![\"blue](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/27035188264_f232e288e8_o-1.jpg\")
You can enjoy a fantastic garden in Lilac City by planting native plants that are adapted to the city’s warm summers and cold, snowy winters. Need a guide? Let’s take a look at the 10 best native plants for Spokane. In this article: Advantages of Native Plants Over Non-Natives Native plants belong to a specific […]
\n","content":"\nYou can enjoy a fantastic garden in Lilac City by planting native plants that are adapted to the city’s warm summers and cold, snowy winters. Need a guide? Let’s take a look at the 10 best native plants for Spokane.
\n\n\n\nIn this article:
\n\n\n\nNative plants belong to a specific region and have been growing there for several years. They are well-adapted to a region’s weather and soil conditions.
\n\n\n\nHere’s why native plants are better than non-natives.
\n\n\n\nPhoto Credit: Matt Lavin / Flickr / CC BY-SA 2.0
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nCommon camas is beautiful with its star-like violet-colored florets. It blooms from April to June and goes dormant for the rest of the year. When in full bloom, this flower attracts pollinators such as mason bees, bumblebees, and hoverflies.
\n\n\n\nCommon camas prefers full sun and grows best in moist, humus-rich soil. Plant the camassia bulb with the pointy end facing up. Also, leave a 6-inch gap between each bulb.
\n\n\n\nGrowth habit: Flower
\n\n\n\nMature size: Up to 2.5 feet tall and a foot wide
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFoliage: Green, with violet blooms
\n\n\n\nSunlight needs: Full sun
\n\n\n\nSoil preferences: Rich, moist, well-drained soil
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Moderate
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: Toxic to humans and pets
\n\n\n\n![\"Sierra](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Sierra-Shooting-Star.jpg\")
Photo Credit: James St. John / Flickr / CC BY 2.0
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSierra shooting star earns its name from the tiny “shooting stars” that appear to shoot flames from the end. Sierra shooting star blooms from April to June and looks attractive with lavender or bluish flowers. Bumblebees love this flower, and they are its primary pollinator. Sierra shooting star grows best in full sun and humus-rich, well-drained soil.
\n\n\n\nGrowth habit: Flower
\n\n\n\nMature size: Up to 2 feet tall and 2 feet wide
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFoliage: Deep green, with purple flowers
\n\n\n\nSunlight needs: Full sun
\n\n\n\nSoil preferences: Rich, moist, and well-drained soil
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Moderate
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: N/A
\n\n\n\n![\"Pink](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Red-Flowering-Currant-Ribes-sanguineum.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Mark Robinson from Williton, UK / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 2.0
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nRed flowering currant grows best in full sun and blooms from May to June. The red flowers are a treat to hummingbirds and butterflies and have a distinctive sweet, spicy, and resinous scent.
\n\n\n\nIn the fall, red flowering currant produces small dark blue fruits that songbirds love. These berries are edible, and you can use them to make jam or syrup.
\n\n\n\nGrowth habit: Shrub
\n\n\n\nMature size: Up to 10 feet tall and 10 feet wide
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFoliage: Medium to dark green, with red flowers
\n\n\n\nSunlight needs: Full sun to partial shade
\n\n\n\nSoil preferences: Sandy, loamy, clay, well-drained soil
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Moderate
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: Non-toxic
\n\n\n\n![\"White](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Salal-Gaultheria-shallon.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Wing-Chi Poon / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 2.5
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSalal has shiny dark green leaves with bell-shaped pinkish-white flowers that appear in spring. Once the blooming season ends, the flowers transform into dark edible berries that you can use to make jellies. Birds love these berries, too, so, make sure you get them before the birds do.
\n\n\n\nSalal grows best in partial to full shade, reaching heights up to 6 feet. It has a deep root system and can grow in most soil types. Salal can spread up to 5 feet over time, creating a thicket that birds love.
\n\n\n\nGrowth habit: Shrub
\n\n\n\nMature size: Up to 6 feet tall and 5 feet wide
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFoliage: Dark green
\n\n\n\nSunlight needs: Partial to full shade
\n\n\n\nSoil preferences: Rich, moist, well-drained soil
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Moderate
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: Non-toxic
\n\n\n\n![\"Indian](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Indian-Plum.jpg\")
Photo Credit: USFWS – Pacific Region / Wikimedia Commons / Public domain
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nIndian plum has a delicate appearance with pale green leaves. It blooms during early spring, displaying white flowers that attract native bees, hummingbirds, and moths. Indian plum grows best in partial shade and can reach up to 15 feet in height.
\n\n\n\nIndian plum produces fruits during summer that are edible for humans. They have a bitter taste even when fully ripe.
\n\n\n\nGrowth habit: Shrub
\n\n\n\nMature size: Up to 15 feet tall and 12 feet wide
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFoliage: Green
\n\n\n\nSunlight needs: Partial shade
\n\n\n\nSoil preferences: Moist, well-drained soil
\n\n\n\nWater needs: High
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: Non-toxic to humans. Toxic to pets.
\n\n\n\n![\"A](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/28535744074_4feede8509_k-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Kirt Edblom / Flickr / CC BY-SA 2.0
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nOregon grape blooms in spring, producing bright yellow flowers that are lightly scented. These flowers attract bees, hummingbirds, and butterflies. The flower matures into fruits during summer. It grows best in full sun and can tolerate almost all soil types.
\n\n\n\nOregon grape berries are edible for humans, but they have a sour taste to them. The shiny green leaves of this shrub look unique with its wavy spine-tipped edges.
\n\n\n\nGrowth habit: Shrub
\n\n\n\nMature size: Up to 10 feet tall and 5 feet wide
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFoliage: Green. Turns hues of red and purple in the winter.
\n\n\n\nSunlight needs: Full sun to partial shade
\n\n\n\nSoil preferences: Grows in most soil types
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Low
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: Non-toxic
\n\n\n\n![\"Close](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/39114468694_a55e6cddd3_c-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: John Rusk / Flickr / CC BY 2.0
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nEvergreen huckleberry blooms in spring, producing pinkish-white flowers that hummingbirds and butterflies love. These flowers mature into edible, tasty berries during fall.
\n\n\n\nEvergreen huckleberry grows best in shady conditions and prefers sandy, well-drained soil. It can also grow in sunny conditions, but the growth rate will be slower and limited to 6 feet. Evergreen huckleberry is an attractive shrub with oval to lance-shaped glossy green leaves.
\n\n\n\nGrowth habit: Shrub
\n\n\n\nMature size: Up to 10 feet tall and 6 feet wide
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFoliage: Green
\n\n\n\nSunlight needs: Partial to full shade
\n\n\n\nSoil preferences: Sandy, moist, well-drained soil
\n\n\n\nWater needs: High
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: Non-toxic to humans. Toxic to pets.
\n\n\n\n![\"closeup](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Redosier-Dogwood.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Jason Hollinger / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 2.0
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nRed-osier dogwood is an attractive shrub that grows best in full sun. It grows quickly and can reach up to 9 feet tall. Red-osier dogwood blooms during late spring, producing clusters of small white flowers.
\n\n\n\nThis shrub stands out among other plants during winter with its bright red stems. The leaves look simple, with a dark green appearance on top and a paler appearance below.
\n\n\n\nGrowth habit: Shrub
\n\n\n\nMature size: Up to 9 feet tall and 12 feet wide
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFoliage: Medium to dark green
\n\n\n\nSunlight needs: Full sun
\n\n\n\nSoil preferences: Sandy, loam, clay, moist, well-drained soil
\n\n\n\nWater needs: High
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: Non-toxic
\n\n\n\n![\"A](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/15037160035_4ed81031c8_c-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: John Rusk / Flickr / CC BY 2.0
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nVine maple is a small deciduous, multi-stemmed tree that grows up to 30 feet in height. It grows best in full sun and prefers humus-rich, moist, and well-drained soil.
\n\n\n\nVine maple blooms during late spring, producing red and whitish-green flowers. It features distinctive bright green leaves during spring, but they become red, orange, and yellow during fall.
\n\n\n\nGrowth habit: Tree
\n\n\n\nMature size: Up to 30 feet tall and 20 feet wide
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFoliage: Green
\n\n\n\nSunlight needs: Full sun to partial shade
\n\n\n\nSoil preferences: Rich, moist, well-drained soil
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Low
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: Non-toxic
\n\n\n\n![\"Beautiful](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/8090352658_f3dbbefe27_c-1-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: brewbooks / Flickr / CC BY-SA 2.0
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nWild ginger is a good ground cover for shady areas. It blooms from April through July, producing cup-shaped, brownish-red flowers that specifically attract pipevine swallowtails. Wild ginger prefers humus-rich, moist, and well-drained soil. It can’t tolerate direct sun. In fact, the leaves can even burn when exposed to the summer sun.
\n\n\n\nWild ginger doesn’t produce ginger as you’d imagine. But, when you crush the leaves, they release a ginger-like odor, thus the reason behind its name.
\n\n\n\nGrowth habit: Ground cover
\n\n\n\nMature size: Up to 10 inches tall and 24 inches wide
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFoliage: Deep green
\n\n\n\nSunlight needs: Partial to full shade
\n\n\n\nSoil preferences: Rich, moist, well-drained soil
\n\n\n\nWater needs: High
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: Toxic to humans
\n\n\n\nNative plants naturally thrive here, so they require little maintenance and are more eco-friendly than non-natives.
\n\n\n\nSpokane’s hardiness zone is 6, meaning the summers are warm, and the winters are cold and snowy. All plants listed here are native to Washington and can thrive in Spokane’s climate. So now it’s a matter of choosing the ones that suit your taste and your maintenance needs.
\n\n\n\nAlso, don’t forget to consider a plant’s toxicity, especially if you have kids and pets.
\n\n\n\nNow that you have chosen the best native plants, it’s time to work on other factors to make your landscape look the best in your neighborhood. Also, don’t forget to select a grass that thrives here.
\n\n\n\nIf you want to experience a lush, green, and healthy lawn without breaking a sweat, Wikilawn Spokane lawn care pros can help.
\n\n\n\nMain Photo Credit: Riverside, Spokane / Roman Eugeniusz / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0
\n","title":"10 Best Native Plants for Spokane, WA","featured_media":{"localFile":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"aspectRatio":1.5151515151515151,"src":"/static/e207d30a00566e44261142ed05e46b73/1789c/Riverside-Spokane-WA-USA.jpg","srcSet":"/static/e207d30a00566e44261142ed05e46b73/107df/Riverside-Spokane-WA-USA.jpg 320w,\n/static/e207d30a00566e44261142ed05e46b73/293e9/Riverside-Spokane-WA-USA.jpg 500w,\n/static/e207d30a00566e44261142ed05e46b73/f2cbb/Riverside-Spokane-WA-USA.jpg 800w,\n/static/e207d30a00566e44261142ed05e46b73/1789c/Riverside-Spokane-WA-USA.jpg 960w,\n/static/e207d30a00566e44261142ed05e46b73/c26c2/Riverside-Spokane-WA-USA.jpg 1200w","srcWebp":"/static/e207d30a00566e44261142ed05e46b73/1dd6e/Riverside-Spokane-WA-USA.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/e207d30a00566e44261142ed05e46b73/67b76/Riverside-Spokane-WA-USA.webp 320w,\n/static/e207d30a00566e44261142ed05e46b73/8df11/Riverside-Spokane-WA-USA.webp 500w,\n/static/e207d30a00566e44261142ed05e46b73/98a65/Riverside-Spokane-WA-USA.webp 800w,\n/static/e207d30a00566e44261142ed05e46b73/1dd6e/Riverside-Spokane-WA-USA.webp 960w,\n/static/e207d30a00566e44261142ed05e46b73/3cc96/Riverside-Spokane-WA-USA.webp 1200w","sizes":"(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px"}}}},"yoast_meta":{"yoast_wpseo_title":"10 Best Native Plants for Spokane, WA","yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"You can enjoy a fantastic garden in Spokane by planting native plants that adapt easily to the city's warm summers and cold, snowy winters."}},"relatedPosts":[{"node":{"id":"19a5f6c1-a45f-5bb8-9b9c-ee36037f9071","slug":"popular-outdoor-living-landscaping-projects-for-dallas-tx-homeowners","path":"/lawn-care/tx/dallas/popular-outdoor-living-landscaping-projects-for-dallas-tx-homeowners/","status":"publish","template":"","format":"standard","author":{"description":"Emaley Baxter is an expert landscaper who loves writing in her free time. She enjoys research and exploring the great outdoors.","name":"Emaley Baxter","id":"c006aa66-4cfc-59dc-b3ce-5c07b0f83ff0","path":"/author/emaleybaxter/","avatar_urls":{"wordpress_96":"https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/889dbc1c9ea88d564723019ac6c9b47b?s=96&d=mm&r=g"}},"categories":[{"id":"f27be613-d60f-50d6-bb69-080e785141e0","name":"Dallas","count":20,"path":"/category/lawn-care/tx/dallas/"},{"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":"January 7th, 2019","excerpt":"As residents of Dallas, we are blessed to live in Texas for many reasons, a few of which are our long hot summers and mild shoulder seasons. Make the most of your outdoor spaces by trying a few of these popular outdoor living and landscaping projects and get ready to see the full potential of […]
\n","content":"\nAs residents of Dallas, we are blessed to live in Texas for many reasons, a few of which are our long hot summers and mild shoulder seasons. Make the most of your outdoor spaces by trying a few of these popular outdoor living and landscaping projects and get ready to see the full potential of your own backyard.
\n\n\n\n![\"\"/](\"https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/hVBjwwqgxgQ8Hn4YdtzWxF67wYrPsXorwfnxTMRwR3fyjISFZvr2pOGMAeZGg--GZItdyC2SbDUVxssitw0FYYHEEQGhBHRc4bCRjRbVzDrf_88wPDTUCy0baw-_aQ0l54jt4jIJ\")
As all Texans know, magic happens around the family grill. By building simple countertops around your existing grill you’ll be creating more space to prepare your culinary masterpieces. Think about adding a sink as well to make outdoor clean up a breeze.
\n\n\n\n![\"\"/](\"https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/oAQ6iCOdwK9xq_6G8-SpjylI1QeWwAeSYUgwwnlmespwHGVuqIKszlLnXKkA4Fu4RHmBggCZNO9WL18vfVf91VEnWHYUVCmuUu4Esl7RuXT81UtiJRYPQEuQ1ZIJHcvl-JfpkEem\")
All that grilling and BBQing is hard work and sure to serve up a thirst in the most skilled grill master. Why not consider adding a special place for storing cool drinks into you grill station countertop system. A mini fridge stocked with cold refreshments will save the day, or at least save you too many trips back into the house!
\n\n\n\n![\"\"/](\"https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/2Mghjh1cb-EKrxxg4jgy2_I7Ta724dZuMp4AhrC07W9aFd89oIWPwNiB58R--C4b0JeJaaUi6AscTLgrEOGWBIz26D1E29QgzD0jZq0a-qt1eQ9T69yX85b7j-RnrauowrQYEBja\")
Sometimes starting the day off with a good cup of coffee in peace and quiet of nature is all it takes to set you up for success. Consider finding a quiet corner or tucked away spot in your yard; one that gets lots of morning sunshine to use as a place for practicing your morning ritual, whatever that might be. Create a simple path using hardwood mulch, decomposed granite, or irregular flagstone leading to your sitting area for easy access. Pick your favorite style of outdoor furniture and a stylish cushion with a small bistro table and you’ll be ready to take on whatever the day may bring.
\n\n\n\n![\"\"/](\"https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/q01VrSkGHiaqkcyWO-0rbmhm6mU_UuDP7FoRxJ-HNohPa-74Am55Qvj1ay_CPQf437pM5mda-IrkwR2yproOb2WPR6K9OQJ5VdIfUEURwF3ffigWzTd9xWHWUZlpBXyx1cD-1Npw\")
Extend your outdoor use by adding shade canopies to your back patio or deck. These can be as simple as a prefabricated, modular system such as those free-standing shade awnings found at most home improvement stores, or a more elaborate structure built directly off your building’s exterior walls. Just be sure to check with your local city codes for any permits you might be required to obtain before building!
\n\n\n\n![\"\"/](\"https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/Y9OoFOy2vl0_J2RLcRXLOQo76I0Jyh-FZaL_9yUZoNpUAUPFWegNchYQJPMJHuz1VQ4um7-xIqLVBLxMSIFjhjIBvfaoxzMxwHpKP-grEzoHmgR4ZvpZy7HYiGqKhTeeY6kBkX8W\")
Add a nighttime focal point to your landscape by creating a safe area for a fire pit or tall chimenea. Start by checking your local codes and ordinances for rules or requirements related to outdoor fire pits or open flame to make sure they are allowed where you live. No matter your local laws, all fire pits should be at a minimum 10 feet from all structures, 25 feet is preferable and always keep a fire extinguisher nearby in case of accidents.
\n\n\n\n![\"\"/](\"https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/fCeSOXwRroQHejFhY-ihx186ckbBL-_09kCguUxyQ2g4_1RLeh5hl9ohNmbJuo2-XZc5WebOtpW7F2sMGRhoR4KW7-N5U4Yk2w7D6UQIzbRJa7Y29bnpUvRc2zFaZX9XThVUqj-g\")
Make your outdoor living space and landscape a fun experience for people of all ages. Do this by planting species that are both educational as well as beautiful. Children love being able to touch, smell, and pick plants from the garden. Create a designated area for your little ones to be able to explore nature in their own backyard. Plants like Lambs Ears are soft and fuzzy, Balloon Flower creates interesting shaped petals and seed pods, and a row of culinary herbs smells and tastes amazing while providing the added benefit of enhancing your culinary adventures.
\n\n\n\nChoose any one from this list to take your outdoor space to the next level and maximize its potential by adding a few simple features to keep friends and family entertained all year long!
Looking for more landscaping or lawn care tips? Visit our Dallas lawn care guide for more information!
Texas is a sprawling place. Covering a whopping 269,000 square miles and occupying a land mass larger than 39 of the world’s countries, it’s the second largest state in the nation. Who cares? You do if you’re trying to grow a beautiful lawn, because Texas is so large that what thrives in the arid West […]
\n","content":"\nTexas is a sprawling place. Covering a whopping 269,000 square miles and occupying a land mass larger than 39 of the world’s countries, it’s the second largest state in the nation.
\n\n\n\nWho cares? You do if you’re trying to grow a beautiful lawn, because Texas is so large that what thrives in the arid West Texas city of El Paso won’t do as well in the more temperate climate of Dallas and North Texas.
\n\n\n\nIt’s important to know the differences so you can make wise choices about your grass seed and grow a lawn that will be the envy of your North Texas neighborhood.
\n\n\n\nIn this article:
\n\n\n\nTurfgrasses are classified as either cool-season or warm-season grasses, and here in Texas – pretty much everywhere in Texas – warm-season grasses should be your go-to.
\n\n\n\nHere’s the difference:
\n\n\n\nCool-season grasses thrive 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\nWarm-season grasses, on the other hand, are better adapted to warm climates and the summer heat like ours. They tolerate drought better and continue to grow when temperatures soar, but they don’t grow as well in cooler temperatures.
\n\n\n\nSo now let’s look at the best warm-season varieties of grass seed for North Texas.
\n\n\n\n![\"closeup](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Bermudagrass-2.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Bidgee / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0
\n\n\n\nBermudagrass is the fastest-growing of all the warm-season grasses, making it difficult to control, especially around flower beds or borders. But its fast growth rate means Bermudagrass stands up well to heavy foot traffic, which is why it’s a popular choice for golf courses and athletic fields. It likes direct sun and needs well-draining soil, making it ideal for this climate.
\n\n\n\nClassification: Warm-season grass
\n\n\n\nSpreads by: Both stolons and rhizomes
\n\n\n\nShade tolerance: Low
\n\n\n\nDrought tolerance: High
\n\n\n\nFoot traffic tolerance: High
\n\n\n\nMaintenance needs: Moderate
\n\n\n\nMowing Height: 1.5 to 2.5 inches
\n\n\n\nPotential for disease: Low
\n\n\n\n![\"Green](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/St.-Augustinegrass-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Forest & Kim Starr / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 3.0 US
\n\n\n\nSt. Augustinegrass is one of the more attractive grasses, with its broad, dark green blades. St. Augustinegrass tolerates cold better than Bermudagrass and Zoysiagrass, but it goes dormant when soil temperatures go below 55 degrees Fahrenheit.
\n\n\n\nIf your yard is tree-lined, St. Augustinegrass is a great option, as it does just fine in the shade. It tolerates drought, too. St. Augustinegrass grows fast, but that also means it requires frequent mowing.
\n\n\n\nOn the downside, St. Augustinegrass doesn’t tolerate lots of wear and tear as well as some other grasses. So, if you plan to use your lawn heavily, we recommend you avoid this grass.
\n\n\n\nClassification: Warm-season grass
\n\n\n\nSpreads by: Stolons
\n\n\n\nShade tolerance: High
\n\n\n\nDrought tolerance: Moderate
\n\n\n\nFoot traffic tolerance: Low
\n\n\n\nMaintenance needs: Moderate
\n\n\n\nMowing Height: 2.5 to 3.5 inches
\n\n\n\nPotential for disease: High
\n\n\n\n![\"green](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/zoysiagrass-5.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Forest & Kim Starr / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0
\n\n\n\nZoysiagrass looks beautiful, with its green, medium-coarse grass blades. It’s durable but takes time to recover from damage. Zoysiagrass has an extensive root system, making it tolerant of drought and shade.
\n\n\n\nZoysiagrass is popular throughout Texas, but it’s on the expensive side, perhaps because it’s both hardy and requires little maintenance. It needs little fertilization and can resist diseases and insects. Zoysiagrass can take a long time to spread and form dense turf, but it grows quicker under full sun.
\n\n\n\n![\"green](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Buffalograss.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Matt Lavin / Flickr / CC BY-SA 2.0
\n\n\n\nIf you’d prefer not to spend time and money watering your lawn, buffalograss is a great choice. It’s naturally drought-tolerant and disease-resistant (meaning it doesn’t require extra fertilizer or pesticides). Its lower and slower growth rate also means you don’t need to water it as much as other grasses.
\n\n\n\nBuffalograss has a cool, green summertime color, making it a very attractive turf. It also has finer and drier leaves than other grasses, so it doesn’t clump or thatch when you mow it.
\n\n\n\nClassification: Warm-season grass
\n\n\n\nSpreads by: Rhizomes
\n\n\n\nShade tolerance: Low
\n\n\n\nDrought tolerance: High
\n\n\n\nFoot traffic tolerance: Moderate
\n\n\n\nMaintenance needs: Very Low
\n\n\n\nMowing Height: 2 to 3 inches
\n\n\n\nPotential for disease: Low
\n\n\n\n![\"Green](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Centipedegrass-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: James Becwar / Wikimedia Commons / CC0
\n\n\n\nFor a low-maintenance lawn, centipedegrass is probably your best bet. Its slow, low-growth habit means you don’t need to mow or fertilize it as often as other warm-season grasses. It also tolerates diseases.
