Landscaping Plants: Everything You Need To Know

Landscaping plants are a great way to add beauty and value to your home. They create an atmosphere that soothes the soul and provides a haven for you and your family. This blog will cover everything you need to know about landscaping plants.

From understanding what they are and their types to how much they cost and how to choose the right ones for your landscape. We'll also share some low-maintenance landscaping plants that can make your life easier while adding beauty to your surroundings.

What are Landscaping Plants?

Landscaping plants are specifically selected and arranged for outdoor landscaping, such as gardens, parks, or other outdoor spaces. These plants are chosen for their aesthetic qualities and ability to thrive in a particular environment or climate.

Landscaping plants can include many species, from flowering shrubs and trees to ground cover plants and ornamental grasses. They may be chosen for their color, texture, form, or fragrance and can be used to create various effects in a landscape, such as adding height or depth, creating focal points, or providing shade or privacy.

Types of Landscaping Plants

When it comes to landscaping plants, there are various types to consider based on your design goals and maintenance preferences. Flowering plants can add a pop of color to your garden but may require more attention than evergreen plants, which provide year-round foliage.

Shrubs are versatile and can be used as focal points or privacy hedges, while trees offer shade and structure. Groundcovers are a low-maintenance option for filling gaps or serving as a border.

By considering the features and benefits of each type of plant, you can create a landscape that suits your style and needs.

Shrubs

Shrubs are essential to any landscape design, adding structure, texture, and interest to your garden. Deciduous or evergreen, small or large, shrubs come in various shapes and sizes, making them a versatile choice for any landscaping project.

When selecting shrubs for your garden, consider factors such as sun exposure, soil type, and water requirements to ensure they thrive in their new home. Popular types of shrubs include azaleas for their vibrant blooms, hydrangeas for their dramatic flowers and foliage, and boxwoods for their year-round greenery.

Annuals

Like perennial plants, annuals are an excellent choice for adding color to landscaping. However, unlike perennials, annuals complete their life cycle in one growing season.

This means that they need to be replanted each year, but it also gives you the opportunity to experiment with different plants and colors. Some popular annuals include petunias, marigolds, and impatiens.

Just remember that annuals require regular fertilization and watering to thrive throughout the growing season.

Perennials

Perennials are perhaps the most popular landscaping plants because of their ability to bloom year after year, making them a sustainable investment. These plants come in a wide range of colors and sizes, allowing for endless possibilities when it comes to landscape design.

To ensure success with perennials, choosing varieties well-suited for your local climate and soil conditions is essential.

Ornamental Grass

Ornamental grass is an excellent option for low-maintenance landscaping, adding texture and movement to any yard without much upkeep. These versatile plants come in various sizes, colors, and textures to fit any design style.

They're drought-tolerant and can thrive in many different soil types, making them a simple yet effective way to add interest to your landscape design.

How much do Landscaping Plants cost?

The cost of landscaping plants can vary widely depending on several factors, such as the plant species, the plant size, and the quantity needed for the project.

For example, some common landscaping plants such as shrubs, perennials, and small trees can range in cost from $10 to $50 per plant, while larger trees or more exotic species can cost several hundred dollars or more.

How to Choose the Right Plants for Your Landscape?

Considering plant size, shape, and growth habits

One of the most important factors to consider when selecting landscaping planters is their size, shape, and growth habits. Choosing plants that are too large or grow too quickly can lead to problems down the line, such as overcrowding or damage to nearby structures.

Selecting landscaping plants for function and purpose is essential for creating a beautiful and functional landscape. Consider the specific needs of your space, such as adding privacy or attracting pollinators, before selecting plants.

For example, choose tall shrubs or trees with dense foliage to create a privacy screen or select plants with bright flowers that bloom throughout the season to attract pollinators. Additionally, be sure to consider the maintenance requirements of each plant before making your final decision.

Choosing plants for color, texture, and interest

When selecting landscaping plants, it's important to consider their visual impact on your landscape. Choosing plants for color, texture, and interest can help create a visually appealing and dynamic space.

