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in Garden· Tips and Tutorials

12 Terrific Tips for Creating a Gorgeous Low Maintenance Garden

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What if I told you that you could have a beautiful garden without putting a lot of hours into it? Here are 12 tips on how to create a low-maintenance garden.

cut flower annuals in container garden for low maintenance

Did you know that you can actually “have your cake and eat it too” when it comes to having a gorgeous garden that is also easy to care for?

I get messages all the time from people who want the beauty and benefits of having a garden but…

  • don’t really like gardening
  • just don’t have time to take care of a garden full-time.
  • don’t have much space for a garden

Affiliate links are used for your convenience. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Read my full disclosure here.

I’m a self-taught hobby gardener, not a Master Gardener. Everything I share with you on my blog is my personal opinion and things that worked for me along the way.


low maintenance garden perennials coneflowers

12 Tips for Creating a Low Maintenance Garden

Here are some of the things you can do to create a low-maintenance garden.

1. Limit the Variety of Plants in Your Garden

The fewer types of plants you have in the garden, the lower the maintenance will be. Keeping your garden small with just 5-10 varieties will help to keep you organized and in control.


low maintenance garden perennials coneflowers

2. Choose Non-Invasive Perennials

Stay away from invasive, fast-spreading perennials in your garden. These plants are always hard to maintain.

Read up on perennials you are interested in BEFORE you make a purchase to make sure they are easy to care in your area for and won’t invade other garden spaces.


low maintenance garden evergreen shrub

3. Grow Evergreen Shrubs in the Garden

Shrubs are not only low-maintenance but are perfect for providing interest in the garden throughout the year when other deciduous plants are leafless.


low maintenance garden perennials blazing star

4. Avoid Planting Perennials That Attract Pests

Try to avoid plants that attract pests such as snails, slugs, aphids, deer, and rabbits.


low maintenance garden perennials sedum autumn joy

5. Select Drought-Tolerant Plants in Your Garden Space

Choosing plants that are mostly drought-resistant will definitely make it so you have to spend less time watering the garden and more time on other things you love.

Plant natives that are already adapted to native soil types in your garden.


low maintenance garden perennials salvia

6. Avoid Plants That Need Support

Stay away from perennials such as dahlias and other tall plants that may fall over in the rain and wind causing damage.

These plants need to be supported by stakes, or tied to trellises and can be quite time-consuming each year with not only the setup support process but raising the support tie height as the plants grow.

container garden

7. Pick the Best Location in Your Garden to Grow Your Perennials

Be thoughtful when deciding on which plants you will be growing in your garden.

Read the information about each plant so you’re not only aware of how big it will get, but to make sure you choose a variety that won’t overgrow the space or spread to areas in the garden that you don’t want them to.

The last thing you want to do is have to transplant it.

Pick perennials that will thrive in your garden’s light and soil conditions.


1920 cottage and garden

8. Mulch Your Garden Beds

Add a layer of mulch to your garden beds to…

  • help suppress weeds by blocking sunlight from the soil
  • keep the moisture in the soil so you don’t have to water as much
  • balance temperature shifts
  • keep from having to feed the plant

sunset and cottage garden with vintage bike and flowers

9. Hardscaping and Adding Garden Decor

Hardscape elements can help to define any space. The more hardscaping you have in your garden, the less work you’ll have to do in the garden.

Here are some low-maintenance ideas that can be easy to install and will transform any garden space without adding any garden maintenance…

  • Patios – brick, tile, concrete, and stone
  • Arbors, pergolas or gazebos

water irrigation system

10. Invest in a Watering System

Drip irrigation and soaker hoses are efficient ways to water garden beds.

These systems apply the water directly to the soil which reduces the water loss from evaporation, overspray, and any runoff. Because this method keeps water from setting on the leaves of the plant, you will reduce the risk of disease.


container garden

11. Grow Container Gardens

You don’t have to plant your perennials in the ground to enjoy a garden.

Creating a container garden is a great way to benefit from a beautiful garden AND keep it low-maintenance. You’ll have fewer weeds and a chance of plants spreading to areas where they shouldn’t be.


12.   Keep a Calendar and Journal

Keep a journal and/or a calendar with watering, fertilizing, and pruning schedules.

This will keep you organized and easier to tackle.


birdhouse and cottage garden

I hope this post has given you some ideas on how to create a low-maintenance garden. I’d love to hear from you. Leave a comment below.

CLICK HERE for my favorite low-maintenance garden perennials.

Until next time,

Happy Gardening!


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12 tips for creating a low-maintenance garden

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Olivia Smart says

    09/20/2022 at 10:35 am

    Thank you for explaining how you should look to invest in drip irrigation or soaker hoses for your garden. I’ve been thinking about improving my gardening skills. I never would have thought about a watering system, but I can see how it would make maintenance easier.

    Reply
  2. Chas - Chas Crazy Creations says

    05/11/2022 at 6:08 am

    This is awesome and perfect for me. You had me at low maintenance!

    Reply
  3. Vicki says

    05/08/2022 at 6:55 pm

    These are very helpful tips! We moved into a new home two years ago and my husband recent retired, so we are trying to do more with our landscaping, and we definitely have a lot to learn! It’s such a blessing to have experienced gardeners like you who share your expertise!💐🌷🌸🌺🪴

    Reply
  4. stacy says

    05/08/2022 at 4:20 am

    Great tips Kim!!! Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  5. Rachel Harper says

    05/05/2022 at 5:17 am

    This is just want I need Kim. Great information.

    Reply
    • Kim says

      05/06/2022 at 4:44 pm

      Thank you so much, Rachel!

      Reply
  6. Debra says

    05/04/2022 at 4:00 pm

    Thanks for these truly useful tips! Keep ’em coming.

    Reply
    • Kim says

      05/06/2022 at 4:44 pm

      I’m so glad you find them useful Debra. I will!

      Reply
  7. CoCo says

    05/04/2022 at 8:08 am

    These posts always help me so much, Kim! I definitely want to have pretty flowers around but I’ve realized over the past few years it takes more time than I have to give. So, I’ve mostly stuck to container gardens on our porches. Love these tips and tricks for when I’m ready to dabble into flower beds and even garden veggie beds too. Loving and pinning, CoCo

    Reply
    • Kim says

      05/06/2022 at 4:45 pm

      The great thing is that you can always garden as much or as little as it works for you. Thanks for visiting CoCo, and for pinning.

      Reply

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Hi! I'm Kim. Welcome to my home & garden blog, Shiplap and Shells. We live in a small 1920 beach cottage in the Pacific Northwest and have spent the last 10 years renovating, reinventing, and adding character to our forever home. Read More…

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