A delightful, low-maintenance landscape is ideal for rental properties in Riverdale. Tenants are more willing to keep up maintenance on a yard that doesn’t require too much work, and low-maintenance plants, shrubs, and trees will guarantee that they thrive for many years. The best low-maintenance landscape designs often minimize the use of water, utilizing a variety of strategies and techniques to achieve a look that is equally beautiful and easy to maintain.
Zeroscaping and Xeriscaping
If you’ve ever explored the American southwest, the chances are that you’ve seen varieties of both zeroscaping and xeriscape. Although it may sound similar, there is a disparity 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 some cactus thrown in. While some people find this look appealing, most prefer a little more green in their yard.
Let’s discuss xeriscape. 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 (like decorative paths or stone terraces, walls, and rock features), the emphasis is on green plants. Most xeriscape designs include small areas of lawn, together with 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 systems that supply water directly to the roots, eliminating any wasted water. Although most common in warmer places, xeriscaping can be used just about anywhere as long as you use native varieties of drought-resistant plants and trees.
Evergreens and Perennials
Few things can minimize the effort required to keep a beautiful yard like evergreens and perennials. Evergreen trees and shrubs are easy to grow, becoming a great option for rental properties. For dramatic greenery, you can also use 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 attractive plants is to decide which ones to plant in your property’s backyard.
Elements to Avoid
Creating a low-effort landscape is all about knowing what to do as it is about knowing what not to do. A lot of people consider fruit trees an attractive option, but they require far more maintenance than other types of trees. They often have very specific water requirements, need annual pruning, and usually need to be fertilized carefully to deliver the best 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 gathered from the tree, it will drop to the ground in the fall, creating a big mess. The smell of rotting fruit is not pleasant and your tenant will more likely 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 Riverdale rental property that your tenants will certainly enjoy. To learn more about what upgrades would best fit your property, contact our team at Real Property Management Northern Utah today at 801-546-1770.
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