\n\n\n\nCentipedegrass doesn’t tolerate heavy foot traffic, cold, or shade. If you have a shady area or plan on using your lawn frequently, avoid this grass.
\n\n\n\nClassification: Warm-season grass
\n\n\n\nSpreads by: Stolons
\n\n\n\nShade tolerance: Low
\n\n\n\nDrought tolerance: High
\n\n\n\nFoot traffic tolerance: Low
\n\n\n\nMaintenance needs: Low
\n\n\n\nMowing Height: 1.5 to 2 inches
\n\n\n\nPotential for disease: Moderate
\n\n\n\nIf you get a lot of shade, go for St. Augustinegrass.
Bermudagrass handles foot traffic very well, making it a great option for busy yards.
Either centipedegrass or Bermudagrass is the way to go.
Centipedegrass and buffalograss handle highly acidic soils well, so either is a good choice.
When picking a grass seed from the list above, remember to also consider how much you’ll be using your lawn and how much time you want to spend maintaining it because each variety has strengths and weaknesses.
\n\n\n\nOnce you pick your grass, add some native plants to your yard. Not only are they good for the ecosystem, but they’ll look good in your yard while not needing much attention.
If you want a professional to do the work instead, contact one of Wikilawn’s lawn care pros, and we’ll lend a helping hand.
Main Photo Credit: University of North Texas / Michael Barera / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0
\n","title":"The Best Grass Seed for Your North Texas Lawn","featured_media":{"localFile":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"aspectRatio":1.5,"src":"/static/b65eb01c9e5142387819228742683eff/1789c/Lawn-in-north-texas.jpg","srcSet":"/static/b65eb01c9e5142387819228742683eff/107df/Lawn-in-north-texas.jpg 320w,\n/static/b65eb01c9e5142387819228742683eff/293e9/Lawn-in-north-texas.jpg 500w,\n/static/b65eb01c9e5142387819228742683eff/f2cbb/Lawn-in-north-texas.jpg 800w,\n/static/b65eb01c9e5142387819228742683eff/1789c/Lawn-in-north-texas.jpg 960w,\n/static/b65eb01c9e5142387819228742683eff/c26c2/Lawn-in-north-texas.jpg 1200w","srcWebp":"/static/b65eb01c9e5142387819228742683eff/1dd6e/Lawn-in-north-texas.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/b65eb01c9e5142387819228742683eff/67b76/Lawn-in-north-texas.webp 320w,\n/static/b65eb01c9e5142387819228742683eff/8df11/Lawn-in-north-texas.webp 500w,\n/static/b65eb01c9e5142387819228742683eff/98a65/Lawn-in-north-texas.webp 800w,\n/static/b65eb01c9e5142387819228742683eff/1dd6e/Lawn-in-north-texas.webp 960w,\n/static/b65eb01c9e5142387819228742683eff/3cc96/Lawn-in-north-texas.webp 1200w","sizes":"(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px"}}}},"yoast_meta":{"yoast_wpseo_title":"The Best Grass Seed for Your North Texas Lawn | Wikilawn","yoast_wpseo_metadesc":""}}},{"node":{"id":"50d6ca88-a9c8-5ae0-aadb-dfd25f9ab9de","slug":"best-native-plants-miami","path":"/lawn-care/fl/miami/best-native-plants-miami/","status":"publish","template":"","format":"standard","author":{"description":"Born and raised in Springfield, Illinois, Kimberly Magerl enjoys growing fruits and vegetables in her garden. When she isn't gardening, Kimberly enjoys trying new recipes and cooking with her home-grown herbs.","name":"Kimberly Magerl","id":"bdf803c6-4d01-5c0e-88b1-1ea590340a8a","path":"/author/kimberly-magerl/","avatar_urls":{"wordpress_96":"https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/45ebe89479badde7ee7cb5108a96462c?s=96&d=mm&r=g"}},"categories":[{"id":"57f1b1d9-6347-5707-b4b6-65e6dd1b393d","name":"Florida","count":46,"path":"/category/lawn-care/fl/"},{"id":"205f24d4-c1e5-5728-bb28-8ba70eecbc7a","name":"Lawn Care","count":432,"path":"/category/lawn-care/"},{"id":"529a6382-d2d9-58ab-b746-9f305ef45bd4","name":"Miami","count":3,"path":"/category/lawn-care/fl/miami/"}],"date":"March 20th, 2023","excerpt":"Miami is a melting pot of cultures and arts and home to over 147 parks, gardens, and recreation centers. Florida contains over 4,700 species of native plants, so it is easy to create your own diverse cultural stew in your own backyard by filling it with Florida plants. Native plants offer many landscaping benefits, including: […]
\n","content":"\nMiami is a melting pot of cultures and arts and home to over 147 parks, gardens, and recreation centers. Florida contains over 4,700 species of native plants, so it is easy to create your own diverse cultural stew in your own backyard by filling it with Florida plants.
\n\n\n\nNative plants offer many landscaping benefits, including:
\n\n\n\nNative plants help promote a healthier Florida ecosystem. Check out these 20 native plants for Miami to create a diverse landscape.
\n\n\n\nIn this article, we’ll cover:
\n\n\n\n![\"beautiful](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/beautyberry-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Tony Alter / Flickr / CC BY 2.0
\n\n\n\nBeautyberry, also known as American mulberry, is a small shrub with bright purple fruits that attract birds and other wildlife. The sprawling shrub works well as a border plant with its long branches arching toward the ground. Some homeowners prune the plant for a more compact appearance.
\n\n\n\nBeautyberry has fuzzy, light-green leaves and small lavender flowers that bloom from spring to summer before maturing to fruits in September. The edible shrub is drought tolerant and loves rich soils, though it will adapt to the acidic, sandy soils of South Florida.
\n\n\n\nGrowth habit: Shrub
\n\n\n\nUSDA hardiness zone: 7-11
\n\n\n\nMature size: 3-8 feet tall and 4-8 feet wide
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFoliage: Deciduous
\n\n\n\nSunlight needs: Full sun to partial shade
\n\n\n\nSoil preferences: Adaptable; prefers nutrient-rich soil but tolerates acidic, sandy soil
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Drought-tolerant; prefers a regular watering schedule and moist roots
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: Non-toxic; 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 offers a pop of color for Miami yards. The hardy wildflower is known for its bright golden petals and dark brown center. It is salt and drought-tolerant and makes a great addition to any butterfly garden.
\n\n\n\nBlack-Eyed Susan loves full sun and well-drained soil. Flowers grow atop round clumping leaves and work well as cut flowers for an outdoor-to-indoor home display.
\n\n\n\nGrowth habit: Flower
\n\n\n\nUSDA hardiness zone: 3-10
\n\n\n\nMature size: 1-3 feet tall and 1-2 feet wide
\n\n\n\nDuration: Biennial
\n\n\n\nFoliage: Deciduous
\n\n\n\nSunlight needs: Full sun
\n\n\n\nSoil preferences: Adaptable, prefers acidic soil
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Drought-tolerant; may need weekly watering during extreme dry spells
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: Non-toxic; no safety hazards
\n\n\n\n![\"close](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/butterfly_weed.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Derek Ramsey / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0
\n\n\n\nButterfly weed is a native species of milkweed and is extremely important to healthy Florida landscapes. It is an attractive flowering plant and a nectar source for bees and pollinators as well as a host plant for caterpillars, including the Monarch butterfly. There are around 20 native species of milkweed that call Florida home.
\n\n\n\nButterfly weed produces bright orange or yellow flowers from summer to fall. The attractive plant is hardy and loves full sun. It tolerates most soils and is moderately salt and drought-tolerant.
\n\n\n\nGrowth habit: Flower
\n\n\n\nUSDA hardiness zone: 3-10
\n\n\n\nMature size: 1-4 feet tall and less than 1 foot wide
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial though some species are annuals
\n\n\n\nFoliage: N/A
\n\n\n\nSunlight needs: Full sun
\n\n\n\nSoil preferences: Prefers dry sandy soil
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Semi drought-tolerant; prefers to dry out between waterings
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: Low toxicity; milky sap irritates humans and animals
\n\n\n\n![\"photo](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/coontie-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Leonora (Ellie) Enking / Flickr / CC BY-SA 2.0
\n\n\n\nCoontie, also known as Florida arrowroot, is a seed plant resembling a small fern and a member of the cycad family. With ancient roots dating back to the time of the dinosaurs, this evergreen plant is the only cycad native to North America and an important member of the Florida ecosystem. It is the larval food source for the rare Atala butterfly.
\n\n\n\nCoontie has shiny, feather-shaped leaves attached to a thick stem. The round plant works well as clumping groundcover. It is drought, salt, and cold-tolerant and will thrive in sunny or shady conditions.
\n\n\n\nGrowth habit: Clumping groundcover
\n\n\n\nUSDA hardiness zone: 8-11
\n\n\n\nMature size: 2-3 feet tall and 3 feet wide
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFoliage: Evergreen
\n\n\n\nSunlight needs: Full sun, partial shade, full shade
\n\n\n\nSoil preferences: Adaptable; prefers well-drained soil
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Drought-tolerant; prefers to dry out between waterings
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: Toxic; seeds are deadly to humans and animals if ingested, and the entire plant is poisonous
\n\n\n\n![\"a](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/coral-bean-2.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Everglades National Park / Flickr / License
\n\n\n\nLike seagrape, coral bean, also known as Cherokee bean, thrives in the tropical Miami weather and grows as a large shrub or small ornamental tree. Butterflies and hummingbirds flock to the bright red tubular flowers. It grows well in natural landscapes with fertile soil, but keep in mind it is extremely poisonous to humans and animals. Coral bean performs best when planted as part of a mixed border, and the perennial shrub loses its leaves in the winter.
\n\n\n\nGrowth habit: Tree or shrub
\n\n\n\nUSDA hardiness zone: 8-11
\n\n\n\nMature size: 5-15 feet tall
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFoliage: Deciduous
\n\n\n\nSunlight needs: Full sun to partial shade
\n\n\n\nSoil preferences: Adaptable; prefers well-drained, fertile and sandy soil
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Drought-tolerant; may need weekly watering during extreme dry spells
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: Toxic; seeds poisonous to humans and animals
\n\n\n\n![\"beautiful](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/coral-honeysuckle-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Jo Naylor / Flickr / CC BY 2.0
\n\n\n\nOften found climbing the woods, sandhills, and flatwoods of Florida, coral honeysuckle is an evergreen clumping vine. It blooms year-round in South Florida and does its best blooming in the winter. You can find it crawling trellises, walls, and fences, reaching heights up to 18 feet.
\n\n\n\nThe dark, shiny leaves give way to trumpet-shaped red-orange flower clusters from spring to fall, and the vine produces clusters of bright red berries from September to October. Coral honeysuckle attracts songbirds, hummingbirds, and other pollinators thanks to its vibrant flowers and fruit.
\n\n\n\nGrowth habit: Vine
\n\n\n\nUSDA hardiness zone: 4-10
\n\n\n\nMature size: 3-18 feet
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFoliage: Evergreen to semi-evergreen
\n\n\n\nSunlight needs: Full sun to partial shade
\n\n\n\nSoil preferences: Adaptable; prefers well-drained soil
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Needs about 1 inch of water per week, including rainfall (may need weekly watering during dry spells
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: Toxic to humans and animals if ingested
\n\n\n\n![\"bright](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/coreopsis.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Andrey Zarkikh / Flickr / CC BY 2.0
\n\n\n\nCoreopsis, or tickseed, is Florida’s state wildflower. The perennial blooms daisy-shaped, bright yellow flowers with brown centers from spring to summer. The drought-tolerant beauties reseed themselves, attracting butterflies and native pollinators. Tickseed makes a great addition to flower beds and container gardens.
\n\n\n\nGrowth habit: Flower
\n\n\n\nUSDA hardiness zone: 4-11
\n\n\n\nMature size: 1-4 feet tall and 1-2 feet wide
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFoliage: N/A
\n\n\n\nSunlight needs: Full sun; tolerate partial shade
\n\n\n\nSoil preferences: Adaptable; prefers moist, well-drained soil
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Drought-tolerant; may need weekly watering during extreme dry spells
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: Non-toxic, no safety hazards
\n\n\n\n![\"clumps](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/fakahatchee_grass.jpg\")
Photo Credit: David J. Stang / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0
\n\n\n\nFakahatchee grass is another great ornamental grass for Miami landscapes. It is a clumping plant, working well for accents and borders. It is the food of choice for the larval Byssus Skipper butterfly. In nature, you can find it growing along river banks and swamps.
\n\n\n\nFakahatchee grass is easy to grow with grass-like foliage and small white flowers in late spring. It grows best in full sun and loves well-drained, moist soil, though it adapts to drier conditions and will survive flooding. It responds well to pruning but will grow just as well as a low-maintenance plant when left alone.
\n\n\n\nGrowth habit: Ornamental grass
\n\n\n\nUSDA hardiness zone: 8-11
\n\n\n\nMature size: 3-4 feet tall and 4-6 feet wide
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFoliage: Evergreen to semi-evergreen
\n\n\n\nSunlight needs: Partial shade
\n\n\n\nSoil preferences: Adaptable; well-drained, moist acidic or alkaline soil, sand, loam, clay; extended flooding
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Moderately drought-tolerant; prefers moist soil
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: Non-toxic; no safety hazards
\n\n\n\n![\"bright](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/firebush.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Mokki / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0
\n\n\n\nFirebush is a hardy shrub with bright red flowers that bloom from late spring to the first frost. Popular with hummingbirds, butterflies, and other local wildlife, the semi-woody shrub can reach up to 15 feet tall in South Florida but responds well to pruning for contained growth.
\n\n\n\nFirebush is a popular addition to many landscapes and works well as a standalone shrub, hedgerow, or border plant. The foliage will die after the first freeze but regrows in spring. It adapts to most soil conditions and is heat and drought-tolerant with no natural disease or insect threats.
\n\n\n\nGrowth habit: Shrub
\n\n\n\nUSDA hardiness zone: 9-12
\n\n\n\nMature size: 6-12 feet tall and 5-8 feet wide
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFoliage: Evergreen
\n\n\n\nSunlight needs: Full sun, partial shade, full shade
\n\n\n\nSoil preferences: Adaptable; prefers well-drained soil
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Drought-tolerant; needs about 1 inch of water per week, including rainfall (may need weekly watering during dry spells
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: Low toxicity; poisonous to humans and animals, though it has a bitter taste most animals avoid
\n\n\n\n![\"red](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/florida-anise-tree.jpg\")
Photo Credit: peganum / Flickr / CC BY-SA 2.0
\n\n\n\nThe Florida anise tree, also known as purple anise, is actually an evergreen shrub with small star-shaped purple to red flowers. Skinny branches droop to the ground, giving the shrub a rounded shape. Flowers bloom in spring with fruits following from late summer to fall. Like its cousin star anise, the fruits of the Florida anise tree give off a distinct licorice odor when crushed.
\n\n\n\nThese shrubs have a dense growth pattern, making them ideal for hedgerows and windbreaks. They prefer full sun but will grow well in partial shade and respond well to pruning. They love rich soil and moisture but will adapt to most conditions. The purple anise does not tolerate Miami saltwater and its foliage is poisonous, making it resistant to insects and deer.
\n\n\n\nGrowth habit: Shrub
\n\n\n\nUSDA hardiness zone: 8-10
\n\n\n\nMature size: 10-15 feet tall and 6-10 feet wide
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFoliage: Evergreen
\n\n\n\nSunlight needs: Full sun to partial shade
\n\n\n\nSoil preferences: Prefers rich, moist soil
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Drought-tolerant; may need weekly watering during extreme dry spells
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: Toxic; foliage is poisonous to humans and animals
\n\n\n\n![\"close](\"http://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/gaillardia.jpg\")
Photo Credit: JJ Harrison / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0
\n\n\n\nGaillardia is a perennial with dark green leaves and bright, daisy-like blooms from summer into late fall. Also known as firewheel, or blanket flower, blooms are typically red to orange, attracting butterflies and Miami pollinators. Firewheel reseeds itself and grows well in beds and containers. Fresh-cut flowers make great additions to home vases and floral arrangements. Gaillardia tolerates sun, heat, sandy soils, and salt.
\n\n\n\nGrowth habit: Flower
\n\n\n\nUSDA hardiness zone: 2-11
\n\n\n\nMature size: 12-24 inches tall
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFoliage: Semi-evergreen
\n\n\n\nSunlight needs: Full sun to partial shade
\n\n\n\nSoil preferences: Adaptable; acidic or alkaline soil, sand, or loam
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Drought-tolerant; may need weekly watering during extreme dry spells
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: Non-toxic; no safety hazards
\n\n\n\n![\"large](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/gumbo_limbo_tree.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Milo44 / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0
\n\n\n\nA South Florida native, the gumbo-limbo tree is large and semi-evergreen. Mature heights reach up to 60 feet in nature, though they are more compact in home landscaping. They love the tropical Miami climate and make great shade trees.
\n\n\n\nGumbo-limbo trees show off bright green leaves with small clusters of light green flowers and peeling copper bark. It is one of the most wind and hurricane-resistant trees in Florida landscaping.
\n\n\n\nGrowth habit: Tree
\n\n\n\nUSDA hardiness zone: 10b-11
\n\n\n\nMature size: 25 to 50 feet tall and wide
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFoliage: Semi-evergreen
\n\n\n\nSunlight needs: Partial shade
\n\n\n\nSoil preferences: Prefers moist, alkaline soil, sand, loam, or clay
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Water every seven to 10 days
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: Non-toxic; no safety hazards
\n\n\n\n![\"Pink](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/muhly-grass-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Pixabay
\n\n\n\nMuhly grass lines Florida flatwoods, uplands, and highways and makes a popular choice for home landscapes. It is an easy-to-grow ornamental clumping grass that produces fluffy pink flower stalks every fall.
\n\n\n\nMuhly grass thrives in the Miami sun and is drought-tolerant. The salt-tolerant grass is perfect for coastal areas and grows well in flower beds and along borders.
\n\n\n\nGrowth habit: Ornamental grass
\n\n\n\nUSDA hardiness zone: 7-11
\n\n\n\nMature size: 3-5 feet tall and 2-3 feet wide
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFoliage: Semi-evergreen
\n\n\n\nSunlight needs: Full sun
\n\n\n\nSoil preferences: Adaptable; acidic or alkaline soil, sand, loam, clay; extended flooding
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Drought-tolerant; may need weekly watering during extreme dry spells
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: Non-toxic; no safety hazards
\n\n\n\n![\"A](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/nature-plant-flower-purple-bloom-summer-543725-pxhere.com-1.jpg\")
Passion flower, or maypop, is a flowering vine like coral honeysuckle. It is a butterfly host plant, fast-growing, and hardy. Its dense foliage provides natural cover for wildlife while its large lavender blooms attract hummingbirds and butterflies. The vine also produces edible green fruits, though they do not taste good.
\n\n\n\nPassion flower loves full sun and thrives on a trellis, fence, or archway. It is a spreading vine that will grow to occupy the trellis or fence. They are pest-resistant and tolerate drought conditions. However, the hardy plant is susceptible to nematode damage in South Florida.
\n\n\n\nGrowth habit: Vine
\n\n\n\nUSDA hardiness zone: 6-10
\n\n\n\nMature size: Up to 30 feet; spreads to occupy the trellis or fence
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFoliage: Evergreen
\n\n\n\nSunlight needs: Full sun to partial shade
\n\n\n\nSoil preferences: Adaptable; prefers moist soil
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Drought-tolerant; water twice weekly during dry spells
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: Non-toxic; safe for humans and animals
\n\n\n\n![\"red](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/scarlet-sage-salvia-close-up.jpg\")
Scarlet salvia goes by many names, including scarlet sage, blood sage, and tropical sage. It is an herbaceous perennial with tubular red flowers that bloom from spring through fall. The attractive plant reaches up to 4 feet tall and attracts Miami wildlife, hummingbirds, and butterflies.
\n\n\n\nScarlet salvia is drought and salt-tolerant, tolerating the occasional salty spray well. The adaptable plant responds well to pruning and grows well in flower beds and containers.
\n\n\n\nGrowth habit: Herbaceous plant
\n\n\n\nUSDA hardiness zone: 8-11
\n\n\n\nMature size: 2-4 feet tall and 1-2 feet wide
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFoliage: Semi-evergreen
\n\n\n\nSunlight needs: Full sun
\n\n\n\nSoil preferences: Adaptable; acidic or alkaline soil, sand, or loam
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Drought-tolerant; may need weekly watering during extreme dry spells
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: Non-toxic; no safety hazards
\n\n\n\n![\"Beautiful](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/tree-plant-fruit-leaf-flower-food-829906-pxhere.com-1.jpg\")
Seagrape is an endangered and protected shrub or tree naturally found growing along the Florida coasts. The salt-tolerant plant produces clusters of edible red fruit resembling grapes, bright-green, round foliage with red veins, and clusters of cream-colored flowers.
\n\n\n\nSeagrape responds well to pruning, and left unattended, it will grow to 50 feet tall and 30 feet wide. These plants work well as hedges, privacy screens, natural windbreaks, and shade trees. If grown as a tree, an attractive, twisted trunk is visible. Seagrape grows well in full or partial sun and salty acidic soils. It is very low maintenance except for the occasional pruning.
\n\n\n\nGrowth habit: Tree or shrub
\n\n\n\nUSDA hardiness zone: 10A-11
\n\n\n\nMature size: 35-50 feet tall and 20-30 feet wide
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFoliage: Evergreen
\n\n\n\nSunlight needs: Full sun to partial shade
\n\n\n\nSoil preferences: Adaptable; prefers well-drained soil
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Drought-tolerant; needs about 1 inch of water per week, including rainfall (may need weekly watering during dry spells
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: Non-toxic; edible fruits
\n\n\n\n![\"A](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/flower-plant-nature-flora-blossom-botany-1370586-pxhere.com-1.jpg\")
Miami’s tropical climate creates the perfect environment for crawling vines. Star Jasmine, also known as jessamine and evening trumpet flower, is a fragrant flowering vine with clusters of tiny white flowers that bloom in early spring and summer. It is drought resistant and attracts pollinators to your garden. The vine is also moderately salt-tolerant and adapts to shady conditions, making it a great option for coastal landscapes.
\n\n\n\nThis vine is fast-growing, climbing to occupy any available space. It works well as ground cover but requires frequent pruning. Star jasmine is best planted near lampposts, trellises, arbors, or chain-link fences, and will not climb masonry walls or wooden fences without supports.
