![\"Gasoline](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Pouring-gasoline-in-lawn-mower.jpg\")
When spring arrives in Durham, you may be thinking about visiting a park or going on a hike to explore the city’s breathtaking nature. But if you want your lawn to be breathtaking as well, you need to put in the time early and know what you’re doing. We’ve got you covered. Here are 11 […]
\n","content":"\nWhen spring arrives in Durham, you may be thinking about visiting a park or going on a hike to explore the city’s breathtaking nature. But if you want your lawn to be breathtaking as well, you need to put in the time early and know what you’re doing.
\n\n\n\nWe’ve got you covered. Here are 11 tips for caring for your Durham lawn.
\n\n\n\nIn this article:
\n\n\n\nPhoto Credit: Famartin / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nYour lawn equipment needs to function well. Hopefully, you did a little maintenance before storing it for the winter. As spring emerges, you’ll want to take it out and make sure it’s still in good working order.
\n\n\n\nEach of your pieces of lawn equipment should come with a manual that outlines the specific jobs you need to do and how often to do them.
\n\n\n\nBut to give you a rough idea of the lawn mower maintenance that will be needed, we’ve put together lists of common lawn mower maintenance tasks.
\n\n\n\nHere are typical maintenance jobs for a gas lawn mower (these may not apply to your machine; check your manual for specific instructions):
\n\n\n\n| Gas Lawn Mower Maintenance Job | Estimated Job Frequency (varies based on type) |
| Engine oil change | Either every 20 to 50 hours or once per season, whichever is first; after roughly the first 5 hours for new lawn mowers |
| Fuel change | Fuel goes bad within 30 days unless you add stabilizer |
| Sharpening and balancing | Every 20 to 25 hours of use time |
| Spark plug replacement | Once a season or every 25 hours of use time, whichever is first |
| Cleaning air fillers | At least every 10 uses, possibly more depending on your environment |
| Changing air fillers | Every month to every year, depending on your environment and usage |
| Lubricating the wheels | Once a month to twice every season, depending on usage |
Here are typical maintenance jobs for a battery lawn mower (once again, these may not apply to your machine; check your manual for specific instructions):
\n\n\n\n| Battery Lawn Mower Maintenance Job | Estimated Job Frequency (varies based on type) |
| Battery change | Between 3 and 5 years |
| Sharpen lawn mower blades and balance them | Every 20 to 25 hours of use time or twice per season, whichever is first |
| Cleaning the vents | As needed, depending on usage |
| Lubricating the wheels | Once a month to twice per season, depending on usage |
As you can see, there are a number of tasks you may need to do as part of your seasonal maintenance, and these are just for your lawn mower. On top of these, you also need to maintain your edger, your leaf blower, and your hedge trimmer, if you have them.
\n\n\n\nIt may make things easier to get a professional tune-up to make sure all your equipment is functioning properly.
\n\n\n\n![\"A](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Lawn-debris.jpg\")
During the winter, it’s likely that leaves, branches, and other debris have accumulated on your lawn. It’s important to clean up this debris before you mow your lawn so that you can cut it evenly and prevent damage to your mower. You can follow these steps to clean up your yard:
\n\n\n\nTip: You don’t have to discard picked-up debris, like leaves. Instead, you may be able to turn it into a nutrient-rich compost. Moreover, some of the twigs you’ve picked up could be used for DIY projects.
\n\n\n\n![\"Soil](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Soil-Testing.jpg\")
Photo Credit: CSIRO / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 3.0
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nWinter can take a toll on your soil, so when spring rolls around, your grass may need additional nutrients like phosphorus, lime, and magnesium. A test can help you find out if your soil is lacking in any essential nutrients.
\n\n\n\nAnother reason you should test your soil is to determine its pH level. Your soil’s pH level can tell you how well it can absorb nutrients. Each turf grass has different pH level needs, but most of them grow in soils with a pH between 5.0 and 7.0.
\n\n\n\nAccording to North Carolina State University, you should do a soil test every two to three years. You can test your soil by using a home testing kit or by sending a sample to a lab. If you choose the latter, North Carolina State University accepts samples between April 1 and early November each year. At other times of the year, you’ll need to submit your soil samples to Raleigh.
\n\n\n\nIt’s best to do a soil test before you fertilize your lawn so that you know which nutrients it lacks.
\n\n\n\n![\"A](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Brown_Patch-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Scot Nelson / Wikimedia Commons / CC0
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAs spring approaches, temperature and humidity increase. That’s great for your lawn’s growth, but it also creates the perfect environment for lawn diseases to thrive.
\n\n\n\nHere are just a few of the common North Carolina lawn diseases:
\n\n\n\nThe best way to deal with lawn diseases is to prevent them. You can avoid many lawn diseases by:
\n\n\n\nYour lawn will be more susceptible to diseases if you’re dealing with any of the following:
\n\n\n\nAlways look for signs of disease and treat them right away.
\n\n\n\n![\"Man](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Spraying-Lawn.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Praxis Eco Pest Control / Flickr / CC BY 2.0
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nWeeds can quickly take over a lawn and compete with grass for nutrients and water. A few common weeds include:
\n\n\n\nTo prevent weeds from sprouting, you can treat and prevent them with herbicides. There are different kinds of herbicides, so make sure you pick the right ones and apply them correctly.
\n\n\n\nPre-emergent herbicides are applied before weeds emerge, which should be around March 15. It puts a chemical barrier on the surface of the soil to stop weeds from growing. It’s normally in effect for three to five months.
\n\n\n\nPost-emergent herbicides are applied later in the spring, when the weeds have already emerged.
\n\n\n\nHerbicides are further categorized as either selective or non-selective. A selective herbicide targets specific weeds, whereas a non-selective herbicide is stronger and can kill any plant. Be careful if you use a non-selective herbicide because it may kill plants that you want to keep.
\n\n\n\nFurthermore, you should never use any herbicide on newly seeded areas. It should also be applied at least three or four days before mowing or at least two to three days after. After application, wait 24 hours before you irrigate.
\n\n\n\nIf you prefer the organic route, you can look into organic herbicides. Properly caring for your lawn by watering, mowing, fertilizing, aerating, and so forth can also make your lawn stronger and more weed-resistant.
\n\n\n\n![\"Lawn](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Lawn-Aeration-Tool.jpg\")
Photo Credit: allispossible.org.uk / Flickr / CC BY 2.0
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nYour soil may become compacted after a cold winter. To prevent your grass from suffering and even dying as a result, it’s important to aerate your lawn. This process involves creating small holes in the soil to allow air, water, and nutrients to penetrate deeply into the roots of your grass.
\n\n\n\nBefore you aerate, consider your grass type. If you have a warm-season grass type, aerate it in late spring so that it can grow. The best time to aerate a cool-season grass type is in the fall. Following aeration, fertilization and seeding should come next (you can do either of them first). You can buy tools to aerate your lawn or contact a Durham professional.
\n\n\n\n![\"Lawn](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Lawn-Fertilizer-Spreader.jpg\")
The right amount of fertilizer depends on the type of grass you have and the condition of your soil. As mentioned above, overfertilizing can make your lawn more susceptible to diseases. While this is especially the case for centipedegrass, it’s nevertheless important to follow the recommended guidelines for fertilizing and not exceed them.
\n\n\n\nAs mentioned above, your soil test will reveal what your soil is lacking.
\n\n\n\nFertilizers mainly consist of three nutrients: nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. These nutrients are abbreviated as N-P-K. If you buy a 24-6-6 fertilizer, it means that it’s made of 24% nitrogen, 6% phosphorus, and 6% potassium.
\n\n\n\nIdeal fertilization times depend on whether you have a warm-season or a cool-season grass type. You can learn about different Durham grass types to find out if you have a warm- or cool-season grass type. Either way, remember that you should fertilize your grass right after you aerate, if possible. You can overseed before or after you fertilize.
\n\n\n\nBut back to warm- and cool-season grasses’ fertilization needs. According to North Carolina State University, warm-season grasses don’t need fertilizer until about two weeks after they’ve started to green up. Cool-season grasses, on the other hand, should be fertilized in the fall. If you missed the recommended fertilization window, you should fertilize your cool-season grass early in the spring.
\n\n\n\nHere are the recommended fertilization times for typical Durham grass types:
\n\n\n\n| Grass Type | Recommended Fertilization |
| Bermudagrass | Early April to May |
| Centipedegrass | June |
| Kentucky bluegrass mix | Mid September to November |
| Tall fescue | Mid September to November |
| Zoysiagrass | June to August |
![\"Bare](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Lawn-Bare-Patch-Spot.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Wallpaperflare
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nIf your lawn has bare patches, you need to overseed them to promote healthy growth. Overseeding should follow core aeration and can be done before or after fertilization. Just like other maintenance practices, the best time to overseed depends on your grass type.
\n\n\n\nIf you have a warm-season grass type, it’s best if you overseed it in late spring to early summer. Warm-season grasses’ optimal planting temperatures vary based on the type of grass. But broadly speaking, they begin to grow at temperatures between 60 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit and do best at 90 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit.
\n\n\n\nIf you have a cool-season grass type, you should overseed it in late summer to early fall. Just like warm-season grasses, cool-season grasses’ optimal planting temperatures vary based on the type of grass. But generally, they begin to grow at temperatures between 40 and 45 degrees Fahrenheit and do best at 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit.
\n\n\n\nIf you leave overseeding too early or too late, you risk the new grass not establishing well. Check out the best grass types for Durham if you want to know more about warm-season and cool-season grasses.
\n\n\n\nOnce you plant your new seed, don’t forget to fertilize it if you haven’t already. Additionally, water your new grass seed regularly to ensure that it gets enough moisture for proper growth.
\n\n\n\n![\"Close-up](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Lawn-Mowing.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Wallpaperflare
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nA healthy, lush lawn requires proper mowing. Avoid mowing your grass too short, as it can damage it and affect its growth. Cut no more than one-third of the grass blade in one mow, and don’t mow wet grass. Also, don’t mow for 2 to 3 days before or 3 to 4 days after applying herbicide.
\n\n\n\nHowever, be sure not to let your grass grow too long because it can become susceptible to diseases and pests. How much you’ll need to do depends on your grass type.
\n\n\n\nHere are the recommended mowing heights for Durham grasses:
\n\n\n\n| Grass Type | Recommended Mowing Height |
| Bermudagrass | 1 to 2 inches (rotary mower) or 0.75 to 1 inch (reel mower) |
| Centipedegrass | 1.5 to 2 inches, depending on conditions |
| Kentucky bluegrass mix | Depends on the mix; anywhere from 1.5 to 3.5 inches |
| Tall fescue | 2 to 4 inches |
| Zoysiagrass | Typically 1.5 to 2.5 inches depending on cultivar and shade; heights below 1 inch need a reel mower (which is recommended anyway) |
Tip: Once you’ve mowed your grass, you can leave grass clippings behind as natural fertilizer. But make sure that the clippings are not too long or too thick, because this will create too much thatch.
