• Sugar maples are native to north Georgia and survive well in mountainous areas.sugar maple leaves image by citylights from Fotolia.com
  
  Landscaping your lawn and garden areas in ways appropriate to the area can be extremely beneficial. Choosing plants meant for other parts of the country or world can result in high water bills, heavy maintenance requirements and sometimes the need to replace dead or dying plants. Correct landscaping for north Georgia can help homeowners save water, contribute to their local ecosystem and have a beautiful lawn that doesn't require a lot of maintenance.
  
  

Choose Hardy Plants

• Northern Georgia is located primarily in USDA plant hardiness zones 7a and 7b. This means that the average annual minimum temperature is between 0 and 5 degrees. The American Horticultural Society places northern Georgia in heat zones 6 and 7, since the area has between 45 and 90 days per year with temperatures over 86 degrees Fahrenheit. Many plants suited to northern climes, such as the Japanese maple, do not survive well in the Georgia heat. Better Homes and Gardens recommends heat- and drought-tolerant plants such as lavender, yarrow, sages and purple coneflower.
  
  

Use Natives

• Native plants are beneficial additions to landscaping for several reasons: they thrive in their natural environment, they add diversity to the local ecosystem and they usually don't require much maintenance. Planting natives can help reverse the environmental impact of invasive plants brought from other areas of the world, and provide habitats for attractive local birds, butterflies and insects. The University of Georgia recommends choosing plants for the local climate--trees such as white pine and sugar maple do well in the mountains, but have trouble in less sheltered areas.
  
  

Conserve Water

• As of 2010, Georgia has suffered from an increase in drought conditions for several years. This means that homeowners should consider their water use when planning a landscaping project. Choosing plants that survive dry conditions well, watering efficiently and planning landscaping features to reduce evaporation can help homeowners maintain an attractive lawn and garden without high water bills or a heavy environmental impact. Conserve Water Georgia recommends targeted watering at the root of the plant, and watering primarily at night or in the morning. Place plants that love moisture at the base of slopes, where natural drainage will provide them with the water they need. Add organic matter, like compost, to encourage the soil to retain water.