The Blog

Two words every homeowner loves to hear: 'low' and 'maintenance'. We would be lying if we told you there was such thing as a maintenance-free landscape. However, with a little research and planning you can create a gorgeous landscape that is functional, meets all your needs, and requires minimal time and yes, LOW maintenance. So, if you’re goal is to spend more time relaxing and less time working in the garden, follow these four tips on how to keep your landscape low maintenance:

ROUTE 66 COREOPSIS

Trash cans, air conditioners, chain-link fences, sometimes even your neighbor’s house -- these are just a few of the things that can interfere with the beauty of your landscape. But these eyesores don't have to be the focal point. Check out these ideas on how you can use plants and garden structures to magically make these blemishes disappear:

Add a fiesta of color to your garden with Echinacea, commonly known as Coneflower. This summer, we're so excited about the new Sombrero Series of Coneflowers offering the trendiest, sizzling hot colors of 2012. Available in two varieties ~ Salsa Red and Hot Coral~ these beauties will set your garden ablaze with the deep, intense colors of a sunset on a hot summer day!

Known for its beauty, long blooming period and hardiness, the “Tree of 100 days” is being celebrated at McDonald Garden Center’s 30th annual Crepe Myrtle Festival. In its more than a quarter-century salute to a tree that beautifies landscapes across Hampton Roads, the 2012 Crepe Myrtle Fest will be held from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, Sunday and Monday, July 21-23, at McDonald Garden Centers in Hampton, Virginia Beach and Chesapeake.