\n\n\n\n![\"Fall](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Fall-Armyworm.jpg\")
Photo Credit: uacescomm / Flickr / CC0 1.0
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nLike weeds, insects can threaten the health and appearance of your lawn. Common Durham pests include:
\n\n\n\nTo prevent pests, make sure to keep your grass healthy by providing it with enough water and fertilizer. Moreover, mow, aerate, and dethatch as needed.
\n\n\n\nIf your lawn becomes infested with pests, use selective pesticides that kill only a certain kind of insect pests. Otherwise, you risk killing beneficial insects that prey on pests. You can also consider using natural pest control methods or seeking professional help if necessary.
\n\n\n\n![\"A](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/24445181093_9f2de37aff_c-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Aqua Mechanical / Flickr / CC BY 2.0
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nYour lawn needs sufficient watering, but overwatering can damage it and lead to diseases and pests.
\n\n\n\nThe amount of water your lawn needs depends on its type and weather conditions. Generally speaking, though, most grass types need around 1 to 1.5 inches of water per week. You should water your lawn to a depth of 6 to 8 inches.
\n\n\n\nHere are a few tips for watering your lawn:
\n\n\n\nPartly, the lawn care you have to do will depend on the type of grass you have in your lawn. For the best care throughout the year, it’s important to know what kind of grass you have and what it needs.
\n\n\n\nIf you want to add plants to your lawn, you can consider native plants. Natives need less care than non-natives and are beneficial to local ecosystems. Once again, make sure you choose plants that suit your specific needs and preferences.
\n\n\n\nSpring lawn care is just the beginning. If you’d rather enjoy the beauty of your lawn without the hassle of maintenance, you can also consider hiring a professional lawn care service to take care of it for you.
\n\n\n\nMain Photo Credit: Greystone Mansion / Warren LeMay / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0
\n","title":"11 Spring Lawn Care Tips for Durham Homeowners","featured_media":{"localFile":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"aspectRatio":1.3333333333333333,"src":"/static/5730b2bdad9ea07afaee142516e0bbbf/1789c/Greystone-Durham-NC.jpg","srcSet":"/static/5730b2bdad9ea07afaee142516e0bbbf/107df/Greystone-Durham-NC.jpg 320w,\n/static/5730b2bdad9ea07afaee142516e0bbbf/293e9/Greystone-Durham-NC.jpg 500w,\n/static/5730b2bdad9ea07afaee142516e0bbbf/f2cbb/Greystone-Durham-NC.jpg 800w,\n/static/5730b2bdad9ea07afaee142516e0bbbf/1789c/Greystone-Durham-NC.jpg 960w,\n/static/5730b2bdad9ea07afaee142516e0bbbf/c26c2/Greystone-Durham-NC.jpg 1200w","srcWebp":"/static/5730b2bdad9ea07afaee142516e0bbbf/1dd6e/Greystone-Durham-NC.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/5730b2bdad9ea07afaee142516e0bbbf/67b76/Greystone-Durham-NC.webp 320w,\n/static/5730b2bdad9ea07afaee142516e0bbbf/8df11/Greystone-Durham-NC.webp 500w,\n/static/5730b2bdad9ea07afaee142516e0bbbf/98a65/Greystone-Durham-NC.webp 800w,\n/static/5730b2bdad9ea07afaee142516e0bbbf/1dd6e/Greystone-Durham-NC.webp 960w,\n/static/5730b2bdad9ea07afaee142516e0bbbf/3cc96/Greystone-Durham-NC.webp 1200w","sizes":"(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px"}}}},"yoast_meta":{"yoast_wpseo_title":"11 Spring Lawn Care Tips for Durham Homeowners","yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"If you want a great lawn this year, it pays to get a good jump on it in the spring. Here’s what you should do."}}},{"node":{"id":"5908cf98-cb78-53df-98af-d3a6440e5ca6","slug":"best-grass-types-peoria","path":"/lawn-care/il/peoria/best-grass-types-peoria/","status":"publish","template":"","format":"standard","author":{"description":"Most comfortable with soil under her fingernails, Amanda has an enthusiasm for gardening, agriculture, and all things plant-related. With a master's degree in agriculture and more than a decade of experience gardening and tending to her lawn, she combines her plant knowledge and knack for writing to share what she knows and loves.","name":"Amanda Shiffler","id":"458fa7a4-b709-56ae-8d79-9dc400e34ff1","path":"/author/amanda-shiffler/","avatar_urls":{"wordpress_96":"https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/0048ef20c97263b5f26951aa210d62c8?s=96&d=mm&r=g"}},"categories":[{"id":"51e1f258-c2e9-5d28-83c3-bb7bc475352c","name":"Illinois","count":4,"path":"/category/lawn-care/il/"},{"id":"205f24d4-c1e5-5728-bb28-8ba70eecbc7a","name":"Lawn Care","count":432,"path":"/category/lawn-care/"},{"id":"7424e8c1-74fb-5607-a946-d87b0be13097","name":"Peoria","count":2,"path":"/category/lawn-care/il/peoria/"}],"date":"April 6th, 2023","excerpt":"Nestled on the Illinois river, Peoria is located about two hours outside Chicago, in the central part of the state. Even though both cities are located in the same state and sit on the water, Peoria has marked differences from the Windy City. We get it, though. You’re looking for lawn care information geared towards […]
\n","content":"\nNestled on the Illinois river, Peoria is located about two hours outside Chicago, in the central part of the state. Even though both cities are located in the same state and sit on the water, Peoria has marked differences from the Windy City.
\n\n\n\nWe get it, though. You’re looking for lawn care information geared towards your specific area instead of reading up on Chicago-based recommendations. Especially when it comes to important decisions such as reseeding bare spots in their lawn or landscaping new construction.
\n\n\n\nWith that in mind, we’ve put together this guide on the best turfgrass for Peoria.
\n\n\n\nIn this article:
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Kentucky-Bluegrass.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Ethan2039 / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0
\n\n\n\nOne of the most popular turfgrasses for Central Illinois – and much of the Midwest – is Kentucky bluegrass (KBG). This thick, dense grass is the most winter-hardy cool-season grass and is the first choice of many commercial sod growers.
\n\n\n\nKentucky bluegrass thrives in full sun but will tolerate partial shade. It spreads by underground stems known as rhizomes that help it recover from foot traffic well but lead to a shorter root system, making KBG only moderately drought tolerant.
\n\n\n\nThe rhizomes also allow the grass to fill in damaged or bare spots quickly without needing to be overseeded. This is beneficial as Ketucky bluegrass seed is slower than other cool-season grasses to germinate and establish.
\n\n\n\nHowever, keeping your lawn a beautiful shade of deep, dark green requires more maintenance and patience than other cool-season grasses. You can’t forget to fertilize, water, and mow it!
\n\n\n\nNote: For more information on Kentucky bluegrass, check out LawnLove’s guide.
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Tall-Fescue.jpg\")
Tall Fescue
Photo Credit: Matt Lavin / Flickr / CC BY-SA 2.0
Tall fescue stands out from other cool-season grasses because of its growth habit. It is known as a bunchgrass, growing upright in clumps that spread primarily through vertical shoots known as tillers that branch off from the base of the plant. The grass blades are wide, coarse, and medium to dark green.
\n\n\n\nIt is an ideal low-maintenance grass for Peoria, suited for non-irrigated lawns in full sun or partial shade. Tall fescue grass seed germinates more quickly than Kentucky bluegrass, and with roots growing 2-3’ deep in the soil, it has superior heat and drought tolerance. This tough turf is mostly disease-resistant and is great for high-traffic play areas.
\n\n\n\nSince it does spread by tillers, it may require reseeding when bare spots develop.
\n\n\n\nNote: For more information on tall fescue, check out LawnLove’s guide.
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Fine-leaf-Fescue.jpg\")
Fine-leaf Fescue
Photo Credit: Forest and Kim Starr / Flickr / CC BY 2.0
Another choice for Peoria is fine fescue, a group of five turf grasses with similar looking narrow leaves: chewings fescue, hard fescue, sheep fescue, slender creeping red fescue, and strong creeping red fescue. Homeowners love their soft fine texture, shade tolerance, ability to withstand moderate foot traffic, and low maintenance requirements.
\n\n\n\nThese grasses tolerate low soil fertility; even on poor soils, they don’t need much fertilizer. You may see a decline if you apply fertilizer too often. They do, however, prefer well-drained soil.
\n\n\n\nStrong creeping red, hard, and chewings fescues are popular across Illinois. Creeping red is the only type that spreads by rhizomes; the others are bunchgrasses. Because of this, the bunch types will need reseeding when bare spots arise.
\n\n\n\nFine fescues do well when mixed with Kentucky bluegrass or perennial ryegrass, especially in yards with partial shade. It can stand alone in partial shade areas, but a cool-season grass blend is more popular for the entire lawn.
\n\n\n\nNote: For more information on fine fescue, check out LawnLove’s guide.
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Perennial-Ryegrass.jpg\")
Perennial Ryegrass
Photo Credit: Dr Mary Gillham Archive Project / Flickr / CC BY 2.0
No one wants to wait for their grass seed to establish, which is why perennial ryegrass is so popular for temporary and permanent lawns. Seeds germinate in less than a week, providing a beautiful, medium to dark green lawn.
\n\n\n\nPerennial ryegrass has excellent wear tolerance, making it great for homes with children and pets even though, as a bunchgrass, it can’t self-repair. It prefers full sun but will tolerate areas of partial shade. A waxy coating on the blades makes lawn stripes stand out sharply.
\n\n\n\nWhile perennial ryegrass can be grown as a monostand, many people mix it with other grass species, such as Kentucky bluegrass (for improved cold tolerance) and fine fescue (for improved shade tolerance). It is the least cold-tolerant of all the cool-season grasses and may thin over time with prolonged exposure to temperatures below 30°F.
\n\n\n\nOne drawback of perennial ryegrass is that it requires a good bit of maintenance. If you dislike mowing or watering your lawn, perennial ryegrass may not be a good choice. On a positive note, this grass tolerates foot traffic well.
\n\n\n\nNote: For more information on perennial ryegrass, check out LawnLove’s guide.
\n\n\n\nTurfgrasses are classified as either cool-season or warm-season grasses, and it’s essential to understand the difference between them and ensure you’re planting the right type for your climate.
\n\n\n\nIn the Northern United States, most lawns are cool-season grasses. These grass types have adapted to colder temperatures. They start growing when temperatures are just above freezing (40 to 42°F) in early to mid-spring and stay green well into October or November, when they go dormant to survive being buried under snow.
