Your garden can be a place that is quick and easy to maintain, or you can choose a garden that is full of things to do. But if you have the latter and need or want the former, here are some tips to help you achieve the garden that fits your lifestyle.
Unfussy
Some plants need the exact right amount of rain and sun, or they will wilt. Others are fine no matter what the weather throws at them or their soil type. Unfussy plants are perfect in a garden with little to no maintenance.
What is a low-maintenance plant?
A low-maintenance plant can be defined in a few ways. It typically has slow growth, so it requires less trimming and pruning. Another perk is that they take a long time to outgrow their pots or place. Plants are designed to be able to cope with a drought, so if you forget to water them – all is not lost. Instead, they have an excellent root system that goes for deep water sources. Although it isn’t the final distinguishing feature of a low-maintenance plant, one of the features is that it is typically disease and/or pest-resistant.
These unfussy plants will give you an easy time in the garden:
- Hostas – perennials that have stunning foliage.
- Ferns – look lush and green and come in a range of sizes.
- Succulents – succulents keep water in their leaves, which carries them through droughts.
- Bamboo – is great for privacy, but it grows quickly and well. But choose the non-invasive variety.
- Hydrangeas are easy to grow and look beautiful when the flowers are in bloom, and they can cope well with a lot of sun or rain.
- Butterfly bush – smells fantastic and looks beautiful; they attract butterflies all spring and summer long and bloom right into the fall.
Green
Greenery is relaxing; the more you have of it, the better. But what is more relaxing than mowing a grassy lawn? Artificial turf is the perfect antidote to worrying about what you need to do to keep it looking green and healthy.
The less real grass you have, the lower the maintenance you will need to do. You can also mix in faux plants with real greens.
Wild Plants
There are low-maintenance plants, and there are plants that you should let run amok. Wild seed balls are stuffed with gorgeous flowers of all varieties. You can opt for a native selection that directly contributes to the ecosystem.
One of the best things about wildflowers is that they will often grow the best in low-quality soil – meaning you don’t need to prep the soil at all. So, how can you choose a great wildflower seed ball?
While wildflowers are easy, there are a couple of things that can help make them even easier.
- Annuals or perennials: annuals are the easiest and will flower the fastest; perennials won’t be up until the year after they are sowed but will return year after year.
- Choose the right sunlight option; some do better with shade, and others do better with a lot of sunlight – read the pack to ensure you’re in the know.
- Edible wildflowers are a great option, and they can be used to garnish salads and cakes!
- Check to see what flowers are native to your location, and opt for those.
The best thing about wildflowers is the wilder, the better because they are bright and attract a lot of pollinators. And once planted, it requires no effort at all.
Outdoor Living
Garden furniture is a staple for relaxation, but getting the right type can be tricky. If you choose something that needs a lot of maintenance, you won’t want to love it for long.
There are a few great options for outdoor furniture that won’t need too much in terms of care.
- Acacia wood is hardy, looks great, and rarely needs more than a wipe-down.
- Weathered steel, also known as corten steel, has a protective layer that stops it from getting rusty or corroding.
- Rust-free aluminum is strong and sturdy, can look stunning, and, as the name suggests, stays rust-free.
- Hardwoods like teak are less likely to warp since it is oily; not only that, but they are insect, rot, and water resistant too.
Changing the flooring to slabs will stop the furniture from sinking into the ground, and finding a table to match your style is easy enough. You could also choose to have a small pavilion to protect the furniture from the elements a little more. A solid storage box nearby is perfect for storing pillows and blankets for long, relaxing evenings in the summer.
Hardscape
A wall-to-wall hardscape is not for everyone, but it can be the absolute ideal. There are almost no plants in this type of garden. And there will be no mowing, mulch, or hardly any maintenance at all!
It is possible to have a little greenery in a hardscape with a few pots, and while you’d think there were hardly any weeds, a weed will make its way through every once in a while.
Shrubs
Wildflowers are wonderful and unfussy and easy to care for. Plants are great to look at, but sometimes a shrub is the best option. Shrubs will need a little bit more maintenance but are worth it in the long run. Seasonal flower beds require more effort than the average shrub.
There are a couple of shrubs that thrive in even the most neglectful of gardens:
- Autumn moonlight azalea
- Blue Bird hibiscus
- Bridalwreath
- Frostproof Gardenia
- Green Velvet Boxwood
- Moonglow Juniper
While there are many benefits to having some greenery in the garden, it has been shown to be beneficial for mental health – and it can even be great for relaxing with the children: A Gardening To-Do List For Mommy and Me. But, in the end, the right garden needs to work with your lifestyle and be something that you have the time to look after to enjoy it to the max.
