Plant a Low Maintenance Garden To increase Your Property Value in Upstate SC
Perhaps you’re trying to keep up with the Joneses or prepare your house for the market, or maybe you’re finally ready to take on that home improvement to-do list you’ve been avoiding. Either way, there are some simple ways to increase appeal and value while minimizing maintenance. You could increase the amount of hardscaping in your yard to cut down on the amount of grass that needs watering and mowing. You could also install a few rock gardens. But one of the best ways to boost curb appeal is by installing native plants. Beautiful foliage mixed with environmental benefits and reduced maintenance is a winning combination. To get you started, here’s a short list of plants ideal for the Greenville area:
Perennials
Asters
Asters are easy to care for and a lovely addition to a DIY floral arrangement. The blue, purple, white, and pink blooms appear throughout spring, summer, and fall.
Butterfly milkweed
Known for bright colors and clusters of small flowers, milkweeds are popular across the country. This variety boasts orange blooms throughout summer and fall and is known to
attract monarch butterflies.
Black-eyed Susans
These yellow beauties are common in much of the United States. The stunning color will appear from June to September, inviting butterflies along for the show. One thing to note is that black-eyed Susans are territorial and will choke out nearby flowers.
Shrubs & Ferns
Inkberry holly
An evergreen needing minimal care, inkberry holly is resistant to hungry deer. This mounding plant grows about 2 to 3-feet high and wide, making it great for borders.
Hydrangea
There are many varieties of hydrangea, and both smooth and oak leaf grow well in Greenville. Voluminous flowers burst in shades of whites and purples, providing year- round, showy interest.
Southern Shield Fern
As seen here, southern shield ferns are great for covering large areas. They grow an average of 2- to 3-feet high and wide, delivering a bright green backdrop. Best of all, this variety of fern is deer, insect, and disease resistant.
Ostrich fern
Another green stunner is the ostrich fern. Unlike many other varieties, this fern grows vertically. A mature plant will reach heights between 3 and 6-feet. Neither deer nor rabbits are particularly fond of these fronds, which resemble ostrich feathers.
Trees
Palmetto
For a regal look native to the area, you can’t go wrong with palmettos. Both traditional and dwarf varieties do well here. Decorated with wide, white blooms, dwarf palmettos grow between 5- and 10-feet high.
Red Maple
Patience is certainly a virtue when installing new arbors. But red maples are worth the wait. Once established, this deciduous plant is easy to care for and delivers bright colors and enchanting whirlybirds. Consider the following cultivars: autumn flare, autumn blaze, October glory, red sunset, and summer red.
Southern Magnolia
Magnolias are the iconic southern tree, and no home here is complete without at least one. Southern magnolias produce large, aromatic flowers in spring and summer and are very easy to care for.
While all these plants are native to the Upstate, it’s important to note that the conditions in our neighborhoods aren’t exactly what Mother Nature intended. Extra work on the front end will help you establish a beautiful space that requires less work later on. Check the soil’s composition and pH, drainage ability, and the amount of sun exposure. Whether you want to be the star of the neighborhood or bring buyers to your front door, native landscaping is a great starting point. You’ll reduce the need for irrigation, pest control, and fertilizers while also supporting our local biodiversity. Regardless of your motivation, getting back to the Upstate’s roots is a great way to care for your Greenville property.
Barb Ambrose is a home stager and landscape design writer. She loves entertaining and playing in her backyard, but she despises yard work. She recently expanded her patio and added an outdoor kitchen, so she has less grass to mow.
