Backyard landscaping ideas for a low-maintenance home

by Pierre C. Rumpf 12/12/2022

Even for experienced gardeners, it can be easy to spend too much time keeping up with your backyard. Landscaping ideas can inspire but also inhibit - how can you find time to take care of such a stylish outdoor space?

Luckily, there are plenty of ways to create a low-maintenance landscape without it feeling lazy. With the right plant and design choices, you can even create a backyard garden that does your work for you. Here are some great tips for a low-maintenance backyard:

Drought-tolerant perennials

One of the simplest ways to cut your time spent on your garden is by reducing the amount of watering you need to do. Luckily, there are plenty of drought-tolerant plants you can introduce to your landscaping design that can go longer in between watering sessions.

To get the most out of the least amount of water and care, try planting some drought-tolerant perennials. Shrubs like butterfly bush and Russian sage are perfect for areas with full sun, where the soil will dry out more quickly.

Lawn alternatives

Another helpful backyard landscaping idea to cut back on garden maintenance is to get rid of your grass lawn. Not only will you save time and effort not having to weed, mow and water it, you’ll have the opportunity for creating interesting textures and plant combinations in the same space.

For shady patches of your yard, try planting moss. Most mosses are virtually maintenance free but create a lush, soft surface for the ground. In more sunny areas, ground cover crops like stonecrop, lamb’s ear and creeping thyme do well with a slew of backyard landscaping ideas.

Rock gardens & hardscape elements

Introducing hardscape elements like natural stone is a simple backyard landscaping idea for a low maintenance outdoor living space. Rock gardens are made up of stone and drought tolerant plants, either arranged in artistic or organic designs. Mixing a variety of different textures, colors and shapes of stone adds aesthetic appeal without adding more living things to take care of.

A stone patio or backyard fire pit are also low maintenance hardscape elements to consider. While they take more time and effort to install, they require very little upkeep and maintenance.

These are only a few low maintenance backyard landscaping ideas you can try. With the right choice of plants and decorative elements, you can make sure you work smarter rather than harder in maintaining your outdoor space.

About the Author
Author

Pierre C. Rumpf

Broker Profile: Pierre comes from a diverse background. His adolescent and early adult years found him working for his father, a renowned structural engineer, and his brother, an architectural designer and general contractor. His knowledge of construction design (architectural & structural) and practices is significant. He coupled his construction background with his considerable sales experience, by becoming licensed to sell real estate in Massachusetts in 1986.

Pierre is also a licensed Attorney in the Commonwealth, who formerly worked for the Massachusetts Attorney General’s office as a litigator in the Victim & Witness Assistance Division of the Family & Community Crimes Bureau, litigating cases involving victims of violent crime, and since then has had his own legal practice.

For decades, Pierre has excelled in helping buyers of real estate find that condo, single-family, multi-family, lot of lands, or commercial property they desire to buy, or by effectively marketing his clients’ properties to sell their property for the most amount of money possible. His professional background embodies the ideal combination of construction, sales, negotiating, and contract drafting, which is essential to actualizing his clients’ goals and/or dreams. He does all of this with attention to detail, integrity, and success.

Since 1995, PCR Realty has helped buyers and sellers make their transactions as successful as possible. Using a consultative approach, PCR Realty approaches each experience as a unique opportunity for its clients. As a full-service real estate brokerage firm, PCR Realty provides leading-edge services for buyers & sellers.

When it comes to successfully navigating today’s complex real estate market, you need to work with someone who has the experience and commitment to see it done right. PCR Realty excels at matching buyers to sellers. From state-of-the-art marketing to an experienced broker, PCR Realty works diligently to far exceed your expectations. PCR Realty invites you to learn more.