Gardening has many benefits, from exposing you to vitamin D, improving your mood, and reducing stress to lowering the risk of many common diseases. However, enjoying the perks of this relaxing hobby is a bit more difficult if maintaining your garden turns into a full-time job. Your location and the plants you choose can either make or break your attempts at spending an enjoyable time outside. Because of this, opting for low-maintenance plants for your Seattle garden is essential.
Get to know your yard
Before you rush off to a nursery with a list of plants, you might want to get to know a thing or two about your outdoor space.
Let's start with the obvious - Seattle has a temperate climate. The winters are cold and wet, while the summers are warm and dry. Seattle gets a lot of rain, which is also important to mention as you can use this to your advantage by making a rain garden. These kinds of gardens are designed to collect rainwater and runoff, thus minimizing the maintenance and your water bill.
However, even though the climate is the same in each part of the city, that doesn't mean that the same plants will be able to thrive in all backyards. When choosing suitable plants for your garden, you must consider the size, amount of sun and rain it gets, the type of soil, etc.
Only once you know what kind of conditions you can provide for your future seedlings will you be able to choose the best low-maintenance plants for your Seattle garden. If you still haven't found your ideal home in the Emerald City, make sure to let your real estate agent know that a good garden or outdoor space is one of your priorities.
Trees and shrubs
Trees and shrubs are ideal choices for low-maintenance gardens. Once they are settled in and established, they require very little to no care. If you choose the right species for your backyard, you will be able to enjoy the shade, greenery, and maybe even fruits for many years to come.
Evergreens
Seattle has earned its nickname the Emerald City because of the stunning evergreen trees surrounding it and giving it life all year round. Because of this, it shouldn't be difficult to understand why they are the first on this list. Seattle provides excellent conditions for evergreens, so you shouldn't think twice about getting a few trees and shrubs for your garden. If their size worries you, know that there are many different kinds, so you will surely find something that fits into your backyard. Here are a few good options:
· Western Red Cedar - A durable and weather-resistant plant that will give plenty of shade and charm to your garden. This tree can reach up to 150 feet; therefore, it's probably not the best choice for small backyards.
· Douglas Fir - Another gentle giant that will elevate the look of your garden.
· Sprinter Boxwood - Grows well in containers and is perfect for creating privacy with hedges. This shrub grows up to 4 feet tall, and you can shape it according to your liking.
· Wintercreeper - An evergreen vine that can add variety to any outdoor space. It grows well both in full sun and shade, so you won't have to worry too much about positioning it in the right spot.
Fruit trees
What's a garden without a few fruit trees? If you want to grow a snack in your backyard without a lot of fuss, consider planting apple, pear, plum, apricot, or peach trees. Once the trees are established, your only task will be to pick the fruits when ripe and enjoy them.
Seattle natives
Wherever you live, you can never go wrong with native plants if your goal is to create a low-maintenance garden. Native plants are used to the conditions, so you won't have to spend much time caring for them. Luckily, Seattle has a lot to offer.
Flowers
If you want to add some color to your garden, you might want to opt for Black-eyed Susans, Coneflowers, or Begonias. These cheerful garden jewels bloom several months of the year, and they tolerate both the sun and shade. They also attract bees, which are the best compliment any garden can get.
Perennials
A low-maintenance garden can't do without a few perennials. These plants go through a dormant period during the winter, but they come back stronger than ever when the season is according to their liking.
· Bleeding Heart - prefers shady spots, and is not drought tolerant, so don't forget to water it when needed;
· Red Valerian - blooms from early summer to late fall, and attracts butterflies! It does best in full sun and is drought-tolerant;
· Milky Bellflower - easy to grow, since it is disease and pest-free. Thrives in full sun but can also tolerate partial shade.
Ferns
If your Seattle garden doesn't get much sunshine, don't despair. You can still create a low-maintenance home jungle with ferns. Ferns are pest-resistant, drought-tolerant, and don't mind a bit of neglect. Washington state is home to many different kinds of ferns, so you probably won't go wrong no matter which you choose.
Maidenhair, Sword, Lady, Oak, and Deer fern are all Seattle natives. They are easy to care for and won't require much of your attention. You can plant them in pots or directly into the soil.
Final thoughts
Spring is the ideal time for moving to a new home and starting a garden. However, if you want to prepare for relocation and settling down in Seattle, you have to devise a good plan. By doing this, your long-distance relocation will be less tiring, and you will have more time and energy to find the best low-maintenance plants for your Seattle garden. Therefore, besides hiring a reliable real estate agent, you might want to hire a good moving company as well. With the right assistance, you will be wearing your gardening gloves in no time!
Photos used:
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