Best landscapers near Sandy Ridge, NC

The best time to plant is between spring and autumn. Springtime weather is typically mild and is when nurseries start to bloom. When the summer weather arrives and it’s hot out, it’s best to avoid planting bare-root plants, but you can still plant many in-container varieties. The first sign of fall is another great opportunity to plant biennials if you live in southern states, or a lovely vegetable garden up north.

Unless it only rains once in a blue moon where you live, you’re going to want water-loving plants in your garden bed or pot. A few ideas for plants that aren’t super fast-growing (meaning they’re good in pots or near foundations) and can handle a lot of standing water include: 

• Acorus (Sweet flag)

• Colocasia esculenta (Taro or elephant ear): In many climates, these are annuals, making them less desirable because you need to adjust the chain again after each replant.

• Equisetum scirpoides (Dwarf horsetail rush): non-dwarf varieties of horsetail are fast growers and can take over quickly.

• Juncus effusus (Curly rush)

• Osmunda regalis (Royal fern): Royal fern can grow quickly but can also handle being crowded, making them good container plants.

Pavers are one of the most affordable methods of creating an elevated outdoor space. Gravel is an equally affordable alternative. If your budget permits, you can look into building a permeable driveway to ensure proper drainage. Grid pavers, pervious concrete, brick, and brick pavement are all effective materials. Permeable driveways are great options, especially if you live in an area with heavy rainstorms.

The truth is, there really is no such thing as a 100% deer-proof plant. Deer will decimate even the prickliest flora if they’re hungry enough. However, there are plenty of beautiful plants that deer don’t necessarily enjoy. These include thistles, wisteria vines, sword ferns, and beautyberries.

Deer are herbivores, and they love vegetable gardens as much as Peter Rabbit. If you don’t want to fence in your entire property, consider creating an attractive raised-bed veggie garden with mesh fencing around it to keep out deer and other critters.