\n\n\n\nCool-season grasses grow the most, producing the most biomass in the spring and late fall when soil and air temperatures are 65 to 75°F. Since they have adapted to survive below-zero climates, they aren’t as keen about hot summers. They do well when temperatures are milder but need more water when it’s hot to stay green.
\n\n\n\nConversely, warm-season grasses are better adapted to Southern climates and the summer heat. They are more drought-tolerant and grow best when temperatures soar but don’t grow as well in cooler conditions. Because of this, they have a shorter period when they are actively growing and don’t stay green as long.
\n\n\n\nWhen it comes to deciding between the different types, you have to consider factors that are specific to your yard.
\n\n\n\nWhen choosing a grass type for your Peoria yard, picking one that thrives in the space is essential.
\n\n\n\nIs your yard free of big trees and isn’t shaded by neighboring buildings, so it gets more than 6-8 hours of sun daily? If so, you need grass that grows in full sun.
\n\n\n\nIs your yard shaded by houses, fences, or large, mature trees? Does it get less than four hours of sun each day? If you’ve answered yes to these questions, you need grass that grows in full shade.
\n\n\n\nOr maybe your yard is a mix of both, and you need grass that thrives in all conditions.
\n\n\n\nGrass types for full sun:
\n\n\n\nGrass types for a combination of both sun and shade:
\n\n\n\nGrass types for shade:
\n\n\n\nDo children or pets play in the yard often? Do you love to throw backyard barbecues with friends and family? Then you’d be better off choosing a turf that tolerates high foot traffic.
\n\n\n\nIf your yard doesn’t see much traffic, you can choose grass with lower tolerance.
\n\n\n\nBest grass types for high-traffic areas:
\n\n\n\nBest grasses for low to moderate traffic:
\n\n\n\nYou also need to consider grass maintenance needs when choosing turf for your Peoria lawn. High-maintenance species are great if you like to putter in your yard and enjoy the work. But if you don’t like mowing, watering, and regularly fertilizing your grass, look for a low-maintenance type instead.
\n\n\n\nHigh-maintenance grass:
\n\n\n\nGrasses with a low or moderate maintenance level:
\n\n\n\nAcross much of Illinois, and the midwest in general, many homeowners prefer to grow a mixed lawn with two or more species planted together. This genetic diversity provides greater disease resistance, and turf is more adapted to growing in varied conditions such as part-sun or part-shade.
\n\n\n\nRegardless of the mixture you choose, having the dominant species fit your conditions is best.
\n\n\n\nThe goal with seeding—whether overseeding an existing lawn or starting one from scratch—is to get seed down just before your grass type goes into its active growth period. As mentioned, cool-season grasses grow the most in spring and late fall. So it’s best to plant grass seed between August 15 and October 1, giving your grass about six weeks to grow before the first fall frost.
\n\n\n\nThis timing ensures the conditions are suitable for germination: cool temperatures, warm soils, and frequent rainfall. Your new grass will sprout quickly and proliferate, giving the lawn a great start before temperatures drop. The more robust your grass is going into winter dormancy, the better it will fare.
\n\n\n\nYou may be scratching your head because you thought grass was best planted in spring. To help explain further, it is okay to plant cool-season grass in the spring just as your lawn goes into its spring growth flurry. But it isn’t the best time.
\n\n\n\nCool-season grasses are better adapted to handle colder temperatures versus the heat. Therefore, it’s better to plant in the fall as the grass is going dormant for the winter versus in the spring with the stress of summer heat bearing down.
\n\n\n\nWhen you plant grass seed depends on your climate and the grass you’re growing. In northern regions, it’s best to plant cool-season grasses in the fall once hot summer temperatures have subsided. In the south, the optimal time to plant warm-season grasses is in the late spring as it is warming up.
The big difference between the two grass types is the climate they are best suited for. Warm-season grasses like hot summer temperatures and mild winters without snow; they grow mainly in the southern United States. Cool-season grasses like more temperate summers and can survive harsh winters; they grow primarily in the northern United States.
Fall seeding aims to get the grass seed down at least six weeks before your first fall hard freeze. This gives your grass time to establish before going dormant for the winter. You can plant later, but keep in mind you won’t see any growth when temperatures drop below 40 or 42°F. If you sow after this six-week window, you will still see germination, but the results may be lackluster.
Bermudagrass is a warm-season grass type grown mainly in the southern United States. It prefers hot summers and mild winters, which doesn’t match Illinois’ climate except in some of the southernmost counties of the state that are considered the transition zone. It’s also recommended to avoid growing it because it tends to invade row crops.
Even when you have a lot of information, choosing the right grass for your lawn can still be a big challenge. That’s where WikiLawn comes in to help! We want you to have the best, most beautiful lawn possible and provide assistance to help that happen.
If you need more support, contact our experts.
Main Image Credit: Pixabay
\n","title":"Best Grass Types for Peoria, Illinois","featured_media":{"localFile":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"aspectRatio":1.5,"src":"/static/54af3f243913d1db65cddacd0c54dbd1/1789c/Meadow-grass-1.jpg","srcSet":"/static/54af3f243913d1db65cddacd0c54dbd1/107df/Meadow-grass-1.jpg 320w,\n/static/54af3f243913d1db65cddacd0c54dbd1/293e9/Meadow-grass-1.jpg 500w,\n/static/54af3f243913d1db65cddacd0c54dbd1/f2cbb/Meadow-grass-1.jpg 800w,\n/static/54af3f243913d1db65cddacd0c54dbd1/1789c/Meadow-grass-1.jpg 960w,\n/static/54af3f243913d1db65cddacd0c54dbd1/c26c2/Meadow-grass-1.jpg 1200w","srcWebp":"/static/54af3f243913d1db65cddacd0c54dbd1/1dd6e/Meadow-grass-1.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/54af3f243913d1db65cddacd0c54dbd1/67b76/Meadow-grass-1.webp 320w,\n/static/54af3f243913d1db65cddacd0c54dbd1/8df11/Meadow-grass-1.webp 500w,\n/static/54af3f243913d1db65cddacd0c54dbd1/98a65/Meadow-grass-1.webp 800w,\n/static/54af3f243913d1db65cddacd0c54dbd1/1dd6e/Meadow-grass-1.webp 960w,\n/static/54af3f243913d1db65cddacd0c54dbd1/3cc96/Meadow-grass-1.webp 1200w","sizes":"(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px"}}}},"yoast_meta":{"yoast_wpseo_title":"Best Grass Types for Peoria, Illinois | Wikilawn","yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"Reseeding some bare patches in your grass or putting in a new lawn? Consider using these grass types, which are well adapted for the Peoria climate and soil"}}},{"node":{"id":"367475e8-37e1-57ee-b643-d3aca209d1ce","slug":"best-native-plants-tulsa","path":"/lawn-care/ok/tulsa/best-native-plants-tulsa/","status":"publish","template":"","format":"standard","author":{"description":"Caleb Leonard is a freelance writer and marketing professional. A graduate of the University of North Texas, his interests include gardening, podcasts, and studying Spanish.","name":"Caleb Leonard","id":"1c332919-8490-5383-95ec-6ae90855221c","path":"/author/caleb-leonard/","avatar_urls":{"wordpress_96":"https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/4ac26f4a5bb894df76f4af23dd100da4?s=96&d=mm&r=g"}},"categories":[{"id":"5bb57152-2e9b-5822-a133-bc84c122adab","name":"Landscaping","count":42,"path":"/category/blog/landscaping/"},{"id":"d2d6ff96-cc14-5d0f-bbfe-f7eac3bba6d9","name":"Oklahoma","count":7,"path":"/category/lawn-care/ok/"},{"id":"105f656f-2e37-56d3-ad23-147a8a48d26a","name":"Tulsa","count":2,"path":"/category/lawn-care/ok/tulsa/"}],"date":"April 6th, 2023","excerpt":"Nestled between the Ozarks and the Great Plains, Tulsa has a lush, hilly landscape that produces beautiful native flora. This article highlights the best native plants for Tulsa, OK. Here we will discuss the benefits of integrating native plants into your landscape, highlight a few native species, and answer some frequently asked questions about native […]
\n","content":"\nNestled between the Ozarks and the Great Plains, Tulsa has a lush, hilly landscape that produces beautiful native flora. This article highlights the best native plants for Tulsa, OK. Here we will discuss the benefits of integrating native plants into your landscape, highlight a few native species, and answer some frequently asked questions about native planting.
\n\n\n\nNative plants have had thousands of years to develop in a particular ecosystem. With that much local experience, the native plants covered in this article need virtually no assistance to thrive in Tulsa’s temperate climate.
\n\n\n\nOther perks of growing native plants include:
\n\n\n\nIn this article, we’ll cover the following:
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n![\"White](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Bluestar-Amsonia-tabernaemontana.jpg\")
Photo Credit: David J. Stang / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0
\n\n\n\nBluestar is a medium-sized shrub that compliments the landscape of Oklahoma with its four-season interest. This shrub produces clusters of small powder-blue flowers from March until May. The star-shaped blooms attract pollinators like hummingbirds, butterflies, and carpenter bees. This herbaceous perennial has soft green stems and leaves that turn a buttery yellow in the fall.
\n\n\n\nBluestar prefers full sun but tolerates partial shade. It has a vase-shaped growth pattern, with wax stems that are toxic to ingest, so any whitetail deer that pop in won’t hang around. This shrub is not prone to disease and is available in dwarf varieties, such as ‘Blue ice,’ if you need to landscape a small space.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Perennial shrub
\n\n\n\nUSDA Hardiness Zone: 3 to 9
\n\n\n\nSun: Full sun/partial shade
\n\n\n\nSoil: Loamy, moist soil
\n\n\n\nBloom time: March-May
\n\n\n\nFragrance: Sweet, delicate scent
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Needs frequent watering (should never dry out)
\n\n\n\nMature height: 24 to 36 inches
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: Toxic (dogs, cats, humans)
\n\n\n\nMaintenance: Low. Cut one-third of the plant back each spring.
\n\n\n\n![\"Bee](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Coneflower-Echinacea.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Wallpaper Flare
\n\n\n\nEchinacea has been used for medicinal purposes for centuries, but Tulsa residents probably recognize this distinct perennial as a local wildflower. Named after the Greek word ‘echinus,’ which means hedgehog, this flower has a spikey, cone-shaped center that attracts bees, butterflies, and other pollinators.
\n\n\n\nThese native flowers grow 2 to 4 feet tall and produce blooms from July through September. As the plant matures, its petals droop, highlighting the coneflower’s signature cone shape. A sun-loving flower, this plant is accustomed to the fertile loam of the prairies; however, it will tolerate dryer, sandy soils.