\n\n\n\nGrowth habit: Vine or spreading groundcover
\n\n\n\nUSDA hardiness zone: 9-11
\n\n\n\nMature size: 10-15 feet tall and 3-4 feet wide
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFoliage: Evergreen
\n\n\n\nSunlight needs: Full sun to partial shade
\n\n\n\nSoil preferences: Prefers moist, well-drained soil
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Drought-tolerant; may need weekly watering during extreme dry spells
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: Non-toxic; no safety hazards
\n\n\n\n![\"A](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/pink-hibiscus-flower-1413634545iIg.jpg\")
Swamp mallow is a variety of hibiscus with many names in South Florida such as scarlet rosemallow and swamp hibiscus. Like all hibiscus flowers, swamp mallow is an herbaceous perennial with large red flowers that bloom from mid to late summer. The woody plant loves heat, humidity, and wet soil, and is moderately salt-tolerant.
\n\n\n\nSwamp mallow grows naturally in the Florida wetlands but tolerates drier soil. It loves full sun and can reach heights up to 8 feet. The swamp mallow makes a great informal privacy screen or standalone plant, and the bright blooms will attract butterflies such as Cloudless Sulfurs and Gulf Fritillaries to your Miami yard.
\n\n\n\nGrowth habit: Shrub
\n\n\n\nUSDA hardiness zone: 6-11
\n\n\n\nMature size: 4-8 feet tall and 2-4 feet wide
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFoliage: Evergreen
\n\n\n\nSunlight needs: Full sun to partial shade
\n\n\n\nSoil preferences: Prefers rich, moist soil
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Water twice per week
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: Non-toxic; no safety hazards
\n\n\n\n![\"White](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/800px-Viburnum_Reiflers_Dwarf_2zz.jpg\")
Walter’s viburnum is a large shrub or small tree with small white flowers that attracts butterflies. Fruits of the tree ripen in fall, attracting birds and other wildlife. It can reach up to 20 feet tall but responds well to pruning and training and makes a great hedgerow or privacy screen.
\n\n\n\nWalter’s viburnum has dense foliage that acts as a nesting spot for songbirds, and it is the host plant for the Azure butterfly. The shrubs prefer full sun to partial shade and are drought-tolerant. However, these plants do not tolerate salt and need moist, well-drained soil.
\n\n\n\nGrowth habit: Tree or shrub
\n\n\n\nUSDA hardiness zone: 7-10
\n\n\n\nMature size: 10-20 feet tall and 10-15 feet wide
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFoliage: Evergreen
\n\n\n\nSunlight needs: Full sun to partial shade
\n\n\n\nSoil preferences: Prefers well-drained, moist soil
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Drought-tolerant; water twice weekly
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: Non-toxic; safe for humans and animals
\n\n\n\n![\"A](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/800px-Psychotria_nervosa_2.jpg\")
Wild coffee produces shiny, bright-green leaves with clusters of small white flowers in the spring and summer. Red fruits bloom in the summer resembling coffee berries but contain no caffeine. The evergreen shrub’s elongated leaves and dense growth habit make a great hedgerow or border plant for South Florida lawns.
\n\n\n\nWild coffee serves as the backbone for the life cycle of the rare Atala butterfly, providing a much-needed nectar source for the insect, while its fruits attract birds and other wildlife. The perennial shrub grows well in partial to full shade and loves well-drained soil. It responds well to pruning and is salt-tolerant.
\n\n\n\nGrowth habit: Shrub
\n\n\n\nUSDA hardiness zone: 9-11
\n\n\n\nMature size: 4-10 feet tall and 4-8 feet wide
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFoliage: Evergreen
\n\n\n\nSunlight needs: Partial shade to full shade
\n\n\n\nSoil preferences: Adaptable; prefers well-drained soil and does not tolerate heavy clay soil
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Drought-tolerant; prefers to dry out between waterings
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: Moderate toxicity; poisonous to humans and animals
\n\n\n\nNative plants each have their own needs, and not all native plants will grow well in your Miami yard. It is important to consider soil type and proximity to saltwater sprays when selecting plants for your landscape. Select plants suitable for your soil, sun exposure, and watering capabilities.
\n\n\n\nMiami sits in USDA Hardiness Zones 10 and 11, indicating the coldest annual temperature is between 30 to 35 degrees Fahrenheit. Florida-native plants are cold-hardy to the minimum temperature in Miami’s’ hardiness zones. Keep your zone in mind when selecting non-native plants for your landscape.
\n\n\n\nThanks to Miami’s year-round tropical climate, you can plant anytime you want. Plants grow faster in the spring and summer, and experts agree the best time to head into your garden is from mid-March to the beginning of April.
Foliage needs time to dry before nightfall, and wet foliage can lead to disease and rot. Early morning or evening are the best times to water your native plants. Winds are calmer and temperatures are lower, so there is less risk of water loss from evaporation or scorching from the sun.
Native plants support the Florida ecosystem and beneficial insects like butterflies, bees, and birds. Many are salt and drought-tolerant and adapted to the acidic, sandy soil found in most South Florida yards, making them easier to grow and more beneficial to the local environment.
Create your own landscape melting pot and invite beautiful blooms, butterflies, and songbirds into your yard. If you want to introduce more native plants into your Miami oasis, source your plants ethically from reputable nurseries.
\n\n\n\nCheck out these local Miami nurseries recommended by the Dade Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society:
\n\n\n\nMany native plants are salt and wind-tolerant, standing up to occasional flooding and high winds. Be sure to consider other hurricane-resistant landscaping ideas to complement your new native plants and check out the best grass types for Miami for a healthy lawn.
\n\n\n\nWhen you are ready to turn over lawn upkeep to a professional, let Wikilawn connect you with a local landscaping pro in your area.
\n\n\n\nMain Image Credit: Pxhere
\n","title":"20 Best Native Plants for Miami","featured_media":{"localFile":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"aspectRatio":2.0905923344947737,"src":"/static/5b2259c9b663e084affa644150d1f414/1789c/landscape-tree-nature-outdoor-architecture-plant-864513-pxhere.com-1.jpg","srcSet":"/static/5b2259c9b663e084affa644150d1f414/107df/landscape-tree-nature-outdoor-architecture-plant-864513-pxhere.com-1.jpg 320w,\n/static/5b2259c9b663e084affa644150d1f414/293e9/landscape-tree-nature-outdoor-architecture-plant-864513-pxhere.com-1.jpg 500w,\n/static/5b2259c9b663e084affa644150d1f414/f2cbb/landscape-tree-nature-outdoor-architecture-plant-864513-pxhere.com-1.jpg 800w,\n/static/5b2259c9b663e084affa644150d1f414/1789c/landscape-tree-nature-outdoor-architecture-plant-864513-pxhere.com-1.jpg 960w,\n/static/5b2259c9b663e084affa644150d1f414/c26c2/landscape-tree-nature-outdoor-architecture-plant-864513-pxhere.com-1.jpg 1200w","srcWebp":"/static/5b2259c9b663e084affa644150d1f414/1dd6e/landscape-tree-nature-outdoor-architecture-plant-864513-pxhere.com-1.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/5b2259c9b663e084affa644150d1f414/67b76/landscape-tree-nature-outdoor-architecture-plant-864513-pxhere.com-1.webp 320w,\n/static/5b2259c9b663e084affa644150d1f414/8df11/landscape-tree-nature-outdoor-architecture-plant-864513-pxhere.com-1.webp 500w,\n/static/5b2259c9b663e084affa644150d1f414/98a65/landscape-tree-nature-outdoor-architecture-plant-864513-pxhere.com-1.webp 800w,\n/static/5b2259c9b663e084affa644150d1f414/1dd6e/landscape-tree-nature-outdoor-architecture-plant-864513-pxhere.com-1.webp 960w,\n/static/5b2259c9b663e084affa644150d1f414/3cc96/landscape-tree-nature-outdoor-architecture-plant-864513-pxhere.com-1.webp 1200w","sizes":"(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px"}}}},"yoast_meta":{"yoast_wpseo_title":"20 Best Native Plants for Miami | Wikilawn","yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"Check out these Florida native plants for Miami to find heat and salt-tolerant plants that thrive in the sun and sandy soil, plus information on where to buy native plants locally."}}},{"node":{"id":"0a80aabf-c968-5b55-b67c-0f3577ed7703","slug":"spring-lawn-care-tips-baltimore","path":"/lawn-care/md/baltimore/spring-lawn-care-tips-baltimore/","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":"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":"May 15th, 2023","excerpt":"Spring has sprung, and for Baltimore homeowners that means a return to yard work. Your lawn needs all the help it can get to recover from the long, wet winter, and knowing how to care for your lawn in Baltimore will provide the foundation it needs to thrive all year long. These nine spring lawn […]
\n","content":"\nSpring has sprung, and for Baltimore homeowners that means a return to yard work. Your lawn needs all the help it can get to recover from the long, wet winter, and knowing how to care for your lawn in Baltimore will provide the foundation it needs to thrive all year long. These nine spring lawn care tips will set you up well for the warm-weather months ahead.
\n\n\n\nIn this article:
\n\n\n\n![\"raking](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/pxfuel.com-4-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Pxfuel
\n\n\n\nTo ensure your lawn absorbs the sunlight, air, water, and nutrients it needs, you have to clear away any leaves, trash, limbs, and debris on your lawn. Yard trash acts like a blanket on your lawn that blocks sun and water from penetrating to grass roots and the soil. Additionally, take out any plants that died over the winter.
\n\n\n\nWith warmer months comes yard care, so make sure you get your lawn gear back in shape. Here is a short checklist of tasks to do:
\n\n\n\n✓ Change your lawn mower’s oil, and drain and refill its gas tank.
\n\n\n\n✓ Tighten any loose screws.
\n\n\n\n✓ Sharpen its blades.
\n\n\n\n✓ Ensure that your lawn mower and line trimmer work as well.
\n\n\n\nBy checking these tasks off your list, you’ll minimize the chance of any unexpected problems occurring and adding more to your plate.
\n\n\n\n![\"A](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/solar-panels-working-8-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: groveb / Canva Pro / License
\n\n\n\nTo prevent runoff, fertilizer should only be applied when the grass begins to grow. Apply fertilizer twice, once in early spring and once in late spring.
\n\n\n\nHow to fertilize your lawn: Never apply fertilizer by hand. Instead, use a drop or rotary spreader to apply it evenly to your lawn. Always fertilize 10 to 15 feet away from waterways. Spread half the fertilizer in a north-south direction and the other half in an east-west direction.
\n\n\n\nGive your lawn a quick cut before you start mowing so you understand what shape your lawn is in and can put a mowing schedule together. Once you start mowing, follow these rules:
\n\n\n\nDon’t know how tall you should mow your grass? The following table will give you the recommended mowing heights.
\n\n\n\n| Grass Type | Mowing Height |
| Tall Fescue | 2.5 to 3.5 inches |
| Kentucky Bluegrass | 2.5 to 3.5 inches |
| Fine Fescue | 2.5 to 3.5 inches |
| Bermudagrass | 1.5 to 2 inches |
| Zoysiagrass | 1.5 to 2 inches |
Watering your lawn might seem like another chore you must do, but it’s a bit more complex than you’d expect.
\n\n\n\nYou don’t want to water the lawn until the grass grows, as the soil is still moist from winter. Also, you don’t want to overwater your lawn, as it would cause pests, fungi, and excessive thatch to form. Underwatering your lawn will starve it and dry it out.
\n\n\n\nWhen watering, follow these tips:
\n\n\n\n![\"brown](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/31418522411_f5e1d31798_o-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Kris Lord / Flickr / CC BY 2.0
\n\n\n\nFew things destroy a nice lawn as surely as diseases. They can make it look patchy and, if left unchecked, can spread and leave you with vast expanses of bare ground.
\n\n\n\nThe best way to deal with disease is prevention. But if disease does rear its head, you should also know how to diagnose it and treat it.
\n\n\n\nHere are a few of the most common ones:
\n\n\n\nWhat to look for:
\n\n\n\nHow to treat red thread:
\n\n\n\nWhat to look for:
\n\n\n\nHow to treat snow mold:
\n\n\n\nWhat to look for:
\n\n\n\nHow to treat brown patch:
\n\n\n\nPre-emergent herbicides are applied twice: once in both early spring and late spring. If you experience crabgrass, apply a pre-emergent herbicide in mid-March through mid-April. Apply post-emergent herbicides in early summer and fall to control any weeds that have sprouted.
Fall is the best time to overseed your lawn, preferably 45 days before the first frost.
Yes, test your soil in either fall or spring, giving you enough time to assemble a lawn care plan based on your results. Testing your soil once every three years is recommended.
Making your lawn as beautiful as the flowers blooming in spring is entirely doable, but it takes effort.
\n\n\n\nIf you don’t have the time or energy to do the work, call one of our lawn care pros, and we’ll happily take over, giving you the time to enjoy your city. Perhaps a Ravens or Orioles game?
\n\n\n\nMain Photo Credit: Lawn, Baltimore / Pxhere
\n","title":"Spring Lawn Care Tips for Baltimore, Md","featured_media":{"localFile":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"aspectRatio":1.7777777777777777,"src":"/static/85db42cd9f172c9a60eb104f3da66cd6/1789c/landscape-lawn-mansion-house-flower-building-593903-pxhere.com-1.jpg","srcSet":"/static/85db42cd9f172c9a60eb104f3da66cd6/107df/landscape-lawn-mansion-house-flower-building-593903-pxhere.com-1.jpg 320w,\n/static/85db42cd9f172c9a60eb104f3da66cd6/293e9/landscape-lawn-mansion-house-flower-building-593903-pxhere.com-1.jpg 500w,\n/static/85db42cd9f172c9a60eb104f3da66cd6/f2cbb/landscape-lawn-mansion-house-flower-building-593903-pxhere.com-1.jpg 800w,\n/static/85db42cd9f172c9a60eb104f3da66cd6/1789c/landscape-lawn-mansion-house-flower-building-593903-pxhere.com-1.jpg 960w,\n/static/85db42cd9f172c9a60eb104f3da66cd6/c26c2/landscape-lawn-mansion-house-flower-building-593903-pxhere.com-1.jpg 1200w","srcWebp":"/static/85db42cd9f172c9a60eb104f3da66cd6/1dd6e/landscape-lawn-mansion-house-flower-building-593903-pxhere.com-1.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/85db42cd9f172c9a60eb104f3da66cd6/67b76/landscape-lawn-mansion-house-flower-building-593903-pxhere.com-1.webp 320w,\n/static/85db42cd9f172c9a60eb104f3da66cd6/8df11/landscape-lawn-mansion-house-flower-building-593903-pxhere.com-1.webp 500w,\n/static/85db42cd9f172c9a60eb104f3da66cd6/98a65/landscape-lawn-mansion-house-flower-building-593903-pxhere.com-1.webp 800w,\n/static/85db42cd9f172c9a60eb104f3da66cd6/1dd6e/landscape-lawn-mansion-house-flower-building-593903-pxhere.com-1.webp 960w,\n/static/85db42cd9f172c9a60eb104f3da66cd6/3cc96/landscape-lawn-mansion-house-flower-building-593903-pxhere.com-1.webp 1200w","sizes":"(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px"}}}},"yoast_meta":{"yoast_wpseo_title":"Spring Lawn Care Tips for Baltimore, Md | Wikilawn","yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"Spring is when your grass needs your attention again, and doing it correctly will give your lawn the foundation it needs to thrive all year long"}}},{"node":{"id":"78ad6296-99d7-5db9-9a34-a9f02cefb6a7","slug":"houstons-worst-pests","path":"/lawn-care/tx/houston/houstons-worst-pests/","status":"publish","template":"","format":"standard","author":{"description":"Tina Hill is a landscape designer who stages homes before they go on the market. She recently remodeled her own backyard to include covered hardscaped areas along with an outdoor kitchen and fireplace.","name":"Tina Hill","id":"05b33636-8a93-5cbe-a32e-4d72278ff06f","path":"/author/tina-hill/","avatar_urls":{"wordpress_96":"https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/8f78fd5fd50db11dcceecbeb20de206e?s=96&d=mm&r=g"}},"categories":[{"id":"656604f4-56e7-55ed-8540-cc48be40652a","name":"Houston","count":7,"path":"/category/lawn-care/tx/houston/"},{"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 27th, 2019","excerpt":"Houston has a bug problem. One 2017 survey named the city as the most-pest-infested city in America. We’ve singled out the worst creepy-crawly pests and how to get rid of them. Cockroaches Cockroaches love hot and humid urban environments, which means Houston is perfect. About 38 species of cockroaches live in Texas, and Houston generously hosts […]
\n","content":"\nHouston has a bug problem.
\n\n\n\nOne 2017 survey named the city as the most-pest-infested city in America.
\n\n\n\nWe’ve singled out the worst creepy-crawly pests and how to get rid of them.
\n\n\n\n![\"\"/](\"https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_dPcK3B59iPIv3e_AII1R4K9jbtQ_zI4EY-79b9MZdn8vYAItc-uME8QG4Gu8rvCTxRKpYFBL72hFAgZ-Z51GVUzchazq3RKo0hfPed2UMZJfRUA5xx27nkd6FIHP9bC-_xkcAbA\")
Cockroaches love hot and humid urban environments, which means Houston is perfect. About 38 species of cockroaches live in Texas, and Houston generously hosts all of the four most-common —the German, the brown-banded, the Asian and the American cockroach. According to the 2017 Realtor.com survey, Houston has the worst cockroach problem in the United States, with roaches present in 38% of its homes.
\n\n\n\nIt’s not just that they’re numerous — they’re huge.
\n\n\n\nIn 1982, The New York Times’ profiled the city of Houston. Much of the article was devoted to the legendary size of Houston’s bugs.
\n\n\n\n“The Houston cockroach is a creature of altogether different dimension,” the Times wrote. “There are those who maintain that it clanks when it walks, bellows like a wounded water buffalo, and stands flat-footed as high as a turkey. One man, new to Houston, upon first seeing a local cockroach, thought it was a Volkswagen and tried to drive it away. Their shadows weigh 15 pounds. ”
\n\n\n\nCockroaches live both inside and outside — really, they live wherever they want in Houston. But most species live outside and rarely hazard the indoors.
\n\n\n\nThey enter your home looking for food and water, so preventive measures will help keep them away. Clean up after cooking or eating, seal outside garbage cans tightly. Boric acid mixed with cornstarch is another popular potion. Roaches love the sweet starch, and the poison will kill them. Note: Boric acid is toxic, so keep it away from pets and kids.
\n\n\n\n![\"\"/](\"https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/VPAFMTfqcE-FPPGGLBzkdr0YcI-FB_IAWQSF7GctJ7R04BGdMbQuQoPyd5Jq33R2DfOCT7dM0D6XmHAaPD6iOvZCH4izr_IoGsopPzmEL6t838q9C7q0stszgiRUEmNvCyNZ2vVA\")
Ants are high on the list of Houston’s worst pests. Pharaoh, fire, carpenter, odorous, and crazy ants are among the most common species. Their colonies can be huge with as many as 400,000 ants. It’s crucial to eliminate them to make sure they don’t relocate somewhere else. If you’re looking to do your own ant removal, bait boxes are more effective than sprays. Ants take the bait back to their nest and spread it. The poison gets to and kills the queen, preventing future populations. To keep from attracting ants, eliminate food and water sources in your home. Do this by keeping food sealed and cleaning up spills and crumbs. Check for cracks and leaks around windows, floorboards and doors so ants can’t enter your home. Maintain a healthy lawn to give ants fewer places to hide.
\n\n\n\n![\"\"/](\"https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/cngZPU93td7dPvjVZfLeVWT7nfmDyiv9kydEvMoZgKhbMZGq_YUI5EHC_iLcnK_P4mjcncDgJg9_xoA6LN7Lhh6jzMUDmbv0h1K1GLLjOYbTW7Wz4xErX1tR2c-V801xYxyWbs-p\")
Houston’s subtropical climate attracts mosquitoes like a magnet. It doesn’t help that Houston also has lots of bayous. The wet and humid conditions are breeding grounds for these bloodsuckers. And they breed quickly: females can lay 100 eggs at a time, and those eggs hatch within a couple of days. They need a water source to lay their eggs, so one way to control them is to remove standing water from your property. Make sure windows and screens are in good repair to keep mosquitoes outside and use air conditioning whenever possible. Yellow light bulbs, citronella candles, and mosquito foggers can provide temporary relief. You can also see if your community has a mosquito control program. Use insect repellent when you’re outside and avoid the outdoors at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active. You can also plant mosquito repelling plants such as marigolds, basil, lavender, and chrysanthemums.
\n\n\n\n![\"\"/](\"https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/J88Hp_L4QOCKcLBRtlgDUGk1H8r-WjCZiMFyWFE4IHyhoge5CUuPsjL8CYN9UXRcm2RaRP9aJ_IEmZfoFe4I2NrvwCAKBbhQ8bQs5096QZkZ0tQb8S1SBXWT2VOfwtLKG0OOD_9c\")
The humidity in Houston attracts many types of spiders, (and all of them bite), but only two are considered deadly. The black widow is easy to recognize by the hourglass-shaped red marking on her back. (Yes, only the female is poisonous.) The brown recluse is tougher to spot, but it has a violin-shaped marking on its back and six eyes. Like most spiders, both of these find dark corners to hide and can live months without food. But they need water to survive, so it’s best to seal all cracks around leaking pipes avoid leaving standing water around.
\n\n\n\n![\"\"/](\"https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/MAZ-qI2mSFV5IZUKQz_faGoOri4CZqPn9RwT7wYMS7vnQeUL3g-K_ESXEXwJUG2VYsEDZbiHZUOXSSmACFP3Txi0nkONLmV-QqsDZUR3WdWyFmz-sYMLuS1hSyqcncwNnhO2WrDF\")
Termites also love Houston’s wet conditions. These persistent pests do significant and costly damage to homes, buildings, and crops. Prevention is going to be your best friend and a termite’s worst enemy:
\n\n\n\nYou can treat infestations yourself or hire a pest control service.
\n\n\n\nIf any of these pests have checked in with no plans to check out, you may want to hire a professional exterminator. These experts can de-bug your house and help you keep them away for good.
\n\n\n\nInterested in more information about lawns and landscapes in Houston? Make sure to visit our Houston, TX lawn care page.
Everyone knows that Iowa is one of the best places for growing corn and soybeans. But the humid continental climate and rich prairie soil is also fantastic for growing plush, terrific lawns. Still, not every type of grass thrives here, and not every grass is ideal for your lifestyle. Whether you’re looking for something that […]
\n","content":"\nEveryone knows that Iowa is one of the best places for growing corn and soybeans. But the humid continental climate and rich prairie soil is also fantastic for growing plush, terrific lawns.
\n\n\n\nStill, not every type of grass thrives here, and not every grass is ideal for your lifestyle. 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. Below are the grasses that thrive in Des Moines.
\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 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 the most, producing the most biomass in the spring and late fall when soil and air temperatures are 65 to 75°F. Since they have adapted to survive below-zero climates, they aren’t as 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\nConversely, warm-season grasses are better adapted to southern climates and the summer heat. They tolerate drought better and continue to grow when temperatures soar but don’t grow as well in cooler temperatures. Because of this, they grow for a shorter period and don’t stay green as long.
\n\n\n\nCommon warm-season grasses:
\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 (KBG) tops our list because it’s a prime choice for many homeowners and commercial sod growers in Iowa and the Midwest. This dark green turf creates a dense blanket across your yard and has the best winter hardiness of the cool-season grass types.
