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Gardening can be one of life’s greatest pleasures, and a lovely way to connect with nature and create a beautiful outdoor space. But let’s be honest: not everyone has the time or energy to spend hours weeding, pruning, and maintaining a garden.
Tending to your garden isn’t always possible due to the weather, time, climate, your physical health, and costs, to name just a few barriers. That doesn’t mean you can’t have a fabulous garden though. The trick is to create a low-maintenance garden that’s packed with interest.
Here are some tips to help you create a beautiful and low-effort garden that isn’t boring!
Choose the right plants
The cornerstone of a low-maintenance garden is selecting the right plants. You want plants that are hardy, can withstand a bit of neglect, and still look fabulous.
Perennials are a great choice here. These plants come back year after year, saving you the trouble of replanting. Aquilegia, lavender, geums, hardy geraniums and peonies are all low maintenance options that will add colour and texture without demanding constant attention.
Ornamental grasses are another excellent choice. They sway beautifully in the breeze, add movement to your garden, and need very little care. Varieties like Stipa tenuissima and Pennisetum can bring a soft, wild look to your garden, making it feel lush and inviting without needing to be pampered.
Embrace evergreens
Evergreen shrubs and trees are fantastic for creating structures in your garden. They look good all year round and don’t drop leaves everywhere, which means less tidying up for you.
Boxwood, holly, and yew are all great options for creating low hedges or topiary shapes that add a touch of formality and interest. You can usually buy these already shaped at garden centres, but of course, you can have a go at cutting them yourself. Just remember, the idea is to choose plants that thrive with minimal intervention so you can sit back and enjoy your garden rather than working in it constantly.
The magic of mulch
Mulching is a gardener’s secret weapon. It not only keeps weeds at bay but also helps the soil retain moisture, meaning you’ll need to water less frequently.
Mulching also gives your garden a tidy, finished look. It creates a lovely contrast against the green of your plants and the colours of your flowers. It’s one of the easiest ways to reduce your garden maintenance significantly.
Balance hard landscaping with planting
When we think of low-maintenance gardens, it’s easy to picture lots of hard landscaping such as patios, decking, or gravel areas. While these are undoubtedly low maintenance, they can also look a bit sterile if overdone. If you still want to feel surrounded by nature you need to balance hard landscaping with plenty of planting to soften the look.
One way to get the balance right it by choosing natural materials where possible. For example, you might combine a lawn with wood decking, introduce wooden raised beds, or install a seating area that has built-in planters.
Consider robots
While we’re not quite there yet, you can still consider a robotic lawn mower to cut down on your garden maintenance. These days they’re really advanced, with sensors that can learn to navigate tricky garden shapes, borders, ornaments, and even pets!
Go for seasonal interest with minimal effort
If you want to avoid a garden that looks great only part of the year, choose plants that offer seasonal interest throughout.
Spring bulbs like daffodils and tulips can start the show, followed by summer perennials and grasses, then autumn foliage from deciduous shrubs, and winter colour from evergreens and berries.
Clever planting combinations can ensure there’s always something catching the eye. For instance, underplanting trees and shrubs with spring bulbs gives you a burst of colour early in the year without needing to replant. Mixing in some evergreen ground covers like Vinca or Pachysandra will ensure you have greenery even in the depths of winter.
Embrace container gardening
Containers can be your best friend in a low-maintenance garden. They’re perfect for adding bursts of colour and interest where you need it most, and they’re incredibly versatile. Plus, you can use large containers to avoid them drying out too quickly and choose materials like terracotta or glazed ceramic that help retain moisture.
Will you be using any of these tips to create a low maintenance garden?
The post How to create a low maintenance garden that doesn’t look boring appeared first on Growing Family.
