Get matched with top landscapers in Princeton, MO

Monkey grass makes a beautiful, low-maintenance ground cover, particularly in shadier areas where other grasses don’t receive enough sunlight to grow. It’s also excellent for edging walkways, bordering flower beds, and accenting rock gardens. You can grow it as a container plant, as well, which is a perfect solution for those who love its foliage but want to contain the spread.

Hedge plants are available in almost every size, from seedlings to fully mature, six-foot-tall shrubs. Planting smaller plants is much easier and more cost-effective. However, it can take years for the plants to reach maturity and create a full hedge. Garden centers and specialty retailers sometimes offer three to four-foot wide plants that you can simply plant next to each other for an instant full hedge.

As much as you might try to keep a healthy, nutrient-rich lawn, you still may notice signs of St. Augustine decline (SAD)—a viral disease that discolors your grass blades. St. Augustine decline looks like:

• Discoloration in the leaves (chlorosis)—leaves appear yellow and splotchy

• Decline in growth

• Leaves turn black within 3 years

• Grass appears less vibrant

• Grass begins to thin

• Root rot

• Grass takes longer to recover

The average cost for landscaping is around $3,500, but prices can range from as low as $200 for simple DIY projects to $14,000 or more for extensive work. Several factors influence the final price, including your geographic location, yard size, project scope, chosen materials, site preparation, and the type of landscaping involved. Professional landscaper labor costs typically range from $50 to $100 per hour.

For a smaller budget, you can focus on softscaping projects like adding mulch, flowers, and shrubs, which might only cost a few hundred dollars if you do the work yourself. A budget of around $5,000 could cover projects like a simple patio, new plants and tree trimming, or a water feature. More extensive hardscaping projects, such as pergolas, patios, and walkways, can push the budget to $14,000 or more. For example, a flower bed installation averages between $800 and $3,000, while landscape lighting installation can cost from $2,000 to $6,000.