\n\n\n\nKentucky bluegrass tolerates partial shade, but plant it in full sun to see it in its glory. 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 inclined to dig holes will also fill in quickly.
\n\n\n\nCompared to other turfgrasses, the shorter root system on KGB does compromise its drought tolerance a little, so you will need to water it more than some lawns. That being said, it also requires more maintenance regarding fertilization and mowing to keep it lush and dark green.
\n\n\n\nOther notes: During the growing season, water requirements for Kentucky bluegrass are pretty high. It will go dormant during droughts and survive four to six weeks without water.
\n\n\n\n![\"Man's](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Red-Fescue-a-species-of-fine-fescue.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Matt Lavin / Flickr / CC BY-SA 2.0
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAnother first-rate option for a Des Moines-area lawn is one of the five turfgrasses grouped as fine-leaf fescues. Fans 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.
\n\n\n\nStrong creeping red, hard, and chewings fescues are popular in the midwestern United States, usually blended with other grasses. Fine fescues can be sown straight in partially shaded yards because of their tolerance. Still, these low-maintenance grasses are typically sown with Kentucky bluegrass or perennial ryegrass to improve the lawn’s aesthetic.
\n\n\n\nOther notes: While fine fescues have good drought tolerance, they quickly lose color in hot, dry conditions.
\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\nIf you’re hurrying to start a lawn, perennial ryegrass is a good option. This cool-season bunchgrass germinates in under a week to get you well on your way to a beautiful, medium to dark-green lawn. Its ability to establish rapidly is one of the reasons it’s so popular for both permanent and temporary lawns.
\n\n\n\nPerennial ryegrass is excellent if you have small children roaming outdoors, teenagers who like to roughhouse, or pets running circles around the yard. It handles abuse well, but once damaged or a thin spot arises, it can’t self-repair because it grows in clumps and doesn’t send out rhizomes.
\n\n\n\nPerennial ryegrass also doesn’t tolerate cold temperatures well and may thin if exposed to temps below 30°F for long periods.
\n\n\n\nIf you want to plant it and forget it, perennial ryegrass is not for you. It is another moderately high-maintenance, cool-season grass type. You’ll need to mow and water it regularly and reseed areas when they thin.
\n\n\n\nOther notes: Perennial ryegrass is often blended with Kentucky bluegrass because of its fast germination and foot traffic tolerance.
\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\nAnother bunchgrass, tall fescue grows upright in clumps and primarily spreads through vertical shoots off the base of the plant. These tillers create identical clones of medium to dark green, broad, coarse grass blades. The lack of underground spreading means it requires reseeding when bare spots appear.
\n\n\n\nTall fescue is an ideal low-maintenance grass type and does well in full sun or partial shade. A naturally extensive root system easily grows down 2-3 feet in the soil. This strong root system makes the grass very resilient, so tall fescue is well suited for high-traffic play areas and non-irrigated lawns.
\n\n\n\nOther notes: Do not mow improved varieties shorter than 3’ tall. A shorter mowing height encourages weed growth.
\n\n\n\n![\"California](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/UC-Verde-Buffalograss-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Susan Harris / Flickr / CC BY 2.0
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nComing in as our honorable mention, buffalograss is a warm-season species that is often used in and around Des Moines. The only warm-season grass on the list, it has been used historically for grazing animals and pastures but also appears in Iowa along low-maintenance landscape areas like roadsides and city streets.
\n\n\n\nBuffalograss is a fantastic choice if you’re looking for a highly sustainable lawn option. Native to the North American prairies, this finely textured perennial grass is one of the few native types of grass that forms a dense, soft sod suitable for lawn use with minimal mowing.
\n\n\n\nAs a native species, extreme temperatures, high pH soils, and drought are no issues for buffalograss. You will see hampered growth if you’re trying to grow it in the shade.
\n\n\n\nThe big drawback to this warm-season grass is it will begin to lose its green color and go dormant as soon as the first frost hits in the fall.
\n\n\n\nOther notes: Buffalograss grows 8 to 10 inches high when left unmowed.
\n\n\n\nWhen it comes to deciding between the different recommended types, you have to consider some factors that are specific to your yard. When choosing a grass type for your Des Moines lawn, it is essential to pick something that thrives in your space.
\n\n\n\nLike choosing flowers for your garden, you must pick a turfgrass that corresponds with your yard’s sun exposure.
\n\n\n\nDoes your yard get more than 6-8 hours of sun daily? Is it free of big trees and isn’t shaded by your neighbor’s house? If so, pick a turf that grows in full sun.
\n\n\n\nGrass types for full sun:
\n\n\n\nDoes your yard get less than four hours of sun throughout the day? Is it shaded by a privacy fence, giant trees, or your neighbor’s house? If so, you need grass that grows in full shade.
\n\n\n\nGrass types for shade:
\n\n\n\nOr is your yard a mix of both? If that’s the case, you need a turfgrass that tolerates all sun conditions.
\n\n\n\nGrass types for a combination of both sun and shade:
\n\n\n\nDoes your yard see a constant flurry of activity? Do you have dogs or kids running through the grass regularly? Are you often inviting friends and family over? If so, choose a grass that tolerates and recovers well from foot traffic.
\n\n\n\nBest grasses for high-traffic lawns:
\n\n\n\nIs your yard pretty secluded and doesn’t get played in often? If so, choose something with lower foot traffic tolerance.
\n\n\n\nBest grasses for low to moderate traffic:
\n\n\n\nAre you a homeowner who loves to work outside when the weather is nice? Do you like fertilizing, mowing, and weeding? Then you may enjoy a high-maintenance grass type.
\n\n\n\nHigh to medium-maintenance:
\n\n\n\nBut if you don’t like these lawn care chores, opt for something low-maintenance instead so you can spend your free time doing more exciting things.
\n\n\n\nGrasses with a low or moderate maintenance level:
\n\n\n\nAcross much of the Midwest, many people like to grow lawns with a blend of different turfgrass species. This genetic diversity improves the overall disease resistance of the yard, and the turf is often better adapted to growing in varied conditions such as part-shade.
\n\n\n\nUnfortunately, there aren’t many warm-season grass seed blends available for purchase. You can buy grass seeds containing a mix of Bermudagrass cultivars but not different types. This lack of grass seed blends is because there is such a varied difference in the color, shade tolerance, and watering needs of warm-season turfgrasses.
\n\n\n\nWhen choosing a grass seed blend, ensure the mix’s dominant species best fits your yard conditions.
\n\n\n\nThe goal with seeding — whether overseeding an existing lawn or starting one from scratch — is to get seed down just before your grass type goes into its active growth period.
\n\n\n\nPro Tip: Cool-season grasses are best seeded between August 15 and October 1. They’ll have about six weeks to grow before the first fall frost.
\n\n\n\nThat doesn’t mean you can’t plant in the spring. Just understand spring isn’t the best time for cool-season grasses. This timing usually brings warm soils, cooler temperatures, and frequent rainfall—all of which encourage quick germination, so the grass has an excellent jump-start.
\n\n\n\nIt’s also essential to understand that cool-season species can handle colder temperatures better than heat. Seeds do better when planted in the fall, just as the grass goes dormant for the winter, versus in the spring with the stress of summer heat bearing down.
\n\n\n\nOn the other hand, as a warm-season grass, bermudagrass should be seeded about June 1st. Warm-season grass species grow the most when it’s hot to establish well before fall/winter dormancy.
\n\n\n\nWhen you plant depends on your regional climate and the type of grass you’re growing. In northern regions, it’s best to plant cool-season grasses in the fall. Wait for hot summer temperatures to subside, but give the grass time to establish before the first fall frost. In the south, the best time to plant warm-season grasses is in late spring or early summer, just as the temperatures begin warming up.
Warm-season grasses need hot summer temperatures and mild winters without snow; they grow mainly in the southern United States. Cool-season grasses need more temperate summer conditions but can survive harsh winters; they grow primarily in the northern United States.
Planting grass seed at least six weeks before your first anticipated hard freeze in the fall is best. Your grass then has time to establish a root system before it goes dormant. You can plant later, but cool-season grasses won’t grow if temperatures are below 40 or 42°F, so the growth may be lackluster.
Picking the right grass type for Des Moines and the surrounding area can be daunting, especially if you’re a new homeowner or have never had to handle lawn care. Thankfully, you don’t have to tackle any of it alone!
\n\n\n\nThe experts at WikiLawn want you to have the best, most beautiful lawn imaginable.
\n\n\n\nWe’ll help you choose the grass for your yard and can set you up with service professionals to mow, fertilize, or handle weed control. So take the first step towards the lawn your neighbors will envy!
\n\n\n\nMain Photo Credit: Iowa State Capitol / Pixabay
\n","title":"Grasses That Thrive in Des Moines, Iowa","featured_media":{"localFile":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"aspectRatio":1.279317697228145,"src":"/static/4fa982efcfc5a0b29b84380b43e80fad/1789c/Iowa-State-Capitol.jpg","srcSet":"/static/4fa982efcfc5a0b29b84380b43e80fad/107df/Iowa-State-Capitol.jpg 320w,\n/static/4fa982efcfc5a0b29b84380b43e80fad/293e9/Iowa-State-Capitol.jpg 500w,\n/static/4fa982efcfc5a0b29b84380b43e80fad/f2cbb/Iowa-State-Capitol.jpg 800w,\n/static/4fa982efcfc5a0b29b84380b43e80fad/1789c/Iowa-State-Capitol.jpg 960w,\n/static/4fa982efcfc5a0b29b84380b43e80fad/c26c2/Iowa-State-Capitol.jpg 1200w","srcWebp":"/static/4fa982efcfc5a0b29b84380b43e80fad/1dd6e/Iowa-State-Capitol.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/4fa982efcfc5a0b29b84380b43e80fad/67b76/Iowa-State-Capitol.webp 320w,\n/static/4fa982efcfc5a0b29b84380b43e80fad/8df11/Iowa-State-Capitol.webp 500w,\n/static/4fa982efcfc5a0b29b84380b43e80fad/98a65/Iowa-State-Capitol.webp 800w,\n/static/4fa982efcfc5a0b29b84380b43e80fad/1dd6e/Iowa-State-Capitol.webp 960w,\n/static/4fa982efcfc5a0b29b84380b43e80fad/3cc96/Iowa-State-Capitol.webp 1200w","sizes":"(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px"}}}},"yoast_meta":{"yoast_wpseo_title":"The Best Grass for Des Moines","yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"Growing a beautiful lawn in Iowa is really pretty simple, provided that you start with the right grass and then give it the care it needs"}}},{"node":{"id":"1317afa2-6990-56ff-b781-6b3693010f0c","slug":"drought-tolerant-landscaping-ideas-oklahoma","path":"/lawn-care/ok/drought-tolerant-landscaping-ideas-oklahoma/","status":"publish","template":"","format":"standard","author":{"description":"Based in the south of France, Jeffery holds a master of science degree from the International University of Monaco. His hobbies include hiking, cycling, and traveling across Europe.","name":"Jeffery Keusseyan","id":"75c05140-c87e-540a-8d34-da174527f4cc","path":"/author/jeffery-keusseyan/","avatar_urls":{"wordpress_96":"https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/12a7b239a959b7f6feee4e4b9495d63f?s=96&d=mm&r=g"}},"categories":[{"id":"205f24d4-c1e5-5728-bb28-8ba70eecbc7a","name":"Lawn Care","count":432,"path":"/category/lawn-care/"},{"id":"d2d6ff96-cc14-5d0f-bbfe-f7eac3bba6d9","name":"Oklahoma","count":7,"path":"/category/lawn-care/ok/"}],"date":"May 27th, 2023","excerpt":"Several parts of Oklahoma are prone to tough periods of drought, especially in northwest counties, such as Cimarron, Texas, and Beaver. If you reside in similarly affected areas, it is vital you design a landscape that can tolerate drought conditions. If not, your yard could require plenty of maintenance and constant spending. So we’ve compiled […]
\n","content":"\nSeveral parts of Oklahoma are prone to tough periods of drought, especially in northwest counties, such as Cimarron, Texas, and Beaver. If you reside in similarly affected areas, it is vital you design a landscape that can tolerate drought conditions. If not, your yard could require plenty of maintenance and constant spending. So we’ve compiled a list of drought-tolerant landscaping ideas for Oklahoma, helping you spruce up your backyard in an efficient, cost-effective manner.
\n\n\n\nIn this article, we will cover:
\n\n\n\nWhen a landscape is drought-tolerant, it can thrive with little to no supplemental water. It consists of boulders, hardscapes, native perennials, and other features that are considered low-maintenance. Essentially, they are features or plants that can withstand dry periods.
\n\n\n\nHowever, drought-tolerant does not mean zero water needs. Native plants that tolerate drought may still require some amount of water to grow or survive. They are not entirely resistant to drought, but their water needs are quite low compared to other high-maintenance plants. This is one of the key purposes of a drought-tolerant landscape— conserving water!
\n\n\n\nThe upcoming section will cover 8 ideas for a drought-tolerant landscape, including hardscapes and artificial turfgrass.
\n\n\n\n![\"Bur](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Bur-Oak-Quercus-Macrocarpa.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Matt Lavin / Flickr / CC BY-SA 2.0
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nNative plants grow naturally in Oklahoma, comfortably able to thrive as they are accustomed to its climate and soil conditions. Going native can reduce the amount of time spent on maintenance, attract hummingbirds and beneficial pollinators, and boost the local ecosystem.
\n\n\n\nHowever, not all Oklahoma native plants are able to withstand dry periods. Some trees or wildflowers require plenty of water to grow, so they are obviously not a good fit for your low-maintenance landscape. Additionally, you need to consider your area’s plant hardiness zone to select the right drought-tolerant plants.
\n\n\n\nTo help your decision-making process, below are some suggestions for native drought-tolerant plants:
\n\n\n\nEstimated cost: Depending on the plant’s size and type, expect to pay between $600 and $3,000 per flower bed, $25 and $50 per shrub, $150 and $3,000 per tree.
\n\n\n\n![\"Rain](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Rain-Garden.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Oregon State University / Flickr / CC BY-SA 2.0
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nA rain garden is a planted depression that collects rainwater runoff from the surrounding landscapes. For this type of garden, the soil and plants are uniquely selected to absorb the collected water. You can also add local rocks to the rain garden, to set garden borders or just to increase your yard’s visual appeal. In a way, a rain garden lets mother nature do all the watering for us.
\n\n\n\nIn addition to conserving water, here are some key benefits of a rain garden:
\n\n\n\nEstimated cost: Installing a rain garden yourself will cost $3 to $5 per square foot, depending on the materials and plants you use. If you decide to hire a professional, installation may cost between $10 and $15 per square foot.
\n\n\n\n![\"Artificial](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Artificial-turf-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Sarah Stierch / Flickr / CC BY 2.0
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nIf you wish a green lawn all year round, artificial grass is the way to go. You won’t have to worry about any damage from your kids running around playing lawn games. Just when you think it couldn’t get any better, synthetic turf doesn’t require any water! Artificial grass can withstand harsh weather conditions, including periods of drought.
\n\n\n\nDespite its high upfront cost, it can be a worthwhile investment and a terrific option for a drought-tolerant landscape.
\n\n\n\nHere are some benefits of artificial grass:
\n\n\n\nEstimated cost: Hiring a professional landscaper to install artificial grass will cost you between $5 and $20 per square foot on average.
\n\n\n\n![\"Garden](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Garden-with-red-bark-mulch.jpg\")
Photo Credit: U. J. Alexander / Canva Pro / License
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSimply put, mulch is an easy and cheap way to keep your garden bed hydrated. If you add some on top of deep-rooted plants with low water needs, you’ll get yourself a drought-tolerant yard. Mulch keeps your plant beds moist during the dry summer heat. You can add organic mulch that benefits the soil, or go for the aesthetically pleasing option with inorganic mulch.
\n\n\n\nOrganic mulch:
\n\n\n\nInorganic mulch:
\n\n\n\nAdvantages of mulch:
\n\n\n\nEstimated cost: This depends on which type of mulch you choose. Wood mulch costs between $3 to $5 per 2 cubic foot bag, while landscape gravel costs between $4 to $30 per 0.5 cubic foot bag.
\n\n\n\n![\"Drip](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Drip-Irrigation-Detail.jpg\")
Photo Credit: GrigoriosMoraitis / Canva Pro / License
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nDrip irrigation will prevent water being wasted by runoff or evaporated. This installation applies water at the plant root zone where it’s needed the most. Because of this, soil moisture levels are kept at an optimal level. You can apply drip irrigation in your vegetable or perennial garden, even to water shrubs or trees. Overall, it is an efficient and economical way to water your garden.
\n\n\n\nHere are some other benefits of drip irrigation:
\n\n\n\nEstimated cost: Most homeowners pay between $295 and $775 for a drip irrigation system.
\n\n\n\n![\"Rock](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Rock-Garden-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: LookTarn / Canva Pro / License
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nIf you’re looking for an alternative to turfgrasses, look no further than a rock garden. With low water and maintenance needs, a rock garden takes trimming, weeding, and mowing off your to-do list. It features carefully arranged rocks, boulders, or stones. Consider adding succulents or perennial flowers to create a beautiful, colorful, and inviting garden.
\n\n\n\nIf designing a rock garden seems like a back-breaking task, stick to smaller boulders or stones that can easily be moved around. This would allow you to reshape your garden whenever you feel like mixing things up a little.
\n\n\n\nEstimated cost: Rock garden projects will cost you between $600 and $700 on average. To buy and install rocks or boulders yourself, the cost will range from $460 to $1,000, depending on the size and type of rock.
\n\n\n\n![\"Stack](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Stack-of-Brick-Pavers-for-Hardscape.jpg\")
Photo Credit: JPLDesigns / Canva Pro / License
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nHardscapes are naturally low-maintenance features that are perfect for a drought-tolerant landscape. They are non-living elements that can improve your outdoor space functions. Unsurprisingly, they require no watering, pruning, or fertilizing. It’s great being able to relax with your family and friends around a fire pit, not worrying about countless hours of outdoor chores.
\n\n\n\nThese decorative and practical structures may still require some care, such as basic cleaning. Unless something goes majorly wrong, hardscaping does not require continuous maintenance for long periods of time.
\n\n\n\nHere are some examples of hardscaping for a drought-tolerant yard:
\n\n\n\nEstimated cost: The cost will depend on the project size and type of feature you choose. Expect to pay between $2,000 and $4,500 for fencing, $370 and $2,235 for a fire pit, $5,055 and $17,275 for an outdoor kitchen.
\n\n\n\n![\"Xeriscaped](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Xeriscaped-Front-Yard-with-Dry-Creek-Bed-and-Solar-Lighting.jpg\")
Photo Credit: remedypic / Canva Pro / License
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nWe’re not following the “save the best for the last” format, but xeriscaping is certainly among the best ideas for a drought-tolerant landscape. Its essential purpose is to use as little water as possible, helping you obtain a low-water and low-maintenance garden. Xeriscaping can help you reduce water bills, cut back on energy consumption, and eliminate chores such as mowing and weeding.
\n\n\n\nAdditionally, it can attract beneficial insects and promote biodiversity. For a drought-tolerant landscape, xeriscaping is highly recommended. It can help you create a beautiful and eco-friendly landscape with minimal water consumption.
\n\n\n\nXeriscaping can include:
\n\n\n\nEstimated cost: This depends on the size and type of project. For example, the cost of a groundcover ranges from $10 to $25. On average, homeowners spend between $5 and $20 per square foot on xeriscaping.
\n\n\n\nA drought-tolerant landscape does have financial benefits, but it also supports the local wildlife habitat. Native plants may serve as a valuable food source for many birds and insects, while a rain garden cleans the rainwater before it reaches lakes or rivers.
\n\n\n\nHere are more reasons why every Oklahoma homeowner should opt for a drought-tolerant landscape:
\n\n\n\nIn short, yes. A lot of homeowners think they’re the same concept, but their main difference can be spotted in each of the terms. Using plants as an example, drought-tolerant means they can withstand drought for a limited period only. If they go through months and months without any water, the plants could wither and die.
On the other hand, drought-resistant plants are ones that can go without water for long periods of time. Cacti are great examples of such plants, as we automatically picture them in dry, sunny areas.
Oklahoma lies in the South Central region of the United States, so it should come as no surprise that many parts of the state suffer from drought conditions. Areas northwest of Oklahoma City suffer more than the likes of Lincoln, Pittsburg, or McCurtain Counties.
To monitor the drought map and get weekly updates, you can check Oklahoma’s drought status here.
A low-maintenance, drought-tolerant landscape will still require the occasional upkeep. Nothing major, but just enough to keep all your features in tip-top shape.
Here are simple ways to care for your drought-tolerant yard:
• Yearly mulching
• Water your new plants until they are established
• Aerate your soil yearly
• Trim, prune, and weed when needed
• Test your soil every 3 to 5 years (pH, condition..)
A drought-tolerant landscape has several advantages. It helps you save time, reduce maintenance costs, and keep your area’s climate healthy. Transforming your landscape will result in a more sustainable, cost-effective, and valuable property.
\n\n\n\nThere are many plant species that thrive in the local climate. Explore the best native plants for Oklahoma to freshen up your garden with long-lasting trees and beautiful wildflowers. If your turfgrass is beginning to look grim and patchy, check out the best grass types for Oklahoma and enjoy barbecues on a lush, green lawn.
\n\n\n\nLooking to spend the weekend with your family at the Oklahoma City Zoo? Hire a local lawn care pro to trim the shrubs, mow the lawn, or plant drought-tolerant turfgrass such as Bermudagrass. We have trusted lawn care pros in Oklahoma City, Bixby, Okmulgee, and many other cities across the state.
