While I love to go on walks in the woods and admire the great diversity of nature, I don’t have the time or patience to tend a garden. Fortunately, there are plenty of low-maintenance plants that can thrive in your yard even if you’re busy with work or just don’t want to spend precious weekend hours tending it.
| Key Takeaways |
|---|
| – Choosing low maintenance landscaping plants can save time and effort while still creating a beautiful outdoor space. |
| – Drought-tolerant plants, native plants, and groundcovers are some examples of low maintenance plants. |
| – Sustainable landscaping practices can benefit both the environment and your overall well-being. |
| – Xeriscaping is a great way to create a water-efficient garden without sacrificing beauty. |
| – Landscape lighting can transform your outdoor space into a functional and beautiful retreat. |
Here’s my list of 10 easy-to-care-for plants that need minimal attention:
1) Echinacea purpurea
Echinacea is a perennial plant that blooms in the summer. It has a long bloom period and can be grown as an annual. The purple coneflower is drought tolerant, attracts butterflies and bees, and can be grown in full sun or partial shade.
2) Perovskia atriplicifolia
Perovskia atriplicifolia, also known as Russian sage, is a perennial plant that grows from 4 to 6 feet tall. It has large, silvery-gray leaves that resemble those of a dill plant and blooms purple flowers in the summertime. Perovskia atriplicifolia enjoys full sun but will tolerate partial shade during the hottest part of the day.
Expert Tips for Choosing the Right Landscaping Plants for Your Yard: From drought-tolerant plants to plants that thrive in low-light conditions, choosing the right landscaping plants is crucial to creating a low maintenance outdoor space. Our expert guide provides valuable tips on choosing the right landscaping plants that are both beautiful and easy to care for.
3) Houttuynia cordata ‘Chameleon’
The Houttuynia cordata ‘Chameleon’ is another easy-to-grow option. This plant tolerates drought and neglect, so you won’t need to fuss over it too much.
It has a loose, spreading habit that reaches 2 feet tall and 2 feet wide at maturity. In addition to its hardiness, this variety also produces attractive purple foliage that changes color throughout the season according to weather conditions.
Houttuynia cordata ‘Chameleon’ can be used as an accent plant in containers or borders and does well in full sun or part shade locations with moist soil and moderate watering during dry spells (but not overwatering).
| Plant | Scientific Name | Water Needs | Light Requirements | Growth Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chameleon plant | Houttuynia cordata ‘Chameleon’ | High | Part sun to shade | Fast |
| Coleus | Solenostemon spp. | Moderate to high | Shade to part sun | Fast |
| Nandina | Nandina domestica | Low to moderate | Full sun to part shade | Fast |
| Black-Eyed Susan | Rudbeckia hirta | Low to moderate | Full sun | Fast |
| Caladium | Caladium spp. | Moderate to high | Part sun to shade | Slow to moderate |
Note: Data based on information from various sources, including Garden Design and Lowe’s, among others.
4) Sedum ‘Autumn Joy’
If you want a low-maintenance plant that’s also extremely versatile, try this sedum. It can be grown in partial shade or full sun and is a good choice for both sunny and shady spots. It will even tolerate drought and poor soil conditions. If you’re looking for an easy option for groundcover around your home, the Autumn Joy sedum could be right up your alley!
How to Create a Beautiful Eco-Friendly Outdoor Space: Creating an eco-friendly outdoor space not only benefits the environment but also your overall well-being. Our guide provides valuable information on how to create a beautiful eco-friendly outdoor space including tips on sustainable landscaping, using native plants, and reducing water waste.
5) Calamagrostis x acutiflora ‘Karl Foerster’
The Karl Foerster grass is a great option for shady areas as well. It can be planted in containers or left to grow naturally, growing up to 10′ tall and 20′ wide. This plant can also be planted in groups, which will provide an interesting texture and color contrast against the rest of your landscape.
6) Phlox subulata ‘Emerald Cushion Blue’
This low-maintenance perennial is easy to grow and drought tolerant, so you can plant it in containers or borders without worry. It blooms in early summer, so you’ll be able to enjoy its beautiful blue flowers from spring through early fall.
Phlox subulata ‘Emerald Cushion Blue’ has a low profile (about 2 feet tall), making it a good option for under trees or around the edges of your lawn where space might be limited.
7) Coreopsis verticillata ‘Moonbeam’
Coreopsis verticillata ‘Moonbeam’ is a perennial that grows in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 5 through 9. It grows up to 2 feet tall and has yellow flowers.
Coreopsis verticillata ‘Moonbeam’ requires full sun to partial shade, so it’s a great option for shady areas of your yard that need some color in the springtime.
This plant will thrive in moist but well-draining soil and can be used as a border around flower beds or planted next to trees for added interest throughout the year.
Sustainable landscaping practices benefit both the environment and your overall well-being. Our guide highlights the top 15 sustainable landscaping practices you need to know about including composting, rainwater harvesting, and using eco-friendly materials.
8) Hosta sieboldiana
Hosta sieboldiana is a great choice for shady areas. This shade-loving plant has bold, bright green leaves that look perfect in a shaded area of your yard. It’s also relatively easy to grow, making it an excellent option for busy homeowners who don’t have time to spend caring for their plants.
- Hosta sieboldiana is a great choice for shady spots.