Colorful plants like petunias and marigolds can add bursts of color, while the soft lavender hues of Russian sage add a calming effect. While some require less pruning or watering than others, they may not provide the same visual impact as those which require more upkeep.

Consider low-maintenance options if you need moreprovide a different visual impact than time but want to achieve a beautiful landscape design.

Low-Maintenance Landscaping Plants

When it comes to landscaping, low-maintenance plants are a popular choice for those who want to keep their gardens looking great without spending a lot of time and effort on upkeep. One way to achieve this is by selecting well-suited plants for your local climate and soil type.

Native plants or drought-tolerant species, such as boxwood shrubs, black-eyed Susans, creeping sedum, hostas, daylilies, and fescue, are excellent choices as they need minimal watering and fertilization.

Additionally, groundcovers and perennials often require less upkeep than annuals, making them a good option for minimizing maintenance needs.

Boxwood Shrubs

Boxwood shrubs are a versatile and low-maintenance option for landscaping the best plants. These evergreen shrubs require minimal watering and pruning, making them an excellent choice for busy homeowners who want a beautiful yard without much upkeep.

Boxwoods can be shaped into hedges or topiaries, left in their natural form, or used as a foundation planting. They thrive in partial sunlight and partial shade areas and can tolerate various growing conditions.

Black-eyed Susans

Black-eyed Susans are a popular choice for low-maintenance landscaping due to their hardiness and ability to thrive in various soil types. These plants produce bright yellow or orange flowers that bloom from early summer to early fall, adding stunning color to your landscape.

Not only are they drought-resistant, but Black-eyed Susans require minimal watering, pruning, and fertilizing, making them a hassle-free option for the busy gardener.

With their versatility and little care, Black-eyed Susans are an excellent choice for any landscaper looking to add beautiful color without the added maintenance.

Creeping Sedum

Creeping Sedum is a versatile, low-maintenance landscaping plant that makes a great addition to any garden. This ground-covering plant spreads quickly and creates a dense mat of foliage, making it an ideal choice for filling gaps between larger plants or edging along walkways or borders.

Creeping Sedum also produces small, star-shaped flowers that bloom in the late summer and attract pollinators like bees and butterflies to your garden. Its hardiness tolerates various soil conditions and requires minimal watering, making it an excellent choice for conserving water.

Hostas

Hostas are a versatile and low-maintenance option for any landscape design. They thrive in shady areas and come in various sizes, colors, and leaf shapes. With minimal care and attention required, hostas are perfect for busy homeowners or those with limited gardening experience.

These plants can also act as ground cover, helping to prevent erosion and weed growth. Hosta can add interest to any landscape design when planted in containers or borders.

Daylilies

Daylilies are a versatile and easy-to-grow landscaping plant, making them a popular choice for homeowners who want to add color and texture to their outdoor space.

With minimal care required, daylilies are drought-tolerant and can thrive in various soil types and light conditions. These plants come in various colors and sizes, providing endless options for adding interest to a landscape design.

Whether planted as borders or used as groundcovers, daylilies are an excellent addition to any landscape design.

Fescue

Fescue is a low-maintenance, drought-tolerant grass that is an excellent choice for homeowners looking to add greenery to their landscape with minimal effort.

Fescue's deep root system helps it survive extreme temperatures and stay green throughout the year, making it ideal for regions with low rainfall. Its ability to thrive without frequent mowing or fertilization also makes it perfect for busy homeowners or those with limited gardening experience.

Adding Color to Your Landscape with Landscaping Plants

Sweet Pea

Introducing vibrant colors to your landscape can be challenging, but incorporating Sweet peas plants is an excellent solution. These popular flowering plants come in shades of pink, purple, red, and white, adding a delightful pop of color to any area.

Sweet Peas thrive in cool weather and require well-drained soil and full sun exposure for optimal growth. Their versatility and bright hues make them a great addition to any landscaping design.