\n\n\n\nMain Photo Credit: MARELBU / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 3.0
\n","title":"8 Drought-Tolerant Landscaping Ideas for Oklahoma","featured_media":{"localFile":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"aspectRatio":1.3888888888888888,"src":"/static/7c2c14c2eea10e2391df80d1b265f826/1789c/Nichols-Hills-Oklahoma-City-OK-USA.jpg","srcSet":"/static/7c2c14c2eea10e2391df80d1b265f826/107df/Nichols-Hills-Oklahoma-City-OK-USA.jpg 320w,\n/static/7c2c14c2eea10e2391df80d1b265f826/293e9/Nichols-Hills-Oklahoma-City-OK-USA.jpg 500w,\n/static/7c2c14c2eea10e2391df80d1b265f826/f2cbb/Nichols-Hills-Oklahoma-City-OK-USA.jpg 800w,\n/static/7c2c14c2eea10e2391df80d1b265f826/1789c/Nichols-Hills-Oklahoma-City-OK-USA.jpg 960w,\n/static/7c2c14c2eea10e2391df80d1b265f826/c26c2/Nichols-Hills-Oklahoma-City-OK-USA.jpg 1200w","srcWebp":"/static/7c2c14c2eea10e2391df80d1b265f826/1dd6e/Nichols-Hills-Oklahoma-City-OK-USA.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/7c2c14c2eea10e2391df80d1b265f826/67b76/Nichols-Hills-Oklahoma-City-OK-USA.webp 320w,\n/static/7c2c14c2eea10e2391df80d1b265f826/8df11/Nichols-Hills-Oklahoma-City-OK-USA.webp 500w,\n/static/7c2c14c2eea10e2391df80d1b265f826/98a65/Nichols-Hills-Oklahoma-City-OK-USA.webp 800w,\n/static/7c2c14c2eea10e2391df80d1b265f826/1dd6e/Nichols-Hills-Oklahoma-City-OK-USA.webp 960w,\n/static/7c2c14c2eea10e2391df80d1b265f826/3cc96/Nichols-Hills-Oklahoma-City-OK-USA.webp 1200w","sizes":"(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px"}}}},"yoast_meta":{"yoast_wpseo_title":"8 Drought-Tolerant Landscaping Ideas for Oklahoma","yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"Get started on a sustainable, low-water, and low-maintenance outdoor living space by exploring 8 drought-tolerant landscaping ideas for Oklahoma."}}},{"node":{"id":"9716c201-4d26-56f5-b62d-593bf7e636d8","slug":"best-native-plants-lafayette","path":"/lawn-care/la/lafayette/best-native-plants-lafayette/","status":"publish","template":"","format":"standard","author":{"description":"After discovering her passion for writing through her beauty blog, Melanie left her engineering job in California, became a freelance writer, and never once looked back. She loves nature and enjoys going on road trips with her husband and their two sons.","name":"Melanie Joseph","id":"f86bf815-f27c-5928-b67e-d3481c2d1e0a","path":"/author/melanie-joseph/","avatar_urls":{"wordpress_96":"https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/da91467d5e58d9fc8f1f730b09830569?s=96&d=mm&r=g"}},"categories":[{"id":"dc827560-ae67-51d9-837b-dff243431ac3","name":"Lafayette","count":1,"path":"/category/lawn-care/la/lafayette/"},{"id":"205f24d4-c1e5-5728-bb28-8ba70eecbc7a","name":"Lawn Care","count":432,"path":"/category/lawn-care/"},{"id":"8e5263e2-95b5-572d-8061-a1a1afa1a8c2","name":"Louisiana","count":8,"path":"/category/lawn-care/la/"}],"date":"May 25th, 2023","excerpt":"Known for scrumptious Creole and Cajun food, Lafayette prides itself on its unique culture and natural beauty. It’s home to an array of flora and fauna, including many native plants that thrive in the region’s hot, humid summers. From wildflowers and shrubs to vines and trees, these plants offer a host of benefits to homeowners […]
\n","content":"\nKnown for scrumptious Creole and Cajun food, Lafayette prides itself on its unique culture and natural beauty. It’s home to an array of flora and fauna, including many native plants that thrive in the region’s hot, humid summers. From wildflowers and shrubs to vines and trees, these plants offer a host of benefits to homeowners and the environment alike, including:
\n\n\n\nExplore the 15 best native plants for Lafayette, and discover how you can incorporate these beautiful and beneficial species into your own backyard.
\n\n\n\nIn this article, we’ll cover:
\n\n\n\nHere are 15 of the best native plants for Lafayette, including shrubs, trees, wildflowers, and groundcovers.
\n\n\n\n![\"berries](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Callicarpa_americana.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Korall / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0
\n\n\n\nA shrub native to the southeastern United States, American beautyberry can be found growing naturally along the edges of fields and in wooded areas. It is a tough and adaptable plant that can thrive in various soil types and light conditions.
\n\n\n\nThis perennial plant is known for its clusters of bright purple berries that are produced in late summer and fall, which are not only beautiful to look at but also serve as an important food source for birds, raccoons, whitetail deer, and opossums.
\n\n\n\nIn addition to its attractive berries, American beautyberry produces small, pale pink flowers in the spring and early summer that are a valuable source of nectar for bees and butterflies. It is also a larval host plant for the beautiful royal walnut moth.
\n\n\n\nGrowth habit: Shrub
\n\n\n\nUSDA Hardiness Zone: 6b-11
\n\n\n\nMature size: 3-8 feet tall, 4-8 feet wide
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFoliage: Deciduous
\n\n\n\nSunlight needs: Full sun to partial shade – requires a minimum of four hours of sunlight per day
\n\n\n\nSoil preferences: Prefers organic, fertile, loam soil but can still grow in most soil types
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Low – around 1 inch of water per week, but give it deep, slow watering during drought and extreme dry spells
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: Non-toxic – but avoid eating its berries as they may cause discomfort, such as vomiting
\n\n\n\n![\"A](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Taxodium_Distichum_Bald_Cypress_28894599385.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Treeworld Wholesale / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 2.0
\n\n\n\nHighly valued for its aesthetic appeal and ecological benefits, the bald cypress has a broad, pyramidal shape and needle-like leaves that turn a striking rust color in the fall. It’s commonly found in swamps, bayous, and floodplains throughout the Lafayette area, but you also can see it in various parks and gardens, such as Girard Park and the University of Louisiana at Lafayette’s Cypress Lake.
\n\n\n\nAs a native species, this deciduous tree is well adapted to the hot and humid Louisiana climate, and requires little maintenance once established. Its cones and seeds are a food source for various wildlife, and its roots help stabilize soil and prevent erosion.
\n\n\n\nIn addition, bald cypress is tolerant of wet soil conditions and can help absorb excess water during heavy rains. It’s slightly to moderately resistant to challenges, such as salt, fire, deer, and standing water.
\n\n\n\nGrowth habit: Tree
\n\n\n\nUSDA Hardiness Zone: 4-10
\n\n\n\nMature size: 50-70 feet tall, 20-30 feet wide
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFoliage: Deciduous
\n\n\n\nSunlight needs: Partial shade to full sun – thrives in areas with at least six hours of sun exposure per day
\n\n\n\nSoil preferences: Moist, well-drained, fertile, acidic, clay, or loamy soil
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Low – needs at least 1 inch of water per week, and the soil must be kept evenly moist
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: Non-toxic
\n\n\n\n![\"yellow](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Black-eyed_susan_flowers_40862429212.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Michel Rathwell / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 2.0
\n\n\n\nA hardy perennial that thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, black-eyed Susan can add a pop of color to your landscape. It’s a drought-tolerant plant that blooms from early summer to early fall in the Gulf Coast region, producing bright yellow-orange flowers with dark centers that attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators.
\n\n\n\nFrom New Orleans to Baton Rouge to Lafayette, you’ll commonly find black-eyed Susan planted in meadows, prairies, and along roadsides. You can plant it as a border or backdrop for other plants in your garden or flower bed, along fences or walls, and in naturalized areas. Remember to deadhead the flowers after they bloom to promote further blooming throughout the season.
\n\n\n\nGrowth habit: Wildflower
\n\n\n\nUSDA Hardiness Zone: 3-9
\n\n\n\nMature size: 2-4 feet
\n\n\n\nDuration: Short-lived perennial, annual, or biennial (depending on growing conditions)
\n\n\n\nFoliage: Deciduous
\n\n\n\nSunlight needs: Full sun to partial shade – it needs at least six hours of sun exposure each day
\n\n\n\nSoil preferences: Well-drained, fertile, acidic, loamy, sandy soil
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Low
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: Non-toxic to humans and pets, but may cause allergic skin reactions and asthma attacks
\n\n\n\n![\"a](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/3694407592_5d15f78c77_o-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Calvin Webster / Flickr / CC BY-SA 2.0
\n\n\n\nAlso known as swamp rose mallow, crimson-eyed rose mallow is a perennial plant native to Louisiana and other southeastern states. The plant produces large, showy flowers in shades of pink, white, and red, measuring up to 12 inches in diameter. It blooms from summer to fall, attracting pollinators like bees and hummingbirds.
\n\n\n\nThis plant is perfect for rain gardens, naturalized areas, and other wet or low-lying spots in the yard. To encourage healthy growth and maximum flowering, fertilize crimson-eyed rose mallow with a slow-release fertilizer in early spring, and keep the soil moist throughout the growing season.
\n\n\n\nAs a larval host to several moths and butterflies, including the rose mallow moth, pearly wood nymph, and common checkered skipper, the crimson-eyed rose mallow is an integral part of the local ecosystem. Additionally, the plant’s deep roots help to stabilize soil and prevent erosion, making it an ideal choice for wetland restoration projects.
\n\n\n\nGrowth habit: Wildflower
\n\n\n\nUSDA Hardiness Zone: 4a-9b
\n\n\n\nMature size: 2-6 feet tall, 2-5 feet wide
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFoliage: Deciduous
\n\n\n\nSunlight needs: Partial shade to full sun
\n\n\n\nSoil preferences: Moist, fertile, slightly acidic, sandy, or loamy soil
\n\n\n\nWater needs: High – water regularly, especially during hot weather
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: Non-toxic to both humans and pets
\n\n\n\n![\"beautiful](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Lonicera_sempervirens_-_Coral_honeysuckle_02.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Zeynel Cebeci / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0
\n\n\n\nNative to the southeastern United States, coral honeysuckle is commonly found growing in woodlands, along roadsides, fence rows, and trellises. It’s sometimes called trumpet honeysuckle because of the bright coral-red tubular flowers that adorn it from spring to early fall.
\n\n\n\nA larval host to the spring azure butterfly, this perennial vine attracts pollinators and wildlife, including hummingbirds, bees, and other beneficial insects. In addition to its beauty, coral honeysuckle is relatively easy to care for. Although, it needs regular watering, especially during dry spells.
\n\n\n\nAn excellent groundcover, coral honeysuckle can be mixed with other native plants to create a beautiful and diverse landscape. And if you want to make it more beautiful in the garden, prune it to maintain its shape and size. Deadheading spent flowers also can encourage additional blooming throughout the growing season.
\n\n\n\nGrowth habit: Vine
\n\n\n\nUSDA Hardiness Zone: 4-10
\n\n\n\nMature size: 3-20 feet tall, 3-6 feet wide
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFoliage: Semi-evergreen to evergreen
\n\n\n\nSunlight needs: Prefers full sun but can still grow in partial shade
\n\n\n\nSoil preferences: Grows in most soil types but thrives in well-drained, fertile, slightly acidic, loamy soil
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Moderate
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: While birds eat its berries, they are toxic to humans and pets
\n\n\n\n![\"White](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Flowering-Dogwood-Cornus-florida.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Eric Hunt / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0
\n\n\n\nKnown for its striking pink or white blooms that appear in the spring, flowering dogwood can add beauty and elegance to your garden. In addition to its aesthetic appeal, this perennial tree serves a crucial ecological role in supporting local wildlife. Its nectar-rich flowers attract various pollinators, while its leaves serve as a host for the larvae of certain moth species.
\n\n\n\nWhether planted as a specimen tree or as part of a larger landscape design, flowering dogwood is a beautiful and valuable addition to any Lafayette homeowner’s yard. And if you want it to thrive in your garden or landscape, provide it with proper care. Prune it regularly to promote growth and maintain its shape.
\n\n\n\nGrowth habit: Tree
\n\n\n\nUSDA Hardiness Zone: 5-9
\n\n\n\nMature size: 20-65 feet tall
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFoliage: Deciduous
\n\n\n\nSunlight needs: Part shade to full shade
\n\n\n\nSoil preferences: Dry to moist, well-drained, acidic soil
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Low
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: The fruit is poisonous to humans
\n\n\n\n![\"Yellow](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Goldenrod-Solidago-species-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Bob Peterson / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 2.0
\n\n\n\nAlso known as sweet goldenrod, this perennial plant boasts beautiful clusters of yellow flowers that bloom in late summer and early fall. It’s often planted in meadows, prairies, and open woodlands but can thrive even in home gardens.
\n\n\n\nBesides attracting pollinators, including butterflies, bees, and wasps, fragrant goldenrod also serves as a host plant for several moth species, including the goldenrod gall moth.
\n\n\n\nYou can plant it in groups for a bold statement or mix it with other native plants for a more diverse landscape. It has a pleasant fragrance that can fill the air around it. And like bluestem goldenrod, this wildflower is also moderately deer-resistant.
\n\n\n\nGrowth habit: Wildflower
\n\n\n\nUSDA Hardiness Zone: 4a-9b
\n\n\n\nMature size: 1-2 feet tall
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFoliage: Deciduous
\n\n\n\nSunlight needs: Partial shade to full sun
\n\n\n\nSoil preferences: Moist, well-drained, clay, or loamy soil
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Moderate
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: While it has therapeutic properties, certain people, like those with medical conditions, should avoid ingesting any of its parts.
\n\n\n\n![\"closeup](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Louisiana-Iris.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Pxfuel
\n\n\n\nWell-suited to the humid and rainy climate of the Acadiana region, Louisiana iris is a rare plant found growing in the wetlands and along the edges of ponds, lakes, waterways, and other bodies of water throughout Lafayette. It blooms in a range of colors, including purple, blue, yellow, and white, and typically flowers in the spring.
\n\n\n\nVarious insects, pollinators, and wildlife rely on this plant. For example, it is the host plant for the Louisiana iris moth, which is found in the southern United States.
\n\n\n\nAlso known as dixie iris, this plant is a favorite among gardeners due to its hardiness and ability to thrive even in standing water. Lawn enthusiasts can use this native wildflower in mass plantings or as a backdrop for other plants in their gardens.
\n\n\n\nGrowth habit: Wildflower
\n\n\n\nUSDA Hardiness Zone: 4-9
\n\n\n\nMature size: 1-3 feet tall
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFoliage: Deciduous
\n\n\n\nSunlight needs: Full sun
\n\n\n\nSoil preferences: Moist, fertile, acidic soil
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Low – needs at least 1 inch of water per week during its growing season
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: Toxic to pets, especially cats, dogs, and horses
\n\n\n\n![\"beautiful](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/4615947433_f6d02a427c_o-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Chris M Morris / Flickr / CC BY 2.0
\n\n\n\nA small tree ideal for little gardens or as an understory tree in larger landscapes, parsley hawthorn is commonly found growing in the woods and along streams and rivers throughout the southeastern United States.
\n\n\n\nAs a larval host plant for the gray hairstreak butterfly, this perennial tree serves as an essential part of the local ecosystem. The tree blooms in the spring, producing lovely white flowers that attract other pollinators, including bees, hummingbirds, and other butterflies. In the fall, the tree’s red berries provide a food source for birds and other wildlife.
\n\n\n\nYou can enhance the tree’s beauty by planting it in groupings, adding understory plantings beneath it, or underplanting it with other shade-loving plants such as ferns or hostas. When properly cared for, parsley hawthorn can be a stunning addition to any landscape, providing year-round interest and supporting biodiversity.
\n\n\n\nGrowth habit: Tree
\n\n\n\nUSDA Hardiness Zone: 7-9
\n\n\n\nMature size: Up to 25 feet tall and 15 feet wide
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFoliage: Deciduous
\n\n\n\nSunlight needs: Full sun to partial shade – can survive even in deep shade
\n\n\n\nSoil preferences: Well-drained, moist, sandy, or loamy soil
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Moderate – needs infrequent but deep watering
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: Non-toxic, but the seeds can be poisonous if ingested, and its thorns can cause injuries
\n\n\n\n![\"closeup](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Tennessee-Coneflower.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Wallpaperflare
\n\n\n\nNative to the eastern and central US, purple coneflower grows wild in prairies, meadows, and open woods. This hardy perennial is easy to grow and can add a beautiful burst of color to any garden. Blooming from late spring to mid-summer, it’s a favorite of butterflies and bees, making it perfect for gardeners looking to attract pollinators to their yards.
\n\n\n\nRemember to deadhead the flowers as they fade to encourage more blooms. You also can pair this wildflower with companion plants, such as black-eyed Susans or ear-leaved tickseed, to create a stunning display of color and attract even more pollinators. Note, though, that this deciduous plant has a medium flammability rating, so don’t place it too close to your home.
\n\n\n\nGrowth habit: Wildflower
\n\n\n\nUSDA Hardiness Zone: 4-9
\n\n\n\nMature size: 3-4 feet tall
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFoliage: Deciduous
\n\n\n\nSunlight needs: Partial shade to full sun
\n\n\n\nSoil preferences: Well-drained, moist to occasionally dry, fertile soil
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Moderate
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: Non-toxic, but may cause discomfort when ingested in large amounts
\n\n\n\n![\"a](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Red_maple_leaves.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Heng Wang / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0
\n\n\n\nRed maple is a beautiful and versatile tree that can thrive in various soil types and growing conditions. This deciduous tree is native to Louisiana and can be found throughout Lafayette in a range of habitats – from swamps to uplands. In the fall, its leaves turn a brilliant shade of red, making it a stunning addition to any landscape.
\n\n\n\nAn essential resource for pollinators and wildlife, the tree produces small, red flowers in the early spring that attract bees and other insects. These flowers give way to distinctive winged seeds that provide food for birds and small mammals. Additionally, the red maple is a larval host to several species of moths and butterflies, including the rosy maple moth.
\n\n\n\nIf you want to make your red maple tree more beautiful, give it enough water and nutrients. The tree prefers moist, well-drained soil and can benefit from regular fertilization. Also, prune it regularly to maintain its shape and prevent the growth of weak branches that may break during hurricanes and strong winds.
\n\n\n\nGrowth habit: Tree
\n\n\n\nUSDA Hardiness Zone: 3-9
\n\n\n\nMature size: 40-60 feet tall and 25-45 feet wide
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFoliage: Deciduous
\n\n\n\nSunlight needs: Partial shade to full sun
\n\n\n\nSoil preferences: Moist to dry, well-drained, slightly acidic soil
\n\n\n\nWater needs: High
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: Toxic, especially the wilted and dried leaves
\n\n\n\n![\"A](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/800px-Rhododendron_indicum_02.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Andrey Korzun / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0
\n\n\n\nWhen azaleas bloom in the Deep South, it signals the start of spring. For this reason, the Southern Indian azalea has been named the official city flower of Lafayette. With its showy blooms of pink, purple, white, and red, this azalea is a popular choice for adding color and beauty to any yard.
\n\n\n\nAlso known as the Southern Indica azalea, this beloved flowering shrub can be found in many gardens and landscapes throughout Lafayette. And if you want to bask in the beauty of their blooms along with other azaleas, you can simply stroll around the city’s historic azalea trail.
\n\n\n\nAs a larval host plant, Southern Indian azaleas provide a home for the larvae of the Eastern tiger swallowtail butterfly. They are typically planted in early spring and bloom from late March to early May, attracting pollinators such as bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds with their sweet nectar.
\n\n\n\nPruning after the blooms have faded will help encourage new growth and maintain a healthy shape. These plants are often used as foundation plants, specimen plants, or in mass plantings for a dramatic effect.
\n\n\n\nGrowth habit: Shrub
\n\n\n\nUSDA Hardiness Zone: 8-10
\n\n\n\nMature size: 2-3 feet tall and 2-3 feet wide
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFoliage: Semi-evergreen
\n\n\n\nSunlight needs: Partial shade
\n\n\n\nSoil preferences: Well-drained, moist, rich, slightly acidic, loamy (silt) soil
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Low – requires at least 1 inch of water per week during dry spells
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: Highly toxic – all parts of the plant are poisonous to both humans and animals
\n\n\n\n![\"White](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Southern-Magnolia-Magnolia-grandiflora1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Jim Evans / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0
\n\n\n\nWith its fragrant, creamy white flowers that bloom from spring to summer, the Southern magnolia is Louisiana’s state flower. Native to the southeastern United States, it’s often planted as ornamental trees in yards, parks, and public gardens, including the Acadiana Park Nature Station.
\n\n\n\nKnown for its large, glossy leaves, this native tree grows wild in forests or near water and provides a habitat for various wildlife, including birds and insects. Beetles pollinate the tree’s flowers, while birds and small mammals eat its fruits.
\n\n\n\nYou can make it more beautiful in your native garden by providing proper care, such as regular fertilizing and mulching. Pruning Southern magnolia can help shape it and encourage healthy growth. Planting complementary understory plants such as ferns and shade-loving perennials can help create a beautiful and healthy ecosystem around the tree.
\n\n\n\nGrowth habit: Tree
\n\n\n\nUSDA Hardiness Zone: 6-10
\n\n\n\nMature size: 60-80 feet tall and 30-50 feet wide
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFoliage: Evergreen
\n\n\n\nSunlight needs: Partial shade to full sun
\n\n\n\nSoil preferences: Well-drained, moist, fertile soil
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Low – may need supplemental watering during extended dry spells
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: Non-toxic to both humans and animals
\n\n\n\n![\"A](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/4367996170_22305dace4_c-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Tatters / Flickr / CC BY 2.0
\n\n\n\nAlso known as the scarlet rose mallow, the Texas star hibiscus has large, showy, bright red flowers with prominent stamens and a dark maroon center. It typically blooms from late spring to early fall and is a great choice for gardeners looking to attract hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees, as it is a favorite nectar source for these pollinators.
\n\n\n\nIn Lafayette, you can find this salt-tolerant wildflower planted in many gardens and public spaces, including the Hilliard University Art Museum and the Lafayette Science Museum. Its natural habitat is along the edges of swamps, bayous, and rivers, but it can thrive in a range of soil types and growing conditions.
\n\n\n\nGrowth habit: Wildflower
\n\n\n\nUSDA Hardiness Zone: 5-9
\n\n\n\nMature size: 6-8 feet tall
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFoliage: Deciduous
\n\n\n\nSunlight needs: Full sun to partial shade
\n\n\n\nSoil preferences: Prefers moist soil but grows well in most soil types
\n\n\n\nWater needs: High – needs 1-3 inches of water per week, even more during dry spells
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: Non-toxic
\n\n\n\n![\"A](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/plant-flower-tree-branch-flowering-plant-fruit-1490773-pxhere.com-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Pxhere
\n\n\n\nCommonly found in the southeastern United States, yaupon holly is a hardy and adaptable plant that can thrive in various soil conditions. Its natural habitat is along coastal areas, in sandy soils or swamps, maritime woods, and limestone uplands. This evergreen plant is resistant to drought, deer, salt, and wind.
\n\n\n\nAs a larval host to the Henry’s Elfin butterfly, yaupon holly plays an important role in supporting local ecosystems. The plant blooms in spring and produces small, inconspicuous flowers that are a valuable nectar source for bees and other pollinators. The berries that follow are also an important food source for birds.
\n\n\n\nAdditionally, you can prune it to create an attractive shape or incorporate it into a mixed border with other plants that complement its glossy green foliage. It also responds well to regular fertilization and watering, so giving it the right nutrients and moisture can help it thrive in the landscape.
\n\n\n\nGrowth habit: Shrub, small tree
\n\n\n\nUSDA Hardiness Zone: 7-9
\n\n\n\nMature size: 10-20 feet tall
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nFoliage: Evergreen
\n\n\n\nSunlight needs: Full sun to partial shade
\n\n\n\nSoil preferences: Well-drained, moist, rich, loamy soil
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Low
\n\n\n\nPotential hazards: Toxic – its berries can be poisonous when eaten
\n\n\n\nLafayette is home to an array of stunning native plants that can add color and character to any landscape. But the task of choosing the right plants for your specific yard can be tedious.
