Unique Ideas for Landscaping in Utah

Xeriscaping

The practice of designing landscapes to minimize water use is called xeriscaping. This is a popular technique for creating an aesthetically pleasing outdoor space while consuming less water, a scarce resource in arid Northern Utah. However, the benefits of xeriscaping extend beyond water conservation. This type of landscape design also helps maintain local biodiversity, reduces the need for pesticides and fertilizers, and lowers your garden’s maintenance requirements.

Hardscaping

Hardscaping refers to the non-living elements of your outdoor space, including walkways, patios, retaining walls, and water or fire features. When installed professionally, hardscaping creates an appealing contrast with your greenery. Hardscaping in Utah often involves using local stone to enhance the landscape’s natural beauty. When you hire a landscaping company that specializes in hardscaping, you ensure your outdoor space is visually pleasing and well-suited to Utah’s dry climate.

Native Perennials

Native perennials such as the fire chalice, goldenrod, and Utah’s state flower, the sego lily, are excellent choices for Utah landscapes. These plants have evolved to thrive in drought conditions, offering low-maintenance beauty that attracts local pollinators to benefit the broader ecosystem.

Evergreens

The blue spruce and Rocky Mountain juniper are sturdy evergreens offering year-round foliage. Such plants belong in your garden if you’re searching for effective windbreakers or natural privacy screens.

Shade Trees

Shade trees that thrive in Northern Utah include maples, cottonwoods, and ash. These are ideal for Utah landscapes because they provide respite from the sun’s heat during seemingly endless summer days. Shade trees also add beauty in other seasons, with their changing leaves in the fall and budding branches come spring.

Ground Cover

Ground cover is a category of low-growing plants that help prevent soil erosion, reduce water evaporation, and suppress weed growth. They can be planted around trees, in garden beds, or even in place of a traditional lawn to decrease maintenance and watering needs. Plants like the spotted deadnettle, creeping juniper, and creeping sedum are well-suited to Utah’s climate.

Container Gardens

Growing succulents, flowers, and herbs in containers offers flexibility to introduce non-native plants with higher watering needs to your Utah landscape. You might add color and interest with the tropical hibiscus, colorful geraniums, or vibrant African daisies, which you can bring inside during colder weather when you plant them in containers.

Rain Gardens

Rain gardens are a beautiful way to manage stormwater runoff. Plants like switchgrass, red twig dogwood, and bee balm are excellent options for these gardens, helping to improve water filtration and add visual interest to your landscape.

Mulch

Mulch makes your garden look more put together. More importantly, it retains soil moisture, suppresses weeds, and enriches the soil as it breaks down. Mulching your garden beds and around trees is crucial, especially given Utah’s hot summers and low annual rainfall.

Drought-Tolerant Grass

If you’re set on having a traditional lawn, be sure to choose drought-tolerant grasses like Kentucky bluegrass, tall fescue, and perennial ryegrass. These species require less water than others, saving resources while maintaining an attractive green space for your kids and pets to play.

Automatic Sprinkler Systems

Proper irrigation is the key to maintaining healthy, beautiful grass in Utah’s dry climate. Installing an automatic sprinkler system ensures your lawn and garden receive the necessary hydration while conserving water and minimizing maintenance requirements.

Artificial Grass

Perhaps you want the green look of a traditional lawn without the maintenance. In this case, artificial turf is an excellent solution. It remains green year-round, requires no watering, and withstands heavy foot traffic, making it a practical and attractive option for Utah homeowners.

Landscape Lighting

A well-lit landscape adds safety, accessibility, and aesthetic appeal to your outdoor space after dark. Use different lighting techniques to accentuate architectural features, illuminate walkways, and highlight the beauty of your plants and trees.

Retaining Walls

Many homes in the Salt Lake Valley have sloped yards, which calls for retaining walls to help manage soil erosion. The stepped effects these walls create allow you to enjoy flat spaces in your yard, not to mention a beautiful landscape element. Retaining walls can be constructed from stone, brick, or concrete to match your landscape design.

Why Choose Pro Landscaping Utah Over Other Landscaping Services?

As a family-owned and operated business with over a decade of experience, Pro Landscape Utah has an in-depth understanding of Northern Utah’s climate, topography, and native plants. Our mission is to create and maintain beautiful, sustainable, and enjoyable landscapes for all seasons. Call us at 801-900-4588 or contact us online to discuss your landscaping needs in Davis and Weber County, UT.