Michael Houseal of Sam Stringer Nursery recommends watering these warm climate grasses two days a week for at least four hours each day during the upcoming summer months. Of course you must remember to regularly water all the specimens in your lawn and garden, especially those freshly planted. On a small scale, you can begin by purchasing a few bags of healthy soil and creating clever beds in barren spots, hollowed out stumps, around tree trunks or even in a circle of old bricks. These configurations combined with a variety of annuals and perennials do wonders in adding color and texture. Annuals such as petunias, marigolds and impatiens are inexpensive on the front-end but die after a few months.
Perennials are a little more costly but can live for years as they grow and spread.
Hostas, Day Lillies, Iris, and Phlox are a few popular perennials that thrive in Memphis. Larger landscaping projects such as flowing raised beds separated from your lawn by plastic borders, landscape timbers, bricks or stones often require a larger commitment of time and money. Again, good soil is crucial for successful plantings. If your soil has been neglected for years it may not be suitable for raised beds. Luckily there are companies in town that specialize in the home delivery of soil.