![\"Person](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/pexels-gustavo-fring-5163423.jpg\")
When you live in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains and have a front seat to the stunning Tennessee River, as Knoxville does, you have some of the best views in the world. But what’s the point of all that if the view of your yard from your front window is disappointing? Want a […]
\n","content":"\nWhen you live in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains and have a front seat to the stunning Tennessee River, as Knoxville does, you have some of the best views in the world. But what’s the point of all that if the view of your yard from your front window is disappointing?
\n\n\n\nWant a great view? It starts with some early-season work on your lawn. Here are 12 things you can do to give your lawn a huge boost this spring.
\n\n\n\nIn this article:
\n\n\n\nPhoto Credit: Pexels
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nWhen spring starts, it’s time to get your lawn equipment ready. Check whether your lawn mower, weed eater, hedge trimmer, and leaf blower are in good shape.
\n\n\n\nHere’s how to prepare your lawn equipment for spring and the upcoming summer.
\n\n\n\nNeglecting your lawn equipment can be dangerous to your lawn by increasing the risk of disease in your grass.
\n\n\n\nWhen to sharpen your lawn mower blade
\n\n\n\nCut a patch of your lawn with your mower. If the grass looks uneven, the blade needs sharpening.
\n\n\n\nGenerally, you should sharpen your lawn mower blade at least a few times a year, especially before the first mow of the season.
\n\n\n\nHow to sharpen your lawn mower blade
\n\n\n\nThat’s it. Your lawn mower is all set.
\n\n\n\nFungi love springtime heat and humidity. When you notice faded spots in your lawn, take immediate action to prevent the spread.
\n\n\n\nHere are the diseases to watch out for in your Knoxville yard.
\n\n\n\n![\"Dollar](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Dollar-Spot.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Scot Nelson / Flickr / CC0 1.0
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nWhat to look for
\n\n\n\nDollar spot appears as straw-colored spots about the size of a dollar coin. A cottony white growth shows up on top of the grass in the morning.
\n\n\n\nHow to treat dollar spot
\n\n\n\nYou may need to try several fungicides to eliminate this disease, as there are many strains of them. Each variety of the fungus can be immune to different kinds of fungicides.
\n\n\n\n![\"Snow](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Snow-Mold.jpg\")
Photo Credit: noricum / Flickr / CC BY-SA 2.0
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nWhat to look for
\n\n\n\nThere are two kinds of snow mold – gray snow mold or Typhula blight, and pink snow mold or Fusarium patch. Gray snow mold appears as perfect circles or irregular patches. It tends to damage only the glass blades. Pink snow mold looks similar but has a pinkish tint. It’s more dangerous as it can damage both grass roots and blades.
\n\n\n\nHow to treat snow mold
\n\n\n\nRake the mold, then treat with a fungicide that includes azoxystrobin, bacillus subtilis, or propiconazole.
\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\nWhat to look for
\n\n\n\nBrown patch usually appears as circular or irregular-shaped patches of brown or gray grass on your lawn. These patches can range from just a few inches in size to several feet wide. The symptoms will usually show up by late spring.
\n\n\n\nHow to treat brown patch
\n\n\n\nUse a fungicide that includes triadimefon, PCNB, propiconazole, myclobutanil, or thiophanate-methyl as one of its active ingredients.
\n\n\n\n![\"Two](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Raking-Leaves-on-Lawn.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Bigmouth1 / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThough the weather is starting to warm up, the effect of winter is still there on your lawn. Remove debris, fallen branches, and dead plants from your yard to give your lawn a chance to breathe.
\n\n\n\nFallen leaves block your grass from receiving enough sunlight, water, air, and nutrients. You can also get rid of the thatch accumulated during winter by raking your yard. Raking your yard also splits grass blades and promotes straight grass growth.
\n\n\n\n![\"dethatcher](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/rsz_dethatcher2.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Agri-Fab, Inc. / Wikimedia Commons / CC0
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThatch is a combination of living and dead plant matter that accumulates on grass. When it’s too much, it can attract pests and diseases and prevent nutrients from reaching the soil.
\n\n\n\nRaking your lawn can remove some thatch, but, you may have to dethatch your yard using a vertimower or a thatching tool when you notice thatch exceeding an inch in thickness.
\n\n\n\nWhen to dethatch your lawn
\n\n\n\nThe best time to dethatch is when your grass is in its best shape. Warm-season grass is healthiest between late spring and early summer. Cool-season grass is in its best form between late summer and early fall.
\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\nWinters are cold in Knoxville, and precipitation is high. A heavy downpour can wash away essential nutrients from the soil. Test your soil to know what’s missing and whether your soil is too acidic or alkaline.
\n\n\n\nIf your soil needs nutrients, you’ll need to add amendments like calcium, potassium, phosphorus, or magnesium. If you want to fertilize your soil, wait for at least a month to prevent any interactions between amendments and fertilizer.
\n\n\n\nWhen and how to test your soil
\n\n\n\nYou should test your soil at least once a year or before fertilizing your lawn. You may use a DIY kit to test your soil at home. However, we recommend you bring your soil to the local Extension office for a complete analysis.
\n\n\n\n![\"A](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/solar-panels-working-20.jpg\")
Photo Credit: groveb / Canva Pro / License
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nNow that you have tested your soil, you’ll know what your lawn needs. But what’s the best time to fertilize?
\n\n\n\nFertilize warm-season grass around mid-April. Fertilize cool-season grass during fall.
\n\n\n\nNitrogen is the primary component in most fertilizers as it’s the essential element needed for grass growth. Depending on your soil test result, you may also purchase a fertilizer rich in potassium or phosphorus.
\n\n\n\nRegardless of the nutrients, always opt for slow-release fertilizers. Fast-release fertilizers can damage your grass and sometimes even burn it. Also, use a spreader to apply fertilizer evenly instead of using your hands.
\n\n\n\nPro tip: According to Colorado State University, fertilizing cool-season grass between March and April isn’t necessary if you have applied fertilizer the previous fall.
\n\n\n\nIf you have cool-season grass, you should avoid applying fertilizer too early as it can promote rapid growth. Rapid growth may sound great, but it’s harmful to your lawn.
\n\n\n\n![\"Overseeding](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/rsz_2img_3650.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Brenda Ryan / Wikilawn
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nIs your warm-season grass thinning? Overseeding can help. Overseeding is planting grass seeds over your existing lawn to fill bare spots and improve grass density.
\n\n\n\nPro tip: If there are just a few bare patches in your grass, a pest may be the culprit behind them. So, go ahead and eliminate it.
\n\n\n\nWhen to overseed
\n\n\n\nWe recommend you overseed after dethatching or aerating your lawn as it increases access to the soil. Also, ensure the newly seeded grass gets the right amount of water and fertilizer for healthy growth.
\n\n\n\n![\"Lawn](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/rsz_2screen_shot_2022-08-08_at_10209_pm.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Rawpixel
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nIt’s spring! Turn on your lawn mower and start mowing, but not before your grass is at least 2 inches high.
\n\n\n\nThe mowing height depends on your grass type. Here’s the recommended mowing height for the most common grasses in Knoxville.
\n\n\n\n| Grass type | Recommended height |
| Tall fescue | 2 – 3 inches |
| Bermudagrass | 1 ¼ – 1 ½ inches |
| Buffalograss | 2 – 3 inches |
| Centipedegrass | 1 – 2 inches |
| Kentucky bluegrass | 2 ½ – 3 inches |
| Creeping red fescue | 3 – 3 ½ inches |
Here are some lawn-mowing tips.
\n\n\n\n![\"Weeds](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Weeds.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Wallpaperflare
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nWeeds aren’t good for your lawn. So, get rid of them. You can apply a pre-emergent herbicide to prevent weeds from germinating. The best time to use these products is between late winter and early spring.
\n\n\n\nPro tip: Don’t apply pre-emergent herbicides when you overseed as it prevents the seeds from germinating. If you have applied a pre-emergent herbicide, you may have to wait between two and four months before you can overseed.
\n\n\n\nIf it’s too late to use a pre-emergent herbicide, and if weeds have already started to show up, apply a post-emergent herbicide. They only affect the weeds that have already germinated.
\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\nWhen spring arrives, it’s time to fight and win the battle against pests. Lawn pests in Knoxville usually reproduce during spring. Use pesticides to eliminate them before they reproduce.
\n\n\n\nWe recommend you avoid using catch-all pesticides as they are less effective and can harm beneficial insects, pets, and plants. Identify the pest in your yard and use a pesticide that targets it specifically.
\n\n\n\nHere are some lawn pests common to Knoxville.
\n\n\n\nYou can prevent pests from entering your lawn by watering your grass, fertilizing, and dethatching.
\n\n\n\n![\"cloe-up](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/3768077054_1a9fc5e9a5_c.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Michael Mol / Flickr / CC BY 2.0
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nWatering is necessary for a lush, green, and healthy lawn. The amount of water your yard requires depends on the grass. Keep in mind that watering too much and watering too little are both harmful to your yard.
\n\n\n\nLawns typically require between 1 and 1.5 inches of water a week during spring. Overwatering can attract fungi and weeds and even cause thatch to build up.
\n\n\n\nNote: Don’t forget to consider weekly rainfall when watering your lawn. Alter the amount of water accordingly to prevent overwatering.
\n\n\n\nIn some cases, your lawn may need more water. Here’s how you can tell:
\n\n\n\nWater your lawn early in the morning (before 10 a.m.) for the best efficiency. Don’t water at night, as the extra water remaining in the soil can attract pests and increase the risk of disease.
\n\n\n\nYou can use an automated irrigation system to ensure your yard gets the correct amount of water at the right time.
\n\n\n\n![\"Aeration](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Aeration-Tool.jpg\")
Photo Credit: allispossible.org.uk / Flickr / CC BY 2.0
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nDon’t aerate your lawn during spring. Instead, wait for the summer to aerate warm-season grasses and winter to aerate cool-season grasses. Aerate your yard once a year for the best results.
\n\n\n\nAeration refers to creating holes in the ground to give roots easier access to air, water, and other nutrients. When you aerate your lawn during spring, those holes can be a lovely place for weeds to thrive.
\n\n\n\nKnoxville is a part of the transition zone, meaning our summers are hot and winters are cold. That doesn’t mean you can’t have a great lawn in Marble City. You just have to put in the time and effort in spring to get your yard going strong for the later months.
\n\n\n\nRaking debris, fertilizing, dethatching, and watering are all great ways to prepare your yard for the summer.
\n\n\n\nIf you want to have a lush and healthy lawn without breaking a sweat, Wikilawn Knoxville lawn care experts can help. We can also create a fantastic landscape for your home to create a better living environment for your family and increase the value of your home.
\n\n\n\nMain Photo Credit: Brian Stansberry / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 3.0
\n","title":"12 Spring Lawn Care Tips for Knoxville, TN","featured_media":{"localFile":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"aspectRatio":1.7118402282453637,"src":"/static/bb471d84d9e830d179681277b1d2ec42/1789c/Knoxville-House.jpg","srcSet":"/static/bb471d84d9e830d179681277b1d2ec42/107df/Knoxville-House.jpg 320w,\n/static/bb471d84d9e830d179681277b1d2ec42/293e9/Knoxville-House.jpg 500w,\n/static/bb471d84d9e830d179681277b1d2ec42/f2cbb/Knoxville-House.jpg 800w,\n/static/bb471d84d9e830d179681277b1d2ec42/1789c/Knoxville-House.jpg 960w,\n/static/bb471d84d9e830d179681277b1d2ec42/c26c2/Knoxville-House.jpg 1200w","srcWebp":"/static/bb471d84d9e830d179681277b1d2ec42/1dd6e/Knoxville-House.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/bb471d84d9e830d179681277b1d2ec42/67b76/Knoxville-House.webp 320w,\n/static/bb471d84d9e830d179681277b1d2ec42/8df11/Knoxville-House.webp 500w,\n/static/bb471d84d9e830d179681277b1d2ec42/98a65/Knoxville-House.webp 800w,\n/static/bb471d84d9e830d179681277b1d2ec42/1dd6e/Knoxville-House.webp 960w,\n/static/bb471d84d9e830d179681277b1d2ec42/3cc96/Knoxville-House.webp 1200w","sizes":"(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px"}}}},"yoast_meta":{"yoast_wpseo_title":"12 Spring Lawn Care Tips for Knoxville, TN","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."}},"relatedPosts":[{"node":{"id":"1351a008-7850-5581-960b-bf35166a71d8","slug":"best-grass-types-durham","path":"/lawn-care/nc/durham/best-grass-types-durham/","status":"publish","template":"","format":"standard","author":{"description":"","name":"Judith Gallova","id":"8e48e42f-071a-5523-a889-6dab4c49dd54","path":"/author/judith-gallova/","avatar_urls":{"wordpress_96":"https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/537ca09b018493e40c3fb0df17ebacbe?s=96&d=mm&r=g"}},"categories":[{"id":"3c4f0f7e-d959-5ea1-9a84-f914bbb6828f","name":"Durham","count":3,"path":"/category/lawn-care/nc/durham/"},{"id":"205f24d4-c1e5-5728-bb28-8ba70eecbc7a","name":"Lawn Care","count":432,"path":"/category/lawn-care/"},{"id":"0946c7b5-fa0e-522f-b876-ff6b33c2d842","name":"North Carolina","count":17,"path":"/category/lawn-care/nc/"}],"date":"April 11th, 2023","excerpt":"Durham abounds with natural beauty all year round. From showy, lush greenery in the summer to dreamy, snow-covered landscapes in the winter, the city has the best of both worlds. Similarly, both warm- and cool-season grasses can thrive in Durham’s climate. But before you rush out and choose one, it’s important to know their strengths […]
\n","content":"\nDurham abounds with natural beauty all year round. From showy, lush greenery in the summer to dreamy, snow-covered landscapes in the winter, the city has the best of both worlds.
\n\n\n\nSimilarly, both warm- and cool-season grasses can thrive in Durham’s climate. But before you rush out and choose one, it’s important to know their strengths and weaknesses so you can select the best type of grass for your lawn.
\n\n\n\nIn this article:
\n\n\n\nAll grass types are classified as either warm-season or cool-season. Here are their differences:
\n\n\n\nAs mentioned above, both warm-season and cool-season types of grass will work with a Durham lawn. Read on to learn about some options.
\n\n\n\n![\"Green](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Centipedegrass.jpg\")
Photo Credit: James Becwar / Wikimedia Commons / CC0
\n\n\n\nCentipedegrass doesn’t need much mowing, fertilizing, or watering, making it a great option for those who want low-maintenance lawns. At the same time, this light green, medium-textured grass can grow thick in the right environment.
\n\n\n\nCentipedegrass grows slowly, so if you want to speed up the process, you should use sod or plugs. To keep your centipedegrass looking beautiful, dethatch it every two to three years and don’t apply too much fertilizer.
\n\n\n\nClassification: Warm-season grass
\n\n\n\nSpreads by: Stolons
\n\n\n\nShade tolerance: Moderate; full sun or partial shade
\n\n\n\nDrought tolerance: Moderate to high (with the right maintenance)
\n\n\n\nFoot traffic tolerance: Very low; if damaged, ensure to water promptly
\n\n\n\nMaintenance needs: Low, and requires less mowing than other grasses because of its slow growth habit
\n\n\n\nMowing height: 1.5 to 2 inches, depending on conditions
\n\n\n\nPotential for disease: Moderate; can be prevented with the right care
\n\n\n\n![\"Green](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Bermudagrass-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Pexels
\n\n\n\nBermudagrass establishes quickly and handles foot traffic and other stressful conditions well. It spreads rapidly and forms a dense, light-to-dark green turf.
\n\n\n\nThis grass comes in common, improved common, and hybrid cultivars. These cultivars range in texture, maintenance needs, disease resistance, and so forth. You can contact an expert to figure out which Bermudagrass cultivar is right for you.
\n\n\n\nClassification: Warm-season grass
\n\n\n\nSpreads by: Stolons and rhizomes
\n\n\n\nShade tolerance: Low; some cultivars may have slightly better shade tolerance, but in general, Bermudagrass needs full sun
\n\n\n\nDrought tolerance: High
\n\n\n\nFoot traffic tolerance: Highly wear-resistant; if foot traffic damage does occur, Bermudagrass recovers well because of its aggressive rhizomes.
\n\n\n\nMaintenance needs: Moderate; may need mowing as often as twice per week due to its low mowing height; plan to dethatch regularly
\n\n\n\nMowing height: 1 to 2 inches (rotary mower) or 0.75 to 1 inch (reel mower)
\n\n\n\nPotential for disease: Low, but common diseases include spring dead spots, large patches, and take-all root rot
\n\n\n\n![\"green](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Zoysiagrass-2.jpg\")
Photo Credit: David-Pierre Mangiapan / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0
\n\n\n\nZoysiagrass is known for its versatility, durability, weed control, and resistance. It can handle stresses like drought and foot traffic. Zoysia is a dense, light-to-medium green carpet of turfgrass that can grow in various soil types. Unlike other warm-season grasses, it can even tolerate moderate shade.
\n\n\n\nHowever, zoysia is extremely slow to establish. The best way to grow the grass is to buy sod, which is more expensive. Ensure that you water and fertilize your zoysia as needed and that you remove any built-up thatch.
\n\n\n\nClassification: Warm-season grass
\n\n\n\nSpreads by: Stolons and rhizomes
\n\n\n\nShade tolerance: Moderate (high for a warm-season grass type)
\n\n\n\nDrought tolerance: Moderate to high, depending on the cultivar
\n\n\n\nFoot traffic tolerance: High; dense growth resists damage, and spreading through stolons and rhizomes allows for quick recovery
\n\n\n\nMaintenance needs: Low to moderate
\n\n\n\nMowing height: Typically 1.5 to 2.5 inches depending on cultivar and shade; heights below 1 inch need a reel mower (which is recommended anyway)
\n\n\n\nPotential for disease: Low to medium, depending on the cultivar
\n\n\n\n![\"green](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Tall-Fescue-2.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Matt Lavin / Flickr / CC BY-SA 2.0
\n\n\n\nTall fescue is a versatile grass that keeps its medium-dark green color all year when it gets the right care. It can stay in tip-top shape under various kinds of stresses, whether it be heat, foot traffic, weeds, or diseases. Moreover, this grass can grow in either full sun or partial shade.
\n\n\n\nHowever, if your tall fescue grass suffers damage, it won’t repair itself, so you’ll need to reseed it. Don’t get cultivar Kentucky-31 for your home lawn. Instead, look for an improved variety, often called turf-type tall fescue. Some experts recommend a blend of two or three tall fescue grasses for better performance.
\n\n\n\nClassification: Cool-season grass
\n\n\n\nSpreads by: Bunch-type grass; doesn’t spread well
\n\n\n\nShade tolerance: Moderate; full sun to partial shade
\n\n\n\nDrought tolerance: Moderate to high
\n\n\n\nFoot traffic tolerance: High, but if bare spots appear, you’ll need to reseed in the fall
\n\n\n\nMaintenance needs: Relatively low, but requires frequent mowing
\n\n\n\nMowing height: 3 to 4 inches
\n\n\n\nPotential for disease: Low
\n\n\n\n![\"green](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Kentucky-Bluegrass-Mix.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Ferran Pestaña / Flickr / CC BY-SA 2.0
\n\n\n\nEven though Kentucky bluegrass grows best in the north of the U.S., it’s used all over the country. It’s a dense, blue-green grass that forms a soft turf and has great ability to repair itself. Although this grass is slow to establish, it can create a lush, uniform lawn if you take care of it.
\n\n\n\nHowever, it may have problems handling heat, drought, and bad soil. Mixing Kentucky bluegrass with other grass types makes it more durable throughout the year. It can be mixed with tall fescue and fine fescue, or just tall fescue on its own.
