A magnificent, low maintenance landscape is ideal for rental properties in Mars. Tenants prefer to do maintenance on a yard that doesn’t require too much work, and low maintenance plants, shrubs, and trees will make sure that they thrive for many years. The best low maintenance landscape designs usually minimize the use of water, using a variety of strategies and techniques to achieve a look that is something beautiful and easy to maintain.
Zeroscaping and Xeriscaping
If you’ve ever come to visit the American southwest, the chances are that you’ve seen varieties of both zeroscaping and xeriscape. Although they may sound similar, there is a contrast between the two of them. Zeroscaping refers to landscaping that uses virtually no water. The most common options are decorative rocks and gravel, with maybe put in some cactus. Though some people find this look appealing, most prefer a little bit more green in their yard.
That is the time where xeriscape takes action. Xeriscaping is a landscape design technique that uses drought-resistant plants to create a vibrant, green yard with minimal water use. While xeriscape may incorporate elements of hardscaping (including decorative paths or stone terraces, walls, and rock features), the emphasis is on green plants. Most xeriscape designs include small areas of lawn, and also drought-tolerant flowers and flowering shrubs. In warm climates, these flowering plants often produce colorful blooms all year long. The plants are supported by drip systemsthat supply water directly to the roots, eliminating any wasted water. While most prevalent in warm situations, xeriscaping can be used just about anywhere as long as you use native varieties of drought-resistant plants and trees.
Evergreens and Perennials
A couple of factors can minimize the effort required to keep a beautiful yard as evergreens and perennials. Evergreen trees and shrubs are easy to grow, making them a great option for rental properties. For dramatic greenery, you could even utilize several different kinds of evergreens in a yard or planter bed. Perennials are another easy-care part of a low maintenance yard. Perennials are flowers that return on their own every year, such as peony, hydrangea, and lavender. The only effort required to enjoy these lovely plants is to decide which ones to plant in your property’s flower beds.
Elements to Avoid
Creating a low-effort landscape is more about knowing what to do as it is about knowing what not to do. Some may find fruit trees as an attractive option, but the reality is, they require far more maintenance than other types of trees. They often have very specific water requirements, need annual pruning, and always need to be fertilized carefully to bring top quality fruit. When the fruit does grow, it often attracts birds, insects, and rodents, none of which your tenants will enjoy. Unless treated with pesticides, the fruit is often inedible, and unless picked from the tree, it will drop to the ground in the fall, creating a big mess. The smell of rotting fruit isn’t lovely, and your tenant will probably be unhappy about picking it up and disposing of it every year.
By learning about different easy-care landscaping techniques – and what not to do – you can create a beautiful, low maintenance landscape for your Mars rental property that your tenants will undoubtedly enjoy. To learn more about what upgrades would best fit your property, contact our team at Real Property Management Three Rivers today at 724-804-8254.
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