revamping my garden should i go all grass or pebbles and the odd fancy flag. I need easy maintenance?

Answer 1

I take it by "flag" you mean paving stone?
There was a garden down the road like this - I loved it. Basically consisted of pebbles in some squares, plants in the others, paving slabs in the others. No grass. Lawn is never low maintenance. The plants in this garden flowered throughout the year, too, so you always had some flowers. I really loved it was was heartbroken when they moved and it was paved under.
Why don't you pop down to the library and look at garden design books?
Added note: They also had some lovely pots which they kept filled with bulbs, like daffodils and lillies.

Answer 2

Well....of course it is personal preference, but although I love the look and feel and smell of a real lawn, they are very hard work to maintain. As you say you need low maintenance, I would avoid a lawn. I think if you are going to have a lawn it should look lush and green, and unless you have no children and no pets (or neighbourhood moles) it is difficult. The UK hosepipe bans and above mentioned visitors have made my lawn look like a cross between the England Rugby Pitch and a bald punk rocker.

A ow maintanance garden can be lovely. I would go for the Japanese look. If you can afford it, have it landscaped by a professional. If not, make it as flat as possible and pave it or use decking. (Pebbles look pretty but when the leaves fall it can be fiddly keeping it clear)

Have easy maintenance plants in pots - cordilines (like palm trees) if you have the space (they grow big)

The Japanese Maple is a divine plant - and easy to grow if kept out of the sun. Place in a light but shady spot in a beautiful pot. Buy a tiny one if the larger ones are too expensive.

Then you can add personal touches - neat idea about the flag - would like to know more?

Add a water feature for the serene look and the sound, and some garden lighting, and a comfy seat.

Great question - let us know what you do!

Answer 3

Easy maintenance should EXclude stone or pebble mulch. Labor intensive laying it down because of the weight and keeping the stone clean looking later on. Weeding in stone is a major pain in the knuckles! Lay down 7 to 9 layers of newspaper and mulch with shredded wood - comes in a variety of textures and colors. All grass means mowing, don't know about the fancy flag you mention. Depends on what you consider easy maintenance. good luck.

Answer 4

What I've done for my yard is remove all my grass-I got a grass cutter from the rental place down the street, then I put down big pieces of cardboard, then I put down a big layer of wood chips (don't confuse these with beauty bark these are from any tree arborist and they are generally free). I've gotten creative over the years and put plants ever so often in the dirt. Generally after the first or second year the cardboard has disintegrated enough to get your shovel thru, just remember not to get any of the wood chips in the dirt you use to plant the plants in or it might harm them.

Answer 5

Depends on whether you want high or low maintenance my preference would be low so I would go with the pebbles, personally I,m all slabs great for sunbathing (when we get the sun)

Answer 6

i agree with a Japaneses stly garden with a pebble water pool and japanese acers with ther lovely raggy leaves they come in red or green and can be put in great pots also great in pots are hostas but watch the slugs

Answer 7

Easy doesn't come without initial effort.

Think Japanese and you can't go much wrong.

White/grey pebbles with stylistic ornaments and a few 'stunning' plants.

It's as easy as that.

Answer 8

why not put mulch down it looks good an d stops weeds