Lavender

Lavender is a versatile landscaping plant offering much more than its aesthetic appeal. With its beautiful color and fragrance, lavender can add a fresh burst of life to any landscape.

It requires minimal maintenance, making it an ideal choice for those looking for a low-maintenance plant. Lavender also has medicinal properties and can be used for aromatherapy or cooking. However, regular pruning and proper watering are crucial to ensure optimal growth and health.

Sunflower

Sunflowers are popular for adding color and vibrancy to any landscape design. These bright, cheerful flowers bring joy to the eye and attract pollinators like bees and butterflies.

Sunflowers are incredibly easy to grow and require minimal maintenance, making them ideal for novice gardeners or those with busy schedules. They prefer full sun exposure and well-draining soil, so plant them in an area with plenty of sunlight.

Coreopsis

Adding pops of color to your landscape design is essential, and Coreopsis can help achieve that. This low-maintenance landscaping plant produces gorgeous bursts of color in shades of yellow, orange, pink, and red, which can enhance the beauty of any garden.

Aside from its aesthetic value, Coreopsis attracts pollinators such as butterflies and bees to your garden, making it an eco-friendly option for your landscape design. It requires minimal watering and fertilization and can thrive in various soil types.

Designing with Landscaping Plants

Planting arrangements and groupings

When landscaping plants, planting arrangements, and groupings can make all the difference in creating an aesthetically pleasing outdoor space.

Grouping plants based on their water and sunlight needs can simplify maintenance, while varying plant heights and textures can add visual interest. Consider using odd numbers of plants in groupings for a more natural appearance.

Creating focal points and accents

Creating focal points and accents is crucial to maintaining a balanced and cohesive look when designing your landscaping. Focal points are the main features of your landscape that draw the eye, such as a striking tree or water feature.

Accents are smaller features that complement the focal points and add depth to your design, such as decorative plants or sculptures.  Consider using plants with interesting foliage or blooms to make your focal points stand out even more. Grouping plants with similar needs together can also simplify maintenance.

Adding interest with texture and color

Plants can add interest to your landscaping design by incorporating different textures and colors. The easiest way to add texture to your garden is through leaves, which come in various shapes, sizes, and patterns.

Meanwhile, using plants with vibrant blooms in contrasting hues can add a pop of color to any landscape design. For example, pairing yellow flowers with blue ones can create an energetic dynamic, while blending blue and green foliage can give a calming effect.

Creating a cohesive and balanced design

When it comes to designing a landscape, creating a cohesive and balanced aesthetic is crucial. One way to achieve this is by selecting plants that complement each other in terms of color, texture, and height.

Grouping plants with similar needs together can also make maintenance easier. Another helpful tip is to incorporate different types of plants, such as shrubs, flowers, and trees, which can add variety and interest to the design.

Maintaining Your Landscaping Plants

Maintaining your landscaping plants is crucial to keep them healthy and thriving. Regular watering and fertilizing can go a long way in maintaining the health of your plants. It is important to prune and shape your plants to control their growth and keep them in good shape.

Pest and disease management is equally important as it can prevent plant damage. Additionally, seasonal maintenance, like mulching, can aid in moisture retention and weed prevention.

Watering and fertilizing

Proper watering and fertilizing are critical components of maintaining healthy landscaping plants. Just like humans need water and nutrients to thrive, plants require an adequate supply of both to grow and flourish.

Deep watering is essential as it encourages roots to grow deeper into the soil, helping plants to become more drought-tolerant. It's important to fertilize your plants with the appropriate nutrients based on their specific needs.

However, over-fertilization can damage or even kill your plants, so following instructions is essential.

Pruning and shaping

Regular pruning and shaping of landscaping plants are crucial for their health and aesthetic appeal. Pruning involves removing dead or damaged branches and shaping the plant to encourage healthy growth.

It's important to use the right tools, such as pruning shears or loppers, and make clean cuts to prevent damage to the plant. Regular pruning can also help control the size of the plant and prevent it from becoming overgrown.

Consulting with a professional landscaper can be helpful in determining the best pruning schedule and technique for each type of plant.

