Low-Maintenance Plants for the Front Yard<\/b><\/h2>
Make a good first impression with landscaping that invites and excites visitors, passersby, and you, too, of course.<\/p>
1. Boxwood shrubs<\/b><\/h3> ![\"Boxwoods\"](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/boxwoods-pxfuel.jpg\")
<\/figure>
Photo Credit: Pxfuel<\/a><\/p> Depending on the type, these evergreen shrubs can grow between 2 and 12 feet tall. Use them as foundation plants, living fences, pathway borders, and focal pieces. Boxwoods<\/a> are deer-resistant and only need watering biweekly and pruning once a year. For the lowest maintenance, choose a varietal that’s also naturally unsusceptible to diseases and pests.<\/p> 2. Hydrangeas<\/b><\/h3> ![\"Blue](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/hydrangeas.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Josefin<\/a> on Unsplash<\/figcaption><\/figure> Overall, hydrangeas<\/a> equal easy care \u2014 as long as they receive partial shade, are planted in well-draining soil, and get the right amount of water. Based on the soil’s pH, hydrangeas will give off blue flowers, pink flowers, or white ones. Different types of this flowering plant have different needs, but you’ll generally want to prune annually and water at least once per week.<\/p> 3. Daylilies<\/b><\/h3> ![\"purple](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/daylily-image.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Pxfuel<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> Known for their trumpet-shaped flowers, daylilies are low-maintenance plants that thrive on full sun and in just about any soil type. Once established, these flowers will only need to be fertilized yearly. Natural rainfall should provide them with enough water, except during drought conditions.<\/p>
4. Sedge<\/b><\/h3> ![\"a](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/sedge.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Derek Ramsey<\/a> (Ram-Man) \/ CC BY-SA 2.5<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> An evergreen plant that can be used as groundcover or as an ornamental grass, sedge is available in more than 100 different varieties. Sedge only needs to be watered a few times a month and doesn’t require much fertilization, either. Be careful when cutting back sedge, as it may not recover. Instead, experts<\/a> suggest combing through the plant with gloved hands to find and remove dead leaves.<\/p> 5. Hostas<\/b><\/h3> ![\"a](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/hosta.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Pexels<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> These low-maintenance perennials boast golden or blue-green foliage and prefer a mix of partial shade and partial sun. Able to survive on deep, occasional watering, hostas should be surrounded by mulch to help hold in water. The University of Minnesota<\/a> extension suggests deadheading hostas either before maturation of flowers or after blooms have died. Only prune if you notice discoloration, damage, or dead flowers.<\/p> 6. Spirea<\/b><\/h3> ![\"purple](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/spirea.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Pxfuel<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> A drought-tolerant, flowering shrub, spirea grows quickly and does best in full sun and well-drained soil. Depending on the type, spirea will bloom in the spring or summer. Yearly maintenance is all it takes to raise this plant; once established, it needs little water, annual fertilization, and pruning once per year. Deadheading should take place any time a blossom dies.<\/p>
Low-Maintenance Plants for the Backyard<\/b><\/h2>
Trips to garden centers can be overwhelming \u2014 there\u2019s so much to choose from, it\u2019s difficult to know where to even begin. Round up these plants to help make your DIY backyard goals come to life.<\/p>
1. Creeping sedum<\/b><\/h3> ![\"creeping](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/creeping-sedum.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Michael Rivera<\/a> \/ CC BY-SA 4.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> Creeping sedum, which is able to grow in part shade and part sun, in sandy and rocky soil, works best as groundcover in rock gardens or as added texture between stone pavers. These drought-resistant succulents need little care and attract pollinators, such as hummingbirds and butterflies.<\/p>
