We’re just gonna say it: There’s no such thing as a maintenance-free shrub or plant.
Everything needs a little basic love and attention at some point or another. But there are most certainly different levels of care, and we can help you perhaps avoid the divas and point out those that are easy-peasy.
What does “low maintenance” mean?
- they don’t require lots of trimming
- they are drought-tolerant
- they aren’t prone to disease or pest problems
- they can settle in and flourish without having to be coaxed and babied
- they also perform well in our Reston, VA, Zone 7 climate and soil
Our low-maintenance stars are…
Low-Maintenance Shrub: Nandina
Ah, this “Heavenly Bamboo,” is an evergreen or semi-evergreen broadleaf shrub that is well-known for being drought-tolerant and easy to take care of. It’s tough and durable and can grow anywhere from two to four feet tall. Once established, it requires very little maintenance. And for some, that’s heavenly, indeed.
Low-Maintenance Shrub: Boxwood
Boxwood is shade tolerant and provides year-round greenery. This shrub is appreciated for its hardiness and is a compact option, so it’s often used in front yard landscape designs. It’s one of those shrubs that works well for virtually all landscape types. It also has a distinctive fragrance that reminds you of English gardens.
Low-Maintenance Shrub: Hydrangea
You want a big payoff with very little effort? Hello, hydrangea! These shrubs produce gorgeous blooms, but are quite versatile and easy to grow. There are many varieties of hydrangea, but one that may be easier to care for than others is oakleaf hydrangea. This showy shrub can tolerate a wider variety of conditions including cold weather, but is also drought tolerant. Best of all worlds!
Low-Maintenance Plant: Liriope
You have a place in the sun where nothing else grows? Try liriope. You have a place in the shade where nothing else grows? Try liriope.
This simple plant, sometimes called “lilyturf” or “monkey grass,” is a low-maintenance ground cover that works in those hard-to-plant areas. In fact, this tough perennial can thrive in full sun, but still works in deep shade, too. It’s also drought-tolerant. Liriope has wide, dark-green and grass-like foliage, and it produces spiky white or purple flowers in late summer.
Low-Maintenance Plant: Astilbe
Also known as false spiraea or meadowsweet, astilbe is just beautiful. It has bright, colorful spikes and lovely fern-like foliage. This perennial is as strong as it is pretty, and is appreciated for being naturally resistant to potential problems.
Low-Maintenance Plant: Nepeta / Catmint
Are you interested in sweet blue-violet flowers that bloom in your garden from spring to fall? You want catmint.
Similar in look to lavender, the gray/green foliage and clusters of lavender flowers can add a lot of color and beauty to your landscape, without adding a lot of work. It’s an extremely hardy plant, is largely self-sufficient and lacks problems with pests and diseases.
Low-Maintenance Plant: Hosta
These plants are a perennial favorite, valued for their lush foliage and their simple care. They are generally considered a shade-tolerant plant, though there are different varieties with differing needs. In general, hostas are easy-to-grow. And easy to love! Note: Deer love hostas, so if you have those four-legged visitors in your yard, you might want to avoid this one.
Low-Maintenance Plant: Purple Coneflower
This native plant flowers easily and doesn’t require much care. The purple coneflower is adaptable to a variety of conditions. Though they prefer a sunny spot, they’ll tolerate shade as well. They are also known to be tolerant of poor soil conditions, though like any plants, they’ll perform their best in healthy soil.
Low-Maintenance Plant: Salvia
Another from the mint family, perennial salvias are easy to grow and perform well in our Reston, VA climate. There are many varieties of salvia, including those with tall flower spires and those with smaller flower clusters. Generally speaking, salvia flowers from early summer into fall. Who else loves salvia? Your pollinators LOVE salvia!
Set your sights high on low maintenance shrubs and plants.
So many options! It’s worth mentioning that planting these low-maintenance lovelies where they’ll perform best, and meeting their basic needs, will keep them easy to care for. If you have questions about what, where and how, your Garden Market friends are here ready to help you find the plants that fit your wants and needs. Happy gardening!