\n\n\n\nThe coneflower is available in yellow, red, orange, purple, and white, with purple being the most common. Plant a variety of colors for a cheerful springtime look, and be sure they get plenty of sunlight.
\n\n\n\nSome coneflower varieties worth exploring:
\n\n\n\nMost coneflowers rebloom without deadheading, which adds to their low-maintenance appeal.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Flowering perennial
\n\n\n\nUSDA Hardiness Zone: 4 to 9
\n\n\n\nSun: Full sun
\n\n\n\nSoil: Prefers fertile loam, tolerates clay
\n\n\n\nBloom time: June to August
\n\n\n\nFragrance: Light and sweet
\n\n\n\nWater needs: 1 inch of water weekly.
\n\n\n\nMature height: 2 to 4 feet
\n\n\n\nMaintenance: Low. Water weekly, add a layer of compost in the spring. Cut back in the fall.
\n\n\n\n![\"Red](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Indian-Blanket-Gaillardia-pulchella.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Jim Evans / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0
\n\n\n\nIndian blanket is Oklahoma’s state wildflower. This colorful flower gets its name from how its blooms blanket the ground with vibrant color patterns often found in Native American weaving baskets. A member of the daisy family, this multi-tonal flowering plant has a reddish-pink center that bleeds to yellow towards the tips of the petals.
\n\n\n\nEasy to care for and drought-tolerant, Indian blanket blooms from May through July, and occasionally the colorful blooms continue into the fall. Pollinators are drawn to these flowers’ colors and sweet fragrances, making them an excellent addition to butterfly gardens.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Flowering annual
\n\n\n\nUSDA Hardiness Zone: 3 to 9
\n\n\n\nSun: Full sun
\n\n\n\nSoil: Poor soils, slightly acidic, well-drained soil.
\n\n\n\nFragrance: Depending on the habitat, the scents range from licorice to bubblegum.
\n\n\n\nBloom time: May to August
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Water daily during germination. Then after blooms appear, you may water once or twice a week when the ground dries out.
\n\n\n\nMature height: 1.5 to 2 feet
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: aphids and thrips, Aster yellow
\n\n\n\nMaintenance: No maintenance is required.
\n\n\n\nThis list of native plants would be incomplete without mentioning Oklahoma’s state tree, the eastern redbud. Favored for its stout stature and brilliant violet blooms in spring, the Oklahoma redbud has heart-shaped leaves that turn golden yellow in the fall. This tree adds four-season interest to Tulsa’s hilly forests. This redbud is also remarkably drought-tolerant.
\n\n\n\nThis deer-resistant tree is excellent for smaller yards in need of visual interest. As one of the first trees to bloom each year, the redbud’s bloom proclaims spring’s arrival. Due to its deep root systems, the eastern redbud can withstand Tulsa’s harsh winters.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Flowering deciduous tree
\n\n\n\nUSDA Hardiness Zone: 6 to 9
\n\n\n\nSun: Full sun, part shade
\n\n\n\nSoil: Clay, loam, sand
\n\n\n\nFragrance: Sweet pea
\n\n\n\nSeasons of interest: Purple blooms in spring, and leaves turn yellow in the fall.
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Minimal.
\n\n\n\nMature height: 20 to 25 feet
\n\n\n\nMaintenance: Fertilize annually and add mulch. Prune after blooming as needed.
\n\n\n\n![\"Purple](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Purple-Passion-Vine-Passiflora-incarnata.jpg\")
Photo Credit: PxHere
\n\n\n\nPassion flowers may be synonymous with the tropics, but the purple passion vine stems from Texas and Oklahoma. This tenacious vine can grow up to 25 feet long and produces unique purple flowers that add a regal touch to arches and trellises. In addition to producing flowers, this vine produces edible fruit, which is used to relieve anxiety and sleep problems.
\n\n\n\nThis low-maintenance vine is considered drought-tolerant; however, it needs regular moisture to produce flowers and fruit from mid-summer through fall. The uniquely shaped flowers have spaced-out petals surrounded by a dazzling array of thin, crimped, hair-like segments that lend an exotic feel to any Oklahoma garden. The vine blooms spring through the fall, though most blooms last only 24 hours.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Herbaceous flowering vine
\n\n\n\nUSDA Hardiness Zone: 7 to 11
\n\n\n\nSun: Full sun/ partial shade
\n\n\n\nSoil: Rich, non-saline clays, loams, and san
\n\n\n\nFragrance: Sweet, tropical. Reminiscent of grapes.
\n\n\n\nBloom time: May to August
\n\n\n\nWater needs: 1 inch to 1.5 inches of water every week.
\n\n\n\nMature height: 8 feet tall, 25 feet long
\n\n\n\nMaintenance: Fertilize in spring, prune in early spring.
\n\n\n\n![\"Orange](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Butterfly-Milkweed-Asclepias-tuberosa.jpg\")
Photo Credit: PxFuel
\n\n\n\nIf you want to lure butterflies to your garden, try planting butterfly milkweed. Monarch butterflies only lay their eggs on this wildflower, which the caterpillars use as a food source while growing. Twenty-five milkweed cultivars are native to Oklahoma, so gardeners should have no problem selecting the perfect native specimen for their lawns.
\n\n\n\nDon’t be deterred by the term “weed’–– this plant produces clusters of small, orange, star-shaped flowers that bring a burst of unexpected color to any landscape. This herbaceous perennial loves sunlight and is drought-tolerant. Thanks to its long tap root, this plant only needs an inch of water a week.
\n\n\n\nThis plant releases seed pods in the fall and can become invasive. To stop the unwanted spread around your home garden, you’ll need to cut off the seed pods in late summer.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Herbaceous perennial
\n\n\n\nUSDA Hardiness Zone: 3 to 9
\n\n\n\nSun: Full sun
\n\n\n\nSoil: Dry soil, well-drained
\n\n\n\nFragrance: Sweet vanilla
\n\n\n\nBloom time: June to August
\n\n\n\nWater needs: 1 inch per week
\n\n\n\nMature height: 2 feet
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: Toxic if ingested by people, pets, and livestock.
\n\n\n\nMaintenance: Avoid overwatering established plants. Do not fertilize.
\n\n\n\n![\"Green](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Bitternut-Hickory-Carya-cordiformis-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Plant Image Library / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 2.0
\n\n\n\nA deciduous tree that bridges the divide between the hilly forests and prairie land around Tulsa, the bitternut hickory is among the tallest trees in the hickory family. This tree reaches heights of 60 to 80 feet and provides excellent shade. Its long, narrow leaves with serrated edges fade from green to bright yellow each fall. This hickory holds its spectacular foliage longer than most trees.
\n\n\n\nThe bitternut tree is named after the bitter-tasting nuts it produces when it blooms each April. Male flower clusters bond together to make green, rope-like tendrils called catkins, while female flowers produce the bitter fruit after which the tree is named.
\n\n\n\nThe nuts of the bitternut hickory might be too bitter for the human palate, but they are a favorite among squirrels, raccoons, foxes, chipmunks, and rabbits.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Deciduous perennial tree
\n\n\n\nUSDA Hardiness Zone: 4 to 9
\n\n\n\nSun: Full sun/ partial shade
\n\n\n\nSoil: Loam and well-drained quartz sands
\n\n\n\nBloom time: April
\n\n\n\nWater needs: an inch per week
\n\n\n\nMature height: 60 to 80 feet
\n\n\n\nMaintenance: Avoid overwatering established plants.
\n\n\n\n![\"White](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Wild-Hyacinth-Camassia-scilloides.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Jay Sturner / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 2.0
\n\n\n\nA clump-forming bulbous perennial, the wild hyacinth produces upright clusters of small flowers called racemes. These star-shaped flowers are mostly white but can also be found in lavender, pink, and blue.
\n\n\n\nThey reseed themselves; however, they are easier to grow from bulbs. Plant the bulbs 4 to 6 inches apart for best results. Like lilies, irises, and other blossoming springtime bulbs, the wild hyacinth has a relatively short bloom time.
\n\n\n\nAfter your hyacinths have finished flowering, remove their blooms, but do not remove their foliage. In order to produce next year’s blooms, bulbs need their leaves to gather energy. Foliage will naturally die back at the end of spring. To prevent fungal diseases, remove the leaves once they have turned brown.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Perennial wildflower
\n\n\n\nUSDA Hardiness Zone: 4 to 8
\n\n\n\nSun: Full sun/ partial shade
\n\n\n\nSoil: Rich, acidic soils, chalk, loam, sandy soil.
\n\n\n\nBloom time: May to June
\n\n\n\nScent: Heavy, earthy, and sweet.
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Regular moisture during the growing season. Water when the soil is dry at a depth of 3 inches.
\n\n\n\nMature height: 2 feet
\n\n\n\nMaintenance: Avoid overwatering established plants.
\n\n\n\nTulsa, Oklahoma, sits within zone 7 on the USDA hardiness zone map, meaning wintertime temps can drop to negative 18 degrees Fahrenheit. Native plants are accustomed to eastern Oklahoma’s winters and will return to life each spring.
\n\n\n\nAll plants have unique sun, soil, and water requirements, so consider these needs when planting. Also, consider your plant’s mature size when spacing your specimens to avoid overcrowding.
\n\n\n\nAsk your local plant nursery about resources for native seeds and plants. You can even find landscapers who specialize in native plant gardening if you want a professional to set up your eco-friendly yard.
\n\n\n\n While digging up a plant from a nearby meadow or prairie may be tempting, transplanting a wild specimen is not a good idea. Digging up native plants disrupts local ecosystems. Plus, some native species are endangered, and transplanting them risks killing them.
Autumn and early spring are the best times to plant native plants because the cooler temperatures and increased precipitation make for a gentler introduction to the new environment.
The beauty of native plants is their low-maintenance needs. Even before planting, most native species need no special treatment. You may aerate the soil and add 0.5 to 1 inch of compost to the soil, but no preparation is necessary.
It can be difficult to find native plants at national garden warehouse retailers. Check out these local nurseries for native Tulsa species.
\n\n\n\nEven though Oklahoma’s native plants don’t need much attention, your landscape may begin to look a little too wild without partial interference. Thankfully, a local lawn care pro can tame your yard’s turf, hedges, and edging to achieve the manicured look.
