Selecting the right plants is the key to a successful, low-maintenance flower garden. Plants that are hardy in your region and native to your area are your best bet.
Ideally, you’d pick plants that only need a little maintenance (like frequent pruning or fertilization) or can outcompete weeds.
Some people have a “green thumb” and have been gardening for years, while others may only realize they have this talent.
You should take things slowly if you fall into the latter category. The good news is that many types of low-maintenance blooms require little attention.
List of the best low-maintenance flowers to consider
- Russian Sage
Russian Sage herb looks like lavender, so you could be forgiven for confusing the two. This plant may be a better choice than lavender as a low-maintenance flowering plant, as much as we all enjoy lavender.
Russian sage doesn’t need pesticides to grow because it can handle drought and most insects. Furthermore, you can plant it in practically any soil, making it a near certainty that it will flourish in your garden.
- Begonias
There are around 1,800 species of begonias, making it one of the most diverse groups of plants. The velvety flowers of these winter plants come in a rainbow of colors, from white and yellow to pink and red.
Begonias, unlike Goldenrod, thrive in the shade. They adapt well to low light levels and can survive in dry soil. They are sensitive to direct sunlight, frost and overwatering. Less frequent watering and more time in the shade will benefit them more.
- Peonies
The peony’s magnificent blossoms place it squarely in the position of queen among flowers. Indeed, they are among the easiest flowers to grow, and once established, they will flourish and bloom for decades.
They can withstand long periods without watering, which is great if you’re sloppy about keeping your plants hydrated. Keep in mind that peonies are ant magnets, so if you’re already fighting ants in your garden, you should skip this one.
- Cosmos
Plant this bright flower in your garden to find peace and harmony within yourself. It reseeds itself and thrives in full sun to part shade, so you can enjoy new flowers from spring through fall.
- Snowdrops
Why don’t you plant some snowdrops in your garden? These springtime favorites require almost no care and are true show-stoppers in the garden.
The snowdrop is a hardy plant that does well on its own with little human intervention. They can bloom in January, breathing new life into your garden even in winter.
- Marigolds
One of the main reasons why marigolds are easy to care for is that they can survive extreme heat and drought.
As a result, you may essentially “forget” to water them, and they will survive just fine. A wide variety of marigold colors are available, but the classic gold color has the most striking effect on foliage.
- Mexican Sunflower
The only thing that makes these little flowers different from small sunflowers is that they are a bright orange color.
Growing a Mexican sunflower is as simple as growing any other kind of sunflower. All that’s left to do after planting the seeds is wait. Also, they can entice beneficial insects like bees and butterflies into the garden.
- Daylilies
Daylilies are stunning and need almost any care to flourish. Just give this plant a little water and let them enjoy the sunshine. Daylilies, like marigolds, are able to endure dry periods.
Although daylilies only stick around for a short time, that does not mean the show has to end quickly. Although each flower only lasts a day, the plant will keep blooming like the Morning Glory flower.
What flowers don’t need a lot of water?
- Oleander
Flowers of various colors can be seen on oleander plants. To flourish, this tropical bush needs only occasional watering. Placement by the coast is ideal for this plant. A lovely fragrance gushes forth, and it can take the heat of summer.
- Portulaca
In order to thrive, portulaca plants require a sandy soil environment. A portulaca cluster will thrive indoors even if the temperature and humidity drop. This makes it an excellent choice for those who live in hot, dry areas.
You should know that portulaca tends to spread. The brightly colored flowers can quickly take over a garden if you don’t regularly trim them back.
- Coneflower
Hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies are just some of the wildlife drawn to this hardy perennial. Its standard color is purple, although red, yellow, white, and orange types have lately been introduced.
- Rock Soapwort
It grows beautifully in rocky soil and produces lovely flowers. Rock Soapwort prefers cooler temperatures and is therefore only found in highland regions.
Planting flower gardens in the mountains is a viable alternative. It grows well in rocky and dry terrain with minimal irrigation. This flower is vulnerable to extreme cold and can perish.
- Verbena
Growing verbena flowers outdoors calls for a warm climate and a robust plant. Flowers of many colors require soil that is quite dry to flourish.
From spring until October, it displays beautiful blossoms. This requires less water during growth and blooming, making it suitable for use in the tropics.
- Bougainvillea
With its ability to thrive in dry conditions, bougainvillea is among the most revered plants.
It requires very little maintenance and thrives in almost any soil with only a trickle of water. Planting these tough shrubs is a breeze; they’ll soon decorate the outdoor walls.
- Gazania
These colorful additions to your landscaping, also referred to as treasure flowers, will stand out in traditional raised beds and rock gardens. These blooms are hardy enough to survive dry spells and the year’s first and second frosts.
- Lithops
This unusual stone looks like the leaves of a succulent plant, which are both hard and succulent. This plant gets its common name of “living stones” from its stony nature.
It retains its succulent quality even after being exposed to minimal amounts of water and has a long storage life. They don’t require a lot of TLC, manure or fertilizer, so they’re low-maintenance and convenient.
Easy to maintain garden flower plants
If you’re just getting started in the gardening world, it’s best to get something that requires minimal maintenance and easily available garden tools. If you want to simplify your gardening, try cultivating species local to your area.
Plan your garden’s layout ahead of time, so you know exactly where you’ll put each plant. It’s important to keep in mind that perennial cultivars may take some time to establish themselves, but once they do, they will bloom abundantly. It’s important to give your garden enough space to stay manageable.
As you plan the garden in your backyard, you will likely find that the following low-maintenance flower options provide you with fantastic ideas for starting.