\n\n\n\nClassification: Cool-season grass
\n\n\n\nSpreads by: KGB spreads by rhizomes; fine fescues are bunch-type, except creeping red fescues, which have short rhizomes; tall fescues are mostly bunch-type
\n\n\n\nShade tolerance: Moderate, depending on the mix; KBG needs full sun, but fine fescues and tall fescues can tolerate partial shade
\n\n\n\nDrought tolerance: High; may go dormant in summer droughts but will recover quickly once cooler temperatures and rainfall resumes
\n\n\n\nFoot traffic tolerance: Moderate to high; tall fescue resists traffic damage well; KBG resists traffic damage well in colder months; fine fescues work better in low-traffic areas; if damage occurs, tall fescue and fine fescue require overseeding
\n\n\n\nMaintenance needs: Moderate to high
\n\n\n\nMowing height: Depends on the mix; anywhere from 1.5 to 3.5 inches
\n\n\n\nPotential for disease: Depends on the mix; KGB has a moderate to high risk for disease, but proper management reduces this risk. Tall fescue and fine fescue grasses are less susceptible to disease.
\n\n\n\nIf you’re looking to make your lawn care easier, consider centipedegrass, which is known for being super low-maintenance.
Bermudagrass is a champ at handling foot traffic, but zoysiagrass is also a great option. If you prefer cool-season grasses, tall fescue should be fine either on its own or mixed with Kentucky bluegrass. Choose the grass that best fits your needs.
Centipedegrass and zoysiagrass are both relatively good at handling partial shade.
If you want your grass to stay green all year, pick tall fescue. This grass can keep its color during all seasons if you give it the right care.
Some people prefer a low-maintenance lawn, while others need resistant turfgrass that can withstand heavy foot traffic. Depending on your personal needs and preferences, you have a variety of grasses to choose from. Additionally, if you want a beautiful, easy-care landscape, make sure that you also research the right native plants for your Durham yard.
\n\n\n\nNo matter which grass type and plants you pick, you’ll need to take care of them to one degree or another to make sure they thrive in your yard. But it doesn’t have to take up all your time. Contact local lawn care pros to see how they can help.
\n\n\n\nMain Photo By: Pixabay
\n","title":"5 Best Grass Types for Your Durham, North Carolina Lawn","featured_media":{"localFile":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"aspectRatio":1.509433962264151,"src":"/static/f55b20099e61150946eb989ff9f846a8/1789c/Grass-Types-for-Your-Durham.jpg","srcSet":"/static/f55b20099e61150946eb989ff9f846a8/107df/Grass-Types-for-Your-Durham.jpg 320w,\n/static/f55b20099e61150946eb989ff9f846a8/293e9/Grass-Types-for-Your-Durham.jpg 500w,\n/static/f55b20099e61150946eb989ff9f846a8/f2cbb/Grass-Types-for-Your-Durham.jpg 800w,\n/static/f55b20099e61150946eb989ff9f846a8/1789c/Grass-Types-for-Your-Durham.jpg 960w,\n/static/f55b20099e61150946eb989ff9f846a8/c26c2/Grass-Types-for-Your-Durham.jpg 1200w","srcWebp":"/static/f55b20099e61150946eb989ff9f846a8/1dd6e/Grass-Types-for-Your-Durham.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/f55b20099e61150946eb989ff9f846a8/67b76/Grass-Types-for-Your-Durham.webp 320w,\n/static/f55b20099e61150946eb989ff9f846a8/8df11/Grass-Types-for-Your-Durham.webp 500w,\n/static/f55b20099e61150946eb989ff9f846a8/98a65/Grass-Types-for-Your-Durham.webp 800w,\n/static/f55b20099e61150946eb989ff9f846a8/1dd6e/Grass-Types-for-Your-Durham.webp 960w,\n/static/f55b20099e61150946eb989ff9f846a8/3cc96/Grass-Types-for-Your-Durham.webp 1200w","sizes":"(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px"}}}},"yoast_meta":{"yoast_wpseo_title":"5 Best Grass Types for Your Durham, North Carolina Lawn | Wikilawn","yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"When it comes to selecting grass for your Durham lawn, you have options. Let’s explore which ones are the right fit for your lawn."}}},{"node":{"id":"37dc5c64-df1b-5279-9f8b-9bc31b4505f9","slug":"best-trees-for-utah","path":"/lawn-care/ut/best-trees-for-utah/","status":"publish","template":"","format":"standard","author":{"description":"","name":"Judith Gallova","id":"8e48e42f-071a-5523-a889-6dab4c49dd54","path":"/author/judith-gallova/","avatar_urls":{"wordpress_96":"https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/537ca09b018493e40c3fb0df17ebacbe?s=96&d=mm&r=g"}},"categories":[{"id":"205f24d4-c1e5-5728-bb28-8ba70eecbc7a","name":"Lawn Care","count":432,"path":"/category/lawn-care/"},{"id":"65f3de7c-13d9-573a-b422-7e8ea533aaa7","name":"Utah","count":5,"path":"/category/lawn-care/ut/"}],"date":"June 6th, 2023","excerpt":"Whether you want a bit of shade to protect you from Utah’s scorching sun or you want to provide food and habitat for local wildlife, there are many reasons to plant a tree. But with Utah’s unpredictable climate, which likes to fluctuate between hot summers and freezing winters, it’s wise to know the best trees […]
\n","content":"\nWhether you want a bit of shade to protect you from Utah’s scorching sun or you want to provide food and habitat for local wildlife, there are many reasons to plant a tree. But with Utah’s unpredictable climate, which likes to fluctuate between hot summers and freezing winters, it’s wise to know the best trees for your Utah landscape.
\n\n\n\nIn this article:
\n\n\n\n![\"Apples](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Apple-Tree.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Famartin / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nIf you want a tree that looks great and produces delicious, nourishing snacks, why not plant an apple tree? There are various apple tree cultivars out there, and most grow better when another variety is planted nearby; so if you feel up to it, plant a couple. Standard apple trees may live for more than 50 years.
\n\n\n\nTake note that they’re also likely to attract birds and a variety of animals to your yard to snack, so consider humane ways to keep them off your apples.
\n\n\n\nApple trees are versatile, don’t need as much care as other fruit trees, and usually grow well in Utah. So if you want to enjoy fresh, organic apples straight from your backyard, planting an apple tree may be a great idea.
\n\n\n\nThe tree doesn’t have serious hazards, but apples’ stems, leaves, and seeds shouldn’t be eaten, as they’re toxic.
\n\n\n\nUSDA Hardiness Zones: 3 to 9
Growing conditions: Grows well in well-drained, moist soil, but occasional dryness is fine; its soil texture should be clay, loam, or sand
Sunlight: Either full sun or a little shade, but at least 8 hours of sun per day
Mature size: 15 to 30 feet
Leaf retention: Deciduous
Flowering: Yes
Potential hazards: Toxic stems, leaves, and seeds
![\"Blue](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Blue-Spruce.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Qirille / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nBlue spruce is a stunning, coniferous evergreen tree that may live for over 600 years. Though it’s also commonly called Colorado blue spruce, the tree is also native to the Beehive State; in fact, it’s Utah’s state tree. Because it’s a native, it’s well accustomed to Utah’s climate, easy to care for, and beneficial for wildlife. As one of the most popular evergreens, it will add a touch of beauty and elegance to your landscape.
\n\n\n\nUSDA Hardiness Zones: 2 to 7
Growing conditions: Needs normal moisture, but tolerates floods and drought to an extent; adaptable; grows in acidic, loamy, moist, rich, sandy, well-drained and clay soils.
Sunlight: Should get full sun with at least 6 hours of sunlight per day
Mature size: 50 to 75 feet
Leaf retention: Evergreen
Flowering?: No
Potential hazards: None known, but caution is always advised
\n\n\n\n![\"Bur](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Bur-Oak.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Justin Meissen from St Paul, United States / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 2.0
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nBur oak provides a great deal of shade with its crown, which often becomes wider than the tree’s height. It tolerates a variety of moisture and soil conditions but thrives in full sun. With a lifespan of over 300 years, bur oak may adorn your yard for generations. It’s also great for local wildlife such as butterflies, moths, beetles, treehoppers, and more.
\n\n\n\nTake note that all parts of the tree, including acorns, are toxic for you and your pets. However, the acorns are safe to eat for some birds and other wildlife, so you can provide them with food by planting the tree.
\n\n\n\nUSDA Hardiness Zones: 3 to 8
Growing conditions: Needs moderate moisture but tolerates drought to an extent; grows in acidic, alkaline, loamy, sandy, well-drained, and clay soils.
Sunlight: Prefers full sun with at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily
Mature size: 50 to 80 feet
Leaf retention: Deciduous
Flowering: No
Potential hazards: Toxic
![\"Hot](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Hot-Wings-Maple.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Le.Loup.Gris / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nHot wings maple, also known as Tatarian maple, is a showy tree that will make a fun addition to your Utah yard. Hot wing maple’s fragrant spring blossoms are followed by double samaras (wing trees) that fall from the tree, oftentimes called “spinners” or “helicopters.”
\n\n\n\nAlthough no hot wings actually grow on this tree, it will brighten your yard with its vibrant red foliage and provide some shade during summer barbecues. The tree’s size makes it perfect for smaller landscapes. It may live for over 70 years.
\n\n\n\nThough the tree poses no known hazards, be sure not to confuse your hot wings maple for a red maple or another toxic tree.
\n\n\n\nUSDA Hardiness Zones: 3 to 8
Growing conditions: Tolerates various soil conditions and drought
Sunlight: Can grow in either full or partial sun
Mature size: 15 to 20 feet
Leaf retention: Deciduous
Flowering: Yes
Potential hazards: None known, but practice caution; be sure not to confuse your hot wings maple for red maple or another toxic tree
![\"Japanese](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Japanese-Cherry-Blossom-Tree.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Kurt Kaiser / Wikimedia Commons / CC0
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nJapanese cherry blossom tree, also known as Kanzan tree, features stunning double pink blossoms that bloom in the spring. They also display stunning fall foliage. The tree is shaped like a vase, and once it matures, its crown is often wider than the tree is high. Though it sometimes grows quite tall, it can also be planted as a bonsai tree.
\n\n\n\nAlthough Japanese cherry blossom tree doesn’t tolerate drought as well as some other trees, it can still handle mildly dry conditions. However, if you want the tree to thrive, you should keep its soil moist. This beautiful tree usually lives for between 15 and 25 years, but its numerous benefits make it well worth planting in your yard.
\n\n\n\nTake note that the tree doesn’t bear fruits, and its leaves, stems, and seeds are toxic.
\n\n\n\nUSDA Hardiness Zones: 5 to 8
Growing conditions: Prefers moist conditions but tolerates dry weather to an extent; grows in acidic, alkaline, loamy, sandy, well-drained, wet and clay soils.
Sunlight: Should grow in full sun, with at least 6 hours of sunlight per day
Mature size: 30 to 40 feet
Leaf retention: Deciduous
Flowering: Yes
Potential hazards: Toxic
\n\n\n\n![\"Northern](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Northern-Red-Oak.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Katrin Schneider, korina.info – CC-BY-SA-4.0 / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nFor a pop of color during the fall months, consider planting the Northern red oak. This beautiful tree grows a dense crown, perfect for providing shade and improving your home’s curb appeal. It usually lives up to 300 years, although some northern red oaks have lived up to as many as 500 years.
\n\n\n\nIt tolerates a variety of conditions, such as compacted soil, pollution, and drought, but prefers moist soil and lots of sunlight. While acorns are toxic for some animals, birds and rodents like to feast on them.
\n\n\n\nUSDA Hardiness Zones: 3 to 8
Growing conditions: Prefers moisture, but can handle some drought; grows in acidic, loamy, moist, sandy, well-drained and clay soils.
Sunlight: should grow in full sun, with at least 6 hours of sunlight per day
Mature size: 60 to 75 feet
Leaf retention: Deciduous
Flowering: No
Potential hazards: Toxic
\n\n\n\n![\"Peach](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Peach-Tree.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Stan Shebs / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nIf you want a tree that bears juicy, delicious fruit, another option is the peach tree. The peach tree thrives in Utah’s hot days and cold nights during the growing season, looks beautiful year-round, and has many available cultivars. It also attracts butterflies, birds, and even squirrels and raccoons. If you don’t want your peaches to be snacked on that much, you can consider a humane way to protect your peach tree.
\n\n\n\nPeach and nectarine trees usually live about 12 years. To keep your peach tree healthy and bearing delicious fruit, make sure to take proper care of it, prune it, and protect it from diseases and insect pests.
\n\n\n\nTake note not to eat the seeds and wilted leaves, as they’re poisonous.
\n\n\n\nUSDA Hardiness Zones: 5 to 9
Growing conditions: Grows well in well-drained, moist soil; its soil texture should be clay, loam, or sand.
Sunlight: Should get full sun, with at least 6 hours of sun per day
Mature size: 15 to 25 feet
Leaf retention: Deciduous
Flowering: Yes
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: Toxic seeds and wilted leaves
\n\n\n\n![\"Pinyon](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Pinyon-Pine.jpg\")
Photo Credit: S. Rae / Flickr / CC BY 2.0
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAre you looking for year-round green foliage? Pinyon pine is one of the most drought-tolerant evergreens, making it a great fit for Utah’s arid climate. What’s more, the tree yields delicious and healthy pine nuts that can be consumed raw or toasted.
\n\n\n\nRemarkably, pinyon pine may live as long as 1,000 years. It’s somewhat oval-shaped when young and becomes more open as it ages. If you want to provide local wildlife with food, you’ll be glad to know that the tree attracts birds and squirrels.
\n\n\n\nUSDA Hardiness Zones: 5 to 8
Growing conditions: Best not to irrigate once established; should get well-drained soil; can grow on dry, poor, or alkaline soils, but not wet soils; drought-tolerant.
Sunlight: Should get at least 6 hours of sunlight per day
Mature size: 25 to 50 feet
Leaf retention: Evergreen
Flowering: No
Potential hazards: None known for humans or pets, but caution is always advised
![\"Rose](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Rose-of-Sharon.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Eric Kounce TexasRaiser / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nRose of Sharon is a perennial plant that yields beautiful blossoms year after year for 20 to 30 years. The blossoms’ colors include white, blue, lavender, pink, and red, and sometimes they’re even combined. Moreover, rose of Sharon is also drought-tolerant and versatile, making it a great addition to your Utah landscape. It also attracts wildlife like butterflies and hummingbirds.
\n\n\n\nTake caution, though; this type of hibiscus is reported to be toxic to pets.
\n\n\n\nUSDA Hardiness Zones: 5 to 9
Growing conditions: If in full or partial sun, tolerates various soil temperatures, moisture conditions, and PH, but needs moisture and protection during midday and afternoon sunshine.
Sunlight: Prefers at least 4 hours of sunlight per day; it also needs a little pruning and shaping
Mature size: 8 to 12 feet
Leaf retention: Deciduous
Flowering: Yes
Potential hazards: Toxic
\n\n\n\n![\"Star](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Star-Magnolia.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Photo: Myrabella / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThe showy star magnolia’s striking, fragrant blossoms stand out in contrast to its dark green leaves, making it a beautiful addition to any landscape. A healthy star magnolia may live for as long as 120 years. It also provides food and shelter for local wildlife.
\n\n\n\nThe tree is easy to maintain and resistant to Utah’s varying temperatures. Although it’s quite versatile, you’re more likely to enjoy more of star magnolia’s magnificent flowers if you plant it in full sun.
\n\n\n\nThe tree is generally seen as non-toxic, but some sources report that it may have some poison characteristics; caution is always advised.
\n\n\n\nUSDA Hardiness Zones: 4 to 9
Growing conditions: Withstands some flooding and drought; grows in acidic, loamy, moist, sandy, well-drained and clay soils.
Sunlight: Needs full sun and partial shade with at least 4 hours of direct sunlight per day; trees exposed to full sun flower better
Mature size: 15 to 20 feet
Leaf retention: Deciduous
Flowering: Yes
Potential hazards: Most sources report that star magnolia has no toxic effects, but a few sources claim they may have some poison characteristics; caution is always advised
Caring for your tree is important to help it thrive in your landscape. As such, you should research the specific needs of your tree, and make sure that you provide it with the right maintenance.
\n\n\n\nHere are a few tips to make your Utah tree thrive:
\n\n\n\nOnce you’ve planted your tree, make sure you give it regular checkups to ensure its health and growth. Be sure to check all parts of the tree and monitor its annual growth.
\n\n\n\nAccording to Salt Lake City Public Lands Department, new trees typically need to be watered 1 to 2 times per week. In summer, you should increase the frequency to 3 to 4 times per week.
According to the University of Maryland, most trees shouldn’t need fertilizer, especially when they’ve become mature. It’s definitely better to avoid fertilizing at planting time because it can stunt growth. You should also certainly not use fertilizer if the tree has recently suffered root damage.
If you want to plant a fruit tree, the apple tree is among the easiest to grow. It’s relatively low maintenance and a great way to start your fruit tree growing journey.
As we’ve discussed, a lot goes into making sure that your fruit tree thrives, but there are some things you can do to make tree care easier. For example, you can choose a low-maintenance tree species that won’t need as much care and attention as other kinds of trees.
\n\n\n\nTo make it easier to care for your whole yard, consider xeriscaping techniques, hardscapes, and planting low-maintenance grass and plants. If you live in Salt Lake City, be sure to check out our Salt Lake City grasses guide. ****
\n\n\n\nHowever, if you’d like some extra help with caring for your Utah yard and trees, be sure to contact one of WikiLawn’s pros in Utah.
\n\n\n\nMain Photo Credit: Capital of Utah / Raman Patel / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 3.0
\n","title":"The Best Trees for a Utah Landscape","featured_media":{"localFile":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"aspectRatio":1.3333333333333333,"src":"/static/4fee2173e5f6eaf6fdd286aa999f3b2f/1789c/Capital-of-Utah-Salt-Lake-City.jpg","srcSet":"/static/4fee2173e5f6eaf6fdd286aa999f3b2f/107df/Capital-of-Utah-Salt-Lake-City.jpg 320w,\n/static/4fee2173e5f6eaf6fdd286aa999f3b2f/293e9/Capital-of-Utah-Salt-Lake-City.jpg 500w,\n/static/4fee2173e5f6eaf6fdd286aa999f3b2f/f2cbb/Capital-of-Utah-Salt-Lake-City.jpg 800w,\n/static/4fee2173e5f6eaf6fdd286aa999f3b2f/1789c/Capital-of-Utah-Salt-Lake-City.jpg 960w,\n/static/4fee2173e5f6eaf6fdd286aa999f3b2f/c26c2/Capital-of-Utah-Salt-Lake-City.jpg 1200w","srcWebp":"/static/4fee2173e5f6eaf6fdd286aa999f3b2f/1dd6e/Capital-of-Utah-Salt-Lake-City.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/4fee2173e5f6eaf6fdd286aa999f3b2f/67b76/Capital-of-Utah-Salt-Lake-City.webp 320w,\n/static/4fee2173e5f6eaf6fdd286aa999f3b2f/8df11/Capital-of-Utah-Salt-Lake-City.webp 500w,\n/static/4fee2173e5f6eaf6fdd286aa999f3b2f/98a65/Capital-of-Utah-Salt-Lake-City.webp 800w,\n/static/4fee2173e5f6eaf6fdd286aa999f3b2f/1dd6e/Capital-of-Utah-Salt-Lake-City.webp 960w,\n/static/4fee2173e5f6eaf6fdd286aa999f3b2f/3cc96/Capital-of-Utah-Salt-Lake-City.webp 1200w","sizes":"(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px"}}}},"yoast_meta":{"yoast_wpseo_title":"The 10 Best Trees for a Utah Landscape","yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"Not every tree will thrive in Utah’s challenging climate, but these 10 will, and they look great as well."}}},{"node":{"id":"18f67249-5578-5c79-8bce-6e6877a2b37d","slug":"best-grasses-new-jersey","path":"/lawn-care/nj/best-grasses-new-jersey/","status":"publish","template":"","format":"standard","author":{"description":"Stuart Kushner is a writer and aspiring product designer based in New York City. When he isn’t doing either, Stuart enjoys heavy metal music, exercise, and trying new food and drinks.","name":"Stuart Kushner","id":"82e51515-0cd6-5b19-a026-570eb408a24e","path":"/author/stuart-kushner/","avatar_urls":{"wordpress_96":"https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/159400686ba92aeb1f5d3503e0246fc1?s=96&d=mm&r=g"}},"categories":[{"id":"205f24d4-c1e5-5728-bb28-8ba70eecbc7a","name":"Lawn Care","count":432,"path":"/category/lawn-care/"},{"id":"b8711f9d-06f8-5606-a74a-8dbad3a8aacf","name":"New Jersey","count":1,"path":"/category/lawn-care/nj/"}],"date":"May 15th, 2023","excerpt":"When you live in the Garden State, you want a lawn worthy of the title. Achieving a beautiful lawn starts with choosing a grass type that thrives in New Jersey’s temperate climate and also suits your personal preferences. Not every grass is ideal for your lifestyle, after all. Whether you’re looking for something that tolerates […]
\n","content":"\nWhen you live in the Garden State, you want a lawn worthy of the title. Achieving a beautiful lawn starts with choosing a grass type that thrives in New Jersey’s temperate climate and also suits your personal preferences.
