyer appeal to your property.
Photo credit: David Still
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