2. Black-eyed Susans<\/b><\/h3> ![\"black-eyed](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/black-eyed-susans.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Mark Teachey<\/a> on Unsplash<\/figcaption><\/figure> Blooming all summer long and into early fall, black-eyed Susans are the perfect choice to border your back patio or fencing or to create a container garden. Black-eyed Susans, which are native plants of Maryland and other eastern and central states, are easy to grow in full sun and a variety of soils \u2014 you\u2019ve probably seen them growing wild, on their own along roadsides. They\u2019re drought-resistant, too, but to maintain blooms, provide extra water during dry spells. The only other upkeep required is occasional deadheading and biannual fertilization.<\/p>
3. Fescue<\/b><\/h3> ![\"ornamental](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/fescue.jpg\")
Photo Credit: H. Zell<\/a> \/ CC BY-SA 3.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> Garden beds aren\u2019t the only parts of your landscape design that can be low maintenance. Replace traditional turfgrass with fescue, and mowing will only be necessary about every two weeks. You can also use fescue as an ornamental grass to set off colorful bloomers. This plant grows in clumps and doesn\u2019t need much water; fertilize once every fall.<\/p>
4. Liriope<\/b><\/h3> ![\"liriope](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/liriope.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Pixabay<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> The perfect border plant to accent backyard hardscapes, liriope spreads fast and produces dark green leaves and blooms in late summer that can be a variety of colors \u2014 purple, pink, or white. Experts at Clemson University<\/a> also recommend planting liriope as a ground cover underneath trees and shrubs and along slopes. A hardy plant, liriope thrives in both shade gardens and full sun, as well as in just about any type of soil.<\/p> 5. Dianthus<\/b><\/h3> ![\"purple](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/dianthus-image.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Pxfuel<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> Dianthus\u2019s fragrant flowers bloom in either spring or summer and smell of cloves and floral notes. A lovely addition to a summer garden, dianthus require deadheading to encourage re-blooming, little water, no mulch, and light fertilization every couple months during the growing season.<\/p>
6. Coreopsis<\/b><\/h3> ![\"coreopsis](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/coreopsis.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Pxfuel<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> Also called \u201ctickseed,\u201d coreopsis are native plants in several states. Their yellow, orange, purple, white, red, or multicolored petals add beauty to summer gardens. You also can use them as edging plants for pathways. Coreopsis grows best in full sun and a variety of soil types. Prune them in late summer and deadhead as necessary to encourage re-blooming.<\/p>
When to Call a Professional Landscaper<\/h2>
Hours upon hours of yard work isn\u2019t an essential ingredient to cultivating a landscape design you can enjoy. All you need is a collection of low-maintenance plants you can set and forget. To make things even easier, call a landscaping pro<\/a> to do all the initial groundwork, too. Your only task? Basking in all the beauty.<\/p>
<\/figure> Depending on the type, these evergreen shrubs can grow between 2 and 12 feet tall. Use them as foundation plants, living fences, pathway borders, and focal pieces. Boxwoods<\/a> are deer-resistant and only need watering biweekly and pruning once a year. For the lowest maintenance, choose a varietal that’s also naturally unsusceptible to diseases and pests.<\/p> Overall, hydrangeas<\/a> equal easy care \u2014 as long as they receive partial shade, are planted in well-draining soil, and get the right amount of water. Based on the soil’s pH, hydrangeas will give off blue flowers, pink flowers, or white ones. Different types of this flowering plant have different needs, but you’ll generally want to prune annually and water at least once per week.<\/p> Known for their trumpet-shaped flowers, daylilies are low-maintenance plants that thrive on full sun and in just about any soil type. Once established, these flowers will only need to be fertilized yearly. Natural rainfall should provide them with enough water, except during drought conditions.