\n\n\n\nNot every grass is ideal for your lifestyle, after all. Whether you’re looking for something that tolerates the high foot traffic of Sunday afternoon flag-football games or one that doesn’t require frequent mowing, there is a grass that suits your needs.
\n\n\n\nIn this article:
\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 that are 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 best 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 adapted to hot summers. They do well when temperatures are milder in July and August but need more water when it’s hot to stay green.
\n\n\n\nCommon cool-season grasses:
\n\n\n\nNew Jersey’s climate is characterized by cold winters and warm, humid summers. Because of this, cool-season grasses thrive in New Jersey’s climate.
\n\n\n\nWith that background, here are the best grasses for New Jersey.
\n\n\n\n![\"closeup](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Fine-Fescue-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: James Lindsey at Ecology of Commanster / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 2.5
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nFine fescue stands out for its ability to handle shade and dry soil. It comes in many varieties, such as creeping red, hard, and sheep. It’s also popular in turfgrass mixes.
\n\n\n\nFans love the soft, fine texture of the narrow leaves on Chewings fescue, hard fescue, sheep fescue, slender creeping red fescue, and strong creeping red fescue. Fine fescues also have excellent shade tolerance, hold up to moderate foot traffic, and tolerate low soil fertility. In short, they are pretty durable.
\n\n\n\nClassification: Cool-season grass
\n\n\n\nSpreads by: Bunch-type grass (except creeping red fescue, which may produce rhizomes)
\n\n\n\nShade tolerance: High
\n\n\n\nDrought tolerance: High
\n\n\n\nFoot traffic tolerance: Low
\n\n\n\nMaintenance needs: Low
\n\n\n\nMowing height: 2.5 to 4 inches
\n\n\n\nPotential for disease: Moderate
\n\n\n\n![\"Backyard](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/kentucky-bluegrass-yard.jpeg\")
Photo Credit: Brenda Ryan / Wikilawn
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nKentucky bluegrass is popular here due to its beauty and versatility. It adapts to many different soils and forms a thick green turf that self-repairs when damaged.
\n\n\n\nKentucky bluegrass tolerates partial shade, but it does best in full sun. The seed is slower to germinate and establish than some other grasses, but because it spreads by underground stems known as rhizomes, it holds up well and recovers quickly from foot traffic. Bare spots from kids or pets also fill in quickly.
\n\n\n\nYou’ll usually find Kentucky bluegrass in a seed mix with fine fescues and perennial ryegrass. Kentucky bluegrass is susceptible to diseases, pests, and thatch, so mixing it with other grasses lessens the damage.
\n\n\n\nClassification: Cool-season grass
\n\n\n\nSpreads by: Rhizomes
\n\n\n\nShade tolerance: Low
\n\n\n\nDrought tolerance: Low; may go brown (dormant) during the summer without supplemental watering, but its rhizomes allow it to green up quickly once it rains and cooler temperatures return.
\n\n\n\nFoot traffic tolerance: Moderate
\n\n\n\nMaintenance needs: Moderate to high
\n\n\n\nMowing height: 2 to 3 inches
\n\n\n\nPotential for disease: Moderate to high
\n\n\n\n![\"closeup](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Perennial-Ryegrass.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Dr Mary Gillham Archive Project / Flickr / CC BY 2.0
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nPerennial ryegrass germinates quickly and acts as a nurse grass (a grass that protects other grasses) for slower-growing grasses. While it grows, perennial ryegrass covers the soil and prevents erosion.
\n\n\n\nBecause they can withstand cold temperatures, perennial ryegrass is grown for pasture and home lawns. It withstands foot traffic well, but is prone to diseases.
\n\n\n\nClassification: Cool-season grass
\n\n\n\nSpreads by: Bunch-type grass
\n\n\n\nShade tolerance: Moderate
\n\n\n\nDrought tolerance: Low to moderate
\n\n\n\nFoot traffic tolerance: High
\n\n\n\nMaintenance needs: Mow and water frequently; fertilize every 4 to 6 weeks
\n\n\n\nMowing height: 2.5 to 3.5 inches
\n\n\n\nPotential for disease: High
\n\n\n\n![\"Tall](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Tall-Fescue-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Daderot / Wikimedia Commons / Public domain
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nTall Fescue is a good choice for school grounds, sports fields, and parks in New Jersey. It’s commonly mixed with Kentucky bluegrass to allow the turf to spread sideways. Additionally, if you want a low maintenance lawn, tall fescue is what you want.
\n\n\n\nTall fescue grows quickly, tolerates heat and drought, and grows quickly from seeds. It’s also immune to diseases that infect other turfgrasses.
\n\n\n\nClassification: Cool-season grass
\n\n\n\nSpreads by: Bunch-type grass
\n\n\n\nShade tolerance: Moderate
\n\n\n\nDrought tolerance: Low to moderate
\n\n\n\nFoot traffic tolerance: Moderate
\n\n\n\nMaintenance needs: Mow often, fertilize appropriately
\n\n\n\nMowing height: 2-4 inches; higher is better (allows for deeper roots)
\n\n\n\nPotential for disease: Moderate
\n\n\n\n![\"Green](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/zoysiagrass-4.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Russbach at the English Wikipedia / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nZoysiagrass is the most common warm-season grass in New Jersey. It grows well during the hot summer months and grows thickly, making weeds less of a problem. It also doesn’t need as much water compared to cool-season turfgrasses.
\n\n\n\nHowever, avoid Zoysiagrass if you have a shady lawn, as it doesn’t like shade. Additionally, because it grows thickly, you’ll need to mow it regularly in summer.
\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 to high
\n\n\n\nFoot traffic tolerance: High
\n\n\n\nMaintenance needs: Mow about once a week
\n\n\n\nMowing Height: 1 to 2 inches
\n\n\n\nPotential for disease: Low to moderate
\n\n\n\nAll grasses require some maintenance, but fine fescue and Zoysiagrass need the least.
Fine fescue tolerates shade the best, but perennial ryegrass, tall fescue, and Zoysiagrass handle shade decently.
Zoysiagrass and fine fescue handle sunlight the best.
Zoysiagrass and perennial ryegrass are the best choices if you have many feet running around the yard.
Whether you want to enhance your lawn or need help picking the right grass seed, contact Wikilawn’s lawn care pros. They don’t mind getting their hands dirty.
\n\n\n\nMain Photo Credit: Wood Lawn in New Brunswick / Zeete / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0
\n","title":"Best Grass Seed for a Beautiful New Jersey Lawn","featured_media":{"localFile":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"aspectRatio":1.5,"src":"/static/899061fa985f7683dbf768e0cb6f88bd/1789c/Wood-Lawn-New-Brunswick-NJ.jpg","srcSet":"/static/899061fa985f7683dbf768e0cb6f88bd/107df/Wood-Lawn-New-Brunswick-NJ.jpg 320w,\n/static/899061fa985f7683dbf768e0cb6f88bd/293e9/Wood-Lawn-New-Brunswick-NJ.jpg 500w,\n/static/899061fa985f7683dbf768e0cb6f88bd/f2cbb/Wood-Lawn-New-Brunswick-NJ.jpg 800w,\n/static/899061fa985f7683dbf768e0cb6f88bd/1789c/Wood-Lawn-New-Brunswick-NJ.jpg 960w,\n/static/899061fa985f7683dbf768e0cb6f88bd/c26c2/Wood-Lawn-New-Brunswick-NJ.jpg 1200w","srcWebp":"/static/899061fa985f7683dbf768e0cb6f88bd/1dd6e/Wood-Lawn-New-Brunswick-NJ.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/899061fa985f7683dbf768e0cb6f88bd/67b76/Wood-Lawn-New-Brunswick-NJ.webp 320w,\n/static/899061fa985f7683dbf768e0cb6f88bd/8df11/Wood-Lawn-New-Brunswick-NJ.webp 500w,\n/static/899061fa985f7683dbf768e0cb6f88bd/98a65/Wood-Lawn-New-Brunswick-NJ.webp 800w,\n/static/899061fa985f7683dbf768e0cb6f88bd/1dd6e/Wood-Lawn-New-Brunswick-NJ.webp 960w,\n/static/899061fa985f7683dbf768e0cb6f88bd/3cc96/Wood-Lawn-New-Brunswick-NJ.webp 1200w","sizes":"(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px"}}}},"yoast_meta":{"yoast_wpseo_title":"Best Grass Seed for a Beautiful New Jersey Lawn","yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"Achieving a beautiful lawn starts with choosing a grass seed that suits New Jersey’s climate and your personal preferences"}}},{"node":{"id":"5fc7656f-555a-5c98-8e1f-8e6c5ee9567b","slug":"identify-common-lawn-problems","path":"/lawn-care/tx/austin/identify-common-lawn-problems/","status":"publish","template":"","format":"standard","author":{"description":"Nicki DeStasi is a writer, author, and teacher who grew up in western Massachusetts and currently resides in the Austin area. She enjoys flower and vegetable gardening, reading, cooking, listening to true-crime podcasts, and spending time with her husband, two children, dog, and cat.","name":"Nicki DeStasi","id":"ffbf62e2-d627-5a5f-a041-4eaa9ac66924","path":"/author/nicki-destasi/","avatar_urls":{"wordpress_96":"https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/9846092d7afb2db8d0a4daa2454074f0?s=96&d=mm&r=g"}},"categories":[{"id":"c823f674-c750-5882-9059-d8c27fbe7e1d","name":"Austin","count":19,"path":"/category/lawn-care/tx/austin/"},{"id":"205f24d4-c1e5-5728-bb28-8ba70eecbc7a","name":"Lawn Care","count":432,"path":"/category/lawn-care/"},{"id":"0f9826dc-fc31-550e-9967-1b3bf51f2bdb","name":"Texas","count":72,"path":"/category/lawn-care/tx/"}],"date":"June 30th, 2018","excerpt":"A healthy lawn is good for your soul, but lawn care problems are not. Austin is home to Lady Bird Lake, live music, and food truck tacos, but it also has compacted soil, high temperatures, and minimal rain. These factors cause problems that devastate a healthy lawn. Read on to discover how to identify common […]
\n","content":"\nA healthy lawn is good for your soul, but lawn care problems are not. Austin is home to Lady Bird Lake, live music, and food truck tacos, but it also has compacted soil, high temperatures, and minimal rain. These factors cause problems that devastate a healthy lawn. Read on to discover how to identify common lawn care problems in Austin and how to fix them.
\n\n\n\nIn this article, we’ll discover:
\n\n\n\nFrom dollar spot to drought, Austin has more than its fair share of lawn problems. Learn how to identify and solve common lawn problems in Austin.
\n\n\n\nWith the high temperatures and minimal rainfall, warm-season grasses thrive best in Austin lawns. However, not all warm-season grass types can handle compacted soils. If you’re having trouble growing a thick lawn, consider switching your grass type.
\n\n\n\nThe best grass types for Austin lawns are:
\n\n\n\nBermudagrass is light-green and fine-textured. This fast-growing grass is used in home lawns, sports fields, and parks. It has excellent drought tolerance, high traffic tolerance, and low to moderate disease potential. However, it has low shade tolerance and is moderately high maintenance.
\n\n\n\nSt. Augustinegrass grows quickly, creating a thick, coarsely textured, dark green lawn. Its nickname is “carpet grass” thanks to its dense growth habit. It has good drought tolerance and high shade tolerance but is more vulnerable to chinch bugs than other warm-season cultivars. St. Augustinegrass has low traffic tolerance and high disease potential.
\n\n\n\nBuffalograss is soft, fine-textured, and gray-green or blue-green. Although slow-growing, it won’t invade flower beds like many fast-growing grass types. It has excellent drought tolerance, very low water needs, and goes dormant later than other warm-season grass types. The downside is it has low traffic and shade tolerance.
\n\n\n\nZoysiagrass is emerald green with a medium to fine leaf texture. It grows quickly and stays green longer than most warm-season specimens. It has low to moderate disease potential, great drought tolerance, and moderate to high traffic tolerance. However, it recovers slowly and requires moderate maintenance
\n\n\n\nPhoto Credit: Scot Nelson / Wikimedia Commons / CC0
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nEven the healthiest lawns can develop a disease. Once a lawn disease takes hold, the problem continues to worsen until the disease is eradicated. Three factors converge to cause lawn disease:
\n\n\n\nBrown patch causes a smoke ring, resembling a grayish-purple-bordered ring. This fungal disease doesn’t affect grass roots but will infect the blades and leave brown patches in your lawn. It develops with a wet lawn and nighttime temperatures above 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Brown patch affects bermudagrass, St. Augustinegrass, Zoysiagrass, and buffalograss.
\n\n\n\nTake all patch is a fungal disease that is most active during moist spring’s moderate temperatures. This devastating, hard-to-control disease begins with yellowing leaves and darkening roots. Soon, turf thins as the roots and stolons turn black and die. Take all patch effects bermudagrass, St. Augustinegrass, Zoysiagrass, and buffalograss.
\n\n\n\nIn the spring through fall, dollar spot present as round, white or tan, silver dollar-sized circles. This fungal disease is active when the grass is wet for 10 to 12 hours daily and the nights are above 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Drainage, mowing, and foot traffic spread dollar spot. This disease affects most grasses, including bermudagrass, St. Augustinegrass, Zoysiagrass, and buffalograss.
\n\n\n\nDuring spring and early summer, gray leaf spot develops on St. Augustinegrass and buffalograss when the temperature is warm, and the grass is moist, especially in shaded areas. The fungus causes oval, tan lesions with brown or purplish borders on the grass blades. When the grass eventually dies, the turf appears burned or scorched.
\n\n\n\nSt. Augustine Decline, or SAD, is an incurable viral disease that only affects St. Augustinegrass and centipedegrass. At first, SAD resembles nutrient deficiency or insect issues. The grass blades appear spotty, yellow, and weak, and the stolon growth will slow. When fertilizers and fungal treatments do not help your declining turfgrass, it’s probably SAD.
\n\n\n\nRust prefers warm, humid conditions and grass stressed by drought, low nitrogen, and shade. This fungal disease begins as small orange to reddish-brown flecks that enlarge to form small, oval blisters containing powdery orange to reddish-brown spores. The blisters turn black, and the leaf dies. Rust affects Zoysiagrass, bermudagrass, and St. Augustinegrass.
\n\n\n\nThe majority of lawn diseases are fungal, so using a fungicide is the best solution. Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s directions. Too much fungicide burns grass, and too little is ineffective.
\n\n\n\nIf you prefer a natural solution, there are a few options, including:
\n\n\n\n![\"A](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/rsz_23679288519_2efd3eee6f_o.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Simon / Flickr / CC BY 2.0
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nPests are a nuisance and bad for lawns. There are two types of pests in Austin that cause lawn damage: insects and wildlife.
\n\n\n\nBermudagrass and St. Augustinegrass are more pest-prone while Zoysiagrass and buffalograss are more resistant. If a problem pops up, act fast before the pests spread, causing irreversible damage.
\n\n\n\nFire ants damage lawns by tunneling and creating ant hills. Their mounds can grow up to 18 inches tall. Apply fire ant bait, following the manufacturer’s directions. Sometimes the colony will abandon the mound and create a new one a few yards away. If this cycle continues, consider hiring a professional to handle the problem.
\n\n\n\nGrubs are small, fat, white, c-shaped beetle larvae with burnt orange heads and six legs near the front of their body. Grubs feast on your grass roots, causing brown spots and dead turf. To eliminate them, use a grub-specific pesticide. For a natural method, apply nematodes or milky spores. Regular dethatching and aeration help by limiting their food supply.
\n\n\n\nChinch bugs are tiny black insects with white wings. They suck the sap from the base and stolons of grass blades before injecting a toxic substance that prevents the plant from transporting water. Without water, patches of your lawn turn yellow and eventually die. In the spring, apply preventive insecticides. In the summer and fall, use targeted insecticides.
\n\n\n\nDespite the name, armyworms are dark brown caterpillars with white, orange, or yellow stripes. They devour grass blades. Use commercial-grade pesticides to prevent these invaders, and maintain your lawn, as they like dense, thatched, moist areas.
\n\n\n\nNote: Mow and irrigate your lawn a full twenty-four hours before insecticide applications. It’s best to use a broad-spectrum non-repellent insecticide containing carbaryl or pyrethroid to treat affected areas. Experts advise applying preventative treatments in May and June.
\n\n\n\nDespite being the 10th largest city in the country, Austin has a surprising amount of wildlife. While it’s lovely to see nature’s friends as you bustle about your day, they can pose problems for your lawn.
\n\n\n\nDeer are among the most troublesome animals affecting yards. They eat vegetation such as flowers, young leaves, and broad-leaf weeds. Sprinkling dog or human hair around your lawn helps keep them at bay or try a deer-repellent product found at Lowe’s, Tractor Supply, or other home outdoor retailers.
\n\n\n\nRaccoons, skunks, and opossums tear up lawns looking for insects or places to bury nuts. Keep a close eye on insect problems to restrict the food supply for these animals. Apply capsaicin or mint to repel these invaders. However, note that you will need to reapply after rainfall.
\n\n\n\nRabbits love to eat grass, and their concentrated urine causes brown spots. If you notice spots in your area that appear to be mowed down, you may have a rabbit problem. To stop Thumper, spray odors on your grass, like capsaicin, castor oil, or predator urine.
\n\n\n\nNot all tunneling animals will eat your plants and grass, but they do destroy your lawn. Moles won’t eat your lawn, but they love digging for bugs. Voles and gophers feast on grass and roots. Use traps, bait, or repellent. For a natural method, try peppermint oil, castor oil, coyote, cat, and dog urine, garlic, coffee grounds, fish oil, or scented dryer sheets.
\n\n\n\nCats and dogs dig and urinate on lawns and flower beds, causing brown spots. To keep cats and dogs off your lawn, try repellent, motion-activated sprinklers, or ultrasonic devices. For a more natural solution, try using citrus, coffee grounds, vinegar, pipe tobacco, blood meal, or essential oils.
\n\n\n\n![\"Chickweed](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Chickweed.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Harry Rose / Flickr / CC BY 2.0
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nWeeds love an unhealthy lawn and signify a deeper problem. To make matters worse, weeds steal nutrients, water, and sunlight from your grass, all while creating an ideal environment for pests and diseases. One of the best ways to control weeds is to maintain a healthy lawn.
\n\n\n\nThere are two ways to control weeds: chemical treatments and hand pulling. Often, hand pulling is the safest way to remove weeds. Identify the type of weed before selecting your removal method to ensure proper elimination.
\n\n\n\nFollow these weeding tips:
\n\n\n\nWeeds are everywhere, but some are a bigger pain in the grass than others. Here are a few particularly nasty Austin weeds.
\n\n\n\nAnnual sow thistle grows everywhere, including roadsides, lawns, and gardens. Like dandelions, they have yellow flowers that turn into white, fluffy seeds that attract and harbor pests.
