Dear Heather,

Spring is here. Do you have any ideas for sprucing up my garden? I am looking to sell and I hear curb appeal is important.

Seller

Dear Seller,

With the sun shining down on your garden this spring, here are some tips on planting and maintaining a great garden, as well as some water-saving tips.

1. Choose native plants

Native plants are the better choice for your landscape because they:

• Don’t need a lot of fertiliser or watering;

• Are established;

• Require less maintenance;

• Are resistant to pests and diseases in the area.

Rather than going wild and planting non-native species that could require a lot of watering and attention, focus on the plants that thrive in our climate and soil acidity.

Bermuda has alkaline soil, so things like hybrid roses, hydrangeas and rhododendrons do not do well here without special care.

Check out local nurseries and speak to landscapers in the area who know what species to look at. If you really want to add exotic plants to your landscape, do not touch invasive species as they could hurt your natives and cause a headache by the end of the season.

2. Put plants into groups

Once you’ve selected your plants, it’s time to group them together. If you put plants together by how much water they need, you’ll cut time and water use down. By putting the plants that need less water together, you’ll avoid under or over-watering. Do the same with the plants that need a lot of water and plant them in the same area.

• Your thirstiest should go together, potentially near the house to take advantage of rainfall coming off the roof, and making it easy for you to monitor if they require watering or not.

• Put plants that need drip irrigation or sprinkler water further out from thirsty plants.

• The furthest away from the thirsty plants will be plants that need little to no watering.

3. Mulch, mulch, mulch

Mulch — whether organic or inorganic — helps save water by keeping soil cool, reducing evaporation and helping roots stay healthy. Mulch needs to be replaced on a regular basis, two-three inches at a time. There are two options to choose from:

• Organic mulches like compost, bark chips and pine needles. These break down and add nutrients at the same time.

• Inorganic mulches like landscaping paper, rocks and pebbles. These are permanent but can fluctuate more in temperature.

You’re usually better off applying organic mulches because of their added nutrients. You can also save some money by using your grass clippings as mulch after mowing.

4. Water efficiently

Watering should be done efficiently and at appropriate times, so your plants get the most water absorption. You should water early in the morning when temperatures are at their coolest in the spring and summer. If you have new or transplanted flowers and shrubs, they will likely need more water.

Never water in the middle of the day or at sunset. The middle of the day is the highest evaporation time and dusk will encourage fungus and mildew growth overnight.

5. Lawn

For those who have a lawn, you can plant types of grass that are more drought-resistant. These types include Bermuda and St Augustine (crab grass), which use 20 per cent less water than other types.

6. Butterflies and Bees

Who doesn’t like to see bright and colourful butterflies in their garden? For monarch butterflies (probably the most majestic of the Bermuda butterflies), plant milkweed. Plant a LOT! Monarch caterpillars can eat a whole leaf in five minutes and it is the only plant that they will lay their eggs on. Buckeye butterflies like the English plantain found on lawns; gulf fritillary butterflies like passion flower; cloudless sulphur butterflies (yellow) like the cassia tree (libernum); cabbage white like cabbage leaves (hence the name) and any other cruciferous vegetable.

The red admiral butterfly just loves colourful flowers like lantana and pentas (both easy to grow in Bermuda); bees like purple Mexican heather and crown of thorns, among other things.

Have fun! Wear your hat and sunscreen and happy gardening.

• Heather Chilvers is among Coldwell Banker Bermuda Realty’s leading sales representatives. She has been working in real estate for 25 years. If you have a question for Heather, please contact her at hchilvers@brcl.bm or 332 1793. All questions will be treated confidentially.