\n\n\n\nMain Photo by: Andrew C / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 2.0
\n","title":"8 Best Native Plants for Tulsa, OK","featured_media":{"localFile":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"aspectRatio":1.5,"src":"/static/8f7895bd1ac187d453245a7aa74a369b/1789c/Native-Plants-Tulsa-1.jpg","srcSet":"/static/8f7895bd1ac187d453245a7aa74a369b/107df/Native-Plants-Tulsa-1.jpg 320w,\n/static/8f7895bd1ac187d453245a7aa74a369b/293e9/Native-Plants-Tulsa-1.jpg 500w,\n/static/8f7895bd1ac187d453245a7aa74a369b/f2cbb/Native-Plants-Tulsa-1.jpg 800w,\n/static/8f7895bd1ac187d453245a7aa74a369b/1789c/Native-Plants-Tulsa-1.jpg 960w,\n/static/8f7895bd1ac187d453245a7aa74a369b/c26c2/Native-Plants-Tulsa-1.jpg 1200w","srcWebp":"/static/8f7895bd1ac187d453245a7aa74a369b/1dd6e/Native-Plants-Tulsa-1.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/8f7895bd1ac187d453245a7aa74a369b/67b76/Native-Plants-Tulsa-1.webp 320w,\n/static/8f7895bd1ac187d453245a7aa74a369b/8df11/Native-Plants-Tulsa-1.webp 500w,\n/static/8f7895bd1ac187d453245a7aa74a369b/98a65/Native-Plants-Tulsa-1.webp 800w,\n/static/8f7895bd1ac187d453245a7aa74a369b/1dd6e/Native-Plants-Tulsa-1.webp 960w,\n/static/8f7895bd1ac187d453245a7aa74a369b/3cc96/Native-Plants-Tulsa-1.webp 1200w","sizes":"(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px"}}}},"yoast_meta":{"yoast_wpseo_title":"8 Best Native Plants for Tulsa, OK | Wikilawn","yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"Learn about the best native plants for Tulsa, Oklahoma, and enjoy a low-maintenance, eco-friendly landscape that’s easy on the eyes and wallet."}}},{"node":{"id":"b93112dc-713d-5e19-b7b4-68861a0188ce","slug":"best-grass-types-new-orleans","path":"/lawn-care/la/new-orleans/best-grass-types-new-orleans/","status":"publish","template":"","format":"standard","author":{"description":"Cecilia Acevedo is a professional writer, translator, and mom who loves God, reading, and a good rainy nap. She combines her passion for writing with her love for the colorful world painted by her children.","name":"Cecilia Acevedo","id":"0fc0b86b-7672-540a-a0af-58a8d66c6781","path":"/author/cecilia-acevedo/","avatar_urls":{"wordpress_96":"https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/75c4cb2a06e5f57c7018b7cb365dd82d?s=96&d=mm&r=g"}},"categories":[{"id":"205f24d4-c1e5-5728-bb28-8ba70eecbc7a","name":"Lawn Care","count":432,"path":"/category/lawn-care/"},{"id":"8e5263e2-95b5-572d-8061-a1a1afa1a8c2","name":"Louisiana","count":8,"path":"/category/lawn-care/la/"},{"id":"ead65a59-ae54-536e-a7e9-908c849a1fc5","name":"New Orleans","count":3,"path":"/category/lawn-care/la/new-orleans/"}],"date":"April 6th, 2023","excerpt":"To achieve a lush green lawn in New Orleans, it is crucial to select the best grass type that can effectively withstand high levels of heat and humidity. The city, famous for jazz music and gumbo, is also notorious for its unpredictable weather patterns. The summers are hot and humid, while fall can be variable, […]
\n","content":"\nTo achieve a lush green lawn in New Orleans, it is crucial to select the best grass type that can effectively withstand high levels of heat and humidity. The city, famous for jazz music and gumbo, is also notorious for its unpredictable weather patterns.
\n\n\n\nThe summers are hot and humid, while fall can be variable, with some days feeling like summer and others like winter. The winters, on the other hand, are brief and cool. Hence, to maintain a beautiful lawn in this region, you need to carefully consider the best grass types that are suitable for New Orleans’ climate.
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nIf you’re planning on growing a lawn, you’ll need to choose between warm-season and cool-season grasses. Here’s a hint: You’ll likely want to choose warm-season grass for your New Orleans lawn.
\n\n\n\nWarm-season grasses thrive in warm conditions and prefer long summers and mild temperatures during winter. Warm-season grasses are green when temperatures warm up in spring and enter dormancy when temperatures drop in autumn and winter.
\n\n\n\nCool-season grasses, on the other hand, prefer milder temperatures and perform better in cooler climates. These grasses are like the cozy sweaters you wear in the fall, providing warmth and comfort during the cooler months.
\n\n\n\nSo, when it comes to choosing between warm-season and cool-season grasses, it all depends on where you live and what kind of weather you’re dealing with.
\n\n\n\nWarm-season grasses thrive in warm conditions and prefer long summers and mild winters. These grasses are characterized by their ability to grow quickly and tolerate hot temperatures, making them the perfect choice for New Orleans’ hot and humid climate.
\n\n\n\nSo, if you want a lawn that can handle the New Orleans heat and still look fabulous, here’s more information about 5 warm-season grass types for The Big Easy:
\n\n\n\n![\"lush](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/bermudagrass-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Pexels
\n\n\n\nBermudagrass is a fine-textured turfgrass that spreads laterally by rhizomes and stolons. It boasts an impressive drought tolerance, making it an excellent choice for those hot summers that never end. And don’t worry about all those backyard barbecues and kids playing rough in the backyard; bermudagrass has a high-traffic tolerance that can handle all the wear your family and friends can dish out.
\n\n\n\nBut be warned, bermudagrass has poor shade tolerance, so make sure your lawn gets plenty of sunlight. Bermudagrass also needs frequent mowing to keep its best look. Watch out for those pesky flower beds because bermudagrass has invasive qualities that can take over if you’re not careful.
\n\n\n\nClassification: Warm-season grass
\n\n\n\nSpreads by: Stolons and rhizomes
\n\n\n\nShade tolerance: Low; thrives in full sun
\n\n\n\nDrought tolerance: High
\n\n\n\nFoot traffic tolerance: High
\n\n\n\nMaintenance needs: Needs frequent mowing due to fast growth rate; develops thatch easily; needs regular fertilization.
\n\n\n\nMowing height: Set the mowing height between 0.5 and 1.5 inches for hybrid Bermudagrass cultivars. Mow common Bermudagrass down to 1.5 to 2.5 inches.
\n\n\n\nPotential for disease: Good disease resistance, although diseases are common; low resistance to insects.
\n\n\n\nSoil pH: 6-6.5
\n\n\n\nSoil type: Tolerates most soil types.
\n\n\n\nOther notes: The extensive root system of bermudagrass provides more resilience against environmental stresses than other warm-season grasses.
\n\n\n\nSt. Augustinegrass is known for its attractive blue-green appearance. Still, it’s also one of the most shade-tolerant grasses. So, if your yard is surrounded by trees or buildings, St. Augustinegrass is a great option to keep your lawn looking lush and healthy. However, it’s worth noting that St. Augustinegrass has lower traffic tolerance. Consider other options if you have kids or pets who love to run around and play outside.
\n\n\n\nSt. Augustinegrass is highly sensitive to the chinch bug, a pesky insect that can wreak havoc on your lawn. But with proper care and maintenance, you can keep them at bay and enjoy a healthy, vibrant lawn.
\n\n\n\nRegarding water, St. Augustinegrass has a moderate to high drought tolerance. That means it can handle some dryness, but it still needs to be watered regularly during the hot months.
\n\n\n\nClassification: Warm-season grass
\n\n\n\nSpreads by: Stolons
\n\n\n\nShade tolerance: Moderate. It is the most shade-tolerant warm-season grass.
\n\n\n\nDrought tolerance: Moderate to High
\n\n\n\nFoot traffic tolerance: Low
\n\n\n\nMaintenance needs: Needs frequent mowing due to fast growth rate; develops thatch easily; needs regular fertilization.
\n\n\n\nMowing height: Set the mowing height between 3.5 and 4 inches.
\n\n\n\nPotential for disease: Moderate to high
\n\n\n\nSoil pH: 6-7.5
\n\n\n\nSoil type: Tolerates many soil types; prefers moderately fertile and moist (not waterlogged) soils; doesn’t tolerate soil compaction.
\n\n\n\nOther notes: St. Augustinegrass is not available in seed form commercially. That means it needs to be established via sod, plugs, or sprigs. While this can be a bit more expensive than seeding, it also means that you’ll have a lawn that’s more consistent in terms of color and texture.
\n\n\n\n![\"Beautiful](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/rsz_starr_070906-8518_zoysia_sp.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Forest & Kim Starr / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 3.0
\n\n\n\nIf you’re looking for grass that’s dense, lush, and great to walk on barefoot, then Zoysiagrass might just be the perfect fit for your New Orleans lawn. This warm-season grass is known for its carpeted growth, which competes well against weeds and creates a thick, green lawn perfect for play and relaxation. And speaking of play, Zoysiagrass has a high traffic tolerance, making it a great choice for families who love to spend time outside.
\n\n\n\nHowever, it’s worth noting that Zoysiagrass is slow to recover from damage. Still, you can keep your lawn looking lush year-round with proper care and maintenance. Zoysiagrass has moderate shade tolerance; it’s the second most shade-tolerant warm-season grass, making it an excellent choice for areas of your yard that don’t get as much sun.
\n\n\n\nClassification: Warm-season grass
\n\n\n\nSpreads by: Stolons and rhizomes
\n\n\n\nShade tolerance: Moderate
\n\n\n\nDrought tolerance: Moderate
\n\n\n\nFoot traffic tolerance: High, but recovers slowly from damage.
\n\n\n\nMaintenance needs: Low nitrogen fertilization requirements, although it’s prone to thatch build-up.
\n\n\n\nMowing height: Set mowing height between 1 and 2 inches.
\n\n\n\nPotential for disease: Good disease tolerance overall.
\n\n\n\nSoil pH: 6-6.5
\n\n\n\nSoil type: Well-draining, some cultivars are more tolerant of a wide range of soils than others.
\n\n\n\nOther notes: Zoysiagrass is slow to establish, making sod the optimal choice for installation. While this can be more expensive than other installation methods, it’s worth the investment if you want a consistently lush and green lawn.
\n\n\n\n![\"beautiful](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Centipede_Grass.jpg\")
Photo Credit: James Becwar JamesBecwar / Wikimedia Commons / CC0
\n\n\n\nCentipedegrass is known for its vibrant apple-green color, which adds color to any yard. And the best part? Centipedegrass is incredibly low maintenance. You won’t need to mow, lime, fertilize, or dethatch as often as with other types of grass.
\n\n\n\nHowever, centipedegrass has low traffic tolerance. Additionally, while it has outstanding heat tolerance, it doesn’t equate to drought tolerance. In comparison with other warm-season grasses, centipedegrass’ root system is shallow. So, you need to be extra vigilant and water it during times of low rainfall.