\n\n\n\nChickweed is challenging to remove. One plant has over 25,000 seeds that stay viable for ten years. It grows in a thick mat and is identifiable by its small, smooth, oval-with-a-point leaves and clusters of tiny white flowers. Chickweed sucks the nitrogen from the soil, depleting resources.
\n\n\n\nNutsedge is often declared the world’s worst weed. It resembles grass but grows twice as fast. Its roots are tubers and rhizomatous that grow 6 to 12 inches deep. Nutsedge is horrible because if you rip out the plant, the tubers are left behind to create new plants. To eliminate nutsedge, apply multiple treatments.
\n\n\n\nAlthough there are 35 crabgrass varieties, smooth crabgrass thrives in Austin’s warm weather. It grows everywhere. Smooth crabgrass is low-growing with dull green leaves. It tolerates mowing and produces seeds, making it difficult to eliminate.
\n\n\n\nSpotted spurge is a prostrate-growing, groundcover plant. It has small, dark green, oval leaves with a dark red to purple spot in the middle. Spotted Surge is a skin irritant to some people and toxic to some animals.
\n\n\n\n![\"dethatcher](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/hand-scarifiers-g35cd23e32_1920-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Pixabay
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nCompacted soil and thatch will strangle a lawn, but they also attract pests and disease. Unfortunately, Austin’s soil is prone to soil compaction and thatch.
\n\n\n\nHealthy soil has pore space that allows water, oxygen, and nutrients to filter to roots. Compacted soil is pressed together, reducing pore space and disallowing roots to grow. Compacted soil stunts and starves grass. It also reduces beneficial earthworm activity, which boosts fertility, breaks down thatch, and improves soil structure.
\n\n\n\nCore aeration relieves compacted soils. It is the process of removing plugs from the soil to allow air, water, and nutrients to penetrate your lawn. Plugs are about 2 to 3 inches long, three-quarter inches wide, and 3 to 4 inches apart, allowing roots to grow deeply, creating a stronger, more robust lawn. You can purchase or rent an aerator from a home improvement store.
\n\n\n\nThatch is a combination of dead and living roots. You get thatch build-up when turf produces grass faster than it is broken down. Some thatch is good because it insulates the soil and retains water. But thatch over a half inch will reduce water and nutrient absorption, starving your grass.
\n\n\n\nMany Austin lawns are prone to thatch build-up, because:
\n\n\n\nThatch-prone grass types include:
\n\n\n\nTo get rid of thatch, you have a few options. Liquid dethatching increases enzymes and thatch-eating organisms. A dethatching rake works for mild thatch, but if you have moderate build-up or more, use a power-driven dethatcher.
\n\n\n\n![\"Orange](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Orange-sprinkler-in-dry-grass.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Bignai / Canva Pro / License
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nBeing an Austinite, you know that summers are hot and dry, but sometimes we get even less rain than normal. Like all living things, your grass needs water to survive, so restricted water access causes stress. Grasses turn brown, go dormant, and in extreme cases, die.
\n\n\n\nHere are some best practices for lawn care during a drought:
\n\n\n\n![\"A](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/heatwave-gb5348e647_1280-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Pixabay
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nWatering practices have a powerful effect on your lawn’s health. Your grass and native plants are adapted to Austin’s USDA Hardiness Zone, 8, but they still face high temperatures, drought, and water restrictions. Consider investing in an automatic irrigation system that allows you to program it for your lawn’s needs.
\n\n\n\nFollow these tips to get the most out of your watering practices:
\n\n\n\nFollow the water recommendations for common Austin grass types:
\n\n\n\n![\"lawn](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Dont-Mow-too-much.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Pixabay
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nImproper mowing causes brown, damaged turf. Proper mowing is one of the best ways to maintain a healthy lawn. This means mowing at the right time, the right frequency, and the right height.
\n\n\n\nFollow these mowing tips to maintain a healthy lawn:
\n\n\n\nKnowing when to mow is also critical for a healthy lawn.
\n\n\n\nThe frequency of mowing changes with the seasons. Growth rates vary by grass type, but here’s an approximate mowing schedule by season:
\n\n\n\nGrass type is a significant factor for mowing best practices. These are the recommended summer mowing heights and frequencies for popular Austin grass types:
\n\n\n\n![\"Man](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Different-Fertilizer.jpg\")
Photo Credit: evgenyb / Canva Pro / License
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nBefore you start spreading fertilizer, be sure to understand your soil.
\n\n\n\nAustin has three ecoregions: the Edwards Plateau, the Blackland Prairies, and the Post Oak Savannah Floodplains. Each ecoregion has a different soil type:
\n\n\n\nOther factors that affect soil quality include:
\n\n\n\nKnowing your soil type is essential. Experts recommend getting your soil tested every 1 to 3 years. Once you receive your results, plan a fertilization schedule.
\n\n\n\nMost lawns need fertilization, but too much will burn the grass. Here are a few fertilizing tips to help you feed your lawn without causing damage:
\n\n\n\nThe average grass needs about 0.5 pounds of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet of lawn, but each grass type differs. Here are the typical fertilization needs for common Austin grass types:
\n\n\n\n![\"Mushrooms](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Mushrooms-in-Lawn.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Pixabay
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThe list of problems a lawn can face is as long as a child’s wish list to Santa. Along with the common lawn problems in this article, lawns can face many more challenges, including:
\n\n\n\nAll of these problems put stress on or kill healthy turfgrass, leaving you with a yellowing, thinning, or patchy lawn.
\n\n\n\nTo solve yellow, thinning, or patchy grass, you first need to address the underlying problem. Whether it’s grubs or brown patch, solve the problem before beginning repair. To repair, remove dead grass, apply grass seed, and then water and fertilize as needed. If the underlying problem is the soil, address those needs before planting fresh sod or seed.
\n\n\n\nMany lawn problems that Austin faces can be avoided with routine maintenance. For more information on how to care for your turf, check out our comprehensive guide to summer lawn care in Austin.
\n\n\n\nYes, lawn care chemicals can be dangerous. Herbicides and pesticides were designed to kill insects and broadleaf weeds, and they can be harmful to humans and pets if used incorrectly. However, the EPA maintains that lawn care products used according to the manufacturer’s directions are safe.
However, some studies have shown that some lawn care products can cause health problems. Round-up, for example, has lost multiple lawsuits, and one of its products was banned in France. According to the World Health Organization, the IARC classified glyphosate–many herbicide’s active ingredient–as “probably carcinogenic to humans.”
Regular lawn care should begin at the very beginning of the growing season. In Austin, the growing season starts in February or March, depending on temperatures and the weather.
Yes and no. Some experts cite multiple reasons why lawns are bad for the environment, while others tout their benefits. Here are the environmental pros and cons of home lawns:
Pros
• Lawns are carbon sinks, lowering carbon dioxide and cooling the air
• They prevent erosion and reduce flooding
• Improves water and soil quality
• Reduce noise and light reflection
Cons
• Gas-powered equipment: EPA says 5% of all air pollution comes from lawnmowers
• Synthetic fertilizers: Runoff pollutes local groundwater and other aquatic ecosystems, creating a spike in toxic algae. Soil microbes turn additional synthetic fertilizer into nitrous oxide gas, the third most abundant greenhouse gas.
• Fresh water use: In arid climates, lawns use a lot of fresh water, causing groundwater decline and depletion.
Having a backyard party-worthy lawn takes a lot of work and constant vigilance, but that’s time away from your family, friends, and hobbies. Instead of breaking your back, let Wikilawn set you up with a local lawn care professional. They’ll take care of your lawn problems and maintenance, so you can get back to making memories with your loved ones.
\n\n\n\nMain Photo Credit: Harry Rose, Macleay Grass Man / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 2.0
\n","title":"How to Identify Common Lawn Care Problems in Austin, TX","featured_media":{"localFile":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"aspectRatio":1.3333333333333333,"src":"/static/65db01f98f927181acdb0e85ab9b8253/1789c/Pennisetum-clandestinum-yellowing-fungul-disease.jpg","srcSet":"/static/65db01f98f927181acdb0e85ab9b8253/107df/Pennisetum-clandestinum-yellowing-fungul-disease.jpg 320w,\n/static/65db01f98f927181acdb0e85ab9b8253/293e9/Pennisetum-clandestinum-yellowing-fungul-disease.jpg 500w,\n/static/65db01f98f927181acdb0e85ab9b8253/f2cbb/Pennisetum-clandestinum-yellowing-fungul-disease.jpg 800w,\n/static/65db01f98f927181acdb0e85ab9b8253/1789c/Pennisetum-clandestinum-yellowing-fungul-disease.jpg 960w,\n/static/65db01f98f927181acdb0e85ab9b8253/c26c2/Pennisetum-clandestinum-yellowing-fungul-disease.jpg 1200w","srcWebp":"/static/65db01f98f927181acdb0e85ab9b8253/1dd6e/Pennisetum-clandestinum-yellowing-fungul-disease.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/65db01f98f927181acdb0e85ab9b8253/67b76/Pennisetum-clandestinum-yellowing-fungul-disease.webp 320w,\n/static/65db01f98f927181acdb0e85ab9b8253/8df11/Pennisetum-clandestinum-yellowing-fungul-disease.webp 500w,\n/static/65db01f98f927181acdb0e85ab9b8253/98a65/Pennisetum-clandestinum-yellowing-fungul-disease.webp 800w,\n/static/65db01f98f927181acdb0e85ab9b8253/1dd6e/Pennisetum-clandestinum-yellowing-fungul-disease.webp 960w,\n/static/65db01f98f927181acdb0e85ab9b8253/3cc96/Pennisetum-clandestinum-yellowing-fungul-disease.webp 1200w","sizes":"(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px"}}}},"yoast_meta":{"yoast_wpseo_title":"How to Identify Common Lawn Care Problems in Austin, TX","yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"Maintaining a healthy lawn is tricky, and lawn problems make it harder. Discover common lawn care problems in Austin and how to fix them."}}},{"node":{"id":"1e622faf-6c21-5480-a056-b45f6c30e91f","slug":"best-native-plants-maine","path":"/lawn-care/maine/best-native-plants-maine/","status":"publish","template":"","format":"standard","author":{"description":"Descendant of the Fulani tribe, Gettysburg-obsessed Marine Corps brat, and lover of all things writing and editing, Andréa Butler has penned articles for Sesi magazine and sites, such as LivingSocial, Talbot Digital, Xickle, and Rachel Ray. Andréa holds a B.A. in English from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and an M.A. in magazine journalism from Kent State University.","name":"Andréa Butler","id":"dae2e109-3ba9-5073-a19a-e341e567190e","path":"/author/andrea-butler/","avatar_urls":{"wordpress_96":"https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/c671545b46efb40d2596d32a775f26a1?s=96&d=mm&r=g"}},"categories":[{"id":"205f24d4-c1e5-5728-bb28-8ba70eecbc7a","name":"Lawn Care","count":432,"path":"/category/lawn-care/"},{"id":"47799b4c-dc00-522b-9249-ee471c0c0d49","name":"Maine","count":2,"path":"/category/lawn-care/maine/"}],"date":"May 14th, 2023","excerpt":"The Vacationland is homeland to you; even still, you need not venture far to appreciate your state’s natural beauty. Inspired by the Wild Gardens of Acadia, your latest project is cultivating a bed of native plants in your own Maine landscape. To start you off on this quest, we’ve gathered 11 best native plants for […]
\n","content":"\nThe Vacationland is homeland to you; even still, you need not venture far to appreciate your state’s natural beauty. Inspired by the Wild Gardens of Acadia, your latest project is cultivating a bed of native plants in your own Maine landscape. To start you off on this quest, we’ve gathered 11 best native plants for Maine, just waiting to take root near you.
\n\n\n\nIn this article, we’ll cover:
\n\n\n\n![\"closeup](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Nannyberry-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Doug McGrady / Flickr / CC BY 2.0
\n\n\n\nThe flashy white flowers of this perennial bloom in May, followed by an autumn to winter season of color-changing leaves and berries— leaves turn burgundy while the edible berries go from green to yellow to red to deep blue. Perfect for growing as a natural privacy screen or specimen plant, this drought- and pollution-tolerant native attracts caterpillars, moths, birds, and other pollinators but repels deer.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Shrub or small tree
\n\n\n\nUSDA hardiness zone: 2 to 8
\n\n\n\nSun: Full sun or part shade
\n\n\n\nSoil: Clay, loam, sand, moist, well-drained soil
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nBloom Time: Early summer
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Medium
\n\n\n\nMature height: 10 to 20 feet
\n\n\n\nFoliage: Deciduous; glossy, dark green leaves turn burgundy in fall; too much shade may cause milder
\n\n\n\nMaintenance: Medium; prune after flowering and water regularly until established; no need to fertilize
\n\n\n\n![\"closeup](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Pagoda-Dogwood-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Michele Dorsey Walfred / Flickr / CC BY 2.0
\n\n\n\nNamed for its resemblance to a pagoda temple — its branches grow in similarly structured horizontal layers — the pagoda dogwood produces perfumed, white blooms and blue or purple berries in spring and summer, respectively. Plant it as a specimen tree, or pair it with maples, beeches, birches, or serviceberries.
\n\n\n\nOffering year–round interest, as well (the leaves turn yellow, red, and orange in autumn), this native selection is tolerant of pollution and attracts all kinds of pollinators. Keep a lookout though, as it’s susceptible to canker, twig blight, and leaf spot.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Shrub or small tree
\n\n\n\nUSDA hardiness zone: 3 to 7
\n\n\n\nSun: Full sun or partial shade
\n\n\n\nSoil: Well-drained, nutrient-rich, acidic; sandy, loamy, clay
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFragrance: Sweet
\n\n\n\nBloom time: Early summer
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Low; water regularly until established and then only during drought
\n\n\n\nMature height: 12 to 20 feet
\n\n\n\nFoliage: Deciduous; turn red, yellow, and orange in fall
\n\n\n\nMaintenance: Low
\n\n\n\n![\"Common](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Common-Milkweed.jpg\")
Photo Credit: USFWS Mountain-Prairie / Flickr / CC BY 2.0
\n\n\n\nAs Maine is the final summer destination for monarch butterflies’ annual migration from Mexico, common milkweed is an especially important native plant that can help fight the decline of these butterflies’ populations. This native wildflower provides a place for monarchs to lay their eggs and gives off round, ball-like clusters of purple or pink flowers each summer.
\n\n\n\nSince common milkweed spreads swiftly via rhizomes, it’s best planted in naturalized areas, so it doesn’t become invasive in your traditional garden.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Wildflower
\n\n\n\nUSDA hardiness zone: 3 to 9
\n\n\n\nSun: Full sun
\n\n\n\nSoil: Chalk, clay, loam, sand
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFragrance: Sweetly scented
\n\n\n\nBloom time: Summer
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Low, average
\n\n\n\nMature height: 2 to 6 feet
\n\n\n\nFoliage: Oval, green leaves with hairy underside; release milky substance when crushed
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: Toxic if ingested
\n\n\n\nMaintenance: Low
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/New-England-Aster-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: USFWS Midwest Region / Flickr / Public Domain
\n\n\n\nThis native selection, ideal as a garden mass planting for displays of fall color brought on by pink or purple ray flowers surrounding a yellow center, is perfect for attracting various pollinators.
\n\n\n\nAble to thrive in a range of soil types, New England aster is pretty low maintenance when it comes to water needs; it likes things moist but can tolerate some dry soils. To keep this tall-growing flower on the shorter side, prune stems in early summer. If provided the right amount of sunlight, water, and overall care, this plant can live up to 10 years.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Flower
\n\n\n\nUSDA Hardiness Zone: 4 to 8
\n\n\n\nSun: Full sun
\n\n\n\nSoil: Well-drained, acidic, clay, sandy, loamy; poorly-drained clay soils may cause aster wilt
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nBloom time: Late summer, autumn
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Medium
\n\n\n\nMature height: 3 to 6 feet
\n\n\n\nFoliage: Dark green leaves
\n\n\n\nMaintenance: Low; vulnerable to powdery mildew. Cut back stems in mid-summer to avoid staking and to produce more flowers.
\n\n\n\n![\"closoeup](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Northern-Bayberry.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Famartin / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0
\n\n\n\nThis wide-growing, rounded shrub generates inconspicuous gold, yellow, or green blooms in spring. Come summer and through the following spring, whitish-gray berries grow from the stems, providing a food source for birds. The fruits’ waxy finish is also used in candles and soaps.
\n\n\n\nNorthern bayberry can live up to 30 years and is best used as a specimen plant, hedge, or foundation plant. It’s excellent at preventing erosion and is resistant to deer, salt, drought, heat, compacted soil, and seasonal flooding, so it’s easy for beginners to grow.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Shrub
\n\n\n\nUSDA hardiness zone: 4 to 6
\n\n\n\nSun: Full sun
\n\n\n\nSoil: Sandy, rocky, acidic; well-drained with high organic matter
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFragrance: Whole plant scented when crushed; peppery and woody scent
\n\n\n\nBloom Time: Spring
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Low; water regularly until established
\n\n\n\nMature height: 6 to 12 feet
\n\n\n\nFoliage: Deciduous to semi-evergreen; fragrant, dark green, shiny leaves
\n\n\n\nMaintenance: Low
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Bearberry.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Andrew Curtis / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 2.0
\n\n\n\nDrought-tolerant, this low-growing groundcover is a prime pick for a xeriscaped yard. In mid-spring, pink, bell-shaped flowers will spring forth, while summer sees the emergence of red berries that last through fall.
\n\n\n\nAdding to the year-round interest are the dark green leaves that turn burgundy from fall through winter. This native plant, which can live up to 20 years, is also resistant to salt and pollution and can work well in an ornamental, butterfly, rock, or winter garden.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Evergreen shrub
\n\n\n\nUSDA hardiness zone: 2 to 6
\n\n\n\nSun: Full sun or partial shade
\n\n\n\nSoil: Sandy, acidic; can be dry or moist but no standing water; susceptible to yellowing leaves if not acidic enough
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFragrance: Autumn leaves/pine
\n\n\n\nBloom Time: Early spring to early summer
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Low
\n\n\n\nMature height: Up to 8 inches
\n\n\n\nFoliage: Evergreen; glossy and round, turns from green to burgundy in autumn
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: Arbutin in foliage hinders melanin production/can lighten skin
\n\n\n\nMaintenance: Low; tolerant of drought, salt, and pollution
\n\n\n\n![\"Red](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Red_Columbine_3630187830-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Jason Hollinger / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 2.0
\n\n\n\nFrom spring through summer, this perennial produces downward-hanging, umbrella-shaped blossoms that are red and yellow. Post-bloom, red columbine reseeds on its own and goes dormant as some of its leaves turn pink or purple before falling off. Although this plant has no noticeable aroma, hummingbirds, bees, and other pollinators are drawn to its nectar. Red columbine is a great accent plant for rock gardens and coastal sites, as it is salt-tolerant. Duskywing caterpillars and columbine leafminers feed on the leaves, but don’t cause any actual harm to the plant’s health.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Flower
\n\n\n\nUSDA hardiness zone: 3 to 8
\n\n\n\nSun: Full sun or partial shade
\n\n\n\nSoil: Clay, silt, or sandy soil that’s well-drained, moist, dry-ish
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nBloom Time: Spring and summer
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Weekly or whenever soil is completely dry
\n\n\n\nMature height: 1 to 3 feet
\n\n\n\nFoliage: Blue-green leaves grow in groups of three
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: Moderately flammable/risk of fire
\n\n\n\nMaintenance: Low; deadhead blooms as needed, cut back in late summer
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Northern-Bush-Honeysuckle.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Joshua Mayer / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 2.0
\n\n\n\nUnlike the nonnative, “true” honeysuckle plants, Northern bush honeysuckle is not invasive and has no scent. It does, however, have similar trumpet-shaped, yellow flowers that grow in pairs or triplets. Drought-resistant, it serves well as a privacy screen or mass planting and can endure dry and seasonally flooded conditions. Northern bush honeysuckle attracts a variety of pollinators, including bumblebees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Shrub
\n\n\n\nUSDA hardiness zone: 3 to 7
\n\n\n\nSun: Full sun or partial shade
\n\n\n\nSoil: Not particular; grows in range of soil types and withstands dry and seasonally flooded soils
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nBloom Time: Summer
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Low, average
\n\n\n\nMature height: 2 to 4 feet
\n\n\n\nFoliage: Burgundy spring new growth; pointy leaves become green and copper as they mature; turns yellow-orange or reddish-purple in fall
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: Berries are mildly poisonous to humans.
