Gallery: Low Maintenance Gardens
New Zealand Flax
Phormium tenax
New Zealand Flax is a large, bold plant with stiffly vertical, sword-like, green leaves that arise from its base. It should be grown under full sun for best color. Varieties will offer different growth habits and leaf color.
Ribbonleaf Japanese Maple
Acer palmatum 'Atropurpureum'
This Japanese Maple grows as a small, deciduous tree complete with palmate leaves that turn red and endure for the entire season.
Monarch Blanketflower
Gaillardia grandiflora 'Monarch'
Gaillardia gra. 'Monarch' is a perennial. Grows to 2-4 ft. high, 1.5 ft. wide, with roughish gray-green foliage and single or double flowers 3-4 in. across. Exceptionally long bloom.
Amazing Red Flax
Phormium 'Amazing Red'
Phormium 'Amazing Red' is an evergreen perennial. Big, dramatic plant composed of many swordlike, stiffly vertical leaves in a fan pattern. Flowers stems reach high above leaves, bearing clusters of 1-2 in. blossoms in red.
Note
Mulched open spaces.
Select a marker on the photo to see plant details.
Flax and Companions
Photographer: GardenSoft
Soils and Compost
Maintain a two to four inch layer of mulch on the soil surface to reduce weeds, infiltrate rain water, and reduce compaction.
Water Saving Tip
Different areas of your landscape have different water requirements.
Shrubs need much less water than lawns and drip systems should never be scheduled on the same program with lawns.
Establish separate watering schedules for those areas.
Integrated Pest Management
Attract, or buy beneficial insects such as ladybugs and lacewings to control pest outbreaks in your garden.