\n\n\n\nClassification: Warm-season grass
\n\n\n\nSpreads by: Stolons
\n\n\n\nShade tolerance: Moderate
\n\n\n\nDrought tolerance: Moderate
\n\n\n\nFoot traffic tolerance: Low
\n\n\n\nMaintenance needs: Low. It requires low mowing and fertilizers.
\n\n\n\nMowing height: Set the mowing height between 1 and 2 inches.
\n\n\n\nPotential for disease: Good resistance to diseases and insects.
\n\n\n\nSoil pH: 5-6
\n\n\n\nSoil type: Acidic, infertile, at least moderately good drainage (very dense, clay soils produce poor results).
\n\n\n\nOther notes: Centipedegrass is not a salt-tolerant grass. It grows slowly.
\n\n\n\n![\"close](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Seashore-Paspalum-Grass.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Forest & Kim Starr / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 3.0
\n\n\n\nWhen it comes to selecting the best grass for New Orleans, seashore paspalum grass is an excellent choice. This type of grass can effectively withstand the high levels of heat and humidity that are prevalent in the region. Additionally, since New Orleans is located next to the saltwater lake Lake Pontchartrain, seashore paspalum is an ideal option due to its excellent salt tolerance.
\n\n\n\nClassification: Warm-season
\n\n\n\nSpreads by: Rhizomes and stolons
\n\n\n\nShade Tolerance: Low to Moderate
\n\n\n\nDrought Tolerance: Moderate
\n\n\n\nFoot Traffic Tolerance: Moderate
\n\n\n\nMaintenance Needs: Moderate fertilizer and frequent mowing.
\n\n\n\nMowing Height: Set the mowing height between 1 and 2 inches.
\n\n\n\nPotential for Disease: Moderate. Common diseases include large patch and dollar spot.
\n\n\n\nSoil pH: Tolerates a wide soil pH range, from 3.6 to 10.2.
\n\n\n\nSoil Type: Tolerates a wide range of soils, including wet, saline soil.
\n\n\n\nOther Notes: It is the most salt tolerant warm-season grass.
\n\n\n\nIt´s bermudagrass. The reason for Bermudagrass’s popularity in Louisiana is its ability to adjust to diverse climatic and soil conditions. This adaptable turfgrass is widely grown due to its capacity to form an appealing and thick sod.
When choosing a warm-season grass type for a shady lawn, there are a few options to consider. One of the best warm-season grasses for shade is St. Augustinegrass. This grass type is known for its ability to thrive in shaded areas, making it an excellent choice for lawns shaded by trees or buildings.
Because of its extensive root system, bermudagrass, known as wiregrass or devil grass, tolerates plenty of sports and foot traffic. Bermudagrass fares best in warmer weather, making it the natural choice for active, summer-loving families.
Choosing the right grass variety can transform your backyard into an oasis. Bermudagrass, St. Augustinegrass, Zoysiagrass, centipedegrass, and seashore paspalum grass are all excellent options, each with unique advantages that can help you create a lush and vibrant lawn.
\n\n\n\nRemember, however, that the grass variety you choose is just one component of a complete landscape. You can enhance the beauty of your backyard by using native plants and low maintenance landscaping designs.
\n\n\n\nIf you want to ensure that your lawn and backyard look their best, consider hiring a professional to help with maintenance. Contact a New Orleans lawn care pro who can provide regular maintenance services to keep your lawn healthy and vibrant.
\n\n\n\nMain Image Credit: Audubon Boulevard, Uptown New Orleans / Infrogmation of New Orleans / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0
\n","title":"5 Best Grass Types for New Orleans","featured_media":{"localFile":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"aspectRatio":1.3333333333333333,"src":"/static/6e97143ac095420c90ffcc0689d5acf5/1789c/Lawn-in-New-Orleans.jpg","srcSet":"/static/6e97143ac095420c90ffcc0689d5acf5/107df/Lawn-in-New-Orleans.jpg 320w,\n/static/6e97143ac095420c90ffcc0689d5acf5/293e9/Lawn-in-New-Orleans.jpg 500w,\n/static/6e97143ac095420c90ffcc0689d5acf5/f2cbb/Lawn-in-New-Orleans.jpg 800w,\n/static/6e97143ac095420c90ffcc0689d5acf5/1789c/Lawn-in-New-Orleans.jpg 960w,\n/static/6e97143ac095420c90ffcc0689d5acf5/c26c2/Lawn-in-New-Orleans.jpg 1200w","srcWebp":"/static/6e97143ac095420c90ffcc0689d5acf5/1dd6e/Lawn-in-New-Orleans.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/6e97143ac095420c90ffcc0689d5acf5/67b76/Lawn-in-New-Orleans.webp 320w,\n/static/6e97143ac095420c90ffcc0689d5acf5/8df11/Lawn-in-New-Orleans.webp 500w,\n/static/6e97143ac095420c90ffcc0689d5acf5/98a65/Lawn-in-New-Orleans.webp 800w,\n/static/6e97143ac095420c90ffcc0689d5acf5/1dd6e/Lawn-in-New-Orleans.webp 960w,\n/static/6e97143ac095420c90ffcc0689d5acf5/3cc96/Lawn-in-New-Orleans.webp 1200w","sizes":"(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px"}}}},"yoast_meta":{"yoast_wpseo_title":"5 Best Grass Types for New Orleans | Wikilawn","yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"Need to choose a grass for your lawn? We've gathered the five best grass types for New Orleans yards so you can grow a thriving green lawn in The Big Easy."}}},{"node":{"id":"a34e55ba-1d87-5875-b0d3-f4db65c53f93","slug":"best-native-plants-baltimore","path":"/lawn-care/md/baltimore/best-native-plants-baltimore/","status":"publish","template":"","format":"standard","author":{"description":"Ayoola Azzan is a versatile writer and investment enthusiast who hails from Nigeria. He loves developing an impactful course and enjoys meditating when at leisure.","name":"Ayoola Azzan","id":"bbad4bd5-6d15-5dbd-a18e-a835dfd091f5","path":"/author/ayoola-azzan/","avatar_urls":{"wordpress_96":"https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/bd07aedf4f4c15974bb501275dee93ce?s=96&d=mm&r=g"}},"categories":[{"id":"d65d5975-f3bf-56a0-86b3-804de72f0ba7","name":"Baltimore","count":3,"path":"/category/lawn-care/md/baltimore/"},{"id":"205f24d4-c1e5-5728-bb28-8ba70eecbc7a","name":"Lawn Care","count":432,"path":"/category/lawn-care/"},{"id":"2a5e33f9-ad47-575e-b414-2fa0c9049fd1","name":"Maryland","count":8,"path":"/category/lawn-care/md/"}],"date":"April 5th, 2023","excerpt":"There’s a reason that Baltimore has some of the most beautiful parks on the Eastern seaboard. It’s located in a temperate climate that supports an incredible array of plants. But you don’t have to go to a park to experience all this natural beauty, though. Carefully landscaping your Baltimore yard with native plants gives you […]
\n","content":"\nThere’s a reason that Baltimore has some of the most beautiful parks on the Eastern seaboard. It’s located in a temperate climate that supports an incredible array of plants.
\n\n\n\nBut you don’t have to go to a park to experience all this natural beauty, though. Carefully landscaping your Baltimore yard with native plants gives you the best chance at establishing a yard that is both visually appealing and hardy.
\n\n\n\nBut why native plants?
\n\n\n\nFinding native plants that thrive in the garden can be difficult, as not all are suitable. That’s why we have compiled a list of 11 native plants for your Baltimore home and garden project.
\n\n\n\nWhat we’ll cover in this article:
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n![\"Wild](\"https://www.lawnstarter.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/5992418976_285495a522_c-646x485.jpg\")
Photo Credit: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service / Flickr / CC BY 2.0
\n\n\n\nWild bergamot, also known as bee balm, is a popular ornamental perennial that produces clusters of lavender, pink or white flowers. It is one of the easiest wildflowers to grow, with beautiful blooms that last from mid to late summer. With its mint-scented leaves, bergamot is great for mint tea and bouquets.
\n\n\n\nMonarda fistulosa is very appealing to butterflies, hummingbirds, and native bees, which are helpful pollinators—probably why it is also called bee balm. This plant tolerates most soils and a partial shade to full sun location but should not be watered to avoid powdery mildew.
\n\n\n\nGrowth habit: Flower
\n\n\n\nMature size: 1.5 to 5 feet
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFoliage: Can range from light to deep green to red or purple tinted
\n\n\n\nSunlight needs: Full sun or partial shade
\n\n\n\nSoil preferences: Clay, loamy
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Low to medium
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: Non-toxic and no safety hazards
\n\n\n\n![\"Close](\"https://www.lawnstarter.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/image-76.jpeg\")
Photo Credit: rockerBOO / Flickr / CC BY-SA 2.0
\n\n\n\nNamed for the bright red color of the Roman Catholic cardinal’s robe, the cardinal flower is recognizable from a distance. It is very hardy, easy to care for, and simple to grow. It blooms for a long time and boasts an intense red color when other perennials are withering. Although the cardinal flower can tolerate full sun or light shade, it is most likely to thrive in filtered light.
\n\n\n\nThis showy perennial is common in Baltimore in marshes, stream banks, and low woods and is favored by hummingbird species for its sweet nectar.
\n\n\n\nGrowth habit: Wildflower
\n\n\n\nMature size: 2 to 4 feet
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFoliage: Can range from light to deep green to red or purple tinted
\n\n\n\nSunlight needs: Full sun or partial shade
\n\n\n\nSoil preferences: Clay, loamy, moist
\n\n\n\nWater needs: High
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: Toxic if eaten in large quantities
\n\n\n\n![\"colorful](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Butterfly-Milkweed.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Eric Hunt / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0
\n\n\n\nButterfly milkweed, also known as chigger flower, orange milkweed, and pleurisy root, is a colorful native flower that makes a wonderful addition to butterfly gardens, rain gardens, native plantings, prairies, and home gardens. When in bloom (often from May to September), it is easily identified by the flat-topped clusters of large, bright orange flowers at the top.
\n\n\n\nTo thrive, this plant requires direct sunlight. However, it can grow in any soil if it is well-drained, although it prefers sandy soils. As its name suggests, butterfly milkweed serves as a vital host plant, attracting swarms of butterflies.
\n\n\n\nGrowth habit: Wildflower
\n\n\n\nMature size: 1 to 3 feet
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFoliage: Leaves turn a dull yellow in the fall
\n\n\n\nSunlight needs: Full sun
\n\n\n\nSoil preferences: Sandy, loamy, well-drained
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Low to medium
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: Toxic to humans and animals
\n\n\n\n![\"close-up](\"https://lawnlove.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/rsz_chelone_glabra_-_white_turtlehead.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Fritzflohrreynolds / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0
\n\n\n\nTurtlehead, a perennial wildflower of the plantain family, takes its name from its distinctive flowers, which resemble the head of a turtle. The leaves are green, but the flowers are pinkish-purple and bloom between mid-summer and fall.
\n\n\n\nTurtleheads thrive in moist places in any landscape but are also hardy enough to grow in dry soils. They look best when planted in masses, so it’s best to plant them in groups rather than individually.
\n\n\n\nGrowth habit: Wildflower
\n\n\n\nMature size: 3 to 8 feet
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFoliage: Evergreen
\n\n\n\nSunlight needs: Full sun, partial sun
\n\n\n\nSoil preferences: Clay, sandy, loamy, well-drained
\n\n\n\nWater needs: High
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: Non-toxic and no safety hazards
\n\n\n\n![\"clusters](\"https://lawnlove.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/rsz_1024px-viburnum_dentatum_1zz.jpg\")
Photo Credit: David J. Stang / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0
\n\n\n\nThis native shrub has the charm and hardiness for a wide range of climates, so it will fit into any landscape. It displays a massive showy bloom from late spring to late summer with flat-topped creamy-white flowers and blue-hued berries that are attractive to birds and wildlife. It’s a great species for beautification, wildlife habitat, and gardens or hedges.
\n\n\n\nSpeaking of care, the Southern arrowwood shrub is relatively low maintenance due to its adaptability to a variety of soil conditions and locations and has no severe plant or disease problems. The medicinal properties of arrowwood have been known for a long time. Historically, all parts of the plant have been used in various preparations to help heal the body.
\n\n\n\nGrowth habit: Shrub
\n\n\n\nMature size: 2 to 8 feet
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFoliage: Leaves turn shades of yellow, red, or orange
\n\n\n\nSunlight needs: Full sun, partial sun, shade
\n\n\n\nSoil preferences: Clay, sandy, loamy,
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Medium
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: Non-toxic and no safety hazards
\n\n\n\n![\"Red](\"https://www.lawnstarter.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/columbine-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Jason Hollinger / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 2.0
\n\n\n\nWild red columbine, also known as Eastern or Canadian columbine, is known for its stunning bell-shaped bloom of red and yellow flowers that appear from late spring to early summer. The beautiful blooms, easy growth, and all-around charm of this native plant make it suitable for home gardens.
\n\n\n\nWhile the toxicity of wild red columbine makes it of little value to most herbivores as a food source, its nectar and foliage provide food for bees, hummingbirds, and insects. As a self-seeding perennial, it spreads more quickly, making it an excellent ground cover.
\n\n\n\nGrowth habit: Flower
\n\n\n\nMature size: 2 to 3 feet
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFoliage: N/A
\n\n\n\nSunlight needs: Full sun, partial sun, shade
\n\n\n\nSoil preferences: Clay, sandy, loamy,
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Low, average
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: Partly toxic
\n\n\n\n![\"four](\"https://lawnlove.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/rsz_1024px-smooth_blue_aster_symphyotrichum_laeve_washington_island_wisconsin.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Joshua Mayer / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 2.0
\n\n\n\nThis herbaceous perennial is one of the most attractive of the asters, and its smooth leaves set it apart from other asters. It is cold-hardy and continues to thrive even after other plants have faded. It boasts delicate lavender-blue flowers that bloom from August through November and daisy-like petals that give your landscape a whimsical and charming look.
\n\n\n\nMany pollinating insects are attracted to the smooth blue aster, and birds enjoy the seeds. It’s occasionally affected by rot or blight, but simple measures such as growing it in well-drained soil and careful watering can prevent these diseases.
\n\n\n\nGrowth habit: Wildflower
\n\n\n\nMature size: 1-3 feet
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFoliage: Yellow flower-center reddish later in the season
\n\n\n\nSunlight needs: Full sun, partial sun, shade
\n\n\n\nSoil preferences: Clay, sandy, loamy,
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Low, average
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: Non-toxic and no safety hazards
\n\n\n\n![\"small](\"https://lawnlove.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/rsz_pixnio-18980-800x518-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Pixnio
\n\n\n\nNamed bluestem goldenrod for its bluish-purple stem, this plant features showy clusters of yellow flowers clinging to greenish-purple stems in late summer and fall. A mature bunch provides an excellent presence and brightens any semi-shaded garden in the late season.
\n\n\n\nBlue-stemmed goldenrod is low-maintenance, easy to grow, and isn’t very demanding on soil conditions; it thrives in clay, loam, organic soils, or almost any soil with dry to moderate moisture. This species doesn’t spread as quickly or as aggressively as other goldenrods. It does well in perennial borders, native gardens, cottage gardens, butterfly gardens, or woodland gardens.
\n\n\n\nGrowth habit: Wildflower
\n\n\n\nMature size: 1 to 3.5 feet
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFoliage: Evergreen
\n\n\n\nSunlight needs: Full sun, partial sun, shade
\n\n\n\nSoil preferences: Clay, loamy, well-drained
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Low
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: Non-toxic and no safety hazards
\n\n\n\n![\"close](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/black-eyed-susan-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Pixabay
\n\n\n\nBlack-eyed Susan, also called cornflower because of its corn-shaped head, is seen all over the U.S. but remains Maryland’s state flower. It blooms in the sweltering days of August, brightening flower gardens and open fields like a brilliant sunbeam.
\n\n\n\nThe bright colors of the lemon yellow, orange, and gold flowers bloom for weeks with little maintenance. Black-eyed Susan is relatively easy to grow, spreads quickly (if given space), and is loved by a variety of pollinating insects.
\n\n\n\nGrowth habit: Flower
\n\n\n\nMature size: 1.5 to 10 feet
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFoliage: N/A
\n\n\n\nSunlight needs: Full sun, partial sun
\n\n\n\nSoil preferences: Clay, loamy, well-drained
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Low
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: Low toxicity; sap can irritate the skin
\n\n\n\n![\"A](\"https://www.lawnstarter.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/grass-green-leaf-terrestrial-plant-plant-close-up-1600603-pxhere.com_-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Pxhere
\n\n\n\nBlue sedge is prized for its unique, stacked form and attractive grass-like leaves that stay steel blue year-round. Its foliage provides a stunning display with its varying textures and distinctive shades of color. Blue sedge is drought tolerant, low maintenance, easy to transplant, and a great addition to borders, rock gardens, ponds, and stream edgings.
\n\n\n\nIt grows best in groups as it forms clumps, making it an excellent ground cover. Move blue sedge until it finds its ideal terrain, as it thrives in shade, sometimes even better than the sun.
\n\n\n\nGrowth habit: Ground cover
\n\n\n\nMature size: 1 to 1.5 feet
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFoliage: Evergreen
\n\n\n\nSunlight needs: Partial sun, shade
\n\n\n\nSoil preferences: Dry, moist
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Medium
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: Non-toxic and no safety hazards
\n\n\n\n![\"frond](\"https://lawnlove.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/rsz_1024px-cinnamon_fern.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Cody Hough / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0
\n\n\n\nThe cinnamon fern is a large, widespread fern that grows in clumps. It has fertile, feathery, cinnamon-colored fronds that grow in the center of the plant. Its fronds are beautiful when they first appear in the spring and turn bright shades of gold and orange in the fall.
\n\n\n\nThe cinnamon fern thrives in the shade and adapts well to garden conditions, but only if kept moist. Perfect for rain gardens or conservation gardens.
\n\n\n\nGrowth habit: Fern
\n\n\n\nMature size: 2 to 5 feet
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFoliage: N/A
\n\n\n\nSunlight needs: Partial sun, shade
\n\n\n\nSoil preferences: Clay, loamy, moist, rich, humusy, acidic
\n\n\n\nWater needs: High
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: Non-toxic and no safety hazards
\n\n\n\nIt’s important to carefully consider the ecosystem when choosing native plants. Before you buy, find out what already works in your soil, sun conditions, temperatures, and moisture to get the best results.
\n\n\n\nFor a city like Baltimore, whose Hardiness Zone range is between 7a and 8a (0–15 degrees Fahrenheit), it’s clear that overwintering is inevitable. So choosing any of the perennials mentioned above for your garden puts homeowners in a safe zone because these plants withstand both the colder winter months and the sunnier summer months.
\n\n\n\nYou can purchase various native plants for your garden and landscaping projects at your local nursery. Check with the Maryland Native Plant Society rather than threatening the plants with extinction by taking them from the wild.
If you want to know more about these plants or other things that could make your lawn healthier, get in touch with our Baltimore lawn care professionals, who will educate you on the latest lawn and garden techniques.
Main Image Credit: Matt Lavin / Flickr / CC BY-SA 2.0
\n","title":"11 Best Native Plants for Your Baltimore Yard","featured_media":{"localFile":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"aspectRatio":1.3333333333333333,"src":"/static/184ab2381f745b1449ded65b78709ba6/1789c/Baltimore-Native-plant.jpg","srcSet":"/static/184ab2381f745b1449ded65b78709ba6/107df/Baltimore-Native-plant.jpg 320w,\n/static/184ab2381f745b1449ded65b78709ba6/293e9/Baltimore-Native-plant.jpg 500w,\n/static/184ab2381f745b1449ded65b78709ba6/f2cbb/Baltimore-Native-plant.jpg 800w,\n/static/184ab2381f745b1449ded65b78709ba6/1789c/Baltimore-Native-plant.jpg 960w,\n/static/184ab2381f745b1449ded65b78709ba6/c26c2/Baltimore-Native-plant.jpg 1200w","srcWebp":"/static/184ab2381f745b1449ded65b78709ba6/1dd6e/Baltimore-Native-plant.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/184ab2381f745b1449ded65b78709ba6/67b76/Baltimore-Native-plant.webp 320w,\n/static/184ab2381f745b1449ded65b78709ba6/8df11/Baltimore-Native-plant.webp 500w,\n/static/184ab2381f745b1449ded65b78709ba6/98a65/Baltimore-Native-plant.webp 800w,\n/static/184ab2381f745b1449ded65b78709ba6/1dd6e/Baltimore-Native-plant.webp 960w,\n/static/184ab2381f745b1449ded65b78709ba6/3cc96/Baltimore-Native-plant.webp 1200w","sizes":"(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px"}}}},"yoast_meta":{"yoast_wpseo_title":"11 Best Native Plants for Your Baltimore Yard | Wikilawn","yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"Beautify your Baltimore garden with diverse, colorful native shrubs, flowers, and trees that work well with the city’s climate."}}},{"node":{"id":"3ebd0074-0403-5c7a-b6e2-447d002198f4","slug":"best-native-plants-cleveland","path":"/lawn-care/oh/cleveland/best-native-plants-cleveland/","status":"publish","template":"","format":"standard","author":{"description":"Abdul Wadood is a writer and SEO specialist from India. He recently started writing about lawns and enjoys it. In his spare time, he enjoys going on trips.","name":"Abdul Wadood","id":"236127ca-c7a6-50bb-9ab7-dd3e7e3fe6d8","path":"/author/abdul-wadood/","avatar_urls":{"wordpress_96":"https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/395f0103c8419fd32e2c021818b78121?s=96&d=mm&r=g"}},"categories":[{"id":"7ba0d0fa-46fc-5a18-a83f-513673ed896c","name":"Cleveland","count":2,"path":"/category/lawn-care/oh/cleveland/"},{"id":"205f24d4-c1e5-5728-bb28-8ba70eecbc7a","name":"Lawn Care","count":432,"path":"/category/lawn-care/"},{"id":"0f8c37b8-25e8-5e78-8d84-fa2b0ffd84d3","name":"Ohio","count":23,"path":"/category/lawn-care/oh/"}],"date":"April 5th, 2023","excerpt":"Cleveland is called the Forest City for a reason. It’s home to many gardens, including the world-famous Cleveland Cultural Gardens. You can have a fantastic garden, too, especially if you choose easy-to-maintain native plants that thrive in Ohio’s diverse climate. Here is a look at 10 of the best native plants for Cleveland. In this […]
\n","content":"\nCleveland is called the Forest City for a reason. It’s home to many gardens, including the world-famous Cleveland Cultural Gardens. You can have a fantastic garden, too, especially if you choose easy-to-maintain native plants that thrive in Ohio’s diverse climate.
\n\n\n\nHere is a look at 10 of the best native plants for Cleveland.
\n\n\n\nIn this article:
\n\n\n\nNative plants, as the name suggests, belong to a local region. They are well-adapted to a region’s climate and soil conditions as they have been growing there for several years.
\n\n\n\nHere’s why native plants are better than non-natives.
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://www.lawnstarter.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/image-263.jpeg\")
Photo Credit: Pixabay
\n\n\n\nBee balm looks beautiful with its bright scarlet flowers. The foliage has a minty fragrance as they are part of the mint family. Bee balm performs best in full sun and moist soil.
\n\n\n\nBee balm blooms throughout the summer, and the flowers attract bees and butterflies. Songbirds like to snack on their seed heads during fall and winter.
\n\n\n\nGrowth habit: Flower
\n\n\n\nMature size: Up to 4 feet tall and 3 feet wide
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFoliage: Dark green
\n\n\n\nSunlight needs: Full sun
\n\n\n\nSoil preferences: Rich, moist soil
\n\n\n\nWater needs: High
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: Non-toxic
\n\n\n\n![\"purple](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Wild-Geranium-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Joshua Mayer / Flickr / CC BY-SA 2.0
\n\n\n\nWild geranium features palmate-shaped leaves with five petals. The flowers come in pink or lavender colors. Wild geraniums are beautiful and attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators.
\n\n\n\nWild geraniums bloom for a lengthy period, from late spring to early summer. They prefer moist soil and grow well in full or partial sun.
\n\n\n\nGrowth habit: Flower
\n\n\n\nMature size: Up to 3 feet tall and 2 feet wide
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFoliage: Green
\n\n\n\nSunlight needs: Full sun or partial shade
\n\n\n\nSoil preferences: Rich, moist soil
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Needs high watering during the growth period. Once matured, it requires watering only in drought conditions.
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: Non-toxic to children. Toxic to pets.
\n\n\n\n![\"Field](\"https://www.lawnstarter.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/black-eyed-susan-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Pixabay
\n\n\n\nBlack-eyed Susan blooms throughout the summer, adorning your lawn with bright-yellow flowers with dark brown beads in the center. They are fast-growing climbers that attract birds, butterflies, and other pollinators.
\n\n\n\nBlack-eyed Susan requires low maintenance and grows best in full sun and well-drained soil. You can remove the dead heads of the faded flowers to keep black-eyed Susan in bloom for much longer.
\n\n\n\nGrowth habit: Flower
\n\n\n\nMature size: Up to 5 feet tall and 3 feet wide
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFoliage: Deep green
\n\n\n\nSunlight needs: Full sun
\n\n\n\nSoil preferences: Moist, well-drained
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Low, high drought tolerance
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: Non-toxic
\n\n\n\nPhoto Credit: rockerBOO / Flickr / CC BY-SA 2.0
\n\n\n\nCardinal flowers look attractive with their two-lipped bright red tubular flowers. They bloom during hot summers when most plants are done blooming. Cardinal flowers require low maintenance and can tolerate partial shade but not drought.
\n\n\n\nCardinal flowers depend on hummingbirds for fertilization as other insects can’t make their way in to reach the nectar because of the flower’s shape.
\n\n\n\nGrowth habit: Flower
\n\n\n\nMature size: Up to 4 feet tall and 2 feet wide
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFoliage: Dark green
\n\n\n\nSunlight needs: Full sun to partial shade
\n\n\n\nSoil preferences: Moist,well-drained soil
\n\n\n\nWater needs: High
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: Toxic to humans and pets
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Butterfly-Weed.jpg\")
Photo Credit: James St. John / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 2.0
\n\n\n\nButterfly weed features clusters of bright orange flowers that attract bees, hummingbirds, and especially monarch butterflies. They require little maintenance and can tolerate drought conditions.
\n\n\n\nButterfly weed blooms from late spring and stays the same throughout the summer. During fall, the leaves of butterfly weed turns dull yellow, and the flowers burst open to reveal their fluffy white seeds.
\n\n\n\nGrowth habit: Flower
\n\n\n\nMature size: Up to 2 feet tall and 2 feet wide
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFoliage: Dark green
\n\n\n\nSunlight needs: Full sun
\n\n\n\nSoil preferences: Dry, well-drained soil
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Low, high drought tolerance
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: Toxic to humans and pets
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/White-Wood-Aster.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Mets501 / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0
\n\n\n\nWhite wood aster looks beautiful and blends well with other plants on your lawn. They bloom in late summer, producing small white flowers with yellow centers that gradually turn red. Butterflies love white wood asters.
\n\n\n\nWhite wood aster tolerates drought and can grow in rocky soil. These plants only require three hours of partial sunlight a day.
\n\n\n\nGrowth habit: Flower
\n\n\n\nMature size: Up to 3 feet tall and 4 feet wide
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFoliage: Dark green
\n\n\n\nSunlight needs: Partial sun. Can tolerate full shade.
\n\n\n\nSoil preferences: Moist, well-drained soil. Can survive in rocky soil.
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Low, high drought tolerance
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: Non-toxic
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Perennial-Coneflower.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Pxhere
\n\n\n\nPerennial coneflower looks distinctive with reddish-purple petals. It blooms from early summer through early fall. Perennial coneflower attracts birds and butterflies when in full bloom.
\n\n\n\nThis plant grows in rocky soils, making it a great option for low-maintenance lawns. It tolerates drought but doesn’t tolerate shade very well.
\n\n\n\nGrowth habit: Flower
\n\n\n\nMature size: Up to 4 feet tall and about 1.5 feet wide
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFoliage: Dark green
\n\n\n\nSunlight needs: Full sun
\n\n\n\nSoil preferences: Moist, well-drained soil. Can survive in rocky soil.
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Moderate
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: Non-toxic
\n\n\n\n![\"picture](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Obedient-Plant.jpg\")
Photo Credit: F. D. Richards / Flickr / CC BY-SA 2.0
\n\n\n\nThe obedient plant, also known as false dragonhead, blooms from late summer to fall. The flowers appear in light shades of pink and white. They attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators when in full bloom.
\n\n\n\nObedient plant is easy to grow and requires little maintenance. Wondering how obedient plant got its name? These plants hold their position when bent.
\n\n\n\nGrowth habit: Flower
\n\n\n\nMature size: Up to 4 feet tall and 3 feet wide
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFoliage: Green
\n\n\n\nSunlight needs: Full sun
\n\n\n\nSoil preferences: Moist, well-drained soil
\n\n\n\nWater needs: High
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: Non-toxic
\n\n\n\n![\"picture](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Wood-Poppy.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Pxfuel
\n\n\n\nWood poppies look attractive with their bright yellow flowers. They can grow under full shade, making them a great option for shady lawns. They can resist diseases and perform best in well-drained soil.
\n\n\n\nWood poppies bloom from spring to early summer. Remove the dead heads of the old flowers to make the plant bloom much longer.
\n\n\n\nIf you like chipmunks, wood poppies are a must-have on your lawn. These cute creatures love the seeds produced by this plant.
\n\n\n\nGrowth habit: Flower
\n\n\n\nMature size: Up to a foot tall and a foot wide
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFoliage: Bluish green
\n\n\n\nSunlight needs: Partial to full shade
\n\n\n\nSoil preferences: Moist, well-drained soil
\n\n\n\nWater needs: High
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: Toxic to humans and pets
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Savanna-Blazing-Star.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Rawpixel
\n\n\n\nSavanna blazing star is rare to spot in Cleveland, but it’s native to Ohio and can adapt to the climate of the Forest City. It looks appealing with its bright pink shaggy flower heads. Savanna blazing star grows best in full sun and can tolerate drought and rocky soil.
\n\n\n\nSavanna blazing star blooms from late summer to mid-fall and lasts about 1.5 months. They attract butterflies and hummingbirds when in full bloom.
\n\n\n\nGrowth habit: Flower
\n\n\n\nMature size: Up to 5 feet tall and 2 feet wide
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFoliage: Medium green
\n\n\n\nSunlight needs: Full sun to partial shade
\n\n\n\nSoil preferences: Moist, well-drained soil
\n\n\n\nWater needs: High
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: Non-toxic
\n\n\n\nCleveland’s hardiness zone is 6, meaning the winters are cold and summers are warm. The plants listed here are native to Cleveland and survive nicely in the area’s climate. Select a plant that best suits your lawn’s conditions and satisfies your requirements.
\n\n\n\nIf you have children and pets playing on your lawn, we suggest you choose non-toxic plants. Make sure to consider a plant’s growing size when you purchase it. Some plants grow too big, which may not suit your yard.
\n\n\n\nHere are Cleveland nurseries that sell native plants.
\n\n\n\nSometimes, native plants may be already growing on your lawn. So, don’t forget to look around your yard for these plants.
\n\n\n\nNative plants can increase the appeal of your yard. But your lawn won’t be complete without planting the best grass types in Cleveland. A lush, green, and healthy lawn is a combination of everything, including proper maintenance.
\n\n\n\nIf you want someone to help you to maintain your lawn, consider hiring Wikilawn Cleveland lawn care experts.
\n\n\n\nMain Image Credit: USFWS Mountain-Prairie / Flickr / CC BY 2.0
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