The Hosta genus includes over 300 different kinds of plants with varying leaf shapes and colors. There are several different kinds of hostas that thrive in shade; this particular type is one of the easiest ones to grow at home because it tolerates heat better than most other varieties do. Hostas are extremely low maintenance and add visual interest without requiring much attention from you!
| Plant | Scientific Name | Water Needs | Light Requirements | Growth Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hosta | Hosta sieboldiana | Moderate to high | Shade to part shade | Slow to moderate |
| Ferns | Polypodiopsida spp. | Moderate to high | Shade to part shade | Moderate |
| Astilbe | Astilbe spp. | Moderate to high | Shade to part shade | Moderate |
| Heuchera | Heuchera spp. | Moderate | Shade to part sun | Fast |
| Bleeding Heart | Lamprocapnos spectabilis | Moderate | Shade to part shade | Moderate |
Note: Data based on information from various sources, including Gardening Know How and The Spruce, among others.
9) Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)
With their tall, rounded blooms and petite spiky leaves, coneflowers are a good choice for busy homeowners who want to add color without too much work.
They have a relatively long bloom time (June through September), so they’ll keep your garden looking bright through the summer months.
The best part is that they require no special care: just plant them in full sun or light shade and wait for them to flower! And if you’re worried about deer eating your plants, don’t be—coneflowers repel those pesky animals by emitting a strong scent that keeps them away.
Hardiness zones 3-8
Height: 1 foot; width: 1 foot
Flowers: Purple, lavender, pink or white
Xeriscaping is a great way to create a water-efficient garden without sacrificing beauty. Our guide includes creative xeriscaping ideas to help you save water while maintaining an aesthetically pleasing outdoor space.
10) Russian sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia)
- Russian sage is a low-maintenance plant and makes for a great choice if you don’t have much time to garden.
- Russian sage is drought tolerant, so it won’t require frequent watering or special attention.
- The plant has an attractive, upright form that features showy spikes of pink flowers in late summer and fall.
Top Low-Maintenance Landscaping Plants and Their Most Relevant Information
| Plant | Scientific Name | Water Needs | Light Requirements | Growth Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Russian Sage | Perovskia atriplicifolia | Low | Full sun | Moderate |
| Lavender | Lavandula spp. | Low | Full sun | Slow |
| Yarrow | Achillea millefolium | Low | Full sun | Moderate |
| Daylily | Hemerocallis spp. | Low | Full sun to part shade | Moderate |
| Sedum | Sedum spp. | Low | Full sun to part shade | Fast |
Note: Data based on information from various sources, including Eden App and 8 Billion Trees, among others.
11) Chameleon plant (Houttuynia cordata ‘Chameleon’)
The Chameleon plant is a hardy perennial that can grow in full sun or partial shade, and tolerates drought conditions. It’s perfect for planting as a border or ground cover, but I’ve also seen it used to fill in gaps between pavers and patio stones.
The Chameleon can be planted in containers too — just make sure to use something that has good drainage so the roots are never sitting in water.
Pruning will keep your Chameleon small, but if you want to keep it larger than 3 feet tall then you’ll need to prune it regularly throughout the growing season (you can do this while it’s still dormant during winter).
Landscape lighting can transform your outdoor space into a functional and beautiful retreat. Our guide details the ultimate guide to landscape lighting including tips on selecting the right fixtures, placement for optimal effect, and energy-saving techniques.
Conclusion
These plants are perfect for a busy homeowner because they require minimal maintenance, which means you’ll have more time to enjoy your yard.
If you’re looking for inspiration on how to design your own low-maintenance landscape, don’t hesitate to contact us! We’d love to help you create a beautiful space that’s easy on the eyes and wallet alike.
Further Reading:
Here are some additional resources for low maintenance plants for landscaping:
Low-Maintenance Plants for Landscaping: This blog post provides a comprehensive list of low maintenance plants, their benefits, and tips on how to care for them.
Low Maintenance Plants: 20 Options for Easy Gardening: This article provides 20 low maintenance plant options that are perfect for any garden, as well as helpful tips on how to care for them.
20 Low-Maintenance Plants for Easy Landscaping: HGTV provides a list of 20 low maintenance plants along with photos and descriptions of each plant.
FAQs
What are some low maintenance plants for landscaping?
Low maintenance plants for landscaping include succulents, ornamental grasses, lavender, yarrow, and coneflowers.
What are the benefits of low maintenance plants for landscaping?
Low maintenance plants require less water, fertilizer, and pruning, making them more cost-effective and environmentally friendly. They also require less effort and time to care for.
How do I care for low maintenance plants?
Low maintenance plants still require some care, such as proper watering and occasional trimming. However, they generally don’t require as much care as high maintenance plants.
Can low maintenance plants be used in any type of landscaping?
Yes, low maintenance plants can be used in any type of landscaping, from container gardens to large outdoor areas. The key is to choose low maintenance plants that are suited to the specific environment and climate.
Where can I find more information about low maintenance plants for landscaping?
In addition to the resources listed above, you can consult with your local nursery or garden center, as well as online gardening forums and groups, to find more information about low maintenance plants for landscaping.
Hi! My name is Hellen James, and I’m a landscape designer in Los Angeles. I’ve been working with homeowners and businesses to help them improve the look of their properties for over 10 years.