\n\n\n\nThe first step is to consider the USDA hardiness zone, which for Lafayette is primarily 9a. The average minimum temperature in the city is 20 degrees Fahrenheit. This means plants that thrive in warm, humid climates can flourish in your yard.
\n\n\n\nSince native plants have already evolved to thrive in your local ecosystem, they can provide multiple benefits to your yard. They support the local pollinators and wildlife and can even help mitigate local environmental issues such as soil erosion. But you must check if they are well-suited to your specific yard’s conditions, such as soil type, sunlight exposure, and moisture levels.
\n\n\n\nYou can seek guidance from LSU’s local cooperative extension or soil testing lab to determine your soil type and condition. Also, consider water usage and conservation. Many native plants are drought-tolerant and can withstand hot summers, but you may still need to add mulch or compost to retain soil moisture and reduce the need for watering.
\n\n\n\nLafayette is home to various public gardens and natural areas that showcase the region’s stunning plant life. One popular destination is the Lafayette Science Museum Native Garden, which features over 150 species of native plants. The garden is designed to provide a hands-on educational experience for visitors and serves as a model for sustainable landscaping practices.
Another must-see spot is the University of Louisiana at Lafayette’s Native Plant Garden. This garden showcases over 100 species of native plants and serves as a living laboratory for students studying horticulture, ecology, and biology.
If you want a more natural setting, you can head to the nearby Acadiana Park Nature Station. Here, you’ll find a variety of native plant species, including swamp milkweed, cardinal flower, and beautyberry. The nature station also offers guided hikes and educational programs throughout the year.
Finally, don’t forget to check out the city’s numerous parks and green spaces, many of which feature native plantings. From Girard Park to Moncus Park, you will find stunning examples of Lafayette’s diverse plant life just a short drive from your doorstep.
Some excellent choices for backyard buffers in Lafayette include Southern magnolia, yaupon holly, and Texas star hibiscus. These plants not only provide a natural screen but also attract wildlife to your yard and support the local ecosystem. Consider using a mix of native grasses to create a diverse buffer that provides year-round interest and beauty.
Lafayette is located in a region with a rich history of agriculture and farming, so it’s no surprise that the city’s soil is ideal for many types of plants. The soil is typically well-draining, sandy loam, with a pH range of 5.0 to 7.0.
The sandy texture of the soil provides excellent drainage, making it less prone to waterlogging, which is important during the rainy season. It also allows for good aeration and root development, essential for healthy plant growth.
While sandy soil is generally easy to work with, it can be low in nutrients and organic matter. To help plants thrive, homeowners may consider adding compost or other organic materials to their soil.
When it comes to selecting turfgrass to complement your native plants, you must consider several factors, such as climate, soil type, and maintenance requirements. Warm-season grasses like bermudagrass, Zoysiagrass, and St. Augustinegrass are well-suited to the region’s hot and humid summers, making them a popular choice for lawns.
Bermudagrass is known for its durability and drought tolerance, while Zoysiagrass is favored for its low maintenance and tolerance to foot traffic. St. Augustinegrass is a popular choice for its lush appearance and shade tolerance, making it a good option for areas with partial shade.
Lafayette homeowners looking to add native plants to their gardens have a wealth of resources at their disposal. The region’s warm climate and well-draining soil make it an ideal environment for many native species, which can help support the local ecosystem and create a beautiful, low-maintenance landscape.
\n\n\n\nOne excellent place to start your search for native plants is the Louisiana Native Plant Society. This organization offers a wealth of information on native plants, including their growing conditions and where to find them.
\n\n\n\nWhen choosing plants for your garden, consider factors like soil type, exposure to sunlight, and water availability. Native plants often thrive with minimal maintenance, but you’ll still need to pick the right plants for your landscape.
\n\n\n\nAnother option for finding native plants is to attend a local plant sale or nursery event. Many nurseries and botanical gardens host sales throughout the year, and these can be an excellent opportunity to find rare or hard-to-find species.
\n\n\n\nIf you don’t have enough time to design and maintain an eco-friendly garden or aren’t confident in your gardening ability, a Lafayette landscaping pro can assist you in creating and preserving a lovely and sustainable garden.
\n\n\n\nMain Image Credit: Flowering dogwood / Pxfuel
\n","title":"15 Best Native Plants for Lafayette, LA","featured_media":{"localFile":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"aspectRatio":1.3333333333333333,"src":"/static/6cd3819556a9c3a473ab228d123b85f4/1789c/pxfuel.com-4-1-1.jpg","srcSet":"/static/6cd3819556a9c3a473ab228d123b85f4/107df/pxfuel.com-4-1-1.jpg 320w,\n/static/6cd3819556a9c3a473ab228d123b85f4/293e9/pxfuel.com-4-1-1.jpg 500w,\n/static/6cd3819556a9c3a473ab228d123b85f4/f2cbb/pxfuel.com-4-1-1.jpg 800w,\n/static/6cd3819556a9c3a473ab228d123b85f4/1789c/pxfuel.com-4-1-1.jpg 960w,\n/static/6cd3819556a9c3a473ab228d123b85f4/c26c2/pxfuel.com-4-1-1.jpg 1200w","srcWebp":"/static/6cd3819556a9c3a473ab228d123b85f4/1dd6e/pxfuel.com-4-1-1.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/6cd3819556a9c3a473ab228d123b85f4/67b76/pxfuel.com-4-1-1.webp 320w,\n/static/6cd3819556a9c3a473ab228d123b85f4/8df11/pxfuel.com-4-1-1.webp 500w,\n/static/6cd3819556a9c3a473ab228d123b85f4/98a65/pxfuel.com-4-1-1.webp 800w,\n/static/6cd3819556a9c3a473ab228d123b85f4/1dd6e/pxfuel.com-4-1-1.webp 960w,\n/static/6cd3819556a9c3a473ab228d123b85f4/3cc96/pxfuel.com-4-1-1.webp 1200w","sizes":"(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px"}}}},"yoast_meta":{"yoast_wpseo_title":"15 Best Native Plants for Lafayette, LA | Wikilawn","yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"Discover the best native plants for Lafayette and where to buy these landscape plants that thrive in humid subtropical climates."}}},{"node":{"id":"b79a83c6-4804-522c-9e98-ff6ce91829b8","slug":"best-grass-seed-wisconsin","path":"/lawn-care/wi/best-grass-seed-wisconsin/","status":"publish","template":"","format":"standard","author":{"description":"Based in the south of France, Jeffery holds a master of science degree from the International University of Monaco. His hobbies include hiking, cycling, and traveling across Europe.","name":"Jeffery Keusseyan","id":"75c05140-c87e-540a-8d34-da174527f4cc","path":"/author/jeffery-keusseyan/","avatar_urls":{"wordpress_96":"https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/12a7b239a959b7f6feee4e4b9495d63f?s=96&d=mm&r=g"}},"categories":[{"id":"205f24d4-c1e5-5728-bb28-8ba70eecbc7a","name":"Lawn Care","count":432,"path":"/category/lawn-care/"},{"id":"9503671f-e071-545d-b382-450feba6b3a6","name":"Wisconsin","count":7,"path":"/category/lawn-care/wi/"}],"date":"May 22nd, 2023","excerpt":"Nature lovers have plenty of reasons to cherish life in Wisconsin. After hiking to Big Manitou Falls or exploring the Cave of the Mounds, you might feel like staying home and relaxing in your own backyard. For this reason, we’ll cover the best grass seed for Wisconsin to help transform those bare spots into a […]
\n","content":"\nNature lovers have plenty of reasons to cherish life in Wisconsin. After hiking to Big Manitou Falls or exploring the Cave of the Mounds, you might feel like staying home and relaxing in your own backyard. For this reason, we’ll cover the best grass seed for Wisconsin to help transform those bare spots into a lush, green lawn.
\n\n\n\nIn this article:
\n\n\n\nWith several grass varieties to choose from, it is important to distinguish between warm- and cool-season grass. Since Wisconsin has cool temperatures throughout most of the year, you’ll have the most success with cool-season grass types. Here are the main differences between the two:
\n\n\n\nWarm-season grasses thrive when temperatures range from 80 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit. They actively grow in late spring and summer, entering dormancy as temperatures drop in winter. Warm-season grasses enjoy high temperatures, and require less water than cool-season grasses. They include Zoysiagrass, bermudagrass,St. Augustinegrass, and centipedegrass.
\n\n\n\nOn the other hand, cool-season grasses thrive when temperatures range from 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. They tolerate frost and lower temperatures, actively growing in spring and fall. Cool-season turfgrasses include tall fescue, creeping red fescue, Kentucky bluegrass, and perennial ryegrass.
\n\n\n\nPhoto Credit: Brenda Ryan / Wikilawn
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nKentucky bluegrass is one of the most popular types of grass in Wisconsin. This blue-green, cool-season turfgrass establishes a thick sod that can withstand foot traffic. It is drought-resistant and can survive several months without significant rainfall.
\n\n\n\nFor best performance, plant Kentucky bluegrass in an area with plenty of sunlight. To improve its shade-tolerance, mix it with other grass seed types, such as fine fescue.
\n\n\n\nKentucky bluegrass is arguably the best at withstanding below-freezing temperatures that many Wisconsin homeowners endure. Overall, this cool-season grass is great if you enjoy lawn parties or have little ones running around playing hide-n-seek.
\n\n\n\nClassification: Cool-season grass
\n\n\n\nSpreads by: Rhizomes
\n\n\n\nShade tolerance: Low
\n\n\n\nDrought tolerance: Moderate
\n\n\n\nFoot traffic tolerance: Moderate
\n\n\n\nMaintenance needs: Moderate mowing frequency and high fertilization needs.
\n\n\n\nMowing height: Set mowing height between 2.5 and 3.5 inches.
\n\n\n\nPotential for disease: Moderate to high; prone to several diseases, such as dollar spot, leaf spot, necrotic ring spot, summer patch, and stripe smut.
\n\n\n\nSoil pH: 6-7.5
\n\n\n\nSoil type: Performs best in well-drained, heavy soils with high fertility.
\n\n\n\nPhoto Credit: Dr Mary Gillham Archive Project / Flickr / CC BY 2.0
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nPerennial ryegrass is a very hardy and durable cool-season grass that spreads via vertical tillers. It becomes dormant during the hot summer months. It cannot withstand dry conditions as well as other turfgrasses, and should be planted in well-drained soils. Perennial ryegrass pairs superbly well with several grass seed types, including Kentucky bluegrass.
\n\n\n\nMixing ryegrass with other grass types enables faster germination, and boosts the lawn’s high-traffic tolerance. It is the best-adapted cool-season grass that is often used on athletic fields.
\n\n\n\nClassification: Cool-season grass
\n\n\n\nSpreads by: Has a bunch-type growth habit
\n\n\n\nShade tolerance: Low
\n\n\n\nDrought tolerance: Low
\n\n\n\nFoot traffic tolerance: High
\n\n\n\nMaintenance needs: Moderate mowing and fertilization requirements. Thatch is not significant.
\n\n\n\nMowing height: Set mowing height to 1.5 to 2.5 inches
\n\n\n\nPotential for disease: High. Common diseases include gray leaf spot, red thread, and leaf spot/melting-out.
\n\n\n\nSoil pH: Can grow in soils with a pH between 5 and 8, but prefers between 6 and 7.
\n\n\n\nSoil type: Prefers good drainage and fertility, but can tolerate some poor drainage.
\n\n\n\n![\"Close](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Fine-Fescue-Grass.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Aaron Patton / Purdue’s Turfgrass Science Program
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nFine fescue grass includes several species, including creeping red and sheep fescue. Fine fescue is the most shade-tolerant cool-season, but goes dormant in extreme heat. The needle-like leaves are quite distinctive, and make for a barefoot-friendly lawn grass. Fine fescue can tolerate dry, acidic, and other soil conditions. It is a good option for average use, but cannot tolerate heavy foot traffic.
\n\n\n\nClassification: Cool-season grass
\n\n\n\nSpreads by: Creeping red fescue spreads by rhizomes, while other fine fescues are bunch-type grasses, such as Chewings, hard, and sheep fescues.
\n\n\n\nShade tolerance: Moderate to High, depending on species
\n\n\n\nDrought tolerance: Moderate to High, depending on species
\n\n\n\nFoot traffic tolerance: Low to Moderate, depending on species
\n\n\n\nMaintenance needs: Low fertilizer and mowing needs
\n\n\n\nMowing height: Set mowing height between 2.5 and 4 inches, depending on species.
\n\n\n\nPotential for disease: Moderate. Common diseases include red thread, leaf spot, dollar spot, summer patch, and powdery mildew.
\n\n\n\nSoil pH: 6-6.5
\n\n\n\nSoil type: Will not perform well in wet soil conditions. Prefers drier soils and tolerates a wide range of soil types and fertility.
\n\n\n\n![\"Close](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Tall-Fescue-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Aaron Patton / Purdue’s Turfgrass Science Program
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nTall fescue is a perennial, bunch-type grass that can adapt to a wide variety of soils. It can withstand heat, drought, and moderate wear better than most cool-season grasses. This is mainly due to its deep root system. Tall fescue can grow in partial shade, but prefers sunny areas.
\n\n\n\nWith the proper care, it will remain green well into the summer. To maintain a dense lawn, you can mix fescue seeds with either Kentucky bluegrass or ryegrass.
\n\n\n\nClassification: Cool-season grass
\n\n\n\nSpreads by: Produces short rhizomes but has a bunch-type growth habit
\n\n\n\nShade tolerance: Moderate
\n\n\n\nDrought tolerance: Moderate to High
\n\n\n\nFoot traffic tolerance: Moderate
\n\n\n\nMaintenance needs: Frequent mowing. Does not produce significant thatch.
\n\n\n\nMowing height: Set mowing height to 2 inches when grass reaches 3 inches tall.
\n\n\n\nPotential for disease: Tolerant of most diseases when properly maintained.
\n\n\n\nSoil pH: 5.5-6.5
\n\n\n\nSoil type: Adapted to a wide range of soil conditions, but prefers fertile clay soils with good drainage.
\n\n\n\nZoysia is a warm-season grass that is not suitable for Wisconsin lawns. It is best suited for areas south of the Ohio River, including the transition zone. In areas where zoysia thrives, you can mix it with perennial ryegrass for a winter green color.
Turfgrasses in Wisconsin lawns typically rejuvenate in autumn, making it the best time to seed or establish new lawns. This is mainly because the moderate temperatures in September promote the speedy growth of lawn grasses.
Make sure you select the right grass seed mix based on your site’s exposure levels. According to the University of Wisconsin-Madison, you should use a 50% to 100% Kentucky bluegrass mix for sunny areas, and a fine-leaf fescue seed mixture for shaded sites.
With these native plants, you can transform your Wisconsin yard into a year-round feeding station for plenty of native birds. Adding these bird-friendly natives will give them food and shelter required to raise a family.
Here are some examples:
• White oak (Quercus alba)
• Butterfly milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa)
• White pine (Pinus strobus)
• Pagoda dogwood (Cornus alternifolia)
Native plants are a great addition to your newly established turfgrass. They are low-maintenance, help make your lawn more attractive, and are able to attract beneficial pollinators. But there are a few key points to consider when choosing native Wisconsin plants: the soil type, sun exposure levels, hardiness zone, and maintenance needs.
\n\n\n\nIf you still need some inspiration, you can visit the UW Arboretum, Gottfried Prairie & Arboretum, or Pollinator Friendly Nursery.
\n\n\n\nNeed to hire a Wisconsin lawn care pro near you to maintain the new turf? We have trusted lawn care pros in Kenosha, Madison, Milwaukee, and many more cities across the state.
\n\n\n\nMain Photo Credit: Steve Jurvetson / Flickr / CC BY 2.0
\n","title":"Best Grass Seed for Wisconsin","featured_media":{"localFile":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"aspectRatio":1.3333333333333333,"src":"/static/8fda86e4e63e8a636943d1a37ac1556c/1789c/Wisconsin-Grass.jpg","srcSet":"/static/8fda86e4e63e8a636943d1a37ac1556c/107df/Wisconsin-Grass.jpg 320w,\n/static/8fda86e4e63e8a636943d1a37ac1556c/293e9/Wisconsin-Grass.jpg 500w,\n/static/8fda86e4e63e8a636943d1a37ac1556c/f2cbb/Wisconsin-Grass.jpg 800w,\n/static/8fda86e4e63e8a636943d1a37ac1556c/1789c/Wisconsin-Grass.jpg 960w,\n/static/8fda86e4e63e8a636943d1a37ac1556c/c26c2/Wisconsin-Grass.jpg 1200w","srcWebp":"/static/8fda86e4e63e8a636943d1a37ac1556c/1dd6e/Wisconsin-Grass.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/8fda86e4e63e8a636943d1a37ac1556c/67b76/Wisconsin-Grass.webp 320w,\n/static/8fda86e4e63e8a636943d1a37ac1556c/8df11/Wisconsin-Grass.webp 500w,\n/static/8fda86e4e63e8a636943d1a37ac1556c/98a65/Wisconsin-Grass.webp 800w,\n/static/8fda86e4e63e8a636943d1a37ac1556c/1dd6e/Wisconsin-Grass.webp 960w,\n/static/8fda86e4e63e8a636943d1a37ac1556c/3cc96/Wisconsin-Grass.webp 1200w","sizes":"(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px"}}}},"yoast_meta":{"yoast_wpseo_title":"Best Grass Seed for Wisconsin","yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"For a healthy turfgrass that fits your home and lifestyle, explore the best grass seed for Wisconsin to establish a beautiful, green lawn."}}},{"node":{"id":"e13e5cd7-80e1-5ea0-a20f-5df6a56cce02","slug":"buy-first-riding-lawn-mower","path":"/lawn-care/buy-first-riding-lawn-mower/","status":"publish","template":"","format":"standard","author":{"description":"Jackie Greene is a blogger, gardener, and nutrition enthusiast. She enjoys creating organic meals for family and friends using the fresh ingredients she produces from her backyard homestead.","name":"Jackie Greene","id":"fb5923e1-833b-5d9b-808e-ded0e62c0bc4","path":"/author/jackiegreene/","avatar_urls":{"wordpress_96":"https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/2c1121209a3ebfbe0a7e941d102b2971?s=96&d=mm&r=g"}},"categories":[{"id":"d91e0772-a35b-588f-a788-9c638e07abbb","name":"Garden Tools","count":2,"path":"/category/garden-tools/"},{"id":"205f24d4-c1e5-5728-bb28-8ba70eecbc7a","name":"Lawn Care","count":432,"path":"/category/lawn-care/"}],"date":"October 17th, 2019","excerpt":"Buying your first riding mower is a lot like buying your first car. It has a motor, a steering wheel and a seat. And one more similarity: It’s a major investment. Where a push mower will set you back a few hundred dollars, a good low-end model or riding mower starts around $1,200. At the […]
\n","content":"\nBuying your first riding mower is a lot like buying your first car. It has a motor, a steering wheel and a seat.
\n\n\n\nAnd one more similarity: It’s a major investment. Where a push mower will set you back a few hundred dollars, a good low-end model or riding mower starts around $1,200. At the high end, you can easily You could spend anywhere from $1,000 to more than $3,000. But with that big price tag come big mowing advantages that you can expect to enjoy for years to come. Here are some pointers for buying your first riding mower.
\n\n\n\nWith that big price tag come big mowing advantages that you can expect to enjoy for years to come. Here are some pointers for buying your first riding mower.
\n\n\n\n![\"\"/](\"https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/kvAuEOrw2J6Rf64yeayYRFPs7vdll5gzc87aUI9GzrDG5s4y5rHV8_x7F4XEprsAMyX5k_98Oh97CLuJEJTe41I_ZmLa25301ntLTkyO94K91roDjj0-wa8Mux59y4-gMJiBVn7l\")
We’ve been obsessed with lawn care for as long as lawns have been around. Until the 1600s, people were probably too busy focusing on the sheep trimming our grass to enjoy the lawns themselves. But beginning in the 1700s, manicured lawns came into fashion, along with the first lawn mower — the scythe.
\n\n\n\nFor those unfamiliar, the scythe is an ancient tool with a handle and crescent-shaped blade. It’s carried by the mythical Grim Reaper — an appropriate mascot, because anyone who’s used one for more than an hour probably feels like keeling over. This labor-intensive tool was the go-to for lawn care for a couple of centuries. In 1830, Edwin Budding invented an iron-framed reel lawn mower to cut grass in England.
\n\n\n\nIn 1870, a lighter cylinder-style reel mower was invented in the United States by Elwood McGuire of Richmond, Ind. This popular model prevailed until Colonel Edwin S. George came up with a mower with a gas engine in 1919. George established Moto-Mower, a lawn mowing manufacturing plant in Detroit, and continued to develop the product.
\n\n\n\n![\"\"/](\"https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/MUV976HkZeK-iFZ3MRV96sXHhCDRBEKgWiJK6evGRSWDy2Qlv3H3ii_5bX1bGYwz91LJXUqbeb5-sLcCv-_Vrz9y3_XV7Lg3ZU68ypGr4EVgbpcQl48nWYL7SlXJedO0pM92HL19\")
In the 1930s, a rotary mower appeared on the scene, paving the way for the ride on mower we know and love today. Mowers grew in popularity after World War II, when GIs came home and began mowing their own lawns.
\n\n\n\nToday, we have a staggering number of lawn mowing options. Once you level up to a riding mower, there are many options available. Ride-on mowers fall into three categories: lawn tractor, rear-engine riding mower, and zero-turn mowers. If you want what they use on golf courses, forget about it, that’s another class of mowing machines entirely.
\n\n\n\n![\"Lawn](\"https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/f5NdarPVhajqHit8ARAVk3N0sMtWlGrovzTND5TWt5073OV_MBhGbeq_0_xYxxhan5-sTVQQLjaT8ev_QcmziAfSdlzMTtnA-T1vW_Gro8iqRH6WFg5-6pepigEsHFHl2XMo_NVx\")
A lawn or garden tractor is what most people choose as their first riding mower. It features a steering wheel and front-mounted engine, which makes it look and feel less like a power mower and more like a car. With mower decks measuring between 42 and 54 inches, they have a much greater cutting capacity than push lawn mowers, making them a top pick for people with acreage.
An added bonus of lawn tractors? They can haul carts and attachments for mulching, bagging, and sweeping. Some brands even offer a snowblower attachment. If you google “the best lawn tractors,” you’ll see John Deere and Toro come up over and over. Expect to spend between $1,000 and $3000 for one of these lawn mowers.
