High Impact - Low Care Plants Checklist

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The best way to reduce maintenance is to know your site. Here is what you need to know!

What Zone do we have here?

What reference Sunset? We are in Zone 4 or 5

USDA map? We are a Zone 8

What Kind of Soil?

Clay - drains poorly needs lots of organic matter (many plants intolerant of clay soil)

Sand - drains quickly, requires use of low-water-use plants.

Glacial Till - often need to build low mounds, can't dig.

How Much Sun?

Sun loving plants need sun during the heat of the afternoon between noon and 6 pm in the summer.

Shade loving plants tolerate morning sun from dawn till 11 am during the summer.

Checklist

 Purchase plants labeled for Zone 8

 Resists or tolerates insects or disease damage

 Requires infrequent pruning to maintain habit, good looks, or best blooming

 Is not invasive or overly aggressive

 Thrives without heavy fertilizers

 If perennial, requires infrequent division (remains intact four years or longer)

 If perennial, tends to be long lived (life span or five years or longer)

 Is it a low-water-use plant?

 Is it deer resistant?

How Do You Define Low-Maintenance?

Really important to make a list for your self. Example:

Lawns high or low maintenance?

Deciduous trees high or low maintenance?

Roses high or low maintenance?

Perennials high or low maintenance?