If it’s always raining in your region, you might think that you need to spend more for your landscaping to work. The task will be challenging — from choosing the right elements to growing the right plants — but nothing is impossible in turning your property into an attractive landscape, rain or shine.
But even if the decision is easy to make, the task might still be too difficult for one person to accomplish. Call a trusted landscape design contractor in Salt Lake City or wherever you live to help you make more sound decisions for your rain-prone lot. Plus, here are some suggestions you can do.
Plant resilient, thirsty trees
Planting resilient, thirsty trees doesn’t only hold the soil firmly in place with their wide network of roots, but they also reduce the amount of water with much less yard space. When planted right, these trees can brighten up the landscape.
Bald cypress, swamp white oak, and American sycamore are some thirsty trees that provide good shade, as well.
Invest in water-loving plants
On the ground, water-greedy shrubs and rhubarbs also do the trick. Depending on these plants’ maximum heights, you can try layering these to cover soggy spots and puddle-prone areas in your landscape.
You’re looking at arrowwood shrubs, swamp milkweed, elephant ear plants, wild bergamot, and marsh marigolds as viable options. Flat-topped goldenrod and leather root will give your yard a beautiful sight of yellow and purples, too.
Use heavy mulch and grass
Using heavier mulch like hardwood mulch prevents light mulch chips from clogging your drainage system and sullying your yard. However, don’t put mulch too early; give your plants and seeds time and room to grow.
The grass is also helpful in abating flood, but not all grass species are created equal. Choose species that work well in submerged conditions, like fescues, fowl or American mannagrass, and creeping bentgrass.
Keep your landscape level
As much as possible, level your landscape, so rainwater doesn’t gain any momentum while flowing down a surface. Slopes should be directed towards swales or any depression that redirects rainwater safely to a sewer system or a garden bed that has high water tolerance.
It also helps to raise your garden beds, so you can better irrigate and ensure plants don’t get submerged.
Install spouts and drainages
An artificial solution to warding off rain is to build spout systems unto your gutters. Putting a rain barrel underneath gutters, installing a sump pump on your basement, or building a French drain that acts like an underground creek are all viable alternatives to channeling rainwater.
Concrete driveways are also prone to pooling water. Building drainages around it should prevent floodwater runoffs.
Use boulders strategically
The use of boulders constitutes what is called hardscaping because they are non-organic elements used to complement a landscape. In a level landscape, boulders help create a path for water from your spouts to flow through, so place them strategically.
While a flood-proof landscape works with little to no maintenance, make sure to check in at least twice a month to prevent clogged drainage systems, heavily soaked plants, and overgrowths in your landscape.
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