\n\n\n\n![\"\"/](\"https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/LsB2llSw4mvFft2dv4olMgnyB0V2HY-zEm5x0YUxigAEJJA9AUTF0zsopgu9vbxK8jcH9iSDYTwBP-a-4Sf-6cwWRokSt9S7xSxm8CWdGeONLwx3X5H-I9ReYjAlgVyhbW2nzsSu\")
A zero-turn mower is ideal when you have a lot of grass to cut and don’t want to spend a ton of time doing it. Mower decks range from 32 to 60 inches, and steering function allows the mower to make tight turns, hugging corners and curves.
\n\n\n\nFor flatter properties with lots of trees and shrubs, this type of riding mower can cut grass closer to obstacles than the others. But, this perk comes at a price. Expect to pay between $1,200 and $6,000 for a zero-turn mower. Even if you can find a special offer, the prices on this class of machine are steep.
\n\n\n\n![\"\"/](\"https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/Bm75nwHu1hPMDaRX08pcaQVsfG5AFfWTUxTCD62yK450PmmxQPqRrs3d-S2_gKZ_7GMH1uXN2joq0NVhXGY7RG-mEryUwdXGFzDozN5qJNpTOYbZtkaD_Slf0MVg-OEIjz2DjCID\")
Somewhere between the lawn tractor and the zero-turn mower is the rear-engine riding mower. This is for someone with a lawn a little too large for a push mower but too small to justify a bigger machine. Mowing decks on rear-engine mowers are smaller, from 30 to 33 inches, and so is the price tag — from $1,200 to $2,400.
\n\n\n\nYou can pay half as much by buying a used lawn mower, but you must do your research to make sure you get a good deal. Robert Janis, a mower specialist at LawnEq, reminds us, “You need to be aware that the life expectancy of a residential riding lawn mower is about seven years.” When attempting to buy a used mower, he believes that you shouldn’t be shy about asking questions.
\n","title":"How to Buy Your First Riding Lawn Mower","featured_media":{"localFile":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"aspectRatio":1.5005861664712778,"src":"/static/6a40d3ec7f993f013324cb11423d9543/1789c/lawn-tool-green-vehicle-lawn-mower-rush-883918-pxhere.com_.jpg","srcSet":"/static/6a40d3ec7f993f013324cb11423d9543/107df/lawn-tool-green-vehicle-lawn-mower-rush-883918-pxhere.com_.jpg 320w,\n/static/6a40d3ec7f993f013324cb11423d9543/293e9/lawn-tool-green-vehicle-lawn-mower-rush-883918-pxhere.com_.jpg 500w,\n/static/6a40d3ec7f993f013324cb11423d9543/f2cbb/lawn-tool-green-vehicle-lawn-mower-rush-883918-pxhere.com_.jpg 800w,\n/static/6a40d3ec7f993f013324cb11423d9543/1789c/lawn-tool-green-vehicle-lawn-mower-rush-883918-pxhere.com_.jpg 960w,\n/static/6a40d3ec7f993f013324cb11423d9543/356ef/lawn-tool-green-vehicle-lawn-mower-rush-883918-pxhere.com_.jpg 1280w","srcWebp":"/static/6a40d3ec7f993f013324cb11423d9543/1dd6e/lawn-tool-green-vehicle-lawn-mower-rush-883918-pxhere.com_.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/6a40d3ec7f993f013324cb11423d9543/67b76/lawn-tool-green-vehicle-lawn-mower-rush-883918-pxhere.com_.webp 320w,\n/static/6a40d3ec7f993f013324cb11423d9543/8df11/lawn-tool-green-vehicle-lawn-mower-rush-883918-pxhere.com_.webp 500w,\n/static/6a40d3ec7f993f013324cb11423d9543/98a65/lawn-tool-green-vehicle-lawn-mower-rush-883918-pxhere.com_.webp 800w,\n/static/6a40d3ec7f993f013324cb11423d9543/1dd6e/lawn-tool-green-vehicle-lawn-mower-rush-883918-pxhere.com_.webp 960w,\n/static/6a40d3ec7f993f013324cb11423d9543/93f70/lawn-tool-green-vehicle-lawn-mower-rush-883918-pxhere.com_.webp 1280w","sizes":"(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px"}}}},"yoast_meta":{"yoast_wpseo_title":"How to Buy Your First Riding Lawn Mower | Wikilawn","yoast_wpseo_metadesc":""}}},{"node":{"id":"aa8ee0f4-23af-5953-a8cc-8df00f9797bd","slug":"best-native-plants-missouri","path":"/lawn-care/mo/best-native-plants-missouri/","status":"publish","template":"","format":"standard","author":{"description":"Farah Nauman is a freelance writer and an accountant based in Pakistan. She spends most of her time combating the South Asian heat and being a mom to her three fluffy cats and a dozen little Aloe Veras in her house.","name":"Farah Nauman","id":"26059a96-5dc7-50a2-8fe4-f35b865ab4a8","path":"/author/farah-nauman/","avatar_urls":{"wordpress_96":"https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/6ec8e652d318d98583d29f520928b219?s=96&d=mm&r=g"}},"categories":[{"id":"205f24d4-c1e5-5728-bb28-8ba70eecbc7a","name":"Lawn Care","count":432,"path":"/category/lawn-care/"},{"id":"08e64923-2067-5321-ba20-42c35858c2cd","name":"Missouri","count":13,"path":"/category/lawn-care/mo/"}],"date":"May 24th, 2023","excerpt":"Gardening can be a drag when you struggle to keep your plants alive and vibrant, but you can enjoy a fantastic garden with one simple trick: Go with native plants that are adapted to our warm summers and cold, snowy winters. Need a guide? Here are 16 native plants that will transform your Missouri yard. […]
\n","content":"\nGardening can be a drag when you struggle to keep your plants alive and vibrant, but you can enjoy a fantastic garden with one simple trick: Go with native plants that are adapted to our warm summers and cold, snowy winters. Need a guide? Here are 16 native plants that will transform your Missouri yard.
\n\n\n\nIn this article:
\n\n\n\nNative plants are indigenous to an area, so they have adapted to a certain set of environmental conditions, including a region’s climate, soil, temperature, and light conditions. This happens over the course of hundreds or thousands of years.
\n\n\n\nMissouri native plants grow naturally in our climate and geology and amid our wildlife. In fact, many wildlife species depend on native plants for habitat and survival. They essentially become a part of the region’s ecosystem.
\n\n\n\nPlanting natives isn’t just easy, it’s also beneficial to your environment. Take a look at a few advantages of native plants:
\n\n\n\nHere is a collection of Missouri’s best natives that will give you a low-maintenance landscape.
\n\n\n\n![\"Yellow](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Black-eyed-Susan-Rudbeckia-hirta.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Pixabay
\n\n\n\nThe showy black-eyed Susan plant is known for its yellow to orange-yellow rays and dark brown centers that attract butterflies. It is typically found in fields, prairies, open woods, waste areas, and roadsides throughout the state.
\n\n\n\nThe black-eyed Susan is a hairy, coarse, and somewhat weedy plant. And that might bother you, but the freshness of daisy-like flowers and chocolate brown disks atop a stiff, upright, leafy stem will make up for it. Black-eyed Susans are tough, too. They resist deer, insects, and diseases. They also self-seed and are perfect for mass plantings, cottage gardens, annual beds, wild gardens, and meadows.
\n\n\n\nThis native plant naturally attracts butterflies and bees, prefers dry soil, and is easy to maintain as well. It does well both in the ground and in containers.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Herbaceous perennial
\n\n\n\nMature size: 2 to 3 feet tall
\n\n\n\nDuration: Annual (can be perennial or biennial)
\n\n\n\nBloom time: June to September
\n\n\n\nSunlight needs: Full sun
\n\n\n\nSoil preferences: Loam or sandy soil
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Medium
\n\n\n\nMaintenance needs: Low
\n\n\n\nUSDA hardiness zone: 3 to 7
\n\n\n\n![\"Red](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Cardinal-Flower-Lobelia-cardinalis.jpeg\")
Photo Credit: linnaeus / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 3.0
\n\n\n\nThis native plant produces large, distinctive, bright red petals and has a spiky, upright appearance that makes it stand out in a landscape. The cardinal flower, which takes its name from the red robes worn by Roman Catholic cardinals, can grow as tall as 6 feet and grows naturally along stream banks, and in swamps and moist places.
\n\n\n\nThat doesn’t mean you have to live in a swamp to enjoy it. The cardinal flower grows well in average soil conditions and does well in both full sun and partial shade. The upright stems and bright flowers attract lots of winged visitors and are a popular source of nectar for hummingbirds.
\n\n\n\nThis is one of the most low-maintenance native plants you can get because it wards off pests and disease really well. In ideal growing conditions, it may self-seed.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Flower, herbaceous
\n\n\n\nMature size: 1 to 6 feet tall
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nBloom time: July to September
\n\n\n\nSunlight needs: Full sun, partial shade, or full shade
\n\n\n\nSoil preferences: Loam, sand, clay
\n\n\n\nWater needs: High
\n\n\n\nMaintenance needs: Low
\n\n\n\nUSDA hardiness zone: 3 to 9
\n\n\n\n![\"Blue](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Blue-Vervain-Verbena-hastata.jpg\")
Photo Credit: James St. John / Flickr / CC BY 2.0
\n\n\n\nVerbena hastata is also known as swamp verbena or American vervain and is found all over the U.S. Blue vervain features a hairy, stiff, straight stem that grows as tall as 5 feet and features flowering spikes of violet, deep purple, or (rarely) white blooms. Trust this plant to add texture and structure to your Missouri landscape with its upright stems and groups of bluish-purple flowers blooming from early summer to early fall.
\n\n\n\nIts densely packed flowers are used by herbalists and may also be incorporated into bath and body products such as foot creams and soaks. Blue vervain attracts butterflies, bumblebees, and birds of all sorts. It prefers well-drained soils and performs best when paired with full, bright sun.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Flower
\n\n\n\nMature size: 4 to 5 feet tall
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nBloom time: May to September
\n\n\n\nSunlight needs: Full sun or partial shade
\n\n\n\nSoil preferences: Moist or wet
\n\n\n\nWater needs: High
\n\n\n\nMaintenance needs: Low
\n\n\n\nUSDA hardiness zone: 3 to 9
\n\n\n\n![\"White](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/White-Beardtongue-Penstemon-digitalis.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Fritzflohrreynolds / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0
\n\n\n\nAlso known as foxglove beardtongue or talus slope penstemon, this Missouri native occurs naturally in open woods, fields, meadows, and prairies, or any place that has sandy and moist soils. A perennial, the white beardtongue forms tubular clusters of showy white flowers that attract hummingbirds and butterflies.
\n\n\n\nOne of the many advantages of inviting white beardtongue into your yard is that it won’t have any serious diseases or pest issues. This plant prefers well-drained soil but is super easy to grow and maintain otherwise.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Herbaceous
\n\n\n\nMature size: 4 to 5 feet tall
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nBloom time: April to July
\n\n\n\nSunlight needs: Full sun
\n\n\n\nSoil preferences: Moist, loamy
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Low
\n\n\n\nMaintenance needs: Low
\n\n\n\nUSDA hardiness zone: 3 to 8
\n\n\n\n![\"Green](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Pawpaw-Asimina-Triloba.jpg\")
Photo Credit: James St. John / Flickr / CC BY 2.0
\n\n\n\nAsimina Triloba is a small tree, though it looks more like a shrub due to its short-heightened trunk, that grows 10 to 40 feet tall. It features large, tropical-like leaves that turn from green to a beautiful yellow-green in fall and sprout purple flowers. When it has matured, pawpaw grows cylindric, yellow, or dark-green edible fruit.
\n\n\n\nThe deciduous pawpaw fruit has a banana-like taste and is typically consumed raw or used in pies and ice creams. It attracts wildlife but does not attract serious insect or disease problems.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Tree
\n\n\n\nMature size: 4 to 5 feet tall
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nBloom time: April to May
\n\n\n\nSunlight needs: Full sun to part shade
\n\n\n\nSoil preferences: Medium to wet, well-drained soil
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Medium
\n\n\n\nMaintenance needs: Low
\n\n\n\nUSDA hardiness zone: 5 to 9
\n\n\n\n![\"White](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Wild-Hydrangea-Hydrangea-arborescens.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Fritzflohrreynolds / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0
\n\n\n\nThis widely branched deciduous flowering shrub is native to rocky wooded slopes, moist stream banks, and ravines. Wild hydrangea features broad egg-like round, dark green leaves with pale undersides, and sharp teeth all around. These leaves turn fully yellow in the fall.
\n\n\n\nIt bursts with clusters of tiny white flowers, but a few large sterile flowers may appear around the cluster margins. Hydrangea can grow in almost any type of soil but prefer to stay moderately moist at all times. It can be a good choice for a rain garden in Missouri owing to its high tolerance for wet soils.
\n\n\n\nOn the down side, wild hydrangea is susceptible to several insect and disease problems such as bacterial wilt, leaf spots, powdery mildew, and aphids.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Flowering plant
\n\n\n\nMature size: 3 to 5 feet tall
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nBloom time: June to September
\n\n\n\nSunlight needs: Partial shade
\n\n\n\nSoil preferences: Clay, shallow, rocky
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Medium
\n\n\n\nMaintenance needs: Moderate to high
\n\n\n\nUSDA hardiness zone: 3 to 9
\n\n\n\n![\"White](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Flowering-Dogwood-Cornus-florida-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Derek Ramsey (Ram-Man) / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0
\n\n\n\nThis is a popular tree found throughout the Eastern United States. It produces beautiful white blooms around April and May and develops bright red fruits in the late summer. Flowering dogwood’s green tree leaves turn into rust and then go through multiple hues of red in the fall.
\n\n\n\nThe good part is, this dogwood tree is not a high-maintenance native. In fact, it prefers partial shade to grow. However, you might want to take care of diseases because flowering dogwood can develop diseases like powdery mildew, dogwood anthracnose, root rot, and more when it’s stressed.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Tree
\n\n\n\nMature size: 15 to 30 feet tall
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nBloom time: April to June
\n\n\n\nSunlight needs: Full sun or partial shade, prefers partial shade
\n\n\n\nSoil preferences: Well-drained, acidic, and average soil with lots of organic matter
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Medium
\n\n\n\nMaintenance needs: Medium
\n\n\n\nUSDA hardiness zone: 3 to 9
\n\n\n\n![\"Purple](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Blazing-Star-Liatris-spicata.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Drew Avery / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 2.0
\n\n\n\nPrairie blazing star is a low-maintenance flower that provides a nice pop of color in your garden. It produces tall, leafy stalks that develop spikes of rounded, fluffy, deep purple flower heads. Blazing star grows best in well-drained soils with a full sun but does fine in poor soils as well. It is highly tolerant of humidity and summer heat and is a generally low-maintenance plant.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Flower
\n\n\n\nMature size: 2 to 5 feet tall
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nBloom time: July to August
\n\n\n\nSunlight needs: Full sun
\n\n\n\nSoil preferences: Well-drained, average soil
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Medium, prefers dry or moderately moist soil
\n\n\n\nMaintenance needs: Low
\n\n\n\nUSDA hardiness zone: 3 to 9
\n\n\n\n![\"Yellow](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Spicebush-Lindera-benzoin.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Fritzflohrreynolds / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0
\n\n\n\nThis deciduous shrub can grow as tall as 15 feet and have a unique aroma to it. Spicebush shrub develops a brown or gray-brown bark with light-colored lenticels speckled around. It produces clusters of small, yellow flowers in early spring and smooth-margined leaves. These leaves are crushed to extract the spicy odor they produce.
\n\n\n\nSpicebush is tolerant of deer and heavy shade. The lightly scented flora will also attract colorful birds and butterflies to your Missouri lawn. But this plant is sensitive to drought and heat. Male varieties of these plants develop relatively larger greenish-yellow flowers whereas the female spicebush may also produce a small red fruit with a male pollinator.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Shrub
\n\n\n\nMature size: 6 to 15 feet tall
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nBloom time: February to March
\n\n\n\nSunlight needs: Full sun to partial shade
\n\n\n\nSoil preferences: Loam or sandy soils, limestone-based
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Medium
\n\n\n\nMaintenance needs:
\n\n\n\nUSDA hardiness zone: 5 to 9
\n\n\n\n![\"Purple](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Purple-Coneflower-Echinacea-purpurea.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Pixabay
\n\n\n\nEchinacea purpurea is a herbaceous perennial from the Asteraceae family and is one of the toughest Missouri native plants. It’s super easy to grow and maintain. Purple coneflower can power through several challenging environments, be it drought, humidity, heat, or poor soil conditions.
\n\n\n\nApart from its impressive adaptability, this plant may also make a popular spot for hummingbirds and insects. It typically grows up to 5 feet tall and produces daisy-like, showy flowers that bloom throughout the summer months. It also bears coarse, dark green foliage around a stiff stem that remains erect well into the winter.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Flower
\n\n\n\nMature size: 2 to 5 feet tall
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nBloom time: June to August
\n\n\n\nSunlight needs: Full sun to partial shade, but prefers full sun
\n\n\n\nSoil preferences: Well-drained soils
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Medium to low
\n\n\n\nMaintenance needs: Low
\n\n\n\nUSDA hardiness zone: 3 to 8
\n\n\n\n![\"Blue](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Blue-Lobelia-Lobelia-siphilitica.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Agnieszka Kwiecień / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0
\n\n\n\nBlue lobelia resembles cardinal flowers and is commonly known as a blue cardinal flower as well. It makes a great choice for rain gardens and is good if you wish to attract butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds to your yards. This herbaceous perennial gives blue flowers that bloom from mid-summer all through early fall. These blue flowers have striped tubes and are accompanied by leaves with toothed margins.
\n\n\n\nIt’s extremely hardy, pest-free, and fairly a low-care plant. You can count on blue lobelia to not become invasive despite being a self-seeding plant.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Flower
\n\n\n\nMature size: 2 to 4 feet tall
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nBloom time: September to October
\n\n\n\nSunlight needs: Full sun to partial shade
\n\n\n\nSoil preferences: Clay, loam, sand
\n\n\n\nWater needs: High to medium
\n\n\n\nMaintenance needs: Low
\n\n\n\nUSDA hardiness zone: 4 to 9
\n\n\n\n![\"Pink](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Swamp-Milkweed-Asclepias-incarnata.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Joshua Mayer / Flickr / CC BY-SA 2.0
\n\n\n\nThis moisture-loving perennial grows up to 5 feet tall in sunny openings of swamps, bogs, marshes, fens, and along stream banks. It has an erect stem with narrow, lance-shaped, and sharp-tipped leaves. Swamp milkweed develops fragrant clusters of flowers in pink, mauve, or reddish-violet color.
\n\n\n\nSwamp milkweed flowers attract hummingbirds and butterflies from all around. It’s also an important source of food for monarch caterpillars. However, it also invites a variety of insects, that aren’t a problem unless the plant shows signs of sickness.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Flower
\n\n\n\nMature size: 2 to 5 feet tall
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nBloom time: July to August
\n\n\n\nSunlight needs: Sun or partial shade
\n\n\n\nSoil preferences: Moist
\n\n\n\nWater needs: High
\n\n\n\nMaintenance needs:
\n\n\n\nUSDA hardiness zone: 3 to 9
\n\n\n\n![\"Orange](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Butterfly-Milkweed-Asclepias-tuberosa.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Joshua Mayer / Flickr / CC BY-SA 2.0
\n\n\n\nThis is another low-maintenance native plant that will fill your Missouri garden with a lovely color from early to mid-summer. It’s a tuberous rooted plant that occurs mostly in dry or rocky open woods, prairies, glades, roadsides, and fields. Butterfly milkweed develops clusters of yellow-orange or bright-orange flowers that sit atop hairy stems. The stems are clad with narrow, lance-shaped leaves.
\n\n\n\nThese flowers serve as a source of nectar for butterflies and its leaves are a popular food source for monarch butterfly larvae. Butterfly milkweed is also drought tolerant and well-performing in dry or poor soils.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Flower
\n\n\n\nMature size: 1 to 2.5 feet tall
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nBloom time: June to August
\n\n\n\nSunlight needs: Full sun
\n\n\n\nSoil preferences: Well-drained soil
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Medium
\n\n\n\nMaintenance needs: Low
\n\n\n\nUSDA hardiness zone: 3 to 9
\n\n\n\n![\"Pink](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Pink-Turtlehead-Chelone-lyonii.jpg\")
Photo Credit: David J. Stang / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0
\n\n\n\nThis tall Missouri wildflower is also known as “Rose Turtlehead.” It blooms between late summer and early fall. It produces bright pink hooded flowers that rest on top of stiff, square stems. Pink turtlehead flowers look like the heads of open-mouthed turtles and get their name from this very resemblance.
\n\n\n\nIt best grows in medium to wet soils with full sun to part shade, but can also do okay in part shade areas. Although resistant to disease and insects, pink turtlehead shows some susceptibility to mildew, especially if the soil is dry or has poor air circulation.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Wildflower
\n\n\n\nMature size: 1.5 to 6.5 feet tall
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nBloom time: Late July to September
\n\n\n\nSunlight needs: Full sun or partial shade
\n\n\n\nSoil preferences: Moist, rich, clay, loamy, sandy
\n\n\n\nWater needs: High
\n\n\n\nMaintenance needs: Medium
\n\n\n\nUSDA hardiness zone: 3 to 8
\n\n\n\n![\"Red](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Red-Buckeye-Aesculus-pavia.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Chris M Morris / Flickr / CC BY 2.0
\n\n\n\nRed buckeye is a clump-forming deciduous shrub that creates an irregular crown and bears erect, showy panicles of orange-red to red, tubular flowers. These flowers bloom in spring and begin to decline late in the season along with its dark green, shiny leaves.
\n\n\n\nThis plant also produces light-brown, globular seed capsules that encase 1 to 3 shiny but poisonous seeds. These seeds ripen in the fall and are avoided by wildlife. Red buckeye flowers, however, attract hummingbirds.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Deciduous shrub
\n\n\n\nMature size: 12 to 15 feet tall
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nBloom time: April to May
\n\n\n\nSunlight needs: Full sun to partial shade
\n\n\n\nSoil preferences: Medium-moisture, well-drained soil
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Medium
\n\n\n\nMaintenance needs: Medium
\n\n\n\nUSDA hardiness zone: 4 to 8
\n\n\n\n![\"Green](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Prairie-Dropseed-Sporobolus-heterolepis.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Joshua Mayer / Flickr / CC BY-SA 2.0
\n\n\n\nSporobolus hereolepis is favored by many homeowners and landscapers for its decorative appearance. It is a fine-textured ornamental grass with long, arching leaves that form beautiful round tufts. From rich green hues in summer to shades of golden and orange, this Missouri native grass stays pretty late into the fall.
\n\n\n\nPrairie dropseed has resilient foliage that powers through snow and extremely low temperatures. It’s a slow-growing grass but isn’t fussy about soil type and growing conditions.
