Plant for the Lowcountry

Bottom line: native and regionally suited plants look better and need less babying.

A few upgrades that pay off year after year:

• Azaleas and camellias for color through much of the year
• Mulch or pine straw in the beds for a polished, finished look
• Window boxes with petunias, begonias, or geraniums — all happy in our weather
• Lanterns or low-voltage lighting along the walkway to define the path

Keep the lawn manicured

Bottom line: in our humidity, grass grows fast — stay on it.

A freshly mowed, well-watered lawn makes a strong statement all by itself. Mow regularly and keep the edges crisp, since clean lines around beds and walkways make even a modest yard look sharp. Water deeply early in the morning so less of it evaporates in the heat, and patch bare spots with quick-growing seed before they spread.

Think about maintenance you'll actually do

Bottom line: pick a yard you can keep up with.

Ambitious landscaping only helps if it stays looking good in August. Choose easy-to-maintain plantings that suit how much time you really want to spend out there. A simple, well-kept yard beats an elaborate one that's gotten away from you — and it holds up better through our seasons. Our Lowcountry climate checklist covers more of what our weather asks of a home.