<\/p> An evergreen plant that can be used as groundcover or as an ornamental grass, sedge is available in more than 100 different varieties. Sedge only needs to be watered a few times a month and doesn’t require much fertilization, either. Be careful when cutting back sedge, as it may not recover. Instead, experts<\/a> suggest combing through the plant with gloved hands to find and remove dead leaves.<\/p> These low-maintenance perennials boast golden or blue-green foliage and prefer a mix of partial shade and partial sun. Able to survive on deep, occasional watering, hostas should be surrounded by mulch to help hold in water. The University of Minnesota<\/a> extension suggests deadheading hostas either before maturation of flowers or after blooms have died. Only prune if you notice discoloration, damage, or dead flowers.<\/p> A drought-tolerant, flowering shrub, spirea grows quickly and does best in full sun and well-drained soil. Depending on the type, spirea will bloom in the spring or summer. Yearly maintenance is all it takes to raise this plant; once established, it needs little water, annual fertilization, and pruning once per year. Deadheading should take place any time a blossom dies.<\/p> Trips to garden centers can be overwhelming \u2014 there\u2019s so much to choose from, it\u2019s difficult to know where to even begin. Round up these plants to help make your DIY backyard goals come to life.<\/p> Creeping sedum, which is able to grow in part shade and part sun, in sandy and rocky soil, works best as groundcover in rock gardens or as added texture between stone pavers. These drought-resistant succulents need little care and attract pollinators, such as hummingbirds and butterflies.<\/p> Blooming all summer long and into early fall, black-eyed Susans are the perfect choice to border your back patio or fencing or to create a container garden. Black-eyed Susans, which are native plants of Maryland and other eastern and central states, are easy to grow in full sun and a variety of soils \u2014 you\u2019ve probably seen them growing wild, on their own along roadsides. They\u2019re drought-resistant, too, but to maintain blooms, provide extra water during dry spells. The only other upkeep required is occasional deadheading and biannual fertilization.<\/p> Garden beds aren\u2019t the only parts of your landscape design that can be low maintenance. Replace traditional turfgrass with fescue, and mowing will only be necessary about every two weeks. You can also use fescue as an ornamental grass to set off colorful bloomers. This plant grows in clumps and doesn\u2019t need much water; fertilize once every fall.<\/p> The perfect border plant to accent backyard hardscapes, liriope spreads fast and produces dark green leaves and blooms in late summer that can be a variety of colors \u2014 purple, pink, or white. Experts at Clemson University<\/a> also recommend planting liriope as a ground cover underneath trees and shrubs and along slopes. A hardy plant, liriope thrives in both shade gardens and full sun, as well as in just about any type of soil.<\/p> Dianthus\u2019s fragrant flowers bloom in either spring or summer and smell of cloves and floral notes. A lovely addition to a summer garden, dianthus require deadheading to encourage re-blooming, little water, no mulch, and light fertilization every couple months during the growing season.<\/p> Also called \u201ctickseed,\u201d coreopsis are native plants in several states. Their yellow, orange, purple, white, red, or multicolored petals add beauty to summer gardens. You also can use them as edging plants for pathways. Coreopsis grows best in full sun and a variety of soil types. Prune them in late summer and deadhead as necessary to encourage re-blooming.<\/p> Hours upon hours of yard work isn\u2019t an essential ingredient to cultivating a landscape design you can enjoy. All you need is a collection of low-maintenance plants you can set and forget. To make things even easier, call a landscaping pro<\/a> to do all the initial groundwork, too. Your only task? Basking in all the beauty.<\/p>
Photo Credit: Pxfuel<\/a><\/p> 2. Hydrangeas<\/b><\/h3>
3. Daylilies<\/b><\/h3>
4. Sedge<\/b><\/h3>
5. Hostas<\/b><\/h3>
6. Spirea<\/b><\/h3>
Low-Maintenance Plants for the Backyard<\/b><\/h2>
1. Creeping sedum<\/b><\/h3>
2. Black-eyed Susans<\/b><\/h3>
3. Fescue<\/b><\/h3>
4. Liriope<\/b><\/h3>
5. Dianthus<\/b><\/h3>
6. Coreopsis<\/b><\/h3>
When to Call a Professional Landscaper<\/h2>