Extension Resources

Garden Types

Careful landscape planning can increase your family's enjoyment of your property, save money, solve difficult site problems, and add significantly to the value and beauty of your home. Landscape architecture faculty have prepared articles on different garden types. The links below will redirect you to these topics on the MSU Extension Service website.

• Creating a Bog Garden
• Creating the Perennial Garden
• Creative Courtyard Spaces
• Gardening on Steep Slopes
• Green Roofs for Southern Landscapes
• Herb Gardens for Mississippi
• Landscape Design for Antebellum Homes
• Plants for Green Walls
• Successful Shade Gardens
• Using Hedgerows on Properties

Healthy Soils and Water

Streams and waterways contribute greatly to the quality of life and can enhance the landscape. Landscape architecture faculty have prepared articles on different types of water features and protecting water quality. The links below will redirect you to these topics on the MSU Extension Service website.

• Creating Water Features in the Landscape
• Greywater Gardens
• Protecting Water Quality for Drainage Areas, Ponds, and Stream Channels
• Rain Gardens

Landscape Design and Management

Developing a beautiful landscape for your property doesn't need to be burdensome or expensive. Landscape architecture faculty have prepared articles to help you navigate the design process. The links below will redirect you to these topics on the MSU Extension Service website.

• Designing with Native Plants and Naturalistic Landscapes
• Developing a Home Landscape Plan
• Developing a Plant Schedule for your Landscape
• Landscape Design for Antebellum Homes
• Landscape Design to Protect from Wildfires
• Planting Design Fundamentals
• Using Color in the Landscape

Plants for Gardens

Plants are the essence of a garden. As opposed to non-living materials that form our exterior landscape spaces, such as wood or stone, plants are the living beings through which we form our partnerships with nature. Landscape architecture faculty have prepared articles to help you choose the right plant for the right place. The links below will redirect you to these topics on the MSU Extension Service website.

• Easy Groundcovers for Mississippi Landscapes
• Designing with Vines
• Ferns for Mississippi Gardens
• Hardy Palms and Cycads for Mississippi
• Louisiana Iris in the Home Landscape
• Native Shrubs for Mississippi Landscapes
• Native Trees for Mississippi Landscapes

Plants for Wildlife

When designed properly, residential gardens can attract a wide array of songbirds and other wildlife. Landscape architecture faculty have prepared articles to help you choose the right plant to provide wildlife habitat and food. The links below will redirect you to these topics on the MSU Extension Service website.

• Attracting Birds to Mississippi Gardens
• Attracting Butterflies to Mississippi Gardens
• Attracting Hummingbirds to Mississippi Gardens
• Discouraging Deer in the Garden

Smart Landscapes

A Mississippi Smart Landscape is not just a good-looking and low maintenance yard, it's an environment that encourages wildlife, uses water wisely, lowers our energy costs, and benefits both our home and our neighborhood. A Mississippi Smart Landscape uses tried and trusted methods with a little artistic flair to create an attractive and ecologically sound garden that will complement your home and neighborhood. Landscape architecture faculty have prepared articles to help you develop smart landscapes. The links below will redirect you to these topics on the MSU Extension Service website.

• Diversity of Plants
• Energy Savings
• Healthy Soils
• Healthy Water Practices
• Integrated Pest Control
• Places for Wildlife