Low Maintenance High In Appeal

With less time on their hands, Americans are turning to low-maintenance landscaping options for their homes.

A mix of plants and hardscape materials can look good, add value and require a minimum of upkeep, experts say.

The Arts Council of the Valley opted for a low-maintenance approach for their new offices in the Smith House on South Main Street in Harrisonburg.

Walls, steps, pavers and synthetic turf help the look of the building and are relatively easy to care for, said Chad Layman, owner of Fine Earth LLC.

"We created an area where people can hang out," Layman says. "It’s permanent, and it’s attractive."

The arts council wanted the landscaping to be a public space that contributed to the overall streetscape, said Executive Director Robin Iten Porter.

"It’s such a transformation from the bare space in the front," Porter says. "And we wanted it to be as easy to care for as possible."

Fine Earth donated the $8,000 project to the organization.

A Longtime Trend

The low-maintenance approach to landscaping has been an industry trend since at least the early 1970s, says Jeff Miller, executive director of the Virginia Nursery and Landscape Association.

Busy families have less time for yard work, and the do-it-yourselfer is hiring professionals, Miller says.

"But people still want outdoor living space," Miller adds. "Using pavers for outdoor areas is more versatile than a lawn."

Miller has been in the industry for 27 years and owned a landscape company and garden center in Christiansburg.

Plant selection also affects how much work the landscape will require.

"The right plants may be a little more expensive, initially," Miller says. "But with less maintenance, they’ll cost less in the long run."

Synthetic turf, waterfalls and outdoor structures are part of the low-maintenance trend, Layman says.

Homeowners and business owners in places like New Mexico and Arizona that are short on water use synthetic turf extensively. And waterfalls that recirculate and filter the water avoid the chemicals and extra work of a pond, Layman adds.

Outdoor structures create living space outside the house.

"All those things give the place a distinct look," Layman says. "They add to the property value, too."