\n\n\n\nMaintenance: Low; prune in late winter
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Scarlet-Elder.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Algirdas / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0
\n\n\n\nScarlet elder (aka red elderberry) produces memorable white, floral-scented, cone-shaped blooms that can thrive in wet soil, full sun, and partial shade. This plant’s calling card also includes clusters of red berries, which serve as food for several species of birds.
\n\n\n\nNaturally able to manage erosion, scarlet elder makes for a fantastic hedge when planted alongside other shrubs, like winterberry and witch hazel. It also draws its fair share of pollinators.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Shrub
\n\n\n\nUSDA hardiness zone: 3 to 7
\n\n\n\nSun: Full sun or partial shade
\n\n\n\nSoil: Moist, well-drained soil
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFragrance: Flowers have floral scent; leaves have unpleasant, stinky odor when crushed
\n\n\n\nBloom Time: Spring and summer
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Medium; water well in the absence of rain
\n\n\n\nMature height: 3 to 9 feet
\n\n\n\nFoliage: Dark green with serrated edges and hairy underside
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: Seeds are poisonous; raw berries are toxic
\n\n\n\nMaintenance: Medium; prune to contain spread
\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Rosebay-Rhododendron.jpeg\")
Photo Credit: SB Johnny / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0
\n\n\n\nRosebay rhododendron grows nicely in shade gardens and as border plantings underneath heavily canopied areas of hemlocks, pines, and maples. This broadleaf evergreen boasts dark, blue-green leaves that curl up to protect themselves from cold weather and prominent pink, white, or lavender flowers that grow in bell-shaped clusters.
\n\n\n\nBest as an ornamental planting in a cool, shady yard, this native perennial is not OK with drought, heat, or salt and is susceptible to canker, crown rot, root rot, powdery mildew, and leaf spot, to name a few.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Broadleaf evergreen shrub
\n\n\n\nUSDA hardiness zone: 3 to 7
\n\n\n\nSun: Full shade or partial shade
\n\n\n\nSoil: Moist, acidic, well-drained
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nBloom Time: Summer
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Medium
\n\n\n\nMature height: 20 to 35 feet
\n\n\n\nFoliage: Evergreen; leathery feel; dark, blue-green in color
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: Toxic to humans, pets, horses, and other animals if ingested.
\n\n\n\nMaintenance: Medium
\n\n\n\n![\"image](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Chokecherry-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Matt Lavin / Flickr / CC BY-SA 2.0
\n\n\n\nThis attractive shrub, which bears white flowers, dark red berries, and green leaves, is a favorite of racoons — they love feasting on the ripened berry clusters. Also edible to humans, the fruits have been described by many as dry and “astringent.” However, taste is much improved when dried or cooked and turned into wine, jams, or jellies. Be careful not to eat the seeds, though; they are toxic. Chokecherry serves as a host to Eastern tent caterpillars, and when crushed, the twigs emit an unsavory, bittersweet smell.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Tree
\n\n\n\nUSDA Hardiness Zone: 2 to 7
\n\n\n\nSun: Full sun to full shade
\n\n\n\nSoil: Moist, limestone-based, sand, loam, clay
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFragrance: Unpleasant bittersweet smell when twigs are crushed
\n\n\n\nFoliage: Deciduous; oval, bright green in color; serrated edges
\n\n\n\nBloom time: Spring to summer
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Medium; drought-tolerant
\n\n\n\nMature height: 30 feet
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: Leaves, bark, stem, and seed pit are poisonous/harmful to livestock
\n\n\n\nMaintenance needs: Low; prune late winter to early spring
\n\n\n\nStart by assessing the conditions of your property, including the amount of sun it gets, the type of soil, and the existing plant life. Then, find out what specific native plants will be the best fit, considering what purpose you’d like each plant to have (specimen, groundcover, traditional garden, etc.).
\n\n\n\nFor oodles of inspiration, look for ideas at Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, Charlotte Rhoades Park and Butterfly Garden, Viles Arboretum, or the Henry Wadsworth Longfellow House and Gardens, among others.
\n\n\n\nMaine’s climate includes super cold and snowy winters, with lows hovering around 15 degrees, and mild summers, with highs averaging around 70 degrees. The entire state falls within hardiness zones 3 to 6.
\n\n\n\nOther native planting options include (but are not limited to):
\n\n\n\nIn Maine, September is the ideal time to plant natives, when not planting from seed. This allows the already-sprouted plants to establish a root system in time for winter dormancy. If planting from seed, wait until December, as this is the time when plant self-seeding naturally occurs.
Planting natives has a number of benefits, including:
● being noninvasive
● preserving biodiversity
● being naturally adapted to soil/weather conditions
● providing shelter/food for wildlife and pollinators
● using less water
● requiring less fertilization (if any)
The only turfgrass native to Maine is red fescue; however, there are a variety of native ornamental grasses you can try:
● switchgrass (panicum virgatum)
● yellow prairie grass (sorghastrum nutans)
● Canada wild rye (elymus canadensis)
● little bluestem (schizachyrium scoparium)
Maine is home to approximately 1,500 native plants, and the Wild Seed Project is a popular destination for learning about and purchasing various species of native trees, wildflowers, vines, shrubs, and grasses. Search its native plant finder for details.
\n\n\n\nAdditionally, local lawn care professionals can provide yard care assistance via mowing, trimming, and edging the landscape. We have trusted lawn care pros in Scarborough, Wells, and many other cities across the state.
\n\n\n\nMain Image Credit: Matt Lavin / Flickr / CC BY-SA 2.0
\n","title":"11 Best Native Plants for Maine","featured_media":{"localFile":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"aspectRatio":1.3333333333333333,"src":"/static/84026e22d5449b10b4bf19ed2821fcb7/1789c/Chokecherry-plant.jpg","srcSet":"/static/84026e22d5449b10b4bf19ed2821fcb7/107df/Chokecherry-plant.jpg 320w,\n/static/84026e22d5449b10b4bf19ed2821fcb7/293e9/Chokecherry-plant.jpg 500w,\n/static/84026e22d5449b10b4bf19ed2821fcb7/f2cbb/Chokecherry-plant.jpg 800w,\n/static/84026e22d5449b10b4bf19ed2821fcb7/1789c/Chokecherry-plant.jpg 960w,\n/static/84026e22d5449b10b4bf19ed2821fcb7/c26c2/Chokecherry-plant.jpg 1200w","srcWebp":"/static/84026e22d5449b10b4bf19ed2821fcb7/1dd6e/Chokecherry-plant.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/84026e22d5449b10b4bf19ed2821fcb7/67b76/Chokecherry-plant.webp 320w,\n/static/84026e22d5449b10b4bf19ed2821fcb7/8df11/Chokecherry-plant.webp 500w,\n/static/84026e22d5449b10b4bf19ed2821fcb7/98a65/Chokecherry-plant.webp 800w,\n/static/84026e22d5449b10b4bf19ed2821fcb7/1dd6e/Chokecherry-plant.webp 960w,\n/static/84026e22d5449b10b4bf19ed2821fcb7/3cc96/Chokecherry-plant.webp 1200w","sizes":"(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px"}}}},"yoast_meta":{"yoast_wpseo_title":"11 Best Native Plants for Maine | Wikilawn","yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"Ready to grow a more pollinator-friendly, eco-conscious garden? Here, we’ve rounded up a list of 11 best native plants for Maine to get you started."}}},{"node":{"id":"89d4f5bf-07c5-58c6-b032-db8a18fef31c","slug":"best-grass-types-dearborn","path":"/lawn-care/michigan/dearborn/best-grass-types-dearborn/","status":"publish","template":"","format":"standard","author":{"description":"Nick Crawford is a blog writer based in Philadelphia. He enjoys writing just as much as he enjoys reading a good book, cooking, and working out in his spare time.","name":"Nick Crawford","id":"5213edde-9943-5767-a5ae-163493ecfae5","path":"/author/nick-crawford/","avatar_urls":{"wordpress_96":"https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/7ce3281d49bd9eb99cb1c4f0200247d3?s=96&d=mm&r=g"}},"categories":[{"id":"3245d8e6-f8d1-5861-b7b9-483ccf7c3781","name":"Dearborn","count":1,"path":"/category/lawn-care/michigan/dearborn/"},{"id":"205f24d4-c1e5-5728-bb28-8ba70eecbc7a","name":"Lawn Care","count":432,"path":"/category/lawn-care/"},{"id":"75fb394d-179e-5e85-92bb-a24a339af8a6","name":"Michigan","count":12,"path":"/category/lawn-care/michigan/"}],"date":"April 12th, 2023","excerpt":"In Dearborn, we get to enjoy all four seasons to the fullest. So do our plants. The balanced mix of rain, shine, and mild temperature is great for most plants. And candidly, it wouldn’t be fair to live in a plant-friendly city and not have an amazing lawn to flaunt. Four grass types, in particular, […]
\n","content":"\nIn Dearborn, we get to enjoy all four seasons to the fullest. So do our plants. The balanced mix of rain, shine, and mild temperature is great for most plants. And candidly, it wouldn’t be fair to live in a plant-friendly city and not have an amazing lawn to flaunt.
\n\n\n\nFour grass types, in particular, thrive in this environment, and understanding them will help you achieve a fantastic lawn.
\n\n\n\nIn this article:
\n\n\n\nThere are generally two categories of grass: warm-season and cool-season. Warm-season grasses tend to grow thicker and lusher in warmer climates. However, it can get rather chilly in the Midwest, and Michigan is no exception.
\n\n\n\nProximity to the Great Lakes means a lot of cool breezes, so you’ll want to choose cool-season grasses. These grasses germinate faster and perform better in temperatures between 60 degrees and 75 degrees Fahrenheit, making them well-suited for mild summers.
\n\n\n\nHere are the grass types that will give you an amazing lawn.
\n\n\n\n![\"Close](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Kentucky-Bluegrass-2.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Pilot138-17 / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0
\n\n\n\nKentucky Bluegrass is the most popular and well-known type of turfgrass in Michigan. This cool climate varietal spreads quickly, perhaps even aggressively, in some areas. Its rapid growth allows it to effectively patch bare spots in your lawn, and it provides a visually appealing blue-green turf.
\n\n\n\nWhile Kentucky bluegrass prefers full sun, it can also tolerate light shade and some cloudy days. It performs best in well-drained, fertile soil with a higher pH between 6.0 and 7.0, but it can also grow in the sandier soil of lakeshore regions.
\n\n\n\nHowever, Kentucky bluegrass does not hold up well to foot traffic. And it is a maintenance-intensive grass, requiring constant watering and a lot of fertilizer to thrive. With its shallow roots, bluegrass is also less resistant to drought and heat than other grass types.
\n\n\n\nClassification: Cool-season grass
\n\n\n\nSpreads by: Rhizomes (underground stems)
\n\n\n\nShade tolerance: Low (prefers sunlight)
\n\n\n\nDrought tolerance: Moderate
\n\n\n\nFoot traffic tolerance: Moderate
\n\n\n\nMaintenance needs: Medium to high
\n\n\n\nMowing height: 1.5-3 inches
\n\n\n\nPotential for disease: Moderate
\n\n\n\nFine fescue encompasses several kinds of grass, all of which tolerate shade and drier soil conditions. In fact, numerous grass seed mixtures contain some percentage of fescue with the intent to pass on the species’ shade and drought tolerance.
\n\n\n\nThe fescue grasses are Chewings fescue, creeping red fescue, sheep fescue, and hard fescue. Each varietal grows with a gray-green color and a fine texture to its leaves. In addition, fine fescues do not require as much maintenance as other grasses
\n\n\n\nWhile fine fescue benefits many seed mixes, it’s rare to see it grown alone. Overwatering, excessive fertilization, and rapid thatch development can cause thinning in a fine fescue lawn, especially during the summer.
\n\n\n\nClassification: Cool-season grass
\n\n\n\nSpreads by: Red fescue spread by below-ground rhizomes, while hard and Chewings fescues are bunch-forming and spread through tillers.
\n\n\n\nShade tolerance: High
\n\n\n\nDrought tolerance: High
\n\n\n\nFoot traffic tolerance: Low to moderate
\n\n\n\nMaintenance needs: Low
\n\n\n\nMowing height: 3-4 inches
\n\n\n\nPotential for disease: Moderate
\n\n\n\nTall fescue is a popular cool-season grass that tolerates all but the most severe of cold weather conditions. As indicated by its name, this grass grows taller than most species.
\n\n\n\nOne of the biggest benefits of tall fescue is its ability to control and limit weed growth. Its height allows it to dominate sunlight intake over weeds that may be lurking. In addition, tall fescue is a low-maintenance grass that requires occasional watering and a small amount of fertilization.
\n\n\n\nHowever, tall fescue’s growth rate, combined with its height, means that you will need to mow your lawn more often. And it may not be an ideal choice if you find coarse grass objectionable.
\n\n\n\nClassification: Cool-season grass
\n\n\n\nSpreads by: Bunches, occasionally rhizomes
\n\n\n\nShade tolerance: Moderate
\n\n\n\nDrought tolerance: High
\n\n\n\nFoot traffic tolerance: High
\n\n\n\nMaintenance needs: Low
\n\n\n\nMowing height: 2-3 inches
\n\n\n\nPotential for disease: Low
\n\n\n\n![\"A](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/7370356864_c9e8d6081f_c.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Harry Rose / Flickr / CC BY 2.0
\n\n\n\nPerennial ryegrass is a hardy and drought-resistant varietal that stays green in dry conditions. Once planted, this grass grows and spreads quickly, allowing it to act as an erosion-controlling factor. In addition, it holds up well to foot traffic.
\n\n\n\nBecause of their similar qualities, perennial ryegrass is often mixed with Kentucky bluegrass to keep your lawn verdant during times when other grass types would typically go dormant.
\n\n\n\nPart of the reason perennial ryegrass is seen in mixes is that despite its resilience, it does not tolerate high heat or intense cold on its own. Ryegrass, alone, also has a poor mowing quality due to its tough, fibrous leaves.
\n\n\n\nClassification: Cool-season grass
\n\n\n\nSpreads by: Bunches
\n\n\n\nShade tolerance: Low
\n\n\n\nDrought tolerance: Moderate
\n\n\n\nFoot traffic tolerance: High
\n\n\n\nMaintenance needs: High
\n\n\n\nMowing height: 1.5-2.5 inches
\n\n\n\nPotential for disease: Very high, including brown patch, red thread, and rust
\n\n\n\nA mix of fine fescue and perennial ryegrass will have the highest chance of maintaining a healthy green color all year round. Both types of grass are drought resistant and complement each other’s strengths while shoring up their weaknesses.
Cool-season grasses perform well in the Michigan climate, and the best time to plant them is mid-to-late fall. The general rule of thumb is to plant cool-season grass at least 45 days before the estimated time of the first frost.
Fine and tall fescues are very easy to maintain. They are both hardy and crowd out weeds, though tall fescue does so better than fine fescue.
To maintain a beautiful lawn in Dearborn, Michigan, you will need to plant cool-season grasses that can stand up to the chill of the Midwest. You’ll also need to take the proper steps to care for that grass once it’s established. If you would like help with mowing, landscaping, and other general yard maintenance, feel free to hire a lawn care professional to put your mind at ease.
\n\n\n\nMain Image Credit: Nicole Yeary / Flickr / CC BY 2.0
\n","title":"4 Best Grass Types For Dearborn, Michigan","featured_media":{"localFile":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"aspectRatio":1.492537313432836,"src":"/static/b5c43e79de1ce895dc8124d43345c117/1789c/Lawn-in-Dearborn.jpg","srcSet":"/static/b5c43e79de1ce895dc8124d43345c117/107df/Lawn-in-Dearborn.jpg 320w,\n/static/b5c43e79de1ce895dc8124d43345c117/293e9/Lawn-in-Dearborn.jpg 500w,\n/static/b5c43e79de1ce895dc8124d43345c117/f2cbb/Lawn-in-Dearborn.jpg 800w,\n/static/b5c43e79de1ce895dc8124d43345c117/1789c/Lawn-in-Dearborn.jpg 960w,\n/static/b5c43e79de1ce895dc8124d43345c117/c26c2/Lawn-in-Dearborn.jpg 1200w","srcWebp":"/static/b5c43e79de1ce895dc8124d43345c117/1dd6e/Lawn-in-Dearborn.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/b5c43e79de1ce895dc8124d43345c117/67b76/Lawn-in-Dearborn.webp 320w,\n/static/b5c43e79de1ce895dc8124d43345c117/8df11/Lawn-in-Dearborn.webp 500w,\n/static/b5c43e79de1ce895dc8124d43345c117/98a65/Lawn-in-Dearborn.webp 800w,\n/static/b5c43e79de1ce895dc8124d43345c117/1dd6e/Lawn-in-Dearborn.webp 960w,\n/static/b5c43e79de1ce895dc8124d43345c117/3cc96/Lawn-in-Dearborn.webp 1200w","sizes":"(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px"}}}},"yoast_meta":{"yoast_wpseo_title":"4 Best Grass Types For Dearborn, Michigan | Wikilawn","yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"If you’re living in Dearborn and want your lawn to look stunning, you should know which grasses are best for your area."}}},{"node":{"id":"955faa8e-0da7-5d65-867f-65e3a3f4cd74","slug":"worst-backyard-pests-charlotte-nc","path":"/lawn-care/nc/charlotte/worst-backyard-pests-charlotte-nc/","status":"publish","template":"","format":"standard","author":{"description":"Jay Keaton is a lawn care specialist who focuses on organic pest control. His yard is filled with chrysanthemums, basil, borage, marigolds and other plants that repel bugs.","name":"Jay Keaton","id":"aa1543ca-6fab-5e4b-bd0c-12f87aa13f51","path":"/author/jay-keaton/","avatar_urls":{"wordpress_96":"https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/6abb3b96ee2a6dcce741112f06af213b?s=96&d=mm&r=g"}},"categories":[{"id":"afc750c6-fc25-5d3b-8b8a-77aa8db4c3fb","name":"Charlotte","count":6,"path":"/category/lawn-care/nc/charlotte/"},{"id":"205f24d4-c1e5-5728-bb28-8ba70eecbc7a","name":"Lawn Care","count":432,"path":"/category/lawn-care/"},{"id":"0946c7b5-fa0e-522f-b876-ff6b33c2d842","name":"North Carolina","count":17,"path":"/category/lawn-care/nc/"}],"date":"July 30th, 2019","excerpt":"The things that make Charlotte a beautiful place to live — short, mild winters and long months of hot, humid weather — make it a haven for insects. Here are the worst ones and what to do about them.
\n","content":"\nThe things that make Charlotte a beautiful place to live — short, mild winters and long months of hot, humid weather — make it a haven for insects. If you haven’t encountered any of these pesky interlopers yet, chances are you will at some point. Here’s a list of the worst backyard pests in Charlotte, N.C., and how to deal with them.
\n\n\n\n![\"\"/](\"https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/BLU_yMhW80SMMI1oRONPvyLPmrRvT25vN4tePCqNjbmnM15jryrQIXtUr_Xz0gChposzndRdYhJLTLYsWz_9ybOVTck2pS4zD9wWqulRU3nW1tQZL8V9P6JwK7od8LVUTaiSkaza\")
These little suckers attach themselves to the undersides of the leaves of herbaceous and woody plants and suck the life out of them. The easiest way to detect aphids is to examine the bottoms of leaves from time to time. If you see a plant looking unusually wilted or developing strangely shaped or colored new leaves, the aphids have invaded. It’s possible to treat aphids without chemicals, by crushing them, spraying them with water from a hose, or treating them with neem oil.
