Parade of Homes featuring the best of new homes in Manitoba, Canada
Issue link: http://publications.winnipegfreepress.com/i/1454682
>> AS MOST HOMEOWNERS will attest, 2021 wasn't a good year for our yards. Extreme heat and drought wreaked havoc on the grass and plants we had invested so much blood, sweat and tears (and more than a few dollars) in. That might explain why there's a renewed interest in xeriscaping — environmentally sustainable landscaping that incorporates drought-resistant native plants and grasses. Xeriscaping can help conserve water and save money; it can mean far less yardwork and it may even increase the value of a home. "With the recent extremes in weather that we've been having, it's just bringing it more to the forefront," says Aimee McDonald, owner of Prairie Flora Greenhouse in Treherne. "I think people are getting more and more interested in doing things that are environmentally friendly." Carla Hrycyna, president and co-owner of Winnipeg- based St. Mary's Nursery & Garden Centre, attributes the growing interest in natural landscaping in part to increased awareness of our changing climate. But she notes it's also a lifestyle consideration for people who spend part of the summer at their cottage and don't want to spend a lot of time on yard-maintainance at their primary residence. Hrycyna advises anyone who is considering ripping out part of their lawn in favour of more sustainable plants to do their homework first. That includes coming up with a new design plan for your yard, and figuring out what kind of plants and grasses will grow best based on the amount of sun and moisture they are likely to receive. "What you want to do is start with a well-planned area. Once you have your plan developed you can begin to investigate and get an idea of the plants you want to put in," she says. McDonald says homeowners who want a xeriscaped yard have to be patient. Many wildflowers and tall grasses tend to grow more slowly than turf, and it may be some time before they look their best. "Nature wasn't built in a day," she says. "When you do switch over to wildflowers and a lot of native grasses, they take time. Unlike Kentucky bluegrass or some of the annual flowers we get at our local garden centres, they've got such deep roots and they need to spend their first summer getting those roots down so they can survive the winter." While many native grasses and wildflowers are relatively low-maintenance, Hrycyna stresses that doesn't mean they are maintenance-free. Properly preparing the ground before doing any planting is a must, and regular watering and weeding for the first two to three years is essential. "If you plant it and leave it alone and don't give it that water to sustain the plant's growth then your xeriscaped yard is going to fail. You can't just plant it and forget it. Low-maintenance doesn't mean no-maintenance," she says. "I THINK PEOPLE ARE GETTING MORE AND MORE INTERESTED IN DOING THINGS THAT ARE ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY." Cont'd on page 112 Parade of Homes SPRING 2022 111