Jeff McManus, who has helped the University of Mississippi become known as one of the nation’s most beautiful college campuses, offers advice to help homeowners brighten up their outdoor spaces with plantings appropriate for this region. Photo by Robert Jordan/Ole Miss Digital Imaging Services
OXFORD, Miss. – An award-winning University of Mississippi landscaper is sharing his expertise with those who want to perk up their outdoor spaces by planting popular perennials.
Jeff McManus, director of landscape services, airport and golf services, leads a team of professional groundskeepers whose efforts have resulted in the university repeatedly being recognized as one of the nation’s most beautiful college campuses. The certified Professional Grounds Manager said the process begins with selecting the right plant for the right location.
“It all depends on what it is the homeowner wants to accomplish and the environment the plant will be living in, such as full sun, shade, dry or wet conditions,” McManus said. “Some people truly enjoy a large selection of blooming plants, some folks want low maintenance and some want interest in the yard year-round. Some want all those qualities in a plant and landscape.”
The yards’ surroundings, soil, shade or sun and what the landscaper is trying to accomplish will determine which type of plants to use.
“In our area, we are a zone 7 cold hardiness zone, so I want to get plants grown for our zone,” he said. “Most of our azaleas, camellias and hollies do really well in most yards. If we need trees, there are lots to pick from, but a few popular ones are oaks, maples, dogwoods and magnolias.”
McManus offered the following suggestions to aspiring and experienced landscapers alike:
- Identify what the outdoor space is going to be used for: Is it going to be an area for relaxation? Do you need a place for the kids to play? Is there a swimming pool in the future? Do you need privacy in the area, a gathering space? Do you want a water feature, fire pit or herb garden?
- Visualize the bigger picture: Working through these ideas helps determine the big picture approach and allows you to phase in parts of the landscape as the budget and time allow. Collect photos of planting and outdoor spaces you like. Create a folder and put your ideas there.
- Know the challenges you face before you begin planting: Each yard has its own unique challenges. Look for several options that may work, then determine what your budget can do. You may need to hire someone to do the bigger items in landscape process, such as planting trees and prepping planting beds. Then you can plant the plants and add mulch.
- Remember the yard is on a 12-month cycle: Make sure you do what you need to at the right time to reduce the amount of work needed. If you want to prevent weeds from growing in your lawn this summer, make sure to use a pre-emergent application during the early spring to prevent them from getting started. If you wait until the summer to start attacking weeds, it is much tougher. Work smarter, not harder.
“One of the trickiest parts for beginners is understanding scale and pacing for the yard to look good,” McManus said. “I use plant repetition to give uniformity and a sense of cohesion. I don’t want it to be monotonous planting, so I do add other varieties to make the plantings more interesting.
“I will try to have a focal point in the yard that I want the eye to flow to, whether the front door, a fountain, a specimen tree.”
Contrary to popular lore, McManus said gardeners don’t need to protect plants and flowers from bad weather.
“Plants are rated with a hardiness zone for how well they can survive cold weather,” he said. “For example, Oxford is a zone 7 in the hardiness zone. If I am doing a permanent planting, I use zone 7 plants or plants that will survive in our winter weather.”
When the landscaper has a plant or two that does not survive a winter, it usually relates back to a dry summer or fall season the previous year and the plant was stressed beyond recovery.
Landscapers may want to consider installing smart irrigation systems that will water during really dry seasons and protect their investment.
“Plant care is very dependent on the particular plant variety and condition, maturity of the plant, weather and location,” McManus said. “Any new plantings need to be monitored to see if they need watering or are experiencing stress, such as leaves are wilting or turning yellow.
“Too much water can be just as bad as not enough watering. When monitoring for water needs, the soil needs to be moist, not super-saturated or muddy and not too dry or dusty.”
Most of all, McManus advised landscapers to embrace the process.
“It is never finished,” he said. “The weather, the seasons and the good Lord makes sure we have plenty to do each year in the yard. But gardening can be a great way to clear the head.
“The educator John Erskine once said, ‘I have never had so many good ideas day after day as when I work in the garden.’ Being in nature can clear the cobwebs of technology and life.”