\n\n\n\nYou’ll first see these pests gathering in late spring, forming small bags that resemble upside-down ice cream cones. Conifers are the most susceptible trees. The sooner you notice them, the better. You can treat with a biological, nontoxic pesticide, Bacillus thuringiensis, or BT, but only when the worms are young and feeding. Spinosad is your next line of defense, effective on the adult worms and also low in toxicity. Whatever you do, don’t ignore the problem, because it will only get worse the following year.
\n\n\n\n![\"\"/](\"https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_gfirmzWi6t0nx5-2kpUgsrgLUbSTri7lPAbERHMSOpoxC6I1fpWrG0fSZ-G3zfLiBoLJsqdwtQKDL91eizRApL2hpt-wTubVRzySXRcMDMvtGyadKJA6haLiOaKsHJJcbXJ-M0b\")
Nothing ruins a good time in the yard faster than fire ants. These inconsiderate invaders do great damage to the lawn and deliver nasty bites that you won’t soon forget. There are many control methods, from treating mounds with boiling water to drenching them with insecticide. One of the most effective techniques is the two-step method, which can reduce the population by 80 to 90 percent. This involves spreading a bait over your yard in the early part of fall. The ants will take this back to their nest where it will kill the queen. The second step involves treating individual mounds with a granule or dust insecticide.
\n\n\n\nWhile mosquitoes don’t do any damage to the lawn, they can ruin a backyard party. They’re also the deadliest creature on the planet! The best way to take care of this pest is to prevent them from breeding in the first place. Make sure there is absolutely no standing water anywhere in the yard. If you have a birdbath, replace the water every few days, and if you have a pond or water feature, treat it with non-toxic mosquito dunks every couple of weeks.
\n\n\n\nPlanting fragrant plants like mint, lavender, geraniums. and rosemary around decks and patios can help to repel these bloodsuckers. If all else fails, installing oscillating deck fans can help to at least keep these slow-flying pests at bay.
\n\n\n\n![\"\"/](\"https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/8-cnXREv09d7KZnxV_WpM4iROBuk1IaRkCzYF-hehaPeXl15-Re-j9oO5bkUIdF6jDjmSalXZxthOUIDPV7vqq7WAIOai7shYz5OzNysxIZ5RuQ3GdD_mE5xyldYhOV3hGJwhOg4\")
When you begin to see inexplicable brown spots on an otherwise healthy lawn, you can be almost certain that a grub is to blame. If you suspect you have a grub issue, try to lift up a piece of affected turf. If it rolls up and seems to lack roots, then you know you have grubs. To avoid using chemicals on your lawn, use milky spore, nematodes, or neem oil to kill the grubs in the soil. Remember, the healthier your lawn is, the more difficult it is for grubs to make a dent in it. Mow consistently and make sure you irrigate the right amount.
\n\n\n\nNo matter what pests you’re dealing with, prevention and early detection are the best defenses you can mount against them. Treating an all-out infestation will always be more difficult and time-consuming. So keep your eyes open and do your best to defeat the worst pests before they become problematic.
\n\n\n\nWant to learn more about lawn care and gardening in Charlotte? Visit our Charlotte Lawn Care page.
\n\n\n\nJay Keaton is a lawn care specialist who focuses on organic pest control. His yard is filled with chrysanthemums, basil, borage, marigolds and other plants that repel bugs.
After seeing the plethora of Virginia native plants displayed at the Virginia Living Museum, you may want a colorful and diverse exhibit of your own to show off. You can maintain your enjoyment and connection to nature by filling your garden with Virginia native plants. Here’s a list of the best native plants for Virginia […]
\n","content":"\nAfter seeing the plethora of Virginia native plants displayed at the Virginia Living Museum, you may want a colorful and diverse exhibit of your own to show off. You can maintain your enjoyment and connection to nature by filling your garden with Virginia native plants. Here’s a list of the best native plants for Virginia and its five regions.
\n\n\n\n![\"closeup](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Black-Eyed-Susan.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nBlack-eyed Susan is common throughout Virginia. Since the wildflower’s hardiness zones include 5a to 8a, it should survive the coldest temperatures in every region of the state.
\n\n\n\nBlack-eyed Susan looks like a daisy. Susan has long, bright yellow petals emerging from a dark brown center. She attracts birds, butterflies, and pollinators. The young plants are hardy enough to tolerate frost, making black-eyed Susan well-suited for the cold Virginia winters, especially the freezing winter temperatures in Northern Virginia, the Southwestern Mountain Region, Piedmont Region, and Western Mountain areas.
\n\n\n\nBlack-eyed Susan has moderate drought tolerance once established and is very easy to grow. She tolerates a variety of soil types. If your home gets a lot of sunlight and some shade, it will provide a great place for this flower to thrive. Black-eyed-Susan works well in borders, beds, or as an accent plant.
\n\n\n\nNative Regions: All
\n\n\n\nPlant Type: Flower
\n\n\n\nUSDA Hardiness Zone: 3 to 9
\n\n\n\nSun: Full sun
\n\n\n\nSoil: Clay, sandy, loam, acidic, moist, well-drained
\n\n\n\nDuration: Can be perennial, biennial, or annual depending on growing conditions
\n\n\n\nFragrance: Sweet
\n\n\n\nBloom Time: Spring to early autumn
\n\n\n\nWater Needs: Medium. Has moderate drought tolerance
\n\n\n\nMature Height: 1 to 3 feet
\n\n\n\nMaintenance Needs: Low
\n\n\n\n![\"Cutleaf](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Cutleaf-Coneflower.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Katja Schulz / Flickr / CC BY 2.0
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nCutleaf coneflower is native to all five regions of Virginia. This brightly colored yellow flower has multiple petals stacked on top of each other. Like black-eyed Susan, cutleaf grows along the roadside, except cutleaf is generally found in roadside ditches. The leaves at the stem’s base remain in the winter, making this coneflower an excellent year-round groundcover.
\n\n\n\nCutleaf is easy to grow. It thrives in full sun, full shade, or partial shade. Cutleaf’s nectar attracts butterflies. In the fall, songbirds flock to the coneflower’s seeds. If deer are prone to stop by your home, you’ll be happy to know that deer tend to ignore this plant. Cutleaf looks great in borders, beds, and cottage gardens.
\n\n\n\nNative Regions: All
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Herb
\n\n\n\nUSDA Hardiness Zone: 3 to 9
\n\n\n\nSun: Full sun, partial shade, full shade
\n\n\n\nSoil: Moist, slightly acidic soil
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nBloom time: June to November
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Low
\n\n\n\nMature height: Up to about 10 feet tall
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: Somewhat toxic to livestock
\n\n\n\nMaintenance: May need staking in some garden situations
\n\n\n\n![\"Whorled](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Whorled-Tickseed.jpg\")
Photo Credit: I, Chrumps / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nIt’s easy to see why whorled tickseed is part of the daisy family. Like black-eyed Susan and cutleaf coneflower, tickseed is another bright yellow flower. Tickseed flowers are simpler than cutleaf’s, with tickseed having only one layer of petals.
\n\n\n\nWhorled tickseed has her own uniqueness. Some varieties are exquisitely two-toned. Tickseed requires well-drained soil and will grow well on a property with full sun and some shade.
\n\n\n\nThis herb attracts butterflies, bees, and wasps. Tickseed looks great in containers or borders. Whorled tickseed is not picky about soil type, but soil that is too moist or rich can make the plant stems fragile, causing the plant to flop.
\n\n\n\nNative Regions: Coastal Plain, Piedmont, Blue Ridge Mountains, and Valley and Ridge
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Perennial herb
\n\n\n\nUSDA Hardiness Zone: 3 to 9
\n\n\n\nSun: Full sun
\n\n\n\nSoil: Well-drained, moist soils.
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFragrance: Sweet scent
\n\n\n\nBloom time: June – August
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Low to Medium
\n\n\n\nMature height: 2 to 3 ft
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: None, has medicinal properties
\n\n\n\nMaintenance: Low
\n\n\n\n![\"Eared](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Eared-Coreopsis.jpg\")
Photo Credit: David J. Stang / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSo far, this list is full of brightly colored yellow vegetation. This perennial is no different. Unlike black-eyed Susan, the center of the eared coreopsis is also yellow. The petals have a deeper yellow hue and are contrasted by deeply-green colored leaves. If you want a colorful garden without a lot of work, you’ll be glad to know this flower is low maintenance.
\n\n\n\nCoreopsis is humidity tolerant. It’s also heat tolerant, making it ideal for the hotter summers in the Tidewater Region. This plant requires well-drained soil and tolerates dry conditions.
\n\n\n\nAlthough coreopsis is listed as a perennial, it may die out after two to three seasons. It can also spread quickly and be invasive. Butterflies love this flower.
\n\n\n\nEared coreopsis is best when planted in groups. Use this flower to add flavor to border fronts, beds, and cottage gardens.
\n\n\n\nNative Regions: Coastal Plain (Tidewater), Piedmont, Blue Ridge Mountains, and Valley and Ridge
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Flower
\n\n\n\nHardiness zones: 4 to 9
\n\n\n\nSun: Full sun
\n\n\n\nSoil: Loam, sand, well-drained
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFragrance: Anise-like
\n\n\n\nBloom time: Early spring – early summer
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Low to medium
\n\n\n\nMature height: 1 to 2 feet
\n\n\n\nMaintenance: Low
\n\n\n\n![\"Eastern](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Eastern-Redbud.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Famartin / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAlso called ace of hearts, the eastern redbud is a strikingly beautiful tree. It has stunning reddish-purplish flowers and leaves the shape of hearts. Don’t blink, because the cluster of colorful petals is only around for two to three weeks.
\n\n\n\nThis plant is pH adaptable, so it is well-suited for your home if you’re unaware of your soil’s pH level. It requires regular fertilization and watering, and its flowers bloom best in full sun. When it gets hot, however, ace of hearts calls for some shade.
\n\n\n\nIt attracts hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies. Eastern redbud can grow up to 30 feet tall and 35 feet wide. Allow it to cast shade in a small garden or serve as shrub borders. It works well as a lawn tree, but it is sensitive to chemicals used for lawns, like herbicides.
\n\n\n\nNative Regions: All
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Tree
\n\n\n\nUSDA Hardiness Zone: 4 to 9
\n\n\n\nSun: Full sun or partial shade.
\n\n\n\nSoil: Any moist, well-draining, nutrient-rich soil
\n\n\n\nDuration: Deciduous perennial
\n\n\n\nBloom time: Spring
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Keep the soil moist to a depth of 2 to 3 inches; watering schedule depends on your soil type, but you should water about once per week
\n\n\n\nMature height: 20 to 30 feet tall with a 25 to 35-foot spread
\n\n\n\nMaintenance: Low. Since this tree is not meant to transplant, it should be planted when young and left undisturbed. It needs little pruning.
\n\n\n\n![\"closeup](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Flowering-Dogwood.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Derek Ramsey (Ram-Man) / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 2.5
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nFlowering dogwood is considered a tree or a large shrub. It has pink and white flowers that curve slightly upward. The red berries feed songbirds from fall through winter. Butterflies are attracted to the flowers that bloom in the spring.
\n\n\n\nFlowering dogwood is susceptible to a fungal disease that has killed at least 50 percent of dogwood trees. Although this plant prefers partial shade, planting it in full sun lessens the chances of an infection.
\n\n\n\nWhen flowering dogwood is developing, it requires irrigation. It may also need weekly watering in the absence of rain. Put mulch around the base of the trunk to keep mowing from damaging it. Be careful not to pile on too much mulch, as it will cause the bark to remain wet, encouraging the growth of disease and insect infestation.
\n\n\n\nThis tree looks stunning as a shade border, shade tree, or next to a patio.
\n\n\n\nNative Regions: All
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Deciduous tree or shrub
\n\n\n\nHardiness zones: 5 to 9
\n\n\n\nSunlight needs: Prefers partial shade but also grows in full sun
\n\n\n\nSoil preferences: Moist, acidic sandy or loam soils
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nBloom time: March – June
\n\n\n\nWater needs: May need to water once per week when there’s no rain
\n\n\n\nMature size: 20 to 40 feet tall and up to 20 feet wide
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: Contact with tree may cause skin irritation
\n\n\n\nMaintenance Needs: Low
\n\n\n\n![\"Baptisia](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Baptisia-australis-Blue-False-Indigo.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Fritzflohrreynolds / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAll parts of blue false indigo are poisonous. It causes low toxicity when ingested. You may want to keep this plant in an area not easily accessible to young children.
\n\n\n\nFalse indigo has lovely blue flowers that stand three to four feet tall. The petals appear for about three weeks. Bees, hummingbirds, and butterflies make themselves at home during this short time span. The leaves pick up the slack and remain once the flowers have left.
\n\n\n\nA sunny yard will provide a good home for this perennial. Blue false indigo is also drought-tolerant and adapts to poor soil. It’s deer and rabbit resistant. This plant makes a nice addition to borders and beds and also works well on slopes.
\n\n\n\nNative Regions: Coastal Plain (Tidewater), Piedmont, and Valley and Ridge
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Upright perennial
\n\n\n\nUSDA Hardiness Zone: 3 to 9
\n\n\n\nSun: Full sun
\n\n\n\nSoil: Loam, Sand
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFragrance: None
\n\n\n\nBloom time: April – July
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Low, Average
\n\n\n\nMature height: 3 to 4 feet
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: Toxic if ingested
\n\n\n\nMaintenance: Low
\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\n\n\n\n\nButterfly milkweed, commonly called butterfly weed, has showy clusters of orange flowers with yellow highlights. It’s native to all regions of Virginia and most of the United States.
\n\n\n\nThis perennial herb likes a sunny yard and grows well in dry, poor soil. The monarch butterfly depends on butterfly milkweed and other milkweeds for its survival.
\n\n\n\nPlant this low-maintenance herb in borders, beds, or butterfly gardens. Let butterfly weed rest after planting. It does not do well if transplanted once it’s established. Be mindful that this plant is poisonous if ingested.
\n\n\n\nNative Regions: All
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Perennial herb
\n\n\n\nUSDA Hardiness Zone: 3 to 9
\n\n\n\nSun: Full sun
\n\n\n\nSoil: Clay, loam, sand
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFragrance: Vanilla
\n\n\n\nBloom time: May – September
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Low
\n\n\n\nMature height: 1 to 2 feet
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: Toxic to dogs, cats, horses, and people
\n\n\n\nMaintenance: Low
\n\n\n\n![\"Cardinal](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Cardinal-Flower.jpg\")
Photo Credit: linnaeus / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 3.0
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nIf you’re looking for a flower that makes your garden stand out, the cardinal flower is the right plant for you. It has rich, deep, red flowers that blossom from midsummer to early fall, making it a great choice for late summer planting and a burst of fall color.
\n\n\n\nCardinal flower is low maintenance and non-invasive. It mostly thrives in the sun but also needs shade in the afternoon. This wildflower will thrive in your yard if your soil is damp and does not drain well. It even tolerates a little flooding.
\n\n\n\nCardinal draws in butterflies and hummingbirds. Plant it alongside a pond or in a wild garden. It’s a welcome blast of color in a rain garden or conservation landscaping. Cardinal flower is toxic if large amounts are ingested, so keep this stunning flower out of the reach of small children.
\n\n\n\nNative Regions: All
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Flower
\n\n\n\nHardiness zones: 3 to 9
\n\n\n\nSun: Full sun, partial shade, full shade
\n\n\n\nSoil: Sand, loam, clay, limestone-based
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFragrance: No floral scent
\n\n\n\nBloom time: Fall and Summer
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Medium to high
\n\n\n\nMature height: 1 to 6 feet
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: Toxic if large amounts are ingested
\n\n\n\nMaintenance: Low
\n\n\n\n![\"Swamp](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Swamp-Milkweed.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Fritzflohrreynolds / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSwamp milkweed boasts clusters of small, hot pink flowers. These showy petals attract hummingbirds and butterflies. But be mindful that this milkweed is poisonous if eaten. You may want to take precautions if you have small children or pets.
\n\n\n\nThis flower thrives in medium to wet soils and is usually found in wetlands, so it will be right at home in a rain garden. Add spectacular fall color to your neighborhood by using swamp milkweed in butterfly gardens or near a pond.
\n\n\n\nNative Regions: All
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Flower
\n\n\n\nUSDA Hardiness Zone: 3 to 9
\n\n\n\nSun: Full sun to partial shade
\n\n\n\nSoil: Organically rich, slightly acidic, well-drained soil
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFragrance: Sweet smelling
\n\n\n\nBloom time: Midsummer to fall
\n\n\n\nWater needs: High
\n\n\n\nMature height: 4 to 6 feet
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: Poisonous to humans and animals in large quantities
\n\n\n\nMaintenance: Low
\n\n\n\n![\"white](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Fall-Phlox.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Kor!An (Корзун Андрей) / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nFall Phlox, also called blue paradise, is naturally found in the southern Appalachian Mountains. This herb blooms lavender flowers atop vines with large, dark green leaves.
\n\n\n\nFall phlox is more difficult to grow than many other plants on this list. It is highly vulnerable to many pests and diseases. To manage its susceptibility to powdery mildew, it needs to be planted so that it has adequate airflow. And it should not be watered from the top.
\n\n\n\nFall phlox should be removed from the garden in the winter to reduce the chances it will be infected with powdery mildew the next season. This herb attracts birds, hummingbirds, and butterflies.
\n\n\n\nNative Regions: All
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Perennial herb
\n\n\n\nUSDA Hardiness Zone: 4 to 8
\n\n\n\nSun: Full sun to partial shade
\n\n\n\nSoil: Chalk, clay, loam
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFragrance: Sweet scent
\n\n\n\nBloom time: June – October
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Medium
\n\n\n\nMature height: 2 to 4 ft
\n\n\n\nMaintenance: Medium
\n\n\n\nSoutheast Virginia’s native plants include:
\n\n\n\nNorthern Virginia’s native plants include:
\n\n\n\nNative plants for Virginia’s Capital Region include:
\n\n\n\nChoose plants that are in your USDA hardiness zone. These plants will survive in the lowest temperatures your area experiences.
\n\n\n\nAlso, be mindful that the five Virginia regions comprise multiple counties. Some plants may not be listed as native to all counties within a region. Your local nursery should have information to help you make the best choice.
\n\n\n\nConsider the characteristics of your property and select plants that thrive well in those conditions. Knowing your soil’s pH balance can help you choose plants that will grow best, unless you opt for vegetation that is pH adaptable.
\n\n\n\nBe sure to choose plants that accommodate your availability to care for them and your family’s composition. If you have small children or pets, you may want to take special precautions if you choose plants that have potential hazards.
\n\n\n\nUsing native plants instead of non-native or invasive plants has many advantages for you and the environment. Here are some examples:
\n\n\n\nYes, you can. But plants that are not in your zone may take extra work to maintain and keep alive. And, they may not survive your area’s winter temperatures. It’s best to use plants in your zone.
\n\n\n\nUSDA hardiness zones tell you which plants are most likely to survive the area’s lowest temperatures. If you do choose plants outside of your zone, use plants in a lower zone. Plants in higher zones may not survive the lowest winter temperatures in your zone. So, if you live in zone 7a, use plants from zones 1 through 7.
\n\n\n\nMilkweeds native to Virginia include:
\n\n\n\nIf you’ve been to Green Spring Gardens, you’ve seen many attractive Virginia native plants. You may also find native plants in your neighborhood the next time you’re out for a walk. If you’d like even more ideas for native plants and where to purchase them, the Virginia Native Plant Society is a great resource for garden centers, native plant guides, and other information.
\n\n\n\nNow that you’ve worked hard to make your home landscape a natural habitat for local insects and wildlife, treat yourself to the ease that comes when experts care for your lawn. The sooner you call a local lawn care professional to ensure your lawn compliments your native flora, the sooner you can enjoy the beautiful water and Virginia’s native scenery.
