Side Yard
Steel edging is a very common landscape option, but depending upon your choice of color, it can make very different statements. Black steel edging looks more formal; green and brown are more traditional; and unpainted (which starts out a gray color and weathers to a rusty patina) lends itself to more modern and contemporary gardens. It also comes in a range of thicknesses, with the thicker material being more expensive (and more durable) than the thinner edging. Cost: $2.50 to $4.50 per linear foot. Advantages: Steel is readily available at home improvement stores, landscape supply yards and some nurseries and is relatively inexpensive, depending upon the thickness of the material. It's fairly easy to install, a good DIY homeowner project for those with basic skills and attention to detail. Disadvantages: The thinner and less expensive material can rust and break down more quickly than the thicker edging, but even so, it's good for about eight to 10 years or more. Special considerations: Steel edging can be powder coated to have a color like brown, green or black, or left unpainted for a natural steel color. The unpainted steel will develop a rusty patina over time
Proper plant selection will eliminate mowing, reduce water consumption and drastically reduce the need to fertilize — saving you time and money. Choose a plant with multiseason interest: flowers, colorful foliage, winter texture. Some ground covers will tolerate a small amount of foot traffic, too. Creeping lilyturf (Liriope spp, zones 5 to 9), shown here, has a lush, grass-like look and is also evergreen. Additional choices — depending on your garden's growing conditions — might include periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus, zones 4 to 9), creeping thyme (Thymus praecox, zones 4 to 9) or snow-in-summer (Cerastium tomentosum, zones 3 to 9).
Creeping thyme (Thymus serpyllum), USDA zones 4-8. This is a plant that does well in full sun, so place it in a hot, sunny path. Like the thyme you're used to using in cooking, it has rounded leaves and a wonderful fragrance. But unlike its counterpart, creeping thyme grows nice and low to the ground (usually not more than 2 centimeters tall), and is extremely tough. It will grow in very difficult soils and can handle inconsistent watering.
Irish or Scotch Moss (Sagina subulata), USDA zones 4-8. Irish (also called Scotch) moss isn't really a moss, though it looks like one. It presents a very tight, dense group of small, soft leaves with a sponge-like look. Irish moss grows extremely quickly and isn't very particular about soil, but it does do better in slightly shady areas.
Raise those planters. Add more vertical cover (and much-needed color) by securing planters on top of a low concrete or brick wall.
curved retaining wall
The low-profile perennials and herbs planted in between the stones not only stand up to hot and dry conditions and light foot traffic, but the thyme releases a fresh scent when stepped upon.
Mini rain gardens can be situated at the low side of a yard to filter excess runoff from the lawn.
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