\n\n\n\nPlant type: Grass
\n\n\n\nMature size: 2 to 3 feet tall
\n\n\n\nDuration: Perennial
\n\n\n\nBloom time: June to August
\n\n\n\nSunlight needs: Full sun
\n\n\n\nSoil preferences: Rocky, sandy, clay
\n\n\n\nWater needs: Low
\n\n\n\nMaintenance needs: Low
\n\n\n\nUSDA hardiness zone: 3 to 9
\n\n\n\nPicking native plants does not always turn out to be a win-win situation. The key is to select the right natives that will naturally perform well with the light, soil, and wind exposure in your locality.
\n\n\n\nTo do that, make sure you take into account the plant’s USDA Hardiness Zone range. This range essentially helps in determining the most suitable native plants for your Missouri yard. Missouri Hardiness Zone is 5b through 7a.
\n\n\n\nAnd when your new native plants have made their way to your home, it’s time to create a final look with some landscaping around the other parts of your garden. You can take a few ideas from Wikilawn’s page to pick the best grass types and low-maintenance plants for your Missouri landscape.
\n\n\n\nIf you feel like it’s a little too much to manage, call in one of our pros to handle all the planning, planting, and maintenance work for you.
\n\n\n\nMain Photo by: Lydia Fravel / Flickr / CC BY 2.0
\n","title":"16 Native Plants That Will Transform Your Missouri Yard","featured_media":{"localFile":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"aspectRatio":1.5,"src":"/static/3629755cd576db32532f8d2dbadacd03/1789c/Native-Plants-That-Will-Transform-Your-Missouri-Yard.jpg","srcSet":"/static/3629755cd576db32532f8d2dbadacd03/107df/Native-Plants-That-Will-Transform-Your-Missouri-Yard.jpg 320w,\n/static/3629755cd576db32532f8d2dbadacd03/293e9/Native-Plants-That-Will-Transform-Your-Missouri-Yard.jpg 500w,\n/static/3629755cd576db32532f8d2dbadacd03/f2cbb/Native-Plants-That-Will-Transform-Your-Missouri-Yard.jpg 800w,\n/static/3629755cd576db32532f8d2dbadacd03/1789c/Native-Plants-That-Will-Transform-Your-Missouri-Yard.jpg 960w,\n/static/3629755cd576db32532f8d2dbadacd03/c26c2/Native-Plants-That-Will-Transform-Your-Missouri-Yard.jpg 1200w","srcWebp":"/static/3629755cd576db32532f8d2dbadacd03/1dd6e/Native-Plants-That-Will-Transform-Your-Missouri-Yard.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/3629755cd576db32532f8d2dbadacd03/67b76/Native-Plants-That-Will-Transform-Your-Missouri-Yard.webp 320w,\n/static/3629755cd576db32532f8d2dbadacd03/8df11/Native-Plants-That-Will-Transform-Your-Missouri-Yard.webp 500w,\n/static/3629755cd576db32532f8d2dbadacd03/98a65/Native-Plants-That-Will-Transform-Your-Missouri-Yard.webp 800w,\n/static/3629755cd576db32532f8d2dbadacd03/1dd6e/Native-Plants-That-Will-Transform-Your-Missouri-Yard.webp 960w,\n/static/3629755cd576db32532f8d2dbadacd03/3cc96/Native-Plants-That-Will-Transform-Your-Missouri-Yard.webp 1200w","sizes":"(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px"}}}},"yoast_meta":{"yoast_wpseo_title":"16 Native Plants That Will Transform Your Missouri Yard | Wikilawn","yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"Are you struggling with fussy plants? You can have a stunning yard without a lot of effort if you go with these 16 native plants."}}},{"node":{"id":"89b3a45d-0e55-58cf-9e53-bc52cc2ea16c","slug":"hurricane-resistant-landscaping-st-augustine","path":"/lawn-care/fl/saint-augustine/hurricane-resistant-landscaping-st-augustine/","status":"publish","template":"","format":"standard","author":{"description":"After discovering her passion for writing through her beauty blog, Melanie left her engineering job in California, became a freelance writer, and never once looked back. She loves nature and enjoys going on road trips with her husband and their two sons.","name":"Melanie Joseph","id":"f86bf815-f27c-5928-b67e-d3481c2d1e0a","path":"/author/melanie-joseph/","avatar_urls":{"wordpress_96":"https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/da91467d5e58d9fc8f1f730b09830569?s=96&d=mm&r=g"}},"categories":[{"id":"57f1b1d9-6347-5707-b4b6-65e6dd1b393d","name":"Florida","count":46,"path":"/category/lawn-care/fl/"},{"id":"205f24d4-c1e5-5728-bb28-8ba70eecbc7a","name":"Lawn Care","count":432,"path":"/category/lawn-care/"},{"id":"9b5a7cc0-52e4-5870-a456-94b94f3508cb","name":"Saint Augustine","count":3,"path":"/category/lawn-care/fl/saint-augustine/"}],"date":"May 25th, 2023","excerpt":"As hurricane season approaches, homeowners begin to prepare their homes for potential damage. While many focus on strengthening their home’s structure, they may overlook the importance of hurricane-resistant landscaping. A landscape that’s well-designed will not only add beauty to your home but also provide protection from wind and water damage during a hurricane. By using […]
\n","content":"\nAs hurricane season approaches, homeowners begin to prepare their homes for potential damage. While many focus on strengthening their home’s structure, they may overlook the importance of hurricane-resistant landscaping. A landscape that’s well-designed will not only add beauty to your home but also provide protection from wind and water damage during a hurricane.
\n\n\n\nBy using hurricane-resistant plants, designing windbreaks, and implementing proper maintenance, your landscaping can help reduce the risk of damage to your property. Here are 12 hurricane-resistant landscaping ideas for St. Augustine to help you prepare for the upcoming hurricane season.
\n\n\n\nIn this article, we’ll cover:
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nYou can follow these suggestions to make your landscape aesthetically pleasing and capable of enduring the turbulent winds and heavy rainfall that come with the hurricane season:
\n\n\n\nIf your property is situated on the waterfront, it is imperative to construct a seawall. The purpose of seawalls is to shield your home against the unrelenting pummeling of waves and avert erosion. Plus, having a seawall can help you avoid floods during storm surges.
\n\n\n\nWhen selecting a seawall for your property, you must consider various aspects, like the material to use and the associated cost. Opt for a seawall material that can endure the forces of the Atlantic Ocean, such as the following:
\n\n\n\nIf you don’t have a seawall, the shoreline will progressively erode. This, in turn, can inflict substantial damage to your waterfront property. Apart from helping you prevent flooding of your property during storms, seawalls can save you a considerable amount of money in terms of repairs. Hence, it’s crucial not to use materials that decay or corrode over time.
\n\n\n\nMaterials to avoid:
\n\n\n\nEstimated cost: The cost of building a seawall will depend on the material chosen, with costs varying between $113 to $770 per linear foot. But if you leave your property unprotected, the cost of restoring water damage can be significantly higher.
\n\n\n\nWhen preparing for a hurricane, homeowners often neglect backyard fences. Nevertheless, choosing the right type of fence appropriate for your home can have a significant impact. Remember to prioritize durability.
\n\n\n\nBenefits of hurricane-resistant fencing:
\n\n\n\nYou might think that a solid privacy fence is most effective because it can obstruct the wind. However, the absence of air circulation can cause it to give way under the force of high winds. Wooden fences, even the most robust, can be toppled over easily if there are no gaps large enough to permit the wind to flow through.
\n\n\n\nTypes of fencing to avoid:
\n\n\n\nAvoid spending a lot of money on fence replacements and repairs after a storm by investing in a fence that can resist hurricanes. Choose fences that have slats. The following are types of fencing that enable wind to move through with minimal obstruction:
\n\n\n\nEstimated Cost: Fence installation costs fluctuate depending on the material you choose, with the cost usually ranging from $8 to $46 per linear foot. Chain-link fences are typically priced between $12 and $33 per linear foot.
\n\n\n\n![\"image](\"https://wp.wikilawn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/palm-trees-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Shadowmeld Photography / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0
\n\n\n\nHaving a hurricane-resistant landscape with wind-resistant trees can be extremely helpful when a hurricane passes through. These types of trees have robust and deep roots, a lower center of gravity, and sturdy trunks, reducing the probability of being uprooted by high-speed winds. This decreases the likelihood of your trees becoming a danger to your property or community.
\n\n\n\nEach tree species has unique characteristics, and some are more susceptible to wind damage than others. Here are some of the most exceptional tree species with excellent wind resistance:
\n\n\n\nAvoid planting certain trees in areas prone to hurricane winds, as they are more susceptible to wind damage. The University of Florida IFAS Extension states that the following trees should be avoided in hurricane-prone regions like St. Augustine:
\n\n\n\nEstimated Cost: The cost of professional tree planting services can vary significantly, ranging from $22 to $3,300. The total cost will be influenced by several factors, including the type of tree species, as well as its age and size. Typically, the expenses will be lower for small saplings than for larger, more mature trees.
\n\n\n\nFor homeowners who want to maintain a healthy lawn, living near the coast presents a unique challenge due to salty coastal air that can damage plants not suited for the environment. However, choosing the right plants can help. You should select native and salt-tolerant plants that can adapt to local environmental conditions and thrive in areas with high salt content in the soil and air.
\n\n\n\nHomeowners in St. Augustine prefer native plants because they have already evolved to survive in the specific climate and soil of the region. In addition, salt-tolerant plants can withstand high levels of salt water, making them perfect for coastal gardens.
\n\n\n\nOne of the key benefits of choosing salt-tolerant and native plants is that they require less maintenance and watering, which can save time and money. They also lessen the need for pesticides, fertilizers, and other environmentally harmful chemicals.
\n\n\n\nThe University of Florida IFAS extension recommends several popular native and salt-tolerant plants for coastal landscapes, including:
\n\n\n\nGrasses:
\n\n\n\nGroundcovers and flowers:
\n\n\n\nTrees and shrubs:
\n\n\n\nVines:
\n\n\n\nThese plants not only make your coastal landscape beautiful, but they also help support local ecosystems.
\n\n\n\nEstimated Cost: The cost of planting a tree can range from a budget-friendly $90 to a more expensive $3,212. Similarly, planting a flower bed can cost anywhere from $861 to $3,100, depending on factors such as the size of the bed and the type of flowers you choose.
\n\n\n\n![\"image](\"https://www.lawnstarter.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Tree-Placement.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Matthew Paul Argall / Flickr / CC BY 2.0
\n\n\n\nCareful consideration of tree placements is crucial to prevent them from causing property damage during a storm. While trees help enhance a property’s curb appeal and provide shade, you must keep them away from structures such as buildings and power lines.
\n\n\n\nTo determine where to plant your trees, consider their size at maturity and their root systems. A tree planted too close to a home or power line may cause property damage or power outages during a storm.
\n\n\n\nKeeping trees away from structures can bring many benefits. It can reduce the risk of property damage during a storm, prevent power outages caused by falling or swaying trees, and reduce maintenance costs. Planting trees too close to power lines or your home may require more frequent pruning and maintenance, which can be time-consuming and expensive.
\n\n\n\nTo ensure safe and effective tree placement, follow these tips:
\n\n\n\nEstimated Cost: The typical cost of tree removal services ranges from $347 to $1,117 per tree. For transplanting trees, it can cost anywhere between $158 and $880.
\n\n\n\nTrees can provide functional and aesthetic benefits when planted strategically. Planting trees in clusters of five or more can improve their resilience to high winds by over 10%, making them more effective in safeguarding your property during hurricane season. Additionally, grouping five trees with diverse appearances and heights can further enhance your property’s visual appeal.
\n\n\n\nHowever, you should avoid planting trees in a straight line. The University of Florida recommends a natural and unforced arrangement for planting trees – each tree must be within 10 feet of the other. This approach can create a strong and sustainable windbreak.
\n\n\n\nBy planting trees in groups, you can enjoy many benefits beyond just the beauty they bring to your lawn. Here are a few advantages of grouping trees:
\n\n\n\nEstimated Cost: Tree prices vary greatly depending on species and size, but the usual costs range from $150 to $1,850. To lower the cost per tree or sapling, you can purchase them in bulk. Plus, installing several trees will be less expensive per tree than having a single tree installed, so consider this when planning your landscape.
\n\n\n\nCreating a backyard buffer is a great way of preventing flooding and erosion caused by hurricanes while also creating a beautiful natural environment in your backyard.
\n\n\n\nA backyard buffer or riparian buffer is made up of trees, shrubs, flowers, and mulch that work together to absorb and slow down wind and water. By preventing the full force of the storm from reaching your home, the buffer can protect your property from damage and protect waterways from overheating.
\n\n\n\nOnce established, your backyard buffer can provide many benefits, including:
\n\n\n\nTo create a backyard buffer, choose native plants that can withstand heavy rains and high winds, such as Southern live oak and bald cypress. They also have strong roots that help keep the soil in place and prevent erosion. Additionally, you can use low-maintenance shrubs like firebush and wax myrtle to create a buffer zone around your home.
\n\n\n\nWhen installing your backyard buffer, remember to consult with garden centers, local nurseries, or environmental organizations for expert advice on creating a buffer suited for St. Augustine.
\n\n\n\nEstimated Cost: There are many options for selecting plants, and prices will vary depending on the type of plant. For example, small native perennials are generally less expensive and can cost anywhere from $4 to $25 each. On the other hand, planting a tree can cost much higher, ranging from $22 to $3,300, depending on the tree species, size, and age.
\n\n\n\n![\"Brown](\"https://www.lawnstarter.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/tree-grass-light-plant-field-lawn-1359857-pxhere.com-2.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Pxhere
\n\n\n\nHurricane season can wreak havoc on your garden beds, so you should prepare them accordingly. Mulch is an essential part of maintaining a healthy garden, but remember to select the right kind to prevent damage during high winds.
\n\n\n\nOrganic, soft mulches are highly recommended for areas like St. Augustine that experience high winds. During a storm, hard and heavy mulches can become dangerous projectiles, causing damage to your property and neighboring homes.
\n\n\n\nExamples of organic, soft mulch:
\n\n\n\nUnlike hard mulches, such as pebbles, pea gravel, stones, and river rock, organic mulches remain in place better. Plus, they offer numerous benefits to plants, like providing insulation to plant roots, suppressing weed growth, and retaining moisture in the soil.
\n\n\n\nWhen selecting the type of soft mulch, avoid using any materials that may harbor disease or pests. Freshly cut grass clippings should be avoided since they can generate heat and attract harmful organisms. Also, avoid using straw or hay as they may contain weed seeds that will proliferate in your garden beds.
\n\n\n\nEstimated Cost: On average, aged wood chips are priced at approximately $70 per cubic yard, while shredded bark mulch costs around $65 per cubic yard. Alternatively, you can get fresh wood chips for free from a certified arborist or a local tree recycling center. Or you can make your own mulch by composting leaves, providing a nutrient-rich material for your garden beds.
\n\n\n\nTo protect your yard from the effects of extreme weather, you should prioritize regular maintenance. This applies not just to your garden and lawn but also to your trees.
\n\n\n\nInspecting your existing trees regularly is an important part of maintaining a healthy and resilient landscape, particularly in the months leading up to hurricane season. Damaged or diseased trees can pose a significant threat to your property and safety during extreme weather events.
\n\n\n\nDuring inspections, look for signs of damage or disease, such as yellowing leaves, dead branches, and cracks in the trunk. If you leave dying or weakened trees untouched, even mild winds can cause them to fall. So if you want to avoid more problems later on, you should address these issues immediately.
\n\n\n\nTo ensure you identify all hazardous trees on your property, consider hiring a certified arborist to inspect them. These professionals can identify hazardous trees in your yard, and you can work together to develop an effective plan for safely removing them.
\n\n\n\nTo avoid property damage caused by falling branches during a storm, it’s important to take preventive measures in your landscape. Strong winds can easily snap branches, creating a potential hazard for your property. A seemingly harmless long branch hanging over your roof could cause significant damage if it’s not removed in time.
\n\n\n\nTo prevent such scenarios, be sure to prune and trim any weak or overgrown branches on your existing trees. Regular maintenance will ensure your plants are healthy and strong, and won’t succumb to high winds during a storm. If you don’t want a broken branch to smash through a window, damage your car or cause injury, you should keep your trees in good shape.
\n\n\n\nKeeping your property safe during high winds requires more than just tree maintenance. You also should keep your lawn and garden well-maintained by regularly mowing, weeding, and removing debris. This will prevent any hazards from flying around during storms. Regularly fertilizing your lawn and garden can help ensure that your plants remain strong and healthy, and able to withstand extreme weather conditions.
\n\n\n\nEstimated Cost: Bush trimming can range from $45 to $75 per hour or $7 to $24 per bush, depending on the type of bush and the amount of work needed. Hedge trimming can cost between $56 and $85 per hour, while tree trimming costs can range from $227 to $708, depending on the size and complexity of the job.
\n\n\n\n![\"storm](\"https://lawnlove.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/rsz_6447392233_f7b09919fa_c-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Fried Dough / Flickr / Public Domain
\n\n\n\nTo prevent potential damage caused by rain, you should take precautions to ensure the proper flow of stormwater. This includes:
\n\n\n\nStanding water or puddling can be a risk to your property and weaken roots, making trees more susceptible to damage during storms. A French drain is an effective solution to prevent water from pooling in your yard. This involves installing a drainpipe that redirects water away from your home and ensures proper drainage.
\n\n\n\nEstimated Cost: Be prepared to spend anywhere from $154 to $1,059 to have your yard cleaned up. If you’ll be having a French drain installed, it can cost from $500 for a small, simple project to $18,000 for a larger or more complex installation.
\n\n\n\nIn addition to clearing debris, trimming trees, and installing drainage systems, another way of preparing your yard for an impending storm is to provide extra protection for your plants. This can be achieved by wrapping trees and large plants with burlap, which will help to reduce the impact of strong winds.
\n\n\n\nFor smaller plants, using a floating row cover and securing it to the ground with garden stakes is a good option. Although these covers may not withstand severe hurricanes, they can still provide protection and lessen the amount of damage.
\n\n\n\nEstimated Cost: Burlap comes in different sizes and prices, ranging from $7 to $180 per roll. On the other hand, floating row covers have a cost of $11 to $240 per cover, depending on their size and type.
\n\n\n\nTo ensure your lawn and plants recover quickly after a hurricane, you should be mindful of the amount of water they receive. While automatic sprinklers can be convenient during the year, they can cause further damage during a storm. Excessive water can saturate your lawn, and the plants may struggle to recover from it.
\n\n\n\nYou should turn off your water supply entirely to prevent damage from burst pipes during a storm. Once the hurricane has passed, assess the damage and adjust the watering schedule accordingly to give your plants the time they need to recover.
\n\n\n\nEstimated Cost: You don’t have to spend a dime. In fact, it can help lower your monthly water bill.
\n\n\n\nEven though St. Augustine is not as susceptible to hurricane damage as other cities, you must take the necessary precautions and be prepared before hurricane season arrives. Keeping yourself updated with weather forecasts and following storm warnings can help you minimize potential damage to your home and ensure your family’s safety.
\n\n\n\nDo the following to prepare for a hurricane:
\n\n\n\nIf you’re looking for hurricane-resistant grass options, Zoysiagrass and St. Augustinegrass are the best grass types for you.
Zoysiagrass is a warm-season turfgrass that is highly resistant to strong winds and requires minimal maintenance. Additionally, it’s an excellent choice for homes located along the First Coast due to its salt tolerance.
On the other hand, the warm-season St. Augustinegrass is native to coastal areas. It’s known for its resilience in humid and hot weather conditions, heavy foot traffic, and rough weather conditions. It’s also salt-tolerant and can be an excellent option for homeowners looking for hurricane-resistant grasses.
The Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean offer a conducive environment for hurricanes to develop and strengthen, especially during the peak of the hurricane season, which falls between mid-August and late October. But hurricane season usually begins June 1 and lasts until Nov. 30.
Like Jacksonville, St. Augustine is highly susceptible to hurricanes because of its location along the East Coast. While hurricanes can strike this area at any time, the frequency of these storms varies from year to year.
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), St. Augustine has been affected by tropical storms or hurricanes approximately every two to three years over the past century. Note, though, that this is not a fixed pattern, and some years may see more or fewer storms. You must always remain vigilant and prepared for the potential impact of these powerful storms.
As St. Augustine homeowners know all too well, hurricanes are an ever-present threat during the storm season. However, taking proactive steps to prepare for hurricanes can go a long way.
\n\n\n\nOne key aspect of hurricane preparedness is creating hurricane-resistant landscaping. By selecting the right plants, installing barriers and drainage systems, and securing loose items in your yard, you can help minimize damage to your home and ensure your family’s safety.
Don’t wait until the next storm is on the horizon to take action. Reach out to a St. Augustine landscaping professional today and create a beautiful and resilient landscape that can withstand even the toughest storms.
Main Image Credit: Wallpaperflare
\n","title":"12 Hurricane-Resistant Landscaping Ideas for St. Augustine, FL","featured_media":{"localFile":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"aspectRatio":1.5,"src":"/static/b2b7ee28e4bb2d40d522b7eb28199a91/1789c/Hurricane-affected-trees.jpg","srcSet":"/static/b2b7ee28e4bb2d40d522b7eb28199a91/107df/Hurricane-affected-trees.jpg 320w,\n/static/b2b7ee28e4bb2d40d522b7eb28199a91/293e9/Hurricane-affected-trees.jpg 500w,\n/static/b2b7ee28e4bb2d40d522b7eb28199a91/f2cbb/Hurricane-affected-trees.jpg 800w,\n/static/b2b7ee28e4bb2d40d522b7eb28199a91/1789c/Hurricane-affected-trees.jpg 960w,\n/static/b2b7ee28e4bb2d40d522b7eb28199a91/c26c2/Hurricane-affected-trees.jpg 1200w","srcWebp":"/static/b2b7ee28e4bb2d40d522b7eb28199a91/1dd6e/Hurricane-affected-trees.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/b2b7ee28e4bb2d40d522b7eb28199a91/67b76/Hurricane-affected-trees.webp 320w,\n/static/b2b7ee28e4bb2d40d522b7eb28199a91/8df11/Hurricane-affected-trees.webp 500w,\n/static/b2b7ee28e4bb2d40d522b7eb28199a91/98a65/Hurricane-affected-trees.webp 800w,\n/static/b2b7ee28e4bb2d40d522b7eb28199a91/1dd6e/Hurricane-affected-trees.webp 960w,\n/static/b2b7ee28e4bb2d40d522b7eb28199a91/3cc96/Hurricane-affected-trees.webp 1200w","sizes":"(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px"}}}},"yoast_meta":{"yoast_wpseo_title":"12 Hurricane-Resistant Landscaping Ideas for St. Augustine, FL | Wikilawn","yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"Create a beautiful landscape design that can withstand storms with these 12 hurricane-resistant landscaping ideas for St. Augustine."}}}],"postCity":{"node":{"name":"Spokane","slug":"spokane","state":{"name":"Washington","slug":"wa"},"suburbs":[{"name":"Colville","slug":"colville"},{"name":"Cheney","slug":"cheney"}],"parentCity":null}}}}}