\n\n\n\nConnect with trusted pros in Norfolk, Alexandria, Arlington, and many other cities across the state.
\n\n\n\nMain Photo Credit: Plant Image Library / Flickr / CC BY-SA 2.0
\n","title":"11 Best Native Plants for Virginia","featured_media":{"localFile":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"aspectRatio":1.5,"src":"/static/dd6d05b4be821074895893efc969807a/1789c/Eastern-Redbud.jpg","srcSet":"/static/dd6d05b4be821074895893efc969807a/107df/Eastern-Redbud.jpg 320w,\n/static/dd6d05b4be821074895893efc969807a/293e9/Eastern-Redbud.jpg 500w,\n/static/dd6d05b4be821074895893efc969807a/f2cbb/Eastern-Redbud.jpg 800w,\n/static/dd6d05b4be821074895893efc969807a/1789c/Eastern-Redbud.jpg 960w,\n/static/dd6d05b4be821074895893efc969807a/c26c2/Eastern-Redbud.jpg 1200w","srcWebp":"/static/dd6d05b4be821074895893efc969807a/1dd6e/Eastern-Redbud.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/dd6d05b4be821074895893efc969807a/67b76/Eastern-Redbud.webp 320w,\n/static/dd6d05b4be821074895893efc969807a/8df11/Eastern-Redbud.webp 500w,\n/static/dd6d05b4be821074895893efc969807a/98a65/Eastern-Redbud.webp 800w,\n/static/dd6d05b4be821074895893efc969807a/1dd6e/Eastern-Redbud.webp 960w,\n/static/dd6d05b4be821074895893efc969807a/3cc96/Eastern-Redbud.webp 1200w","sizes":"(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px"}}}},"yoast_meta":{"yoast_wpseo_title":"11 Best Native Plants for Virginia","yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"Give back to the ecosystem with the best native plants for Virginia and create a diverse and stunning landscape."}}},{"node":{"id":"322c3368-91bf-5d1a-a97a-03f66b25f3ce","slug":"best-native-plants-los-angeles","path":"/lawn-care/ca/los-angeles/best-native-plants-los-angeles/","status":"publish","template":"","format":"standard","author":{"description":"","name":"Judith Gallova","id":"8e48e42f-071a-5523-a889-6dab4c49dd54","path":"/author/judith-gallova/","avatar_urls":{"wordpress_96":"https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/537ca09b018493e40c3fb0df17ebacbe?s=96&d=mm&r=g"}},"categories":[{"id":"d4a57f5d-7087-5464-8fbc-e03c067b9723","name":"California","count":13,"path":"/category/lawn-care/ca/"},{"id":"205f24d4-c1e5-5728-bb28-8ba70eecbc7a","name":"Lawn Care","count":432,"path":"/category/lawn-care/"},{"id":"6ef486ca-ccd1-5849-a339-3c49569b40f6","name":"Los Angeles","count":3,"path":"/category/lawn-care/ca/los-angeles/"}],"date":"March 29th, 2023","excerpt":"There’s a reason one of Los Angeles’ nicknames is City of Flowers and Sunshine: Its Mediterranean climate makes it an ideal location for growing plants. But not every plant is ideal for every climate. If you want an amazing garden, it’s always best to choose native plants that can thrive in the area. Let’s take […]
\n","content":"\nThere’s a reason one of Los Angeles’ nicknames is City of Flowers and Sunshine: Its Mediterranean climate makes it an ideal location for growing plants. But not every plant is ideal for every climate. If you want an amazing garden, it’s always best to choose native plants that can thrive in the area.
\n\n\n\nLet’s take a look at 10 of the best native plants for LA.
\n\n\n\nIn this article:
\n\n\n\nThere are all kinds of reasons to use native plants, the most important being that they are well-adapted to your climate, so they have a greater likelihood of surviving and thriving under the unique conditions in your area. Here is why:
\n\n\n\n![\"close](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/rsz_5501710064_6f35aee311_o.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Chris Samuel / Flickr / CC BY 2.0
\n\n\n\nBuckwheat plants are not only stunning but also known for being healthy and nutritious. They bloom in late spring, and various beneficial wildlife is attracted to their flowers. You can expect to enjoy them together with birds, bees, and butterflies.
\n\n\n\nYou can pick from eight different types of LA-native buckwheat. For example, California buckwheat is particularly attractive to honey bees. On the other hand, the Bernardino dotted-blue butterfly feasts on ashyleaf buckwheat.
\n\n\n\nBuckwheat plants have short growing seasons, need little care, and can keep weeds from growing. Some types of buckwheat don’t tolerate cold weather well, so check your area’s hardiness zone and the plant’s hardiness before you buy it.
\n\n\n\nGrowth habbit: Sub-shrub
Mature size: 1 to 6 feet tall
Duration: Annual
Foliage: Evergreen
Sunlight needs: Full sun
Soil preferences: Dry or mostly dry, well-draining soils
Maintenance needs: Cut back every few years to encourage healthy new growth and control shape
Potential hazards: None known (if consumed in moderation)
![\"A](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/rsz_1culinary-sage-quotsalvia-officinalisquot.jpg\")
Photo Credit: PublicDomainPictures
\n\n\n\nSage comes in various, stunning colors that bloom in the summer. And sage plants are generally seen as non-toxic if consumed in small quantities.
\n\n\n\nThere are 13 species of sage native to Los Angeles, and each plant is unique in its own way. For example, black sage is among the most popular types of sage. Hummingbird sage, on the other hand, attracts hummingbirds and other pollinators and birds with its bright red flowers.
\n\n\n\nSome types of sage tolerate cold well, and some don’t, so check your area’s hardiness zone and the plant’s hardiness before you buy it.
\n\n\n\nGrowth habit: Shrub
Mature size: 1 to 2 feet tall
Duration: Perennial or annual depending on species and location
Foliage: Varies by type but often deciduous in Los Angeles’ dry climate
Sunlight needs: Full sun, partial shade
Soil preferences: Any well-draining soil
Maintenance needs: Prune lightly in spring; remove dead flowers to encourage more blooms
Potential hazards: Toxic when eaten in high or consistent doses; toxicity levels depend on growing conditions and season
![\"Red](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/rsz_5965186545_e6a73bf093_c.jpg\")
Photo Credit: chuck b. / Flickr / CC BY 2.0
\n\n\n\nCalifornia fuchsia brighten your garden with their vibrant red-orange flowers that bloom in late summer and fall. It’s a low-maintenance plant that thrives in full sun and well-drained soil. California fuchsia is favored by hummingbirds, as well as other pollinators and birds. It’s a great option to bring wildlife into your yard while improving your home’s curb appeal.
\n\n\n\nGrowth habit: Sub-shrub
Mature size: 3 to 18 inches tall
Duration: Perennial
Foliage: Semi-evergreen
Sunlight needs: Full sun
Soil preferences: Any well-draining soil
Maintenance needs: Cut back to the ground after flowering season to promote healthy new growth; water once a month during summer in dry areas
Potential hazards: None known for humans nor most animals
![\"Light](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/rsz_800px-ceanothus_-_california_lilac.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Changku88 / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0
\n\n\n\nCalifornia lilac is a beautiful and low-maintenance shrub. It produces vibrant blue, purple, pink, or white flowers in the spring and summer. It’s also drought-tolerant and attracts pollinators, butterflies, and moths. California lilac is suitable for the warmest parts of LA, where temperatures don’t go below 15 degrees Fahrenheit. Check your minimum local temperature here.
\n\n\n\nThere’s a variety of options to choose from. Nine kinds of California lilac are native to Los Angeles, ranging from the rare San Diego ceanothus to the more common buck brush.
\n\n\n\nGrowth habit: Shrub
Mature size: 1 to 6 feet tall
Duration: Perennial
Foliage: Evergreen
Sunlight needs: Full sun, some afternoon shade in hotter areas
Soil preferences: Any well-draining soil
Maintenance needs: Lightly prune and remove dead limbs as needed
Potential hazards: None known
![\"Yellow](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/rsz_4666396689_7a12cff0ca_c.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Jim Staley / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 2.0
\n\n\n\nThe flowers of the flannel bush plant are large and showy. They bloom in late spring to early summer. Bees and butterflies are attracted to their deep yellow to orange-red blossoms. The plant can grow tall if you take care of it, so it works well for homeowners who want extra privacy.
\n\n\n\nTake note that the flannel bush is suitable for areas where temperatures don’t go below 20 degrees Fahrenheit. Check your local minimum temperature here.
\n\n\n\nThe plant itself isn’t toxic. However, its stem and leaves can irritate skin and eyes upon contact, so be cautious.
\n\n\n\nGrowth habit: Shrub
Mature size: 6 to 20 feet tall
Duration: Perennial
Foliage: Evergreen
Sunlight needs: Full sun
Soil preferences: Well-draining, sandy soils
Maintenance needs: Avoid summer watering and severe pruning, as these can kill the plant
Potential hazards: Toxic stem and leaves that can irritate skin and eyes
![\"A](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/plant-fruit-berry-flower-food-red-443747-pxhere.com-1-1-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Pxhere
\n\n\n\nToyon, also called the California Holly, can be a shrub or a small tree that grows tall quickly when it receives the right care. It’s superb for attracting local wildlife. The plant has white flowers that bloom in the summer and attract pollinators and birds.
\n\n\n\nToyon then produces red berries in the winter. It’s a popular food source for mockingbirds, American robins, and cedar waxwings. Be cautious, though, because they’re toxic to other animals and humans.
\n\n\n\nGrowth habit: Shrub or small tree
Mature size: 6 to 10 feet typically, can reach up to 30 feet
Duration: Perennial
Foliage: Evergreen
Sunlight needs: Full sun, partial shade
Soil preferences: Tolerates most soil types
Maintenance needs: Prune as needed to maintain desired shape and height
Potential hazards: Toxic
![\"Pink](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/rsz_5039631314_ddce7f9f0e_c.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Peter O’Connor aka anemoneprojectors / Flickr / CC BY-SA 2.0
\n\n\n\nYou’ve almost certainly seen the common yarrow in meadows and along roadsides, with its white, pink, or yellow flower clusters. It is a hardy perennial that can tolerate drought and poor soil conditions. It’s beneficial for birds like starlings, who gather common yarrow for their nests. If you want a charming, easy-care plant that attracts both birds and pollinators, common yarrow may be a great choice.
\n\n\n\nTake note, though, that the plant is toxic and shouldn’t be ingested. It can also cause irritation if touched.
\n\n\n\nGrowth habit: Flower
Mature size: 1 to 3 feet tall
Duration: Perennial
Foliage: Semi-evergreen
Sunlight needs: Full sun, partial shade, full shade
Soil preferences: Tolerates most soil types
Maintenance needs: Cut off dead flowers to encourage more blooms; treat common problems like aphids, mildew, and stem rot as needed
Potential hazards: Toxic
![\"Yellow](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/rsz_800px-opuntia_littoralis_upper_newport_bay_feb_2014_08.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Nandaro / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0
\n\n\n\nThe coastal prickly pear is an easy-care, attractive cactus plant. It does well in the warmest parts of LA, where temperatures don’t go below 25 degrees Fahrenheit (check your local minimum temperature here). This cactus has oval branches and bears purplish fruits. Its flowers bloom from spring to summer and support pollinators and birds.
\n\n\n\nHowever, keep in mind that the plant and its fruits are prickly and highly toxic for dogs and other animals. Although people like to snack on the plant’s fruit, some of its other parts are mildly toxic for humans, too. There isn’t enough data about the safety of coastal prickly pear fruit or pads, so vulnerable people such as children and pregnant women should avoid eating them.
\n\n\n\nIf you want to know if you can enjoy the fruit of your coastal prickly pear or not, make sure you discuss your diet with a medical professional.
\n\n\n\nGrowth habit: Cactus
Mature size: 1 to 2 feet tall
Duration: Perennial
Foliage: Evergreen
Sunlight needs: Full sun
Soil preferences: Sandy soils
Maintenance needs: Make sure roots don’t get too damp, otherwise they’ll rot.
Potential hazards: Prickly; highly toxic for pets, especially dogs; mildly toxic for humans; not enough data regarding the safety of its fruit or pads
![\"A](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/rsz_blue-eyed-grass-wildflowers-1533299474atm.jpg\")
Photo Credit: PublicDomainPictures
\n\n\n\nWestern blue-eyed grass, also called the California blue-eyed grass, has delicate blue flowers. It requires little maintenance and is even considered fire-resistant. Additionally, it attracts pollinators such as bees and butterflies. You can consider planting this flower in your yard for a pop of color and ecological benefits.
\n\n\n\nMost types of blue-eyed grass aren’t toxic, but there isn’t enough data to determine the effects of western blue-eyed grass. It can also be easily confused for many similar-looking plants which are highly poisonous. Caution is advised.
\n\n\n\nGrowth habit: Flower
Mature size: 1 to 2 feet tall
Duration: Perennial
Foliage: Summer semi-deciduous
Sunlight needs: Full sun, partial shade
Soil preferences: Moist loam soils
Maintenance needs: Water occasionally during summer droughts
Potential hazards: May be toxic and can be easily confused for similar-looking highly toxic plants
![\"Light](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/rsz_16686130046_1524d40e6c_c.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Jim Morefield / Flickr / CC BY-SA 2.0
\n\n\n\nBeardtongues are a lovely family of flowers, some of which are native to Los Angeles. LA-native beardtongues range between purple, pink, and red to yellow.
\n\n\n\nOne of the most popular kinds of beardtongue is showy penstemon. Showy penstemon is a stunning herb that attracts birds and various insects. Other native beardtongue kinds are the climbing penstemon, the foothill penstemon, the southern foothill penstemon, and the yellow bush penstemon.
\n\n\n\nHowever, beardtongues have toxic effects, so be careful to keep children and pets away from them.
\n\n\n\nGrowth habit: Sub-shrub
Mature size: 6 inches to 4 feet tall depending on species
Duration: Perennial
Foliage: Some species are evergreen, while others are deciduous
Sunlight needs: Full sun
Soil preferences: Well-draining sandy or rocky soils
Maintenance needs: Water 1 inch per week in summer; cut back stems after flowering season
Potential hazards: Toxic
There are plenty of options when it comes to choosing Los Angeles natives for your landscape. Make sure to consider your options carefully and pick plants that meet your specific needs and preferences.
\n\n\n\nBe mindful of potential hazards such as toxicity, and do your research to protect your family and pets. Some plants are more toxic than others, but to be on the safe side, you should always keep your pets from eating your garden plants.
\n\n\n\nAdditionally, you need to pick plants that are suitable for your hardiness zone. Los Angeles hardiness zones range from 7a to 11a, depending on the area. This means that LAs’ lowest temperatures are between 0 and 45 degrees Fahrenheit.
\n\n\n\nAll of the plants in this article can grow in all of Los Angeles’s temperatures, except where mentioned otherwise. You can check your local minimum temperature here.
\n\n\n\nCheck your yard, and you might just find that some native plants have already made a home there. But if you want to plant new natives, never take them directly from the wild because it can disrupt local ecosystems and harm wildlife.
\n\n\n\nInstead, there are ethical sources that can help. Consider purchasing from local plant nurseries that specialize in native plants, such as:
\n\n\n\nPicking beautiful new plants for your yard is a fun experience. Once you’ve decided on the types of plants you want, it’s time to think about other factors that will make your lawn thrive and look its best. Make sure you get the right grass type for your area and that you take care of your lawn properly at each time of the year.
\n\n\n\nIf you want your native plant garden to stay healthy and beautiful, consider hiring one of WikiLawn’s local pros who can handle your landscaping needs.
\n\n\n\nMain Image Credit: Udo Schmidt / Flickr / CC BY-SA 2.0
\n","title":"10 Best Native Plants for Los Angeles","featured_media":{"localFile":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"aspectRatio":1.6216216216216217,"src":"/static/02562bb55eec8c43160f242e1cc20904/1789c/rsz_7806866410_505a383cbb_k.jpg","srcSet":"/static/02562bb55eec8c43160f242e1cc20904/107df/rsz_7806866410_505a383cbb_k.jpg 320w,\n/static/02562bb55eec8c43160f242e1cc20904/293e9/rsz_7806866410_505a383cbb_k.jpg 500w,\n/static/02562bb55eec8c43160f242e1cc20904/f2cbb/rsz_7806866410_505a383cbb_k.jpg 800w,\n/static/02562bb55eec8c43160f242e1cc20904/1789c/rsz_7806866410_505a383cbb_k.jpg 960w,\n/static/02562bb55eec8c43160f242e1cc20904/c26c2/rsz_7806866410_505a383cbb_k.jpg 1200w","srcWebp":"/static/02562bb55eec8c43160f242e1cc20904/1dd6e/rsz_7806866410_505a383cbb_k.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/02562bb55eec8c43160f242e1cc20904/67b76/rsz_7806866410_505a383cbb_k.webp 320w,\n/static/02562bb55eec8c43160f242e1cc20904/8df11/rsz_7806866410_505a383cbb_k.webp 500w,\n/static/02562bb55eec8c43160f242e1cc20904/98a65/rsz_7806866410_505a383cbb_k.webp 800w,\n/static/02562bb55eec8c43160f242e1cc20904/1dd6e/rsz_7806866410_505a383cbb_k.webp 960w,\n/static/02562bb55eec8c43160f242e1cc20904/3cc96/rsz_7806866410_505a383cbb_k.webp 1200w","sizes":"(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px"}}}},"yoast_meta":{"yoast_wpseo_title":"10 Best Native Plants for Los Angeles | Wikilawn","yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"Native plants are easier to maintain and better for the environment. Find the best native plants for LA here."}}},{"node":{"id":"99ea82bf-aaf6-509f-9463-c6669c8a78ad","slug":"best-native-plants-phoenix","path":"/lawn-care/az/phoenix/best-native-plants-phoenix/","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":"7fc32475-4c73-58a8-996f-8b8d79ba2450","name":"Arizona","count":12,"path":"/category/lawn-care/az/"},{"id":"205f24d4-c1e5-5728-bb28-8ba70eecbc7a","name":"Lawn Care","count":432,"path":"/category/lawn-care/"},{"id":"90f74182-5f0d-5dd3-8d32-576a5a21d01d","name":"Phoenix","count":12,"path":"/category/lawn-care/az/phoenix/"}],"date":"March 27th, 2023","excerpt":"When dealing with the challenging climate of the Southwest desert, the key to having a beautiful lawn and garden is working with plants naturally adapted to the hot, arid environment. You can’t expect lily of the valley, which needs moist soil, mild temperatures, and average humidity, to thrive in a dry, sun-baked climate. Thankfully, there […]
\n","content":"\nWhen dealing with the challenging climate of the Southwest desert, the key to having a beautiful lawn and garden is working with plants naturally adapted to the hot, arid environment. You can’t expect lily of the valley, which needs moist soil, mild temperatures, and average humidity, to thrive in a dry, sun-baked climate.
\n\n\n\nThankfully, there are excellent alternatives, ranging from cacti to shrubs and flowering perennials. We’ve compiled a list of some of the best native plants for your Phoenix landscape.
\n\n\n\nIn this article:
\n\n\n\nThe National Wildlife Federation describes a native plant as occurring “naturally in a particular region, ecosystem, or habitat without human introduction.” Simply put, it means a plant has been living in an area for as long as one can remember and wasn’t brought in from a different place. That being the case, you can be assured these species will grow successfully when planted in your yard at home.
\n\n\n\nSince these desert plants grow naturally in the Sonoran Desert region, they have many advantages.
\n\n\n\n![\"Fairy](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/fairy-dusters-renee-grayson-cc20.jpg\")
Commonly called false mesquite, the desert fairy duster has delicate, deep green tiny leaflets and vibrant red flowers resembling puffballs. It will keep its leaves year-round as an evergreen, but it may thin slightly during Phoenix’s rare “cold spells.” In most years, you’ll be rewarded with blooms the majority of the year that draw in hummingbirds, finches, and wrens.