Controlling pests and diseases

Pests and diseases can be a significant problem for landscaping plants, affecting their growth and ultimately damaging their appearance. Fortunately, there are several steps you can take to control these issues.

Regular inspection of your plants is crucial to identify potential problems early on. By maintaining good wet soil management practices and proper watering techniques, you can also help prevent the development of pests and diseases.

Seasonal maintenance

Maintaining your landscaping plants throughout the year is crucial to their overall health and appearance. Each season brings different maintenance tasks, which should be addressed to keep your plants thriving.

It's important to prune any dead or damaged branches in the late spring to encourage new growth. In the midsummer, you'll want to monitor for pests and diseases and provide adequate water and full shade.

As fall approaches, prepare your plants for winter interest by removing any dead foliage and adding mulch around their base.

Pros & Cons of Landscaping Plants

Pros

Integrating landscaping plants on your property has several advantages that can significantly impact your outdoor space. First, it enhances the aesthetic appeal of your property and increases its overall value.

Additionally, having plants in your landscape design can create an eco-friendly environment by improving air quality and reducing erosion. Apart from their beauty, landscaping plants can also serve various purposes, such as providing shade or attracting pollinators.

Native plants are an excellent option to consider since they require low maintenance, reduce the need for pesticides, and provide a habitat for local wildlife. Therefore, incorporating landscaping plants in your outdoor space is a wise investment that offers numerous benefits.

Cons

While landscaping plants can provide numerous benefits, there are also some potential downsides to consider. One of the most significant drawbacks is that landscaping plants require regular maintenance, such as watering, pruning, and fertilizing.

This can be time-consuming and may add to the overall cost of your landscape design. Additionally, some plants may attract pests or diseases that can spread to other vegetation in your garden beds, requiring additional treatment or removal.

Bottom Line

Landscaping plants add tremendous value to your home and lifestyle. They not only enhance the beauty of your space but also contribute to its functionality and overall appeal. However, choosing the right plants for your landscape can be overwhelming and confusing.

Before designing your landscape, understand the types of landscaping plants available, their costs, and maintenance requirements. Choose low-maintenance plants that suit the site's environment and function while adding color and texture to your landscape design.

Remember to assess your landscape regularly to ensure proper watering, pruning, and control of pests and diseases. Contact our experts today if you want to know more about landscaping plants or need help designing and maintaining your landscape! For more information and such articles, visit our website, ArkaEnergy.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the cheapest Landscaping Plants?

Landscaping plants can vary widely in cost, with some species and varieties being more affordable than others. Some of the cheapest options for landscaping include daylilies, coneflowers, pink flowers, rosemary, hostas, zinnias, lilac, marigolds, and native wildflowers.

These foundation plantings are generally easy to care for and come in various colors and sizes, making them a great choice for adding color and texture to a landscape on a budget.

What outdoor plants stay alive all year?

Evergreens are popular for year-round greenery, as they retain their foliage all year. Deciduous shrubs like winterberry and witch hazel can add color to a winter landscape with their showy blue flowers or berries.

Ornamental grasses and sedum are great options for year-round interest, adding texture and movement to the landscape. Pansies are a popular choice for winter color, able to withstand cold temperatures and even light snow.

What is a good alternative for Landscaping Plants?

If you're looking for alternatives to traditional landscaping plants, consider succulents, which are great for dry climates. Native grasses and wildflowers can also be used to create a natural and low-maintenance landscape.

Ornamental shrubs like boxwood or holly can provide year-round interest and structure to your landscape. If you don't have the time or resources to maintain live plants, consider using artificial plants for low-maintenance landscaping. There are many options available that look just as good as the real thing.

How can I use artificial Landscaping Plants to landscape my yard?

Artificial landscaping plants can be used in many ways to enhance the aesthetics of your yard. Use them to create privacy screens, add color and texture to your landscape, or as low-maintenance alternatives to live plants. When selecting artificial plants, choose high-quality ones that are realistic and durable.