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A beautiful garden begins with choosing the right plants to grow. You don’t need to be an expert to get started, but it does require responsibility. Now, what if you don’t have the time for constant upkeep? Low-maintenance plants are your answer!
Here are some easy-to-grow options that can help you create a thriving, stress-free garden or greenhouse.
1. Cosmos
Cosmos is a favourite among gardeners for a reason. These annual flowers are easy to grow and perfect for borders or containers. You don’t even need to reseed them each year—they’ll do it on their own. Just scatter the seeds, and you’ll enjoy blooms for months.
Tip: Plant them in a sunny spot to help them thrive. Here’s how to grow and care for cosmos, courtesy of The Spruce.
2. Peonies
Peonies may seem like they require extra effort, but they’re actually low-maintenance. These drought- and slug-resistant plants can thrive in the same spot for decades. Growing them in your garden will fill the space with lush foliage from spring to summer.
If you’re considering planting them, use this guide to grow peonies, courtesy of Almanac.
3. Hydrangeas
Hydrangeas make a great impression, especially when in bloom with colourful flowers from summer into autumn. They’re low-maintenance and don’t require much effort to grow. As long as you plant them in moist soil, these flowers can thrive in both shade and sun. Once they’re settled in the right spot, they’ll bloom in shades of blue, purple, and pink.
Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced gardener, here are the best hydrangea varieties you can grow, courtesy of Espoma.
4. Honeysuckle
Honeysuckle is one of our easy-to-grow garden plant ideas that can grace your pergola. With their variation in height and structure, climbing honeysuckle does a great job when it comes to adding visual interest to your garden. Not only that, but it also provides excellent coverage for worn-out walls or fences.
This flowering plant thrives in full sun or dappled shade and adapts to any soil type. It’s low-maintenance and semi-evergreen, providing year-round foliage colour.
For more information on growing climbing honeysuckle, refer to this guide from RHS.
5. Geraniums
Most gardeners have their go-to annual, and for many, it’s geraniums. With their broad range of colours, it’s no wonder these flowers are a perfect choice for summer. They can withstand the sizzling heat even with limited water.
In addition to that, geraniums are low-maintenance. Once planted and fully developed, they emit a lovely scent that attracts butterflies and hummingbirds. Check out Gilmour’s ultimate guide to growing geraniums for more information.
6. Petunias
Petunias are popular flowers for several reasons:
- They don’t require a lot of work.
- They’re easy to grow from seed.
- They bloom from spring to frost in a wide range of colours.
- They take care of their own blooms, so no deadheading is required.
These annual flowering plants are divided into two groups: Grandiflora, which have large blooms, and Multiflora, which have smaller but abundant flowers.
Growing petunias requires minimal effort, but this complete guide (courtesy of J. Parkers) will be handy if you want to learn more about the plant.
Tip: Water and fertilise regularly for optimal performance.
7. Mint
Mint is a hardy perennial herb that requires minimal care, making it a perfect choice for beginner gardeners. It’s also popular among green-thumbed individuals due to its fragrant leaves and aromatic taste.
For culinary uses, Peppermint is great for steeping in tea, while Spearmint is ideal for a summer mojito. Thinking about adding mint to your herb garden? Here’s a helpful guide courtesy of Bonnie Plants.
Round-up
These easy-to-grow plants can withstand almost any weather conditions and don’t require much if any, pruning or maintenance. This makes them perfect for beginners or busy gardeners looking for a quick colour fix. So what are you waiting for? Be sure to include one of these plants in your next planting season!
Consider growing them in a small greenhouse to provide them with the ideal growing environment. If space allows, you can also plant some of these Christmas plant ideas for the holidays!
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