>> There's a decidedly grass-is-greener
appeal to low-maintenance landscaping,
the less-is-more spin on gardening and lawn
care that favours scaled-back strategies
over all that time-consuming tending and
nurturing.
But there's an important distinction
between low- and no-maintenance. Even
the most self-sustaining shortcuts still
require a modicum of time and effort.
"If you plant something, but then you don't
water it and care for it and get it properly
established, it's not going to do anything
for you," says Carla Hrycyna, president and
co-owner of St. Mary's Nursery and Garden
Centre.
"It's like building the foundation of a home.
You have to have a strong foundation in
order for it to support itself."
That holds true even for easy-care options such
as ornamentals. But once properly established,
stately feather reed, vibrant flame, and bold
panic and switch grasses provide a largely
drought-tolerant alternative to fussy annuals
and traditional lawns.
Even more resistant to dry conditions are
"hardscaping" elements such as rocks and
pavings, which add visual texture while
eliminating the need for mowing.
Cont'd on page 56
IT'S LIKE BUILDING THE
FOUNDATION OF A HOME.
YOU HAVE TO HAVE A STRONG
FOUNDATION IN ORDER FOR IT
TO SUPPORT ITSELF.
Parade of Homes Spring 2019 55