\n\n\n\nDesert fairy duster thrives in areas where you may have struggled to grow anything. Especially those scorching hot spots in full sun right in front of a west-facing wall. There isn’t a spot in the desert landscape that the desert fairy duster considers too hot to grow in – just make sure you give it a little water when it’s overly hot and dry.
\n\n\n\nGrowth Habit: Small evergreen shrub
\n\n\n\nMature Height: 3 to 5 feet
\n\n\n\nMature Width: 3 to 5 feet
\n\n\n\nSunlight Needs: Full sun
\n\n\n\nSoil Preferences: Well-drained
\n\n\n\nWater Requirements: Only during extended dry periods
\n\n\n\nDisease or Insect Problems: No serious problems
\n\n\n\n![\"Tufted](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/tufted-evening-primrose-andrey-zharkikh-cc20.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Andrey Zharkikh / Flickr / CC BY 2.0
\n\n\n\nTufted evening primrose is known for its intoxicatingly fragrant flowers that open in the coolness of the evening and glow white until the sun rises. The process itself is a sight to behold. The 3 to four-inch white flowers open at dusk, shine brilliantly through the darkness, and fade to pink as they fold up when temperatures begin climbing in the morning. Hairy, narrow gray-green leaves also fold up when hot to keep from losing moisture.
\n\n\n\nEven though the tufted evening primrose is native to the Sonoran Desert and needs very little water, with moderate irrigation, you’ll see a bounty of blooms all summer long. You’ll also see night-flying hawkmoths visit the flowers at night. They love the plant and are one of the few animals who can reach nectar that collects at the base of the tubular flowers.
\n\n\n\nLife Cycle: Herbaceous perennial
\n\n\n\nMature Height: 12 inches
\n\n\n\nMature Width: 2 feet
\n\n\n\nSunlight Needs: Full sun
\n\n\n\nSoil Preferences: Dry, clay soils
\n\n\n\nWater Requirements: Low needs, but more water improves flowering
\n\n\n\nDisease or Insect Problems: No serious problems
\n\n\n\n![\"Penstemon](\"https://lawnlove.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Penstemon_eatonii_-_firecracker_penstemon_-_51220511691-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Matt Lavin / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 2.0
\n\n\n\nThe firecracker penstemon is an excellent addition to any Phoenix yard if you want winter color in February and March. Scarlet-red blooms open along tall bloom spikes in early to mid-spring, lasting four to six weeks.
\n\n\n\nThese flowering plants do best in sandy soils that drain well and love it if they get sun from the north, south, or east. Avoid fertilizing firecracker penstemon plants. They are known to “bloom themselves to death” when given adequate nutrients.
\n\n\n\nGrowth Habit: Herbaceous perennial
\n\n\n\nMature Height: 2 to 3 feet
\n\n\n\nMature Width: 15 inches
\n\n\n\nSunlight Needs: Full sun
\n\n\n\nSoil Preferences: Well-drained
\n\n\n\nWater Requirements: Occasional watering in summer
\n\n\n\nDisease or Insect Problems: Susceptible to root rot
\n\n\n\n![\"Baileya](\"https://lawnlove.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Baileya_multiradiata_kz03-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Kenraiz / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0
\n\n\n\nThe desert marigold adds color to your landscape from late winter to mid-spring with its impressive mounds of daisy-like bright yellow flowers. Plants may bloom the rest of the year intermittently with supplemental water. It grows much shorter than other plants on our list, making it a great accent plant or addition to your native wildflower garden.
\n\n\n\nThese attractive plants easily reseed themselves, helping to fill in bare spots over time. When desert marigolds are in full bloom, snip some stalks for a cut flower arrangement and bring the bright color inside.
\n\n\n\nGrowth Habit: Herbaceous perennial
\n\n\n\nMature Height: 20 inches
\n\n\n\nMature Width: 4 to 12 inches
\n\n\n\nSunlight Needs: Full sun
\n\n\n\nSoil Preferences: Well-drained
\n\n\n\nWater Requirements: Needs little water if winter rains are sufficient
\n\n\n\nDisease or Insect Problems: Root rot, crown rot
\n\n\n\n![\"White](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/white-desert-plumbago-adrianna-moya-photography-cc20.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Adrianna Moya Photography / Flickr / CC BY 2.0
\n\n\n\nThe sprawling white desert plumbago is gaining popularity for its startlingly bright white flowers that pop against dramatically deep green evergreen foliage. These plants prefer part sun, which is surprising for a Sonoran Desert native, but their propensity for slight shade make them great for growing under trees or taller shrubs.
\n\n\n\nA low-maintenance, easy-going plant, the white desert plumbago tolerates various soils, and a little supplemental water promotes a showy flower display and lush foliar growth. You can also plant it along the edge of your yard if you’re looking for an innovative, informal living fence or hedge.
\n\n\n\nGrowth Habit: Evergreen shrub
\n\n\n\nMature Height: 3 to 4 feet
\n\n\n\nMature Width: 3 to 4 feet
\n\n\n\nSunlight Needs: Full to part sun
\n\n\n\nSoil Preferences: Tolerates most soils
\n\n\n\nWater Requirements: Low to moderate
\n\n\n\nDisease or Insect Problems: White fly
\n\n\n\n![\"closeup](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Arizona-Poppy.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Miwasatoshi / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0
\n\n\n\nThe Arizona poppy is the only annual plant on this list, but it self-seeds, so new plants may germinate year after year if conditions are right. While not an actual poppy, it gets its name from its yellow-orange flowers that look like California poppies. It blooms prolifically from July to October in Phoenix.
\n\n\n\nPlant Arizona poppies as a groundcover in open spaces with room to spread and grow. An individual plant can easily reach three to five feet across, putting on a brilliant display in full bloom. The spectacular flowers attract birds; the seeds are an essential food source for doves and quail.
\n\n\n\nGrowth Habit: Summer annual
\n\n\n\nMature Height: 1 ½ to 3 feet
\n\n\n\nMature Width: 3 to 5 feet
\n\n\n\nSunlight Needs: Full sun
\n\n\n\nSoil Preferences: Prefers light, well-drained, but tolerates all soils
\n\n\n\nWater Requirements: Supplemental light watering during dry periods
\n\n\n\nDisease or Insect Problems: No serious problems
\n\n\n\n![\"Olneya_tesota\"](\"https://lawnlove.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Olneya_tesota-_leaves-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Thayne Tuason / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 4.0
\n\n\n\nIf you want to add shade to your yard and love the classic, twisted “desert tree” look, desert ironwood is a great choice! This slow-growing tree tolerates many different soils and can easily grow over 30 feet tall when given enough water. It is one of the few desert trees that doesn’t shed its leaves, providing light shade year-round.
\n\n\n\nDesert ironwoods bloom profusely in spring, displaying pinkish-purple flowers that look similar to the flowers on sweet peas. The extremely dense desert ironwood is culturally and ecologically important, serving as a staple in the Mexican carving trade.
\n\n\n\nGrowth Habit: Flowering tree
\n\n\n\nMature Height: 30 feet, but varies with irrigation
\n\n\n\nMature Width: 25 feet
\n\n\n\nSunlight Needs: Full sun
\n\n\n\nSoil Preferences: Tolerates a variety of soils
\n\n\n\nWater Requirements: Periodic watering in the summer to help with vigor
\n\n\n\nDisease or Insect Problems: No serious problems
\n\n\n\n![\"Chilopsis](\"https://lawnlove.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/735px-Chilopsis_linearis_flower_2-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Stan Shebs / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0
\n\n\n\nNative to the Southwestern United States, the desert willow is a great small tree for arid climates. This hardy tree handles temperatures down to 10°F and tolerates many soil types. In the summer (April through September or October), it is filled with trumpet-shaped pale pink, white, or purple flowers.
\n\n\n\nIt does form a weeping growth habit but isn’t related to the weeping willow common across other parts of the country. The desert willow is deciduous, which means it sheds leaves during the cooler winter months and isn’t as attractive as when in bloom. If you can handle the shocking transformation between seasons, having it in your garden when flowering is worthwhile.
\n\n\n\nGrowth Habit: Deciduous tree
\n\n\n\nMature Height: 15 to 35 feet
\n\n\n\nMature Width: 25 feet
\n\n\n\nSunlight Needs: Full sun
\n\n\n\nSoil Preferences: Tolerates a variety of soil types
\n\n\n\nWater Requirements: Some watering during summer to support foliage
\n\n\n\nDisease or Insect Problems: Root rot
\n\n\n\n![\"Muhlenbergia](\"https://lawnlove.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/800px-Muhlenbergia_rigens_form-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Stan Shebs / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0
\n\n\n\nDeer grass is a beautiful, easy-to-grow native bunchgrass with light silver-green to purple blades that pour out like a waterfall from the plant’s center. It prefers sandy or rocky soils but will grow anywhere that’s well-drained and receives at least eight hours of sun.
\n\n\n\nThese grasses make great landscape accent pieces. Long, arching flower panicles develop in spring and change from a creamy white to a straw color by late summer.
\n\n\n\nGrowth Habit: Ornamental grass
\n\n\n\nMature Height: 3 to 5 feet
\n\n\n\nMature Width: 3 to 5 feet
\n\n\n\nSunlight Needs: Full sun
\n\n\n\nSoil Preferences: Well-drained
\n\n\n\nWater Requirements: Weekly or once every two weeks during summer
\n\n\n\nDisease or Insect Problems: No serious problems
\n\n\n\n![\"Bull](\"https://lawnlove.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/18567782498_7d400b09e5_c-2.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Patrick Alexander / Flickr / CC0 1.0
\n\n\n\nBull grass is a classic-looking, coarse-textured desert grass that grows upwards of 3 feet tall and 2 feet wide. It prefers dry, well-drained soil, often growing on rocky ledges, slopes, and forest edges.
\n\n\n\nFrom June to November, the long blue-green leaves send up massive clumps of purplish flower spikes, which dry to a tannish color during winter. Bull grass’ fast-growing root system is fantastic for erosion control.
\n\n\n\nGrowth Habit: Ornamental grass
\n\n\n\nMature Height: 3 feet
\n\n\n\nMature Width: 3 feet
\n\n\n\nSunlight Needs: Full sun or partial shade
\n\n\n\nSoil Preferences: Well-drained
\n\n\n\nWater Requirements: Occasional during severe dry periods
\n\n\n\nDisease or Insect Problems: No serious problems
\n\n\n\n![\"image](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Saguaro.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Pxhere
\n\n\n\nVery few plants say Arizona desert like the saguaro cactus! These plants grow very slowly when started from seed and easily live to be over 200 years old. If you’re looking for something that many generations will enjoy to come, the saguaro is a top choice.
\n\n\n\nOnce established, saguaros make a stunning focal point in Phoenix home landscapes as the largest cactus type in the United States. The mammoth, tree-like plant develops arm-shaped branches that bend upward to give it its iconic shape. Large specimens can have more than two dozen “arms.”
\n\n\n\nGrowth Habit: Cactus
\n\n\n\nMature Height: 25 to 50 feet
\n\n\n\nMature Width: Up to 25 feet
\n\n\n\nSunlight Needs: Full sun
\n\n\n\nSoil Preferences: Well-drained
\n\n\n\nWater Requirements: None after establishment
\n\n\n\nDisease or Insect Problems: Bacterial necrosis
\n\n\n\n![\"Hedgehog](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/hedgehog-cactus-brent-myers-cc20.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Brent Myers / Flickr / CC 2.0
\n\n\n\nMuch smaller than the saguaro, the hedgehog cactus is a low-growing succulent adorned with short, spiny stems resembling hedgehogs. Plants grow in clusters of up to 60 stems in sandy, rocky soils on exposed slopes and desert prairies. In March and April, all varieties of the cylindrical cacti display magnificent pink or purple blossoms. The flowers last about five days, opening in the morning and closing at night.
\n\n\n\nAfter flowing, the hedgehog cactus produces red-orange fruit whose fleshy white pulp tastes like strawberry. At first, sharp spines inhibit fruit picking, but as fruits mature and ripen, the spines fall off.
\n\n\n\nGrowth Habit: Cactus
\n\n\n\nMature Height: 12 inches
\n\n\n\nMature Width: 3 feet
\n\n\n\nSunlight Needs: Full to part sun
\n\n\n\nSoil Preferences: Well-drained
\n\n\n\nWater Requirements: None after establishment
\n\n\n\nDisease or Insect Problems: Mealybugs, scale insects
\n\n\n\n![\"Rhus](\"https://lawnlove.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Rhus_ovata-2.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Michael J. Plagens / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0
\n\n\n\nNative to the foothills and mountains of the Southwest, sugar sumac (also called sugar bush) is commonly found growing in dry canyons and on exposed slopes. Prized for its deep green leathery evergreen leaves, this shrub is often used in parks and along freeways as a filler plant. Hence, it is an excellent choice if you have ample space in your yard you want to be filled with greenery.
\n\n\n\nPlants are resilient and easy to grow, reaching 10 feet tall in as little as three years. When sugar sumac is grown in residential gardens, it needs water only once a month to encourage small white flowers with red sepals to adorn the reddish twigs.
\n\n\n\nGrowth Habit: Evergreen shrub
\n\n\n\nMature Height: 6 to 15 feet
\n\n\n\nMature Width: 8 to 10 feet
\n\n\n\nSunlight Needs: Full sun
\n\n\n\nSoil Preferences: Well-drained
\n\n\n\nWater Requirements: No irrigation needed in high elevations. In lower elevations, water infrequently but deeply.
\n\n\n\nDisease or Insect Problems: No serious problems in dry climates
\n\n\n\nAll of these native plants will do well in Phoenix with its hot temperatures and low rainfall, but you need to consider a couple of things.
\n\n\n\nWhat kind of soil are you working with?
\n\n\n\nPeople automatically think that since Phoenix is in the desert, it has sandy soil. The truth, though, is that you can find some sandy soils in the Valley, and you can also find heavy clay soils known as caliche.
\n\n\n\nThese caliche soils are almost cemented with calcium carbonate and do not drain well. If you have this type in your yard, you’ll need to avoid plants that need well-draining soil or are prone to root rot.
\n\n\n\nIs your yard in full sun, or are you planting in partial or full-shade spots?
\n\n\n\nThese native plants mostly prefer full sun and have excellent heat tolerance. If you have a spot shaded by your house, fence, or other plants at times during the day, white desert plumbago, bull grass, and hedgehog cactus can tolerate partial shade.
\n\n\n\nWhat size space are you working with?
\n\n\n\nWhen looking at plants, always consider their mature size, not their size when you buy them. You don’t want to move a plant that’s too big for the space after a few years.
\n\n\n\nBuying native plants is a great way to encourage sustainability, as they have naturally adapted to your local climate and growing conditions. When purchasing plants, though, it’s even better to try and find natives that were propagated and raised in your region. A plant may be native to the Sonoran desert, but if the seedling was grown elsewhere, it might not tolerate the hot summers.
\n\n\n\nIf you’re looking for local plants, check out the following retailers, or contact the Phoenix chapter of the Arizona Native Plant Society or Maricopa County Cooperative Extension for more information.
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nDesert Foothills Gardens Nursery Inc.
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nWhitfill Nursery
If you dream of a yard filled with native plants, but need a little help, reach out to our Phoenix lawn care pros! They can make your landscaping dreams come true and thrive in this challenging Valley of the Sun climate.
Main Image Credit: Pxfuel
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\n","content":"Building a successful business is no small feat, especially in the landscaping industry. You will work hours on end. You will sweat. You will bleed. And you will find after all of that, it was worth every second.
\nThis article is the beginning of a series of interviews that we will be conducting for our readers to gain insight into the daunting world of the landscaping industry.
\nToday’s guest is Chris Sadberry, owner and operator of Big League Landscaping, servicing the North Dallas area. Once Chris’ career in the Minor League Baseball ended, he decided to build his own landscaping business. He’s done everything from tree trimming to mowing lawns and building patios.
\nLike many before me, my journey started by walking target neighborhoods. Most people in the landscaping industry who walk neighborhoods just pin flyers up on homeowners’ doors or mailboxes. After not having any luck with that, I decided to switch things up. I began knocking on doors to introduce myself and tell my story to potential customers. The results were clear: a friendly smile and a firm handshake go a long way when it comes to landing customers.
\nIt’s hard to describe the feeling when you sell your first type of any job. It’s an amazing experience to lock in the first customer.
\nWhen I first started out I bought some cheap business cards off of Vistaprint for around $40. I also had to pay a business registration fee of $25 for the county I wanted to work in. The actual business expenses were minuscule compared to the cost of equipment.
\nI knew it was finally time when I kept running into issues with clients because I would promise too many things to multiple customers and ended up being behind every time. I was failing miserably at the golden rule of sales: under-promise and over-deliver. In order to keep up with the number of new customers coming in, I was basically forced to hire someone.
\nReliability is the first thing that I was looking for in my first hire. I really needed a go-getter who wasn’t afraid to help build the business. Secondly, I needed someone trustworthy in case I needed to leave them to go grab materials or even give an estimate.
\nThe most challenging part is getting past the hump of breaking even. It’s hard when you are just breaking into an industry to charge what the established companies are charging. Majority of companies fail within the first 5 years because they struggle to pay their bills. You can overcome this by putting in hours and hours of walking around neighborhoods after work to keep new business coming in (and knocking on doors of course). You will hear a simple, “No,” the vast majority of the time, but you have to accept it and move on.
\nMy favorite project that we’ve done so far has been a large Flagstone patio that we did in Argyle, TX. We had great clients and really enjoyed providing our services to them.
\n![\"\"](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/IMG_1838-1024x768.jpg\")
![\"\"](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/IMG_1839-1024x768.jpg\")
Photos courtesy of Big League Landscaping
\nMy favorite tool would be the shovel. I’m not sure why, but I’ve always enjoyed digging.
\nIn the beginning, there will be a lot of sacrifice from you to build your business off the ground. The end result is definitely worth the struggle in the beginning if you’re someone that wants to be in control of your own destiny.
\nFollow Chris and Big League Landscaping on their Facebook page to keep up with their latest projects.
\nHave more questions about lawn care or landscaping? Visit our Dallas lawn care page for more information.
\n","title":"Interview: Building a Landscaping Business in the DFW","featured_media":{"localFile":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"aspectRatio":1.7777777777777777,"src":"/static/e13cb627bd3ab76826c89f9ad2b55b12/1789c/big-league-landscaping-banner.jpg","srcSet":"/static/e13cb627bd3ab76826c89f9ad2b55b12/107df/big-league-landscaping-banner.jpg 320w,\n/static/e13cb627bd3ab76826c89f9ad2b55b12/293e9/big-league-landscaping-banner.jpg 500w,\n/static/e13cb627bd3ab76826c89f9ad2b55b12/f2cbb/big-league-landscaping-banner.jpg 800w,\n/static/e13cb627bd3ab76826c89f9ad2b55b12/1789c/big-league-landscaping-banner.jpg 960w,\n/static/e13cb627bd3ab76826c89f9ad2b55b12/4fb49/big-league-landscaping-banner.jpg 1920w","srcWebp":"/static/e13cb627bd3ab76826c89f9ad2b55b12/1dd6e/big-league-landscaping-banner.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/e13cb627bd3ab76826c89f9ad2b55b12/67b76/big-league-landscaping-banner.webp 320w,\n/static/e13cb627bd3ab76826c89f9ad2b55b12/8df11/big-league-landscaping-banner.webp 500w,\n/static/e13cb627bd3ab76826c89f9ad2b55b12/98a65/big-league-landscaping-banner.webp 800w,\n/static/e13cb627bd3ab76826c89f9ad2b55b12/1dd6e/big-league-landscaping-banner.webp 960w,\n/static/e13cb627bd3ab76826c89f9ad2b55b12/62477/big-league-landscaping-banner.webp 1920w","sizes":"(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px"}}}},"yoast_meta":{"yoast_wpseo_title":"Interview: Building a Landscaping Business in the DFW | Wikilawn","yoast_wpseo_metadesc":